The team has shown it can score but defence will need to improve on the showing against Italy in Galway
2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship Round 2, Dexcom Stadium, Galway 18/4/2026
Ireland vs Italy
Ireland’s Dorothy Wall on the attack(Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)
Ireland travel to France for tonight’s Six Nations game in Clermont on the back of beating Italy last week.
A win on top of a loss that makes both hard to judge; they let the team expected to finish on the bottom of the table score four tries and the team expected to top the table score five.
Given Ireland expect to spend long periods of time on the back foot, it may be easier to measure their mettle afterwards.
There is just one change to the side with Dorothy Wall, who started against England, coming back into the second-row.
France have made two changes from last week’s win over Scotland.
Here’s what you need to know about this fixture:
What: 2026 Womens Six Nations
Where: Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand
When: Saturday, April 25th
Kick-off: 8.10pm Irish time
What TV channel is it on? Virgin Media 1 & Virgin Player
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR) TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)
Table positions: France 2nd with 10 points; Ireland third with five points
Did you know?
● Madoussou Fall leads the competition with 11 dominant carries while ranking 4th for post -contact metres (45).
● Ireland Women rank 1st in the competition for kick metres per kick with 33.5 metres in the latest round.
● France Women have the highest tackle success rate both this season (89.3 pecent) and in the latest round (90.8 pecent).
● Beibhinn Parsons has scored 3 tries this season (2nd in Championship) and beat 9 defenders in the latest round (1st).
QUOTES CORNER
Ireland captain Erin King: “We have come so close with the likes of France before, I think we know that it is an achievable goal, and I think if we do get our detail right and our physicality right and our fast start right, I do think we have what it takes. The capability in the squad is just immense, and the players and the talent and even our culture, it’s all going in the right direction.
“I’m really excited, and I think the team’s really excited, but we’ve never done it before, we’ve never beaten France away in a Six Nations, so it’s not an easy feat, but we’re just looking forward to it. It’s such a great opportunity for all of us. We’re so lucky to take the pitch and have the opportunity to become history-makers in that sense.”
France centre Téani Feleu: “I am very happy to return to my preferred position in the national team. Since the U20s, I’ve been systematically moved to the back row. Persistence has paid off. I’m happy to join the backs. I’m going to prove to the coaches they made the right choice.”
Betting odds: France 1/16 40/1 draw Ireland 9/1
Popular Bets: H35/1andicap France -16; Ireland to win by 8-14 points
LINE-UPS:
France: Pauline Barrat; Anaïs Grando, Aubane Rousset, Téani Feleu, Léa Murie; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon Sansus; Ambre Mwayembe, Mathilde Lazarko, Assia Khalfaoui; Kiara Zago, Madoussou Fall Raclot; Axelle Berthoumieu, Manaé Feleu (capt), Léa Champon.
Replacements: Élisa Riffonneau, Yllana Brosseau, Rose Bernadou, Cloé Correa, Siobhan Soqeta, Charlotte Escudero, Alexandra Chambon, Lina Queyroi.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Nancy McGillivray, Robyn O’Connor; Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane; Ellena Perry, Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald; Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite; Brittany Hogan, Erin King (capt), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones, Eilís Cahill, Sam Monaghan, Ruth Campbell, Katie Whelan, Eve Higgins, Anna McGann.