Ireland (v France)<\/p>\n
Jamie Osborne; Tommy O\u2019Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).<\/p>\n
Replacements: R\u00f3nan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.<\/p>\n
Key reads:<\/p>\n
\u201cThursday night\u2019s curtain raiser to the 2026 Six Nations is between the two countries who have dominated the championship in the last four seasons,\u201d Gerry Thornley writes.<\/p>\n
![\"Head](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2FEBEGHYDXR4GYBG2S2CNW7VZI.jpg\")
Head coaches Steve Tandy (Wales), Gregor Townsend (Scotland), Steve Borthwick (England), Fabien Galthi\u00e9 (France), Andy Farrell (Ireland) and Gonzalo Quesada (Italy) at last week’s Six Nations launch at Edinburgh Castle. Photograph: Steve Welsh\/PA <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also that tricky midway point in a second World Cup cycle for both Andy Farrell and Fabien Galthi\u00e9 as they each embark upon a seventh Six Nations campaign. But while there is probably more pressure on the latter to deliver, in many ways this looks like the Irish head coach\u2019s most challenging campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read Gerry\u2019s thoughts on the challenges facing Farrell this time around below:<\/p>\n
[\u00a0Andy Farrell\u2019s seventh Six Nations campaign looks like the most challenging yetOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n And some overnight news, we now have fixture details for next year\u2019s Rugby World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n John O\u2019Sullivan has this for us:<\/p>\n Ireland will open their 2027 World Cup campaign in Australia with a game against Portugal in Sydney on Monday, October 4th.<\/p>\n The World Cup fixtures and dates were confirmed on Monday night, and Andy Farrell\u2019s charges will have a three-venue schedule in Pool D. Six days after the Portugal fixture Ireland take on Six Nations rivals Scotland at a third successive World Cup at Perth Stadium on Sunday, October 10th.<\/p>\n Ireland conclude their pool matches against Uruguay at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday, October 17th.<\/p>\n Read the news in full below:<\/p>\n [\u00a0Fixture details released for 2027 Rugby World CupOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s Ireland v France fixture was drama-filled, with French captain Antoine Dupont<\/a> picking up a knee injury which ended his tournament.<\/p>\n Thankfully, he bears no ill will towards Ireland. \u201cI think it was just an accident. It happens sometimes on the field, unfortunately,\u201d he said of the incident at last week\u2019s Six Nations launch in Edinburgh.<\/p>\n [\u00a0\u2018Just an accident\u2019: Antoine Dupont bears no ill will towards Ireland pair over knee injuryOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n And speaking of Dupont, Conor Murray had plenty of kind things to say of the French scrumhalf in his column.<\/p>\n Some snippets: \u201cAntoine Dupont is not really a scrumhalf. He\u2019s a little bit of every position. Surely there\u2019s never been a more freakishly powerful human who is only 5ft 9in tall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDupont is the difference-maker in most games. You can\u2019t distract him. He won\u2019t retaliate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen a better player than Dupont. He\u2019s pure class.\u201d<\/p>\n High praise indeed.<\/p>\n [\u00a0Conor Murray: Respect to Lomu and McCaw, but Antoine Dupont is the greatest of all timeOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been pleased with the application of the squad since we linked up last week and we\u2019ve a good body of work under our belts from our training camp in Portugal as we face into an exciting test match against France,\u201d head coach Andy Farrell said looking ahead to Thursday night\u2019s game.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Six Nations is an amazing tournament to compete in and it brings out the best in players. We have played at the Stade de France many times and it\u2019s a terrific stadium with an incredible atmosphere. <\/p>\n \u201cWe know from our experiences on the road how proud and vocal the travelling Irish support can be and it\u2019s a huge motivator for the squad knowing that we have so many Irish supporters behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n Gerry Thornley\u2019s up bright and early, he has this quick-take on the team for us:<\/p>\n Injuries and a suspension have forced Andy Farrell\u2019s hand to a large degree but the Ireland head coach has extensively overhauled the side which lost to South Africa in November.<\/p>\n In all, there are seven changes to the starting XV, and eight to the matchday 23, for Thursday night\u2019s Six Nations opener against France in Paris (kick-off 8.10pm Irish time).<\/p>\n Cian Prendergast has been promoted from the bench to start alongside his younger brother Sam in an Irish shirt for the first time, while in the absence of Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and now Tadhg Furlong, Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson start in the pack with Michael Milne and Finlay Bealham on the bench.<\/p>\n Joe McCarthy returns after missing the November Tests on account of a foot injury, with James Ryan shifting to a 6-2 bench.<\/p>\n As expected, Jamie Osborne (in his first game since suffering a shoulder injury in November against Japan) and Stuart McCloskey return for the injured Mack Hansen and suspended Bundee Aki, while Farrell has also preferred Jacob Stockdale to James Lowe on the left wing.<\/p>\n There is also a recall for another Ulster player in flanker Nick Timoney, who is named among the six forward replacements, with Craig Casey and the versatile Jack Crowley covering the backs as Harry Byrne misses out.<\/p>\n And here we have it, Ireland\u2019s matchday 23 to face France goes as follows…<\/p>\n Ireland team v France: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O\u2019Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).<\/p>\n Replacements: R\u00f3nan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.<\/p>\n Five-minute warning.<\/p>\n Before the 2026 tournament gets under way we may as well jog our memories as to how last year\u2019s championship played out.<\/p>\n France were crowned champions, earning their 19th title, having taken four wins from their five outings, the loss coming against England in the second round.<\/p>\n Ireland, despite also earning four victories, finished third, a point behind England, who Andy Farrell\u2019s side got the better of during the opening weekend on their way to the Triple Crown.<\/p>\n Scotland were fourth with two wins and two losses, while a first-round win for Italy over Wales saw them avoid their old pal the wooden spoon, which instead went to the way of the Welsh.<\/p>\n Because it\u2019s always worth rewatching Johnny Sexton\u2019s match-winning drop goal against France in 2018, here you go:<\/p>\n We\u2019re half an hour out from the team announcement now.<\/p>\n How about some stats on this dreary Tuesday morning?<\/p>\n \u201cIf there is one stat to highlight in advance of Ireland\u2019s Six Nations opener against France<\/a> on Thursday night, or indeed the tournament as a whole, it would be rucks per try,\u201d Nathan Johns tells us.<\/p>\n \u201cIn an era dominated by aerial battles and kicking, more teams are trying to manufacture transition attacking opportunities. If they get some scraps, skilled handlers and fast athletes can pick off disorganised defences with ease.<\/p>\n \u201cOf the Six Nations teams, France look the best equipped in this part of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n Have a read of Nathan\u2019s facts and figures in full below:<\/p>\n [\u00a0One statistic will define Ireland\u2019s opener against France on Thursday, and the whole tournamentOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Ahead of the tournament, Andy Farrell and the lads hit off to Portugal for their annual pre-Six Nations training camp.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be too jealous, they copped quite a bit of rain while there.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a reminder of the Ireland squad in full before it\u2019s whittled down to Thursday\u2019s matchday 23:<\/p>\n Forwards:\u00a0Tom Ahern (Munster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Billy Bohan (Connacht)*, Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, capt), Edwin Edogbo (Munster)*, Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), R\u00f3nan Kelleher (Leinster), Jeremy Loughman (Munster), Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Tom O\u2019Toole (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht), James Ryan (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).<\/p>\n Backs: Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster)* Harry Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Nathan Doak (Ulster)*, Tom Farrell (Munster), Ciar\u00e1n Frawley (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Hugo Keenan (Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Tommy O\u2019Brien (Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster).<\/p>\n *Denotes uncapped<\/p>\n While Hugo Keenan<\/a> was named in the squad, which was announced on January 21st, his involvement in the tournament is in doubt after the Leinster<\/a> fullback sustained a thumb injury training in Portugal.<\/p>\n Connacht<\/a>\u2019s Bundee Aki<\/a> had also been named in the squad but was dropped in relation to his four-week suspension for engaging with match officials during Connacht\u2019s URC defeat to Leinster on January 24th, with Ulster<\/a>\u2019s Jude Postlethwaite called up in his place.<\/p>\n [\u00a0Owen Doyle: The IRFU must show Bundee Aki and us all that referee abuse is intolerableOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Ahead of the 2031 World Cup, which is due to be hosted in the US, rugby has been trying to \u2018break America\u2019 \u00e0 la Westlife in the early noughties.<\/p>\n On the latest episode of the Counter Ruck podcast, Nathan Johns spoke to one Irish man who may prove key to that endeavour, USA\u2019s new head coach Jack Hanratty.<\/p>\n Have a listen below or wherever you get your podcasts:<\/p>\n Gerry Thornley\u2019s gone away and had a think and has come back with a potential Ireland matchday 23.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Prendergast brothers, Cian and Sam, could be in line to start together in an Ireland team for the first time when the side to face France in Thursday\u2019s Six Nations opener at the Stade de France is unveiled on Tuesday morning,\u201d he writes.<\/p>\n I won\u2019t leave you hanging, here\u2019s Gerry\u2019s full potential squad for Thursday\u2019s game:<\/p>\n IRELAND (possible v France): J Osborne; T O\u2019Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; J Loughman, D Sheehan, T Clarkson; J McCarthy, T Beirne; C Prendergast, J van der Flier, C Doris (capt).<\/p>\n Replacements: R Kelleher, M Milne, F Bealham, J Ryan, J Conan, N Timoney, C Casey, J Crowley.<\/p>\n You can read Gerry\u2019s reasonings in full below:<\/p>\n [\u00a0Six Nations: Cian Prendergast in line to join brother Sam in Ireland side to play FranceOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Six Nations will once again be played over five weekends, but those game weekends have been shrunk down to a six-week window.<\/p>\n The 2026 championship kicks off on Thursday, February 5th and will wrap up with Super Saturday on March 14th.<\/p>\n Here are the details for Ireland\u2019s five fixtures:<\/p>\n Round 1 \u2013 France (away), Thursday, February 5th, 8.10pm<\/p>\n Round 2 \u2013 Italy (home), Saturday, February 14th, 2.10pm<\/p>\n Round 3 \u2013 England (away), Saturday, February 21st, 2.10pm<\/p>\n Round 4 \u2013 Wales (home), Friday, March 6th, 8.10pm<\/p>\n Round 5 \u2013 Scotland (home), Saturday, March 14th, 2.10pm<\/p>\n Good morning! We\u2019ve an early start today as Ireland<\/a> head coach Andy Farrell<\/a> names his matchday side for the opening game of the 2026 Six Nations<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ireland open their campaign away to reigning champions France<\/a> at the on Thursday, with an 8.10pm kick-off (Irish time) at the Stade de France.<\/p>\n Yes, you read that right, Six Nations on a Thursday, the world\u2019s gone mad.<\/p>\n The Ireland team announcement is due to be made at 8am, which we\u2019ll be following live, and we\u2019ll also have reaction and analysis from our rugby writers.<\/p>\n Between now and then, I\u2019ll be your humble guide to everything you need to know before the tournament gets under way.<\/p>\n To start, how about we do a bit of a deep-dive on Thursday\u2019s opponents as John O\u2019Sullivan has been hard at work preparing guides to each of the, well, six nations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe checklist for Ireland is to reinforce the scrum and lineout as stable platforms, win\/dominate\/shade the aerial duels, be squeaky clean at the breakdown, stay disciplined in everything they do, connect in defence, show courage in attack and kick with purpose,\u201d he writes of Ireland\u2019s rather lengthy list of work-ons for the championship.<\/p>\n![\"Antoine](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/VOUIF6H2EBFPDNDZG3F4LROQHM.jpg\")
Antoine Dupont receives treatment before leaving the field after picking up an injury during the 2025 Six Nations game between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"Head](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770109930_292_TJDGEYFC6TB7V3GPRFMUXIUXO4.jpg\")
Head coach Andy Farrell in Quinta do Lago, Portugal during Ireland’s pre-tournament training camp. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n![\"Ireland's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/YHMUCMXWRTRSQZYHY4V6NGPOGM.jpg\")
Ireland’s Cian Prendergast. Photograph: Ben Brady\/Inpho <\/p>\n![\"Hugo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MABVIBEQZMMOIKILZ6XPZYCLGA.jpg\")
Hugo Keenan during a Leinster training session in early January. Photograph: Ryan Byrne \/Inpho <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767177708414-69197743-5ee2-4403-b94c-9a36cd6b79cd.jpeg\"\/)
Can rugby take off in America?<\/p>\n![\"Ireland's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/WOJVMAV4ERDBLONHRMZYFA7REA.jpg\")
Ireland’s Dan Sheehan is tackled by France’s Romain Ntamack and Gabin Villiere during a 2022 Six Nations game at the Stade de France. Photograph: Billy Stickland\/Inpho <\/p>\n![\"Ireland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/G3A3LKZATQ7IRS5Z6Q6WOREJKM.jpg\")
Ireland captain Caelan Doris chats with France captain Antoine Dupont at the Six Nations launch in Edinburgh last week. Photograph: Dan Sheridan\/Inpho <\/p>\n