First off, why is this game on a Thursday?<\/p>\n
Although it’s not the first ever time a championship match has been played on a Thursday, it\u2019s the first time in the Six Nations era.<\/p>\n
Back in the glorious year of 1948 Ireland played France on a Thursday night and won 13-6 on their way to Grand Slam glory.<\/p>\n
This time the fixture has been moved forward to avoid a clash for ‘television viewers\u2019 with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, which takes place in Milan on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Go figure (skate).<\/p>\n
Back to on-field matters, this is the 105th meeting of the teams with Ireland having won 37 and France 60. There have been seven draws.<\/p>\n
The two teams have won the championship for the last four renewals, France in 2022 and last year, Ireland were victorious in 2023 and 2024.<\/p>\n
There were mixed autumn campaigns for the sides. Ireland, currently ranked four in the world, were well beaten by New Zealand and South Africa and picked up wins over Japan and Australia.<\/p>\n
The Against the Head panel of Donal Lenihan, Bernard Jackman and Darren Cave set the scene ahead of the start of the 2026 Guinness #SixNations<\/a> #RTESport<\/a> #RTERugby<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/b2sk0Zo71B<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Les Bleus, ranked fifth, lost to the Springboks, but beat Fiji and Australia.<\/p>\n While the average winning margin from France and Ireland\u2019s last 10 meetings is fewer than seven points, the last two games have been over long before the final whistle.<\/p>\n Fabien Galthie\u2019s side hammered Ireland 42-27 last year in Dublin, while the roles were reversed two years ago in Marseille when the visitors recorded a 37-18 success.<\/p>\n Ireland are missing a number of frontline players including Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw and Hugo Keenan through injury, while Bundee Aki is suspended.<\/p>\n That means first Six Nations games for prop Jeremy Loughman and back row Cian Prendergast, starting for the first time alongside brother Sam, while Jacob Stockdale (below), in for James Lowe, gets his first championship appearance in five years.<\/p>\n Munster loosehead Michael Milne, who has just two caps to his name, is one of six forwards on the bench.<\/p>\n![\"29](\"https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/images\/0023d735-614.jpg?ratio=1.78\"\/)
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