Overview
- Kick-off is 8:10pm GMT at the Stade de France, with free-to-air coverage on ITV1/ITVX in the UK, Virgin Media One/Play in Ireland and France 2/FranceTV in France.
- Antoine Dupont returns from last year’s ACL injury to captain France, with Matthieu Jalibert at fly-half and notable omissions including Damian Penaud, Gaël Fickou and Gregory Alldritt.
- Ireland field a reshaped front row as Jeremy Loughman and Thomas Clarkson start, with Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw and Hugo Keenan out injured and Bundee Aki suspended.
- Starting XVs and benches are confirmed for both teams, and Karl Dickson will referee with Angus Gardner and Jordan Way as assistants and Ian Tempest as TMO.
- Pre-match markets and pundits install France as heavy favourites for both the opener and the championship.