Preview: France vs Ireland
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Preview: France vs Ireland
France vs Ireland (14:25)
Ireland travel to Paris with happy memories from their last visit to the Stade de France, but the two teams are different sides now.
After a immensely physical game last Sunday against Wales, Rory Best and his team mates have a short turnaround compared to France.
Joe Schmidt has made 3 changes to his side, 2 forced through injury as Keith Earls and Simon Zebo are ruled out, Dave Kearney and Rob Kearney come into the side in place of the Munster duo. The other change comes as Sean O'Brien is fit again, he comes in for Tommy O'Donnell.
Ireland have won their last 3 against France but have never won 2 in a row in Paris in over 90 years.
France on the other hand failed to hit the heights as expected since Guy Noves came in. With a lot of debutantes in the side, none shone as les blues scraped through against Italy 23-21.
5 changes for France, which include star player Louis Picamoles who is ruled out with a hamstring problem, Yacouba Camara comes in for the captain. Also young prop Jefferson Poirot comes in for Racing 92's Eddy Ben Arous.
When France did find space they showed glimpses of what they can do, 7's followers will know how much of a talent France have in Virimi Vakatawa. If the winger gets space it could spell trouble Ireland. However as highlighted by Italy last week, in the 15's game he struggles with positioning, Ireland can target that weakness with their kicking game and get results.
France's last win over Ireland came back in 2011 in Dublin, where les blues came out 26-22 winners.
Key man: Sean O'Brien. Joe Schmidt will have breathed a sigh of relief when O'Brien was passed fit for this one. Such a devastating player on the day and having him driving forward for Ireland could be the difference.
Prediction: We've swayed from a comfortable Ireland win to a edgy France win, this will be the closest contest in years between the two. However Ireland's recent form against the French gives them the edge over France for us. Expect a very close physical game but Ireland by 3.
Dan Hayes
