Ireland have a mountain to climb tonight in Paris in this RBS Six Nations match. The game against France does not kick off unti 21:00 local time, 20:00 UK, so it will be cold for the players and freezing for the fans possibly leading to handling errors. The game which is at the Stade de France will be televised live on BBC Two.
France will be looking to build on their win over Italy, whilst Ireland will be looking for a better fist of things in defence and more attack. How will it go? We cannot see France letting this one slip a convincing win for France by 10 points.
Teams
FRANCE: 15 Medard, 14 Clerc, 13 Rougerie, 12 Fofana, 11 Malzieu, 10 Trinh-Duc, 9 Parra, 1 Poux, 2 Szarzewski,
3 Mas, 4 Pape, 5 Maestri, 6 Dusautoir (C), 7 Hardinorquy, 8 Picamoles.
Replacements: 16 Servat, 17 Debaty, 18 Nallet, 19 Bonnaire, 20 Dupuy, 21 Beauxis, 22 Mermoz.
IRELAND : 15 Kearney, 14 Bowe, 13 Earls, 12 D’Arcy, 11 Trimble, 10 Sexton, 9 Murray, 1 Healy, 2 Best, 3 Ross,
4 O’Callaghan, 5 O’Connell (C), 6 Ferris, 7 O’Brien, 8 Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 Cronin, 17 Court, 18 Ryan, 19 O’Mahony, 20 Reddan, 21 O’Gara, 22 McFadden.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee : Dave Pearson (ENG)
Touch judges : Wayne Barnes & Andrew Small (both ENG)
TV : Geoff Warren (ENG)