France vs Ireland Predictions - France to start with Six Nations win over Ireland

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 03 Feb 2026

Ralph Staniforth 03 Feb 2026

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France favored as Six Nations champions.
Ireland expected to challenge within +14.5 handicap.
Key players: Antoine Dupont (France), youthful Ireland lineup.

Expired

Scrum key to Ireland's chances (Getty Images)

France vs Ireland Predictions

This should be an intriguing contest between the first and third favourite for the crown. In Paris, I feel France will be too good, but I do see Ireland getting within the +14.5 handicap.

France vs Ireland Predictions
Head to Head
France Form
Ireland Form
France vs Ireland Lineups

France beat Ireland in Dublin last year.
France have won 4 of their last 6 matches against Ireland.
France have won their last 2 matches at home.
Ireland have lost 2 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

France have won four of their last six matches against Ireland, including a 42-27 victory in Dublin last season.

France Form

France are the defending Six Nations champions and kick the 2026 campaign off against Ireland, their closest rivals in recent years. However, France come in as comfortable favourites to not only win this game but also defend their title.

Since the 2025 Six Nations, France lost a series 3-0 to New Zealand away in July 2025. However, one must consider that the French sent a second to third string squad out for that tour.

In their November internationals, France lost 32-17 at home to South Africa before beating Fiji by a measly 13 points and lastly, Australia 48-33.

Ireland Form

Ireland dominated the Six Nations and for periods the world No.1 spot in recent years. However, since the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, they have slowly begun to fade away with some youngsters replacing very experienced players.

The Irish did finish second in the Six Nations in 2025, losing out to France who were also the only side to defeat them in the tournament. In July, Ireland beat Georgia and Portugal with many first-choice players on the British & Irish Lions tour.

November was a mixed bag of results for Ireland as they lost to New Zealand in America before defeating Japan 41-10 and Australia 46-19 at home. Their last game, against world champions, South Africa, Ireland were thoroughly outplayed, losing 24-13 in Dublin.

France vs Ireland Lineups

France: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe; Yoram Moefana, Nicolas Depoortere; Louis Beille-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (capt); Jean-Baptiste Grod, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri; Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard; Francois Cros, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch.

Replacements: Peato Mayvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Regis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Emmanual Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serrin, Kalvin Gourgues.

The big news for France is the return from injury of captain, Antoine Dupont who missed much of 2025 with injury. Thomas Ramos retains his fullback spot while Teho Attissogbe gets a rare start. Matthieu Jalibert will starts at flyhalf.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O'Brien; 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).

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.

Jack Crowley has to settle for a spot on the bench with Sam Prendergast starting at 10. He is partnered by the experienced Jamie Gibson-Park. There is plenty of youth and experience in this Ireland squad but key to their survival will be how they hold on at scrum time given how South Africa dismantled them.

Verdict

France v Ireland

I am backing Ireland to get within teh 14.5 handicap against France.

Ireland +14.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 5 Units

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