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Guinness Six Nations Preview: Ireland v France

Second row Iain Henderson wins a lineout during Ireland's opening Guinness Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Ulster’s Iain Henderson takes the captaincy reins for Ireland this afternoon, with Billy Burns, Jamison Gibson-Park and the recalled Rhys Ruddock stepping up for their first Guinness Six Nations starts.

2021 GUINNESS SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, February 14

IRELAND (5th) v FRANCE (3rd), Aviva Stadium, 3pm (live Virgin Media One/ITV/UTV/FR2/RTÉ Radio 1/BBC Radio Ulster/BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra/IRFU Live Blog)

Team News: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made four enforced changes to the team to play France in today’s Guinness Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium.

For the visit of the round one leaders, there is a new half-back pairing, a new captain, a caps record in the front row and one uncapped player on the bench.

Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan have not hit all their markers this week in the return-to-play protocols so are not considered for selection.

Ulster lock Iain Henderson will captain his country for the first time, becoming the 108th player to lead Ireland. He will be partnered in the second row by Tadhg Beirne, last week’s try scorer against Wales.

The front row that started in Cardiff – Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter – is retained. Healy will win his 106th cap, taking him ahead of John Hayes (105) as Ireland’s most-capped prop.

Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander are joined in the back row by Leinster’s Rhys Ruddock who slots in on the blindside flank for the suspended Peter O’Mahony. It will be Ruddock’s first Six Nations start.

Conor Murray picked up a hamstring strain in training this week, so Jamison Gibson-Park comes in at number 9 and will partner Billy Burns – both players are set to start a Championship match for the first time.

Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw continue together as the centre combination, and the back-three is also unchanged with Hugo Keenan at full-back, flanked by Keith Earls, who wins his 90th cap, and James Lowe.

There are four changes in the replacements as Ed Byrne, Ultan Dillane, Ross Byrne and the uncapped Craig Casey come in, while Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Will Connors and Jordan Larmour complete the bench for the weekend.

Speaking from the team hotel at Carton House, Farrell said: “We’re excited about it. We’ve obviously lost a few experienced players there during the week, but one man’s loss is another man’s opportunity.

“The squad is united in the excitement of the challenge ahead for the weekend. It’s why you do these things, isn’t it? You have your fingers crossed along the way.

“Things don’t quite go this way from time to time, but that’s why you pick a squad like you do in the autumn and give people a chance, to see what it’s like at international rugby. Our squad depth is coming into play at this moment and time.”

On Ireland’s latest captain, he added: “Hendy brings authority. He also brings a calmness. I think that was one of the really pleasing aspects of the game at the weekend against Wales, regarding obviously going down to 14 men.

“There was a calmness throughout that leadership group, throughout the team and Iain was right at front and centre of all that.

“He’ll do exactly the same this Sunday. He’ll see it as a challenge, he’ll get excited about it. I’m sure he’ll lead the boys very well.”

Meanwhile, France head coach Fabien Galthié has brought back Damian Penaud and Anthony Jelonch into the team to chase les Bleus’ first victory in Dublin since 2011.

They are the only two changes to the side that triumphed 50-10 away to Italy last week, with Teddy Thomas, the scorer of two tries in Rome, making way for Clermont’s Penaud on the right wing.

Dylan Cretin also drops to the bench as 24-year-old Castres flanker Jelonch slots in for his first Six Nations start. His two previous start came against Italy and England during last year’s Autumn Nations Cup.

The French replacements have been given a reshuffle too, with Hassane Kolingar and the experienced Uini Atonio drafted in as reserve props. Anthony Bouthier covers the out-half position having had game-time there for Montpellier this season.

Guinness Six Nations Fixtures/Results

Guinness Six Nations Table

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster); Billy Burns (Ulster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) (capt), Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster).

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), Ed Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Galway Corinthians/Connacht), Will Connors (UCD/Leinster), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster), Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).

FRANCE: Brice Dulin (La Rochelle); Damian Penaud (Clermont Auvergne), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Gael Fickou (Stade Francais), Gabin Villiere (Toulon); Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), Antoine Dupont (Toulouse); Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Mohamed Haouas (Montpellier), Bernard le Roux (Racing 92), Paul Willemse (Montpellier), Anthony Jelonch (Castres Olympique), Charles Ollivon (Toulon) (capt), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle).

Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle), Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), Dylan Cretin (Lyon), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Anthony Bouthier (Montpellier), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92).

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes, Christophe Ridley (both England)
Television Match Official: Tom Foley (England)

Pre-Match Quotes: Iain Henderson (Ireland) –

My family are delighted from back home (that I’m captaining the team). They’ve been on the phone and FaceTime, they’re really proud as well. It’s frustrating not to have them there but they’re delighted.

“Look, it’s a massive honour and privilege. Faz (Andy Farrell) came up to me and said that myself and Ringer (Garry Ringrose) would be leading the team tomorrow.

“I definitely jumped at the opportunity with both hands. The guys have prepared so well that they’ve given me all the confidence I need to lead the team.”

Fabien Galthié (France) –

This is the (half-back) combination that ended the game against Wales which begins. We will have to adapt to this change. It won’t change the way they play too much.

“We will have to block them at the ruck exits because Gibson-Park likes to carry the ball. Burns is of the same calibre. This team is experienced.

“You have to be prepared for any challenge, anywhere and against anyone. You have to prepare to experience chaos as solidly as possible. This is what we prepare for without forgetting to face the unexpected.”

Pre-Match Links –

Ireland v France Digital Match Programme

Head-To-Head: Ireland v France

In Pics: Ireland Captain’s Run At Aviva Stadium

‘One Man’s Loss Is Another Man’s Opportunity’ – Farrell

Win Tickets To The 2022 Guinness Six Nations

Recent Meetings –

2018: NatWest 6 Nations: France 13 Ireland 15, Stade de France

2019: Guinness Six Nations: Ireland 26 France 14, Aviva Stadium

2020: Guinness Six Nations: France 35 Ireland 27, Stade de France

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