Defending champions France will be led by Antoine Dupont in their opening 2026 Six Nations tie against Ireland as Sam Prendergast starts for the visitors.
Tadhg Furlong is out due to a calf injury, while Prendergast has beaten out Harry Bryne and Jack Crowley to start at fly-half.
The showdown at the Stade de France in Paris is the first Six Nations match to be held on a Thursday evening and is pivotal to the title hopes of either side.
France’s team
Toulouse scrum-half Dupont is named captain on his return to international rugby for the first time since an ACL knee injury against the Irish 12 months ago.
Matthieu Jalibert partners Dupont at fly-half due to Romain Ntamack’s injury.
Leading pick to earn the top tryscorer award, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, starts on the left wing as Théo Attissogbe starts over on the right edge.
Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Deportere are the centres, while Anthony Jelonch replaces the dropped Gregory Aldritt at eight.
Given the quality of the name he is replacing, Jelonch in particular will be under pressure to perform and prove himself.
In the wake of Uini Atonio’s sudden retirement, a changed front row features Jean-Baptiste Gros and Dorian Aldegheri as props and Julien Marchand as hooker.
Charles Ollivon and Mickaël Guillard then take their places in the back row, and flankers Francois Cros and Oscar Jegou complete the 15.
Highly rated youngster Kalvin Gourgues earns a place on the bench after a string of superb performances at centre for Toulouse.
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Ireland’s team
An already large injury list for head coach Andy Farrell has grown, with Furlong ruled out at tighthead.
In the absence of Furlong, Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle, Jeremy Loughman and Tom Clarkson start at prop.
Dan Sheehan retains the hooker starting shirt as Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne make the back row.
Cian Prendergast partners Josh van der Flier at flanker in a shock selection, while captain Caelan Doris is named at eight.
Jamison Gibson-Park takes the number nine strip and Sam Prendergast starts at 10.
Both Prendergast brothers need strong performances to prove that the faith placed in them by Farrell is worthwhile.
Jacob Stockdale clinches the left-wing berth from James Lowe, James Osborne is at full-back and Tommy O’Brien sits on the right edge.
Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey round off the starting team in the centre.
James Ryan, Craig Casey and Crowley are named in the replacements, as are forwards Ronan Kelleher and Michael Milne.
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The referee
Karl Dickson is the referee for the Six Nations opener.
Coincidentally, the Englishman officiated the last meeting between these two sides in France, when the Irish defeated their hosts 38-17 in Marseille.
The 43-year-old will also be used to hostile French home support, having officiated Champions Cup ties at Toulon and Pau in January.
The favourites
France are clear favourites at 3/25 with oddsmakers Betway.
Ireland are far behind at 11/2.
The two sides haven’t drawn this decade and the odds of a stalemate sit at 35/1.
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SportJustSport writers