Ireland v France: Team news, predictions, odds & TV

Ireland host France in the RBS 6 Nations on Saturday February 25, with the match kicking off at 1650 GMT at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and screened live on ITV.

Here is our preview pack, which includes the team news, quotes from coaches, key facts, the latest Sky Bet odds and the thoughts of our Steve Bramley to help you with your bets.

You can also click here for all the Six Nations fixtures, results, standings, TV guide, team-by-team standings and historical statistics.

Ireland v France: Latest Team news

Johnny Sexton has fought off Paddy Jackson's challenge to start Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France in Dublin on Saturday. Sexton has been sidelined with calf trouble since Leinster's 24-24 European draw in Castres on January 20, but will now slot straight back in at fly-half for Ireland this weekend. Sexton has not featured for Ireland since the autumn defeat to New Zealand in Dublin, and has clocked up just 130 minutes for Leinster since November.

Ulster fly-half Jackson has impressed in Sexton's many recent absences, notably in Ireland's summer tour to South Africa. But Sexton's return to full fitness has led to his immediate recall, as expected. Ireland have made three changes from the side which overwhelmed Italy 63-10 in Rome on Saturday, February 11. Jack McGrath slots back in to start at prop with Cian Healy dropping back to the bench, with captain Rory Best also back in the front row after missing the Italy win through a stomach bug. Wing Andrew Trimble takes a seat on the bench after a groin injury, while Iain Henderson will also cover lock from the replacements. 

France have made three changes to their starting line-up. Prop Rabah Slimani, flanker Bernard Le Roux and wing Yoann Huget come in for Uini Atonio, Loann Goujon and Virimi Vakatawa respectively. New Zealand-born wing Vakatawa has a thigh injury while Atonio makes way for Slimani, who scored a try against England in the narrow defeat at Twickenham.

Back-row forward Goujon has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament following a clash of heads in the match against Scotland. The 27-year-old La Rochelle flanker fractured a bone in his sinuses which ruled him out for at least a month. Racing 92 centre Henry Chavancy is called up to the bench along with flanker Charles Ollivon, prop Eddy Ben Arous and wing Djibril Camara, but there is no place for juggernaut centre Mathieu Bastareaud, who misses the Ireland match after suffering a concussion.

Teams:

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), G Ringrose, R Henshaw (both Leinster), S Zebo (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J McGrath (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), T Furlong (Leinster), D Ryan (Munster), D Toner (Leinster), CJ Stander (Munster), S O'Brien, J Heaslip (both Leinster).

Replacements: N Scannell (Munster), C Healy (Leinster), J Ryan (Munster), I Henderson (Ulster), P O'Mahony (Munster), K Marmion (Connacht), P Jackson, A Trimble (both Ulster). 

France: S Spedding (Clermont Auvergne); N Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne), R Lamerat (Clermont Auvergne), G Fickou (Toulouse), Y Huget (Toulouse); C Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), B Serin (Bordeaux-Begles); C Baille (Toulouse), G Guirado (Toulon, capt), R Slimani (Stade Francais), S V Vahaamahina (Clermont Auvergne), Y Maestri (Toulouse), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), K Gourdon (La Rochelle), L Picamoles (Northampton).

Replacements: C Tolofua (Toulouse), U Antonio (La Rochelle), E Ben Arous (Racing 92), J Le Devedec (Brive), C Ollivon (Toulon), M Machenaud (Racing 92), H Chavancy (Racing 92), D Camara (Stade Francais). 

Ireland v France: Odds & advice

Ireland are 1/3 favourites with Sky Bet to claim their second win of the campaign when they host France, who can be backed at 9/4 to back it back-to-back wins themselves. The latter are on offer at even money with an eight-point start on the handicap, with the hosts 4/1 to come out on top by a margin of 6-10 points. Simon Zebo is favourite to score the first try at 17/2 while French duo Noa Nakaitaci and Yoann Huget are both 14/1.

Click here to check out all of Sky Bet's odds! 

Steve Bramley writes: Johnny Sexton has given Ireland backers a huge lift ahead of their must-win clash with France on Saturday.

The fly-half, who sat out their opening day defeat to Scotland and then the demolition of Italy, has finally shaken off a calf injury and barring a late injury setback replaces Paddy Jackson in the starting line-up for their heavyweight duel with Les Bleus.

Ulster's Jackson will no doubt feel slightly aggrieved to have to make way after solid displays in the opening two matches of this season’s Championship but Sexton’s value to this Irish team is huge and this is a fixture he has made his own of late.

The Leinster No 10 scored 17 of his side’s 22 points in their famous win in Paris in 2014, and kicked all the points in the 18-11 victory in Dublin two years ago, and the 10-9 defeat in Paris last year.

Sexton’s experience, plus that of fit-again Rob Kearney and scrum-half Conor Murray, is crucial in what looks like the ultimate battle between brains over brawn.

Ireland, nine try victors over Italy in Rome, take on a buoyant French side who literally battered Scotland into submission in Paris two weeks ago. 

Odds-on shots Ireland certainly know what to expect and if they can find a way to stop the likes of powerhouse No 8 Louis Picamoles, who has made more ground than any other player in the tournament so far, then they should record consecutive home wins against France for the first time since 2003.

Ultimately home advantage is a huge for the Irish. They are unbeaten in their last nine Six Nations matches in Dublin and are 1/3 to make that ten, while France (10/3) struggle on the road.

Despite their impressive display in defeat at Twickenham Guy Noves’ side have now lost their last four Six Nations matches on their travels – equalling their worst streak in the tournament dating back in 1956 and 1958.

Only one of the last ten meetings between these rivals has been separated by a double-digit winning margin – France winning just one of the last five - and I’d expect this to be another close affair with so much at stake.

I’m still of the view that Ireland, who host England in the final round of matches offer real value at 11/2 in the outright, and if they can get by the French then a final-day showdown with England in Dublin remains a real possibility.

While France are much improved Ireland’s hammering of Italy cleared boosted their confidence and with the inspirational Sexton back in the team, and on home soil, I’m confident of a home win and backing Ireland on the alternative handicap (1-12 points) at 6/4 with Sky Bet.

I’m also expecting Sexton to try and exploit gaps behind the huge French pack and that could lead to opportunities for flyer Keith Earls.

The Munster wing has scored five tries in his last four matches and is 9/4 with Betfred to extend that run in Dublin and 10/1 (Ladbrokes) to cross first in the match. Sexton, who crossed twice in that 2014 win, is also one to note at 15/2 to score anytime.

Suggestions:

Ireland to beat France on Sky Bet's alternative handicap (1-12pts) 

Keith Earls to score a try anytime 

Ireland v France: Key quotes

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt on Johnny Sexton's return: "It was a call like any other, we debated it and we do believe we get a good balance with having both players available. It's very hard to come into a side and come off the bench when you haven't played. So starting the match has allowed Johnny a bit more training time with the team this week.

"It's a balance, and I think on Saturday based on how things have gone in the past we'll probably see both players in some positions in some stage of the game. He's done a lot of conditioning in the period of his injury, and fitness is never really an issue for Johnny, it's just making sure he's fully fit. And he is. He trained well today and fully on Tuesday. He's highly motivated to get into the game on Saturday." 

Garry Ringrose on how Ireland must cope without Jared Payne: "Jared is incredible defensively, and I've learned as much as I could off him training with him and watching him on TV. To describe Jared as the defensive captain is very true.

"I don't think there's a specific defensive captain now, I think collectively we all have to buy in and not one person is defending on their own.

"We're better collectively, so I don't think there's a captain I could single out. If I could be half the player Jared is I'd be over the moon. With him being injured I've just had to try to best fill his shoes with the opportunity I've been given."

Ringrose on facing a physical challenge against France: "This will be the most physical challenge for me so far, and it's the biggest challenge for me so far, full stop. They've incredible size and skill in the centre.

"You can't get too caught up in the talent they have out wide because first you've got to worry about what they've got in the middle. It will be a huge test, and a huge challenge with Remi Lamerat and Gael Fickou in their centres. I certainly have to be switched on and we've got to bring our A game if we want to make an impact."

France coach Guy Noves on logical changes to his side: "Virimi (Vakatawa) was injured after the match against Scotland two weeks ago," the Frenchman told L'Equipe. We felt that he had to stay with us to take care of himself and work, insofar as he is part of the FFR.

"The logic was therefore Yoann (Huget), who is getting back in shape. He is full of enthusiasm, he has been exceptional in his behaviour by putting himself at the service of others."

On why Le Roux was given the nod at flanker ahead of Charles Ollivon: "It still seems quite logical, too. Bernard had been released so that he could play with his club, he played full matches. The injuries of Loann Goujon and Damien Chouly meant that he could return and possibly start. Charles Ollivon also returned, but he played less (17 minutes with Toulon)."

Noves on Ireland's threat: "I respect what Bernard (Laporte) thinks," Noves said. "This is the most important in this tournament because it is the one we play on Saturday. But it is no more important than the next match.

"The trip to England was the most important at the time and we showed that we can compete at least 70 minutes with the English.

"Today, with a few more weeks of work, this game is important because we need big matches and those are against the best nations. Ireland, unquestionably, are one of the best nations. They are the only team that beat New Zealand (40-29, in Chicago last November).

"They are a team that may have temporarily fallen asleep against Scotland (where they were beaten 27-22, in the opening round of the tournament), but who reacted immediately by putting 60 points (10-63) to Italy."

Ireland v France: Opta Facts

Only one of the last 10 Six Nations games between these teams has been decided by a double-digit margin, including a brace of draws in 2012 and 2013. 

Ireland are looking for consecutive home wins against France for the first time since 2003, since those back to back wins they have lost four of their seven encounters with Les Bleus in Dublin (W2, D1). 

Ireland are unbeaten at home in nine Six Nations matches (W7, D2), giving up just one potential losing bonus point in that run (v France in 2015). 

France have lost each of their last four games away from home in the Six Nations, the last time they went on a longer such streak in the tournament was in the Five Nations between 1956-1958 (5 games). 

Ireland (9.5) are the only team this tournament to miss fewer than 10 tackles per game, and their tackle success rate of 94% is five percentage points better than any other team. 

Keith Earls has scored in four Test matches in a row, only Joseph Quinn, who scored in five games in a row from 1913-1914 has scored in more consecutive matches for Ireland.  

Ireland v France: Last four meetings

2016: France 10-9 Ireland, Paris
2015: Ireland 18-11 France, Dublin
2014: France 20-22 Ireland, Paris
2013: Ireland 13-13 France, Dublin 

Ireland v France: Six Nations so far

Round One

Scotland 27-22 Ireland (Murrayfield)
England 19-16 France (Twickenham)

Round Two

Italy 10-63 Ireland (Stadio Olimico)
France 22-16 Scotland (Stade de France)