Ireland v France! All you need to know about opening fixture of this year's Six Nations
History to be made in Paris with first-ever Thursday fixture
Ireland will open their Guinness Six Nations campaign this Thursday night when they take on France at the Stade de France in Paris.
The defending champions, who welcome back captain Antoine Dupont from a long-term injury, are the strong favourites ahead of what will be the first-ever Thursday night fixture in the Six Nations.
Andy Farrell enters the tournament having lost several likely starters to injury over the last number weeks.
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick off time: 8.10pm (Irish time)
TV: Virgin Media One will have live coverage, beginning from 7pm
TEAMS
France: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortere, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (captain); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri; Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard; Oscar Jegou, Francois Cros, Anthony Jelonch.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Regis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Kalvin Gourgues.
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 (captain)
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.
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OFFICIALS
Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner & Jordan Way
TMO: Ian Tempest
FPRO / bunker reviews: Richard Kelly
IRELAND'S SIX NATIONS FIXTURES 2026
France v IrelandStade de France, ParisThursday, February 5
Ireland v ItalyAviva Stadium, DublinSaturday, February 14
England v IrelandTwickenham, LondonSaturday, February 21
Ireland v WalesAviva Stadium, DublinFriday, March 6
Ireland v ScotlandAviva Stadium, DublinSaturday, March 14