Team News: France vs Ireland - How do Fabien Galthie and Andy Farrell's sides line up for Six Nations opener?

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France are pinned amongst the two front-runners for this year's competition, with Fabien Galthie's men firmly in the conversion to win the title alongside a rejuvenated England team. Galthie made some serious statement calls prior to the competition, with eight uncapped talents flung into his wider training group and no place in the entire squad for experienced stars Gael Fickou, Gregory Alldritt and Damien Penaud.

Last week, the heart-breaking news broke that French prop Uini Atonio would retire with immediate effect following a sudden cardiac arrest. The tragic news garnered a solid showing of solidarity from across the rugby world, as the messages of support poured in for the former La Rochelle tight-head. Galthie's first match day squad for the 2026 Six Nations reads as an eclectic mix of established internationals and break out Bleus stars. There is an abundance of firepower throughout, with Antoine Dupont at the helm for his first taste of France Test action since he suffered the horrific cruciate injury against Ireland last year.

15. Thomas Ramos 14. Théo Attissogbe 13. Nicolas Depoortère 12. Yoram Moefana 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey 10. Matthieu Jalibert 9. Antoine Dupont (c) 1. Jean-Baptiste Gros 2. Julien Marchand 3. Dorian Aldegheri 4. Charles Ollivon 5. Mickaël Guillard 6. François Cros 7. Oscar Jegou 8. Anthony Jelonch

Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka 17. Rodrigue Neti 18. Régis Montagne 19. Hugo Auradou 20. Emmanuel Meafo 21. Lenni Nouchi 22. Baptiste Serin 23. Kalvin Gourgues

Now, looking at Ireland, and Andy Farrell has weathered quite the storm of injuries ahead of the opening clash in Paris. There has been a litany of issues around the front row in particular, with Leinster loose-head props Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle all out on the injury wards in an unfortunate string of luck for Farrell's side.

The tight-head side of the scrum sees Tadhg Furlong rested for the opening round match, despite the hope of a late push for match fitness in the proceeding Ireland training camp in Quinta do Lago, Portugal. The front row reinforcements comes in the form of Munster loose-head Jeremy Loughman, with his fellow provincial teammate Michael Milne on the bench. At Tight-head, Thomas Clarkson starts in the number three jersey, with Connacht man Finlay Bealham providing cover from the substitutes.

There has also been plenty of contention for places in the back-line, starting off at fly half. Despite a solid run of form that has forced him into the international conversation, there is no place in the match day 23 for Leinster out-half Harry Byrne. Sam Prendergast takes the helm of the side, with his long time rival for the 10 jersey Jack Crowley taking a seat on the bench.

The midfield has also witnessed quite the re-shuffle, with two key centres unavailable for tonight's match. Leinster's centre Robbie Henshaw sustained a knee injury in his provinces' Champions Cup win over Bayonne earlier in January, which has him side-lined for the forseeable future. All the while, Ireland's one man wrecking ball Bundee Aki begins his three-match ban, due to the comments he made to URC match officials following Connacht's inter-pro defeat to Leinster.

As a result, Leinster's Garry Ringrose starts alongside Stuart McCloskey of Ulster under the Stade de France lights. Ireland's outside backs have also been impacted ahead of the match, with Hugo Keenan ruled out with a fractured thumb, that he sustained in the Portugal training camp. It's a tough break for the fullback, who was on the road to recovery after a planned hip operation, having not played since the final Test of the Lions tour.

15. Jamie Osborne 14. Tommy O'Brien 13. Garry Ringrose 12. Stuart McCloskey 11. Jacob Stockdale 10. Sam Prendergast 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 1. Jeremy Loughman 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Thomas Clarkson 4. Joe McCarthy 5. Tadhg Beirne 6. Cian Prendergast 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan Doris

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Ronan Kelleher 17. Michael Milne 18. Finlay Bealham 19. James Ryan 20. Jack Conan 21. Nick Timoney 22. Craig Casey 23. Jack Crowley

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