[2025 Six Nations] Ireland vs France - 8/3/25

[Leonormous Boozer]

(Irish time)

Annoying that this isn't the prime time slot. Should be a cracker.

 

[irisht]

Kickoff time isnt ideal.

 

[munstermuffin]

IRELAND (possible): Keenan; Osborne or Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; J McCarthy, Beirne; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Herring or G McCarthy, Healy, Clarkson or O'Toole, Ryan, Baird, Conan, Murray, Crowley.

FRANCE (possible): Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.

Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Tatafu, Meafou, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

I'm genuinely nervous about this game because I think France's ceiling is higher than ours. I suspect that our game plan of playing without possession until we are in their red zone will play to their strengths.
Furlong is a (probable) loss in the set piece, as well as what he does in the loose. Player v player, I only see 1 outcome, and I think it will cost us the championship and slam.
The only comfort I'm taking is that the French media I have sampled seem to be as worried about us, as I am about them…..

 

[OllyM97]

Looking at the teams on paper, I think France have a better side. However, Ireland have home advantage and if, as is likely, it is a very tight game going towards the end I think they're more reliable under pressure. Against that, France's bench is potentially monumental. I've said a lot there without actually giving a prediction. I genuinely do not have a clue about this. My logical head says France by 8-10, but my gut instinct says Ireland might just do it.

 

[IT157]

France victory.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think alot depends on the true fitness of Doris and Conan. If they are seriously fit then we have a super chance but if they are injured and it fails it could backfire.

 

[TopTen2003]

Can't wait for this one as a neutral - really should be the Grand Slam game but France fluffed their many opportunities against England.

Hopefully see the best of both sides- we have seen glimpses of that so far.

 

[The Seeker]

France by three points, although I hope Ireland wins.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think alot depends on the true fitness of Doris and Conan. If they are seriously fit then we have a super chance but if they are injured and it fails it could backfire.

Agree with this, if they're both fit we should win. Big game but France are the team with questions to answer and doing that away in Dublin isn't easy when we've been the better team for two years.

Something similar to 2023 is my prediction, Ireland 27 - 18 France

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Asked AI to predict the match:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

As if Sexton has the upper body strength to lift a pastry to his mouth
He'd feel the slight strain in his muscles and hit the deck screaming for a penalty

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

As if Sexton has the upper body strength to lift a pastry to his mouth
He'd feel the slight strain in his muscles and hit the deck screaming for a penalty

If you don't think that's how Saturday's match is going to be decided, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

as a 'neutral' i really want france to win with a low-scoring 8 point buffer. Then we can have the jeopardy of a final round, 3 potential winners

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I personally would not pick a 7-1 bench when you're about to go up against Bundee Aki for 80mins.

 

[g6mcg]

7-1 still seems mad to me, unless you're a heavy underdog and only hope is to match/beat opponents up front. Interested to see if Galthie really commits to the idea and has the starting pack going all out for 50 minutes, and whether they're conditioned for that...

 

[big ginger 8]

It is a terrifying scrum coming off the bench.

Clarkson against a fresh Baille would be worrisome. Hopefully Furlong is fit to have some involvement, although it doesn't look likely.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

I'd expect O'Toole to be back on the bench for this one, most likely covering tighthead

 

[Groundhog]

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley.

I reckon we will lose this one by like 4+

 

[big ginger 8]

Big job for Osborne bs LBB. Our sub front row does not really inspire me but glad we've gone 6-2 with no Ringrose or Osborne to put on the bench.