The 2026 Six Nations Championship kicks off on Thursday, , with a heavyweight clash between France and Ireland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Both teams enter the tournament with legitimate title aspirations, continuing a recent trend that has seen them dominate the competition.
France, the reigning champions, will be looking to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles. They lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2025, demonstrating a consistent level of performance. However, head coach Fabien Galthie has made some bold selections for this year’s campaign, omitting experienced players such as Gael Fickou, Gregory Alldritt, and Damian Penaud, signaling a desire to integrate fresh talent into the squad. The return of captain Antoine Dupont, after a nearly year-long absence due to an ACL rupture sustained against Ireland in a previous meeting, is a significant boost for Les Bleus. Galthie emphasized the importance of Dupont’s return, stating he is “a plus in many areas,” but also acknowledged it raises the bar for the entire team.
Ireland, winners in 2018 and 2023, will be eager to reclaim the title. Despite finishing third in the 2025 Championship, they remain a formidable force. However, they’ve faced recent challenges, including narrow defeats to New Zealand and South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series, and are currently dealing with an injury crisis. Head coach Andy Farrell insists his team is focused on controlling what they can, dismissing talk of being favorites or facing the most challenging campaign to date. Farrell highlighted the importance of his squad’s application and preparation, noting they’ve completed a good body of work during a training camp in Portugal.
This opening fixture presents both teams with an opportunity to set the tone for their championship campaigns and gain an early advantage over a key rival. The winner of this match could well position themselves favorably to lift the Six Nations trophy at the end of the tournament.
Where the game will be won
As is often the case when these two sides meet, the battle of the forwards will be crucial. Dominance at the set-piece, around the park, and even from the replacements will likely define the outcome. Both teams have undergone changes to their forward packs, with several high-profile players missing, creating opportunities for new faces to prove their worth. The coaches appear to have mirrored each other’s selections, opting for a 6:2 split between forwards and backs and deploying a similar structure with four back-rowers on the pitch.
Last time they met
France secured a 27-25 victory over Ireland in Dublin in 2025.
What they said
Galthie spoke of his excitement at having Dupont back in the French jersey, stating, “Antoine Dupont is a plus, that’s for sure.” He also stressed the need for increased commitment from the team to match Dupont’s ambitions and intensity. Galthie also addressed concerns about discipline, acknowledging that France was the most penalized team during the Autumn Nations Series and that improvements were needed.
Farrell emphasized the importance of focusing on what Ireland can control, stating, “To us, all we control are the controllables.” He also praised the application of his squad and highlighted the motivational impact of having strong Irish support at the Stade de France. Farrell also announced the historic starting of brothers Cian and Sam Prendergast in the same Test match, expressing pride in their achievement.
Players to watch
All eyes will be on Matthieu Jalibert, the French fly-half who is currently enjoying a rich vein of form with Bordeaux-Begles. This feels like his best opportunity to showcase his quality at Test level. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, a nominee for World Rugby Player of the Year, is another key player for France, possessing electric pace and a knack for scoring tries. Up front, François Cros and Charles Olivon will be vital in providing physicality and dominance in the forward battle.
For Ireland, Sam Prendergast faces a significant test as he continues to establish himself as the starting fly-half. Jacob Stockdale, having replaced James Lowe, will be looking to make an immediate impact. The performances of Caelan Doris, Tadhg Beirne, and Dan Sheehan will also be crucial for Ireland’s success.
Main head-to-head
The scrum-half battle between Antoine Dupont and Jamison Gibson-Park promises to be a fascinating contest. Both players are pivotal to their respective team’s attacks, dictating the tempo and providing creative spark. Dupont is known for his quick distribution and playmaking ability, while Gibson-Park excels at controlling the speed of ball and guiding his forward pack.
Prediction
A home victory for France is predicted, with a scoreline of 15 points. The atmosphere at the Stade de France is expected to provide a significant advantage for Les Bleus, unlocking their full potential and fueling a strong performance.
Previous results
- 2025: France won 27-25 in Dublin
- 2024: Ireland won 38-17 in Marseille
- 2023: Ireland won 32-19 in Dublin
- 2022: France won 30-24 in Paris
- 2021: France won 15-13 in Dublin
- 2020: France won 35-27 in Paris
- 2019: Ireland won 26-14 in Dublin
- 2018: Ireland won 15-13 in Paris
- 2017: Ireland won 19-9 in Dublin
- 2016: France won 10-9 in Paris
The teams
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 François Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Charles Ollivon, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Kalvin Gourgues
Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Nick Timoney, 22 Craig Casey, 23 Jack Crowley
Date:
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21:10 local time (20:10 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
