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Ireland face daunting Six Nations opener in Paris
Ireland captain Caelan Doris has admitted France star Antoine Dupont has outmanoeuvred him multiple times as his side prepares for a tough Six Nations opener at Stade de France on Thursday (20:10 GMT).
Dupont's slippery brilliance a major concern
Doris described Dupont, widely regarded as the world's best player, as "one of those little fish you try to touch and they dart away from you" during a pre-match press conference.
"He's done me several times," Doris said. "I can think of one particular instance in 2023 where I feel I have him coming up one side of the breakdown and then he twirls and goes around me and beats three defenders on the other side."
Dupont returns from a facial injury sustained in a collision with Irish players last year, adding another layer of challenge for Ireland's defence.
Ireland's injury and disciplinary woes
Ireland's preparations have been disrupted by injuries and disciplinary issues, raising doubts about their ability to avenge last year's 34-0 second-half collapse against France in Dublin.
Head coach Andy Farrell is without key props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, while loose-head options Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle are also unavailable. This forces Jeremy Loughman, 30, into his first Six Nations start, with Michael Milne providing cover.
Thomas Clarkson, 25, will start at tight-head, with Farrell hoping his Lions experience from last summer will steady the young prop in his biggest career test.
France's radical squad overhaul
France have made sweeping changes to their squad, with only Dupont retaining more than 50 caps among Thursday's matchday 23. Notable absentees include record try-scorer Damian Penaud, captains Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou, and retired prop Uini Atonio.
Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, despite being dropped after last year's loss to England, remains in contention. Dupont backed his teammate, saying: "Everyone believes in Matthieu - his team-mates, the coaching staff, and even you lot given that all the journalists were clamouring for him to start the Six Nations given the season he's having."
Key battles and tactical challenges
Ireland's attack will rely on fly-half Sam Prendergast, whose defensive frailties were exposed by France last year. Doris defended the 22-year-old, stating: "His defence has caught quite a bit of flak, but it's an area that... I see day-to-day the work he puts in. That side of his game is improving."
On the wings, Jacob Stockdale returns to the Six Nations for the first time since 2021, facing off against rapid Bordeaux wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who broke Stockdale's try-scoring record last year.
Leinster hooker Dan Sheehan, who scored five tries in last year's tournament, will be crucial to Ireland's hopes, along with replacement back-rower Jack Conan, who scored twice off the bench against France in 2024.
Lineups and referee
France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch. Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Montagne, Auradou, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Gourgues.
Ireland: Osborne; O'Brien, Ringrose, McCloskey, Stockdale; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Beirne, Prendergast, Van der Flier, Doris (capt). Replacements: Kelleher, Milne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Timoney, Casey, Crowley.
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU).
