Grand Slam-chasing Ireland welcome France to Dublin this weekend in the penultimate game of this year’s Six Nations.
The back-to-back champions top the Six Nations table following successive wins over England, Scotland and Wales and are still in Grand Slam contention, while France have to make up for their shock loss to England in round two.
But with Les Bleus having a healthier points advantage of 63 more than Ireland, victory at the Aviva Stadium would put them in the driving seat heading into the final weekend.
Here’s what you need to know:
Where is the game on?
Ireland will play their final home game when they host France at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin this weekend.
What time does it start?
The game is set to get underway at 2.15pm on Saturday, March 8.
Where can I watch the match?
The game will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and streamed live on RTÉ Player with coverage from 1.15pm.
Are tickets still available?
As is usually the case with Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures, tickets for Saturday’s game against France are sold-out.
What are the odds?
Ireland come into the game as slight 5/6 favourites to take the win, France are evens, and a draw is 19/1, according to Paddy Power.
What are the teams?
Tadhg Furlong is closing in on his Ireland comeback with Wednesday’s training session shaping up to be crucial in deciding his availability for the Guinness Six Nations title collision with France.
Furlong has yet to play in this year’s Championship because of calf and hamstring issues and has been limited to three appearances for Leinster all season having sat out the entire autumn campaign.
Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby names his team for the likely title decider against France on Thursday with the prospects of number eights Caelan Doris and Jack Conan being available improving.
Doris sat out the hard-fought 27-18 victory over Wales because of a knee injury while Conan, his replacement for the match, sustained a back problem in Cardiff. But both Ireland’s captain and his back row understudy could be involved on Saturday.
Hooker Ronan Kelleher also faces a key training session on Wednesday following his struggle with a neck problem.
France, on the other hand, have extended their squad for the trip to the Aviva Stadium with Emmanuel Meafou linking up alongside Pierre Bourgarit, Maxime Lamothe, Tevita Tatafu, and Romain Buros.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack is set to return after missing the last two games due to a suspension picked up in France’s opening game against Wales.
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