France vs Ireland
It’s a blockbuster start to the 2024 Six Nations Championships as France play host to Champions Ireland. Both teams suffered heart breaking quarter final losses in last year’s World Cup and will be hoping that there is no mental scarring from those matches. The home team will be without their talisman Anton Dupont who has skipped this competition as he is preparing to represent the Sevens team at the Olympics later this year. The visitors will also be without their skipper from the World Cup, Johnny Sexton. His loss is arguably the bigger one of Ireland as there is no tailor made replacement especially as the man touted to take over the reins, Ross Byrne is injured.
TIP: The French have selected 19-year-old giant lock Posolo Tuilagi for this tournament and they can now boast to having the heaviest pack in world rugby. It remains to be seen if size does matter more than technique as they will face an Ireland pack that has been brilliant in the last few years. Irish legend Peter O’Mahony will skipper the side and will have plenty of experienced leaders in the team like Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw. The French will be led by Gregory Alldritt who has excellent skills as a leader after winning consecutive European title with La Rochelle. The bookies have France as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.60, Gbets 1.58 and Hollywoodbets 1.60
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
France vs Ireland
- France have won three of the last four matches between the sides.
- The away team has only won one of the last five matches.
Latest results for both teams
France lost 29-28 to the Springboks in their last match while Ireland lost 28-24 to the All Blacks in their last match.
PREDICTION
The set piece is an area that will go a long way to deciding this match and while France will have the edge in the scrums, the lineouts is where the Irish strength lies. The likes of O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne are absolute masters of poaching opposition lineout ball and they will want to disrupt the French at every opportunity. The one perceived area of weakness for the visitors will be the flyhalf berth with Jack Crowley the favourite to start. He can expect a wave of French attacks led by the powerhouse centre Johnathan Danty. The power of the home side will prove too much therefore I predict a French win by 8 points.
Probable Starting XVs
France
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (c), 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Ireland
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the France victory are as follows:
Betway 1.60
Gbets 1.58
Hollywoodbets 1.60
Odds comparison on the France handicap:
The complete odds on the France handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-3.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-3.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-3.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are only decent odds on the France outright win therefore we suggest backing the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-3.5), Gbets 1.87 (-3.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-3.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Perpignan vs Racing
Oyonnax vs Stade Francais
Pau vs Castres
La Rochelle vs Montpellier
Clermont vs. Lyon
Toulouse vs Bayonne
Toulon vs Bordeaux
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
