Ireland v France: Six Nations match preview and tips

TV: ITV & Virgin One, 3pm Sunday

After a second-half implosion against Wales and a meek surrender against England, France finally showed what they are made of with a home victory over Scotland last time out. But the question, as ever with Les Bleus, is can they do it again?

While individual errors proved costly in the defeat to Wales in round one, there were also familiar signs of the French simply losing heart, while against England there was simply no organisation or cohesion to the team.

Coach Jacques Brunel ripped up his team sheet and started again, and the line-up who won well against an admittedly depleted Scotland side, are retained for this Dublin showdown. It's too simplistic to suggest France have finally found the winning formula and it's all rosy from here on, but it's an encouraging sign given the constant chopping and changing of past regimes.

So there's clearly no guarantee that France will pick up where they left off, but there's also no reason why they should throw in another stinker in a match that has been one of the most closely contested over the last decade.

Ireland kicked off their Six Nations defence giving up an unprecedented nine-point handicap start to England, and there's another record line in this match as the Irish are rated 14-point favourites. It's more than ten years since this fixture saw a double-figure handicap, and Ireland were always the recipients.

The last eight meetings between these nations in the tournament have produced four wins for the Irish, two for Les Bleus, and none of them has been decided by a margin of more than ten points. And there have been two draws to boot. Last year in Paris it took an attack of 40-plus phases and a drop goal with the clock well in the red for the Irish to snatch victory.

Has enough happened in recent years for Ireland to be rated such strong favourites?

Well, they won the most recent fixture in Dublin by ten points two years ago, and were 24-9 victors at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Cardiff. So if Ireland can find the form of last year, and France show up as they did at Twickenham, then there's a chance.

But Ireland have never beaten Les Bleus by such a margin in the Six Nations, and with rain and strong winds forecast there is every reason to believe France can keep it a sight closer than bookmakers expect.

Ireland set such high standards last year but have failed to live up to them in their first three matches of 2019. Their confidence was rocked after an opening defeat to England but a talented squad with such a strong coach will always have a big performance in them. Nonetheless, France should prove obdurate enough to put up a fight and make the best of such a big start.

Recommendation
France +14
3pts Evs general

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