A STAR-STUDDED combined France and Ireland XV ahead of their Six Nations showdown

David Skippers
France v Ireland combined team image 2024.jpg

France number eight Gregory Alldritt and Ireland inside centre Bundee Aki.

The Six Nations has finally arrived, and the Championship’s opening round sees France and Ireland going head-to-head at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille on Friday.

With both sides having named their matchday squads, Planet Rugby has put together a combined XV for the clash.

Combined France and Ireland XV

15 Thomas Ramos (France): Although Hugo Keenan has nailed down his spot in Ireland’s starting line-up, it’s not enough to get in ahead of Ramos in our team. The Toulouse and Les Bleus stalwart’s outstanding playmaking skills from the back makes him a genuine threat on attack, while his accurate goal-kicking will also keep the scoreboard ticking for France.

14 Damian Penaud (France): The Bordeaux-Begles flyer is one of the best attackers in the Six Nations who possesses plenty of pace, quick feet and an astute rugby brain. All those attributes has seen him being rewarded with several tries in the international arena in recent seasons, and he will be eager to maintain that prolific record in this year’s Championship.

13 Gael Fickou (France): A difficult call as Robbie Henshaw has never let his country down. but we’ve opted for Fickou who has cemented himself in Les Bleus’ run-on side with several outstanding all-round performances in recent years. He has been the lynchpin of France’s defence but apart from shining in that department, he is also dangerous with ball in hand.

12 Bundee Aki (Ireland): Another tough selection as Fickou has formed a superb partnership with Jonathan Danty in the French midfield, but we couldn’t leave out Aki, who comes into this year’s Six Nations in a rich vein of form. The 33-year-old was the outstanding attacking player at last year’s World Cup in France due to his brutal physicality and ability to beat players at will earning him a nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year.

11 James Lowe (Ireland): The second Irish player in our side, Lowe comes in ahead of Yoram Moefana, who is primarily a centre who seldom plays on the wing. Lowe is a real handful to most defences as his game-breaking skills means he usually crosses the whitewash, although he also has the ability to provide try-scoring opportunities for his team-mates. He is also adept on defence and regularly punches above his weight by stopping big forwards in their tracks.

10 Matthieu Jalibert (France): Ireland’s fly-half Jack Crowley has lots of potential as he showed glimpses of his class for Munster and Ireland, but Jalibert has been solid for France since coming into their run-on side as Romain Ntamack’s replacement in the build-up to last year’s World Cup. A brilliant playmaker with an eye for a gap, Jalibert has the ability to unleash his outside backs, which makes him dangerous to any defence.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland): With regular France scrum-half and skipper Antoine Dupont not in action during this year’s Six Nations, this selection was not as easy as it usually is, but we’ve opted for Gibson-Park who has been solid for the men from the Emerald Isle in recent years. The 31-year-old provides a slick service to his outside backs and is dangerous around the fringes, where he usually wreaks havoc with his sniping breaks.

8 Gregory Alldritt (France): This was another difficult choice as Caelan Doris has been one of Ireland’s star performers over the past 12 months, but the same can be said of Alldritt. Renowned as one of the world’s best players in his position, the 26-year-old brings plenty of energy as a ball carrier but is also superb as a defender and usually has a high tackle count.

7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland): The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year has made Ireland’s number seven jersey his own in recent years as he possesses a wonderful skill-set. Whether on attack or defence, the 30-year-old is phenomenal in the execution of his core duties, with his breakdown work amongst the best in the business. Van der Flier also brings excellent line speed to Ireland’s defence and beats out France’s Francois Cros.

6 Charles Ollivon (France): Ireland’s new skipper Peter O’Mahony is unlucky to miss out, but Ollivon is a must for our side as despite being a big man, he possesses a vast array of skills which gives France the edge over their opponents in most of their matches. and The 30-year-old’s career has been blighted by injuries but he is back to full fitness and in excellent form ahead of the Six Nations.

5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): The Munsterman has cemented his place in Ireland’s second-row in recent seasons as he has delievered top-quality performances on a consistent basis over a lengthy period. Beirne is a vital source of lineout possession, does his bit on defence and attack and also makes a nuisance of himself at the breakdowns. He will be crucial to the Irish cause during the Six Nations.

4 Paul Willemse (France): The South African-born second-row was unlucky to miss out on last year’s Rugby World Cup due to a thigh injury, and his absence was keenly felt. Willemse brings plenty of physicality to the party, especially with his solid scrummaging, which gives Les Bleus an edge at the set-piece, and he is renowned for putting in big hits on defence.

3 Uini Atonio (France): The La Rochelle stalwart comes in ahead of Ireland strongman Tadhg Furlong, whose game has not been at the same level as a couple of seasons ago. Atonio is a mountain of a man, who seldom takes a backward step in the scrums but also catches the eye with some strong carries, especially at close quarters. he initially announced his retirement after last year’s World Cup but changed his mind to the delight of Les Bleus’ fans.

2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland): Arguably the toughest choice we had to make for this team as Peato Mauvaka has been in excellent form for France and his club Toulouse, but the same can be said of Sheehan, who has shone for Ireland and Leinster. Sheehan is a vital cog in this Ireland side as his explosive power as a ball runner makes him a real try-scoring threat while he can wreak havoc on defence and is dangerous at the breakdowns.

1 Cyril Baille (France): The Toulouse powerhouse is preferred to Ireland’s Andrew Porter as he edges the Leinsterman in several categories. Baille is renowned for executing his core duties, with his scrummaging, defensive work, and ball-carrying at close quarters amongst his best characteristics.

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