France team: Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert link-up confirmed as Six Nations holders begin title defence against Ireland
Matthieu Jalibert starts at 10 for France.
France head coach Fabien Galthie has named his side that will face Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations opener, with Antoine Dupont leading the team on Thursday.
Toulouse’s Dupont will link up with Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert in an exciting half-back combination, with Romain Ntamack currently on the sideline injured.
Elsewhere in the backline, there’s a start for Theo Attissogbe on the right wing, who takes the jersey of a dropped Damian Penaud, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey wears number 11.
Ramos at full-back
The reliable Thomas Ramos continues in the full-back position with Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere at the midfield partnership for the game at the Stade de France.
Anthony Jelonch is backed at number eight in an impressive back row which includes flankers Oscar Jegou and Francois Cros, while Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard form the mobile second row pairing selected by Galthie. Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou and Lenni Nouchi will look to provide serious impact off the bench in France‘s back five.
Finally, in the starting XV, Dorian Aldegheri is the tighthead prop in the absence of Uini Atonio, while Jean-Baptiste Gros is loosehead alongside reliable hooker Julien Marchand.
The other forward bench options at Galthie’s disposal are hooker Peato Mauvaka and props Rodrigue Neti and Regis Montagne, who will no doubt have a key role to play.
France’s backline options will be scrum-half Baptiste Serin and the promising Toulouse centre Kalvin Gourgues, who’s set for a breakthrough Six Nations Championship.
Les Bleus come into the tournament opener as hot favourites, due in part to Ireland being struck by injuries, notably at loosehead prop, where they are without three players.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell is also without Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and Robbie Henshaw in his backline as the visitors enter the Stade de France far from full strength.
France team to face Ireland
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Charles Ollivon, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Kalvin Gourgues
Date: Thursday, February 5
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21:10 local time (20:10 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
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READ MORE: France’s 2026 Six Nations: Squad, fixtures, referees, TV channels, kick-off times and more
