Best Six Nations rugby bets and expert advice for France vs Ireland
The 2024 Six Nations gets underway on Friday night and there is a titanic tussle to kick things off in Marseille, as France host last season’s Grand Slam winners Ireland.
Last year’s clash in Dublin was a tremendous example of everything that’s good about the Six Nations and this encounter at the Stade Velodrome should be no different.
Much has changed since these sides met at the Aviva Stadium in the 2023 Six Nations, in a match that saw Ireland run out 32-19 winners.
Legendary Irish fly-half Jonathan Sexton hung up his boots after Ireland’s 2023 World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand and Jack Crowley has been given the first opportunity to wear the No.10 jersey this week.
As for France, skipper Antoine Dupont sent shockwaves through the game with his decision to miss this year’s Six Nations to focus on Sevens Rugby for the Olympic Games in Paris.
With fellow Toulouse superstar Romain Ntamack also absent as he works his way back from injury, France have gone with a new half-back pairing of Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert.
The pair play together at Top 14 side Bordeaux, but starting a Six Nations clash against Ireland is a big step up for the duo.
This summer’s Olympics has also had an impact on Friday’s venue, with the Stade de France being prepared for the Games.
It means France are touring around the country for their three home games and that might work against them.
Ireland are a well-run machine under head coach Andy Farrell and Crowley should be able to slot into his role at fly-half without trouble.
Having won a Test series in New Zealand back in 2022, Ireland have no fears facing any side on the road and they are good value to get the win in their opening clash.
Putting pressure on Lucu and Jalibert will be the key and Ireland look capable of edging out a thrilling encounter in Marseille.
Van der Flier dangerous from close range
A player enjoying another strong campaign at Leinster, former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier is a man in form.
Scoring tries in two separate European Champions Cup games already this season, the 30-year-old back-rower has been proving dangerous with the ball in hand, along with his excellent work off the ball.
Van der Flier has bagged himself 10 tries for his country and looks capable of adding to that tally at the Stade Velodrome.
With the inexperienced Crowley at fly-half, Ireland might be even more tempted than unusual to keep the ball in the forwards when inside the opposition's 22.
At 105kgs, Van der Flier has proven to be a tough man to stop from close range and the Leinster man is again good value in the anytime tryscorer market to go over for the men in green.
France v Ireland Tips
*all odds correct at time of writing
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