Betting predictions for France vs Ireland: Six Nations tips and odds

Our betting expert has three France vs Ireland tips for tonight’s Six Nations match at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille (8pm kick-off). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.

France vs Ireland betting tips

• France to win by one to seven points @ 12/5 with BoyleSports
• Peato Mauvaka anytime tryscorer @ 19/10 with BoyleSports
• Under 16.5 first-half points @ 9/5 with BoyleSports

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Les Bleus can power to narrow win 

France beat Ireland 30-24 when these teams last met on French soil in 2022, and went on to claim a grand slam. But the Irish got their revenge last year with a 32-19 home victory, the largest winning margin between these sides since the 2015 World Cup, and the biggest in a Six Nations meeting since 2010.

The last five encounters in France have been settled by margins of six, eight, two, one and two points, while before that they played out a 17-17 draw at the Stade de France in 2012 – and there is every reason to think this showdown could be just as tight

With so much at stake and new combinations in both line-ups, the aim of both outfits is sure to be error-free, low-risk rugby.

France coach Fabien Galthié had the opportunity to blood young talent such as scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey but he has opted for experience, and the outcome could be a cagey close-fought encounter.

The power of the French pack plus a vociferous crowd in Marseille should give Les Bleus the edge, but it looks sure to be close.

France vs Ireland tip 1: France to win by one to seven points @ 12/5 with BoyleSports

Mauvako ready to make his mark

France hooker Peato Mauvaka was left on the bench for the opening two pool matches of the Rugby World Cup in September behind first Julien Marchand and then Pierre Bourgarit. But he started the next two matches and the quarter-final against South Africa, and the Toulouse man has been given the nod by coach Galthié for this huge clash.

Mauvaka grabbed the headlines in the 2021 autumn internationals, scoring his first five tries for his country in three matches, including a brace against New Zealand. Although he rode the bench in the 2022 and 2023 Six Nations, he again made a scoring impact at the World Cup, with tries against Uruguay, Italy and in the quarter-final defeat to the Springboks.

Born in the French overseas South Pacific territory of New Caledonia, Mauvaka has been on the scoresheet for Toulouse this season as well, crossing three times in four European Champions Cup outings – and in a match likely to be fought out at close quarters, he can power his way over.

France vs Ireland tip 2: Peato Mauvaka anytime tryscorer @ 19/10 with BoyleSports

Expect a cautious start in Marseille 

In last year’s Six Nations, Ireland frequently came flying out of the traps and their relentless attacking game brought big rewards early on.

Against Wales in round one, they were three tries to the good within 21 minutes, while a week later at home to France they had got over the line three times before the half-hour mark.

So much of their attacking play, though, was conducted by fly-half Johnny Sexton, who had a knack for carrying the ball so close to the defensive line before releasing other players into space. 

Without him, the Irish may find it harder to click into gear, and in such a high-stakes contest we are likely to see a less adventurous start as both teams look to build a platform.

France vs Ireland tip 3: Under 16.5 first-half points @ 9/5 with BoyleSports

France vs Ireland odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.