Star France scrum-half Antoine Dupont will make his return to the team to face Ireland in the opening match for the Six Nations tournament in Stade de France on Thursday, February 5, after head coach Fabien Galthié on Tuesday named him captain. Dupont has not played for France since tearing his cruciate knee ligament against Ireland in March during last year’s Six Nations tournament. The 29-year-old made his competitive return after eight months out for club side Toulouse in November.
Anthony Jelonch has been given the nod at No 8 with Gregory Alldritt dropped from the squad, while Théo Attissogbe comes in at right wing with France’s record try-scorer Damian Penaud axed over defensive concerns. Matthieu Jalbert will start at fly-half for Thursday’s game with Dupont’s Toulouse half-back partner Romain Ntamack out injured.
Dorian Aldegheri will start at tight-head prop with Uini Atonio forced to retire after suffering a heart attack last week, and Régis Montagne on the bench.
France won the tournament last year with a convincing victory over Scotland in their final match.
Ireland injury woes
Ireland are starting this Six Nations with a long list of players missing through injury, which has opened the door to some newer names, Brothers Sam and Cian Prendergast will start together for the first time for Ireland in the team named by head coach Andy Farrell on Tuesday to face France.
With Tadgh Furlong still not fully fit, Thomas Clarkson gets the nod at tighthead prop with veteran Finlay Bealham providing cover on the bench. Jeremy Loughman starts at loosehead in a much-changed front row ravaged by injuries, as his Munster teammate Michael Milne starts on the bench.
Jamie Osborne comes in at full-back with Hugo Keenan ruled out due to a fractured thumb. Jacob Stockdale is picked on the left wing for his first Six Nations start since 2021. Both Ireland’s first choice wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe are out.
In total, there are seven changes from Ireland’s team that started in a 24-13 defeat to South Africa in November.
French team to face Ireland
Thomas Ramos, Théo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortère, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (capt), François Cros, Anthony Jelonch, Oscar Jégou, Mickaël Guillard, Charles Ollivon, Dorian Aldegheri, Julien Marchand, Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Regis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Kalvin Gourgues.
Irish team to face France
Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Cian Prendergast; Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy; Thomas Clarkson, Dan Sheehan, Jeremy Loughman
Replacements : Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley
