Ireland face 'biggest challenge' with France visit

Yesterday at 06:30 AM

IT HAS been an entertaining Guinness Six Nations so far, but today's clash between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium (2.15pm) is sure to provide a mouth-watering confrontation.

The unbeaten home side are ready for the fray, but can the French put on a display that they appear to be capable of?

Having already lifted the Triple Crown, there is a slight indication that the pendulum is swinging towards Simon Easterby's team. Unbeaten with two matches to go, Ireland now face their biggest challenge with another Grand Slam the ultimate prize.

France showed in their last outing against the Italians that they are capable of running in scores from all areas of the field. They are lethal going forward ball in hand and in Dupont, Moefana, and Penaud they have serious try scorers. It will be interesting to see how Dupont fares against Jamison Gibson-Park.

Ireland will surely have learnt much from the Wales game.

In this fixture Ireland should have enough experience and energy to get the victory.

The home crowd are sure to provide enough support to get the best out of the players, but it is going to be tight.

It will be interesting to see how the front rows battle it out with France likely to field Gros, Mauvaka, and Atonio.

In Cardiff, Andrew Porter struggled a bit in the opening set scrums but we are sure to see improvement in this match with the return of Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham.

Jamie Osborne has fit in well at full-back and wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe are always reliable.

It will be a big test for Sam Prendergast. The 10 has impressed in recent outings but this is a mighty game test for the Leinster man.

Munster’s performance in Cork last Friday night, when they went down to Edinburgh in the URC, was worrying. There is certainly room for improvement.

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