France v Ireland in the Six Nations: Kick-off time, TV details and team news

Everything you need to know about Ireland's 2024 Six Nations opener with France.

NEW VOICE: Jack Crowley chats with Hugo Keenan. Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho

France v Ireland. The two favourites going head-to-head on Six Nations opening night. 

As crazy as it sounds, the fate of the Championship, and perhaps even a Grand Slam, could be decided within the first 80-odd minutes of rugby. 

The English, Welsh, Scottish and even the Italians might disagree, but there will be large pockets of those just mentioned who will agree with the above sentiment. 

Both Andy Farrell and Fabien Galthié, while they may not admit it, will be itching to atone for their premature World Cup exits. There's no better Six Nations opposition to do it against. 

Where is the game being played?

Contrary to the norm, the game will be played in front of the masses at Marseille's Stade Velodrome. 

This is due to the face-lift being received by their usual home, Paris' Stade de France, prior to this summer's Olympics.

What time is kick-off?

The fixture - which signifies the opening of the 2024 Six Nations - will kick off at 8pm, Irish time, on Friday night.

Where to watch?

RTÉ and Virgin Media will once more share televising responsibilities. First up is Virgin, whose broadcast begins on Virgin Media One from 7pm on Friday evening. The alternative option, and a recommended one at that, is to join Adrian Russell from around the same time on the Irish Examiner Sport Six Nations live blog. 

Who is the referee?

England’s Karl Dickson will be the man in the middle for the Marseille meeting.

Team news

FRANCE: T Ramos (Toulouse); D Penaud (Bordeaux-Begles), G Fickou (Racing 92), J Danty (La Rochelle), Y Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles); M Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles), M Lucu (Bordeaux-Bègles); C Baille (Toulouse), P Mauvaka (Toulouse) U Atonio (La Rochelle); P Gabrillagues (Stade Francais), P Willemse (Montpellier); F Cros (Toulouse), C Ollivon (Toulon), G Alldritt (La Rochelle) – captain.

Replacements: J Marchand (Toulouse), R Wardi (La Rochelle), D Aldegheri (Toulouse), R Taofifenua (Lyon), C Woki (Racing 92), P Boudehent (La Rochelle), R Le Garrec (Racing 92), L Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles).

IRELAND: H Keenan (Leinster); C Nash (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Lowe (Leinster); J Crowley (Munster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), T Furlong (Leinster); J McCarthy (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster); P O’Mahony (Munster) - captain, J van der Flier (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster).

Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), J Ryan (Leinster), R Baird (Leinster), J Conan (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), C Frawley (Leinster).