Andy Farrell urges Ireland to disrupt French dazzle

The head coach wants his players to lean into Antoine Dupont and his defending champions on Thursday night.

ALLEZ LES VERTS: Head coach Andy Farrell during the Ireland rugby squad captain's run at Stade de France. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.

A formidable pack with some razzle-dazzle on top and an all-court game to delight a full house under the lights at a raucous Stade de France.

Andy Farrell’s description of the challenge facing his makeshift Ireland team on this opening night of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations could be enough to send shivers down the spine inside the camp. But the head coach wants his players to lean into and disrupt Antoine Dupont and his defending champions on Thursday night.