Minute-by-minute updates: Who will come out on top when the top two in the world rankings meet in Dublin? Join Lee Calvert
Welcome to Dublin, one and all for the beginning of round two of this year’s Championship, and the game that could well decide it all.
Almost twelve months ago to the day, at the same stage of the tournament, the Stade De France witnessed France come back from 22-7 down to grab both the match, and the belief to push on to the Grand Slam. This year, it’s Ireland who will want the same – but without the being 15 points behind bit, probably.
Andy Farrell brings his squad home after an emphatic win in Cardiff last week, earned playing at something resembling 60% of the capacity to perform. Some of that was about Wales rallying in the second half, but there is also a slowly creeping feeling that Ireland are just that bit less formidable than they were at peak 2022 form.
France have a arguably more extensive issue, as their penalty riddled showing while squeaking a win vs Italy demonstrated. How much of that has been fixed in the last seven days will be tested to the full extent this afternoon.