The fourth round of fixtures in the 2025 Six Nations Championship sees Ireland and France face off in Dublin.
Ireland have played three, won three after their latest win against Wales, although it was closer than anyone expected.
France need a win to keep alive their title hopes – and deny Ireland a possible Grand Slam.
When is Ireland vs France?
Ireland host France on Saturday, March 8. The match will kick-off at 14:15 (GMT).
The other fixtures in round four include Scotland welcoming Wales to Murrayfield on the same day, at 16:45, with England visited by Italy on Sunday, March 9 at 15:00.
Where is Ireland vs France taking place?
The game will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It will be Ireland’s second, and last, home game of this year’s Six Nations.
Ireland have a mixed record when hosting France at the Aviva Stadium, winning four of the eight matches the two sides have contested there, with those four wins coming in the last five games. France have won three times since the stadium was built, with one draw being played out in 2013.
Six Nations 2025 table
How to watch Ireland vs France on TV?
The game will be live on ITV1, whilst Scotland vs Wales will be on BBC One later in the day.
ITV acquired the rights for the home games of England, Ireland, France, and Italy with the BBC covering Scotland’s games at Murrayfield and Wales’ matches at the Principality Stadium.
This year’s Six Nations coverage has taken place against a backdrop of controversy with 2025 potentially being the last year that all Six Nations games are shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The current broadcast deal that the BBC and ITV hold only runs until the end of this year’s tournament. TNT Sports and Sky Sports may bid for the rights to cover the competition from 2026. This potential switch has caused concern, with suggestions that it may have a negative impact on the game.
Who is the referee?
Australian referee Angus Gardner will be in charge of this pivotal fixture. He has refereed just one game between Ireland and France before – a 30-24 France win at the Stade de France in the 2022 Six Nations.
Gardner has refereed 46 international Test matches, including three World Cups.
He was the referee in England’s 12-11 win over South Africa, in 2018, when Owen Farrell received criticism over his tackle on André Esterhuizen. With the clock ticking over to 80 minutes Farrell leaned into a shoulder-led tackle on the South African centre. Gardner judged the tackle to be legal but has since admitted he probably made a mistake. A penalty would have likely given South Africa the win.
Gardner, on the Will Greenwood podcast, said: “I think in hindsight now, having discussed it with some other referees… the general consensus would be that a penalty was probably the outcome there that should have been given.”
What is the team news?
Garry Ringrose will learn on Thursday if he is able to play any further part in Ireland’s Six Nations title bid after being sent off against Wales.
Ringrose will appear before a independent disciplinary hearing after receiving a 20-minute red card, upgraded from yellow by the bunker review system, for a dangerous tackle on centre Ben Thomas in the round-three fixture.
Ireland host France in a pivotal title clash in Dublin on March 8 before closing their Championship against Italy on the final weekend, with Ringrose in danger of missing both games.
The length of ban will be two to six matches depending on severity of the incident with reductions available for previous clean records – which Ringrose has – and for attending tackle school.
Ireland squad:
Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.
Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose
France squad:
Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyril Baille, Giorgi Beria, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, Francois Cros, Thibaud Flament, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mickaël Guillard, Matthias Halagahu, Oscar Jegou, Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifénua.
Backs: Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Leo Barre, Nicolas Depoortere, Gael Drean, Antoine Dupont (c), Antoine Frisch, Emilien Gailleton, Matthieu Jalibert, Nolann le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene, Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Killian Tixeront, Gabin Villiere.
When did France and Ireland last win the Six Nations?
France and Ireland have dominated the Six Nations in recent years, occupying the top two spots for three years running. France were victorious in 2022, but have since finished second in consecutive years with Ireland winning back-to-back titles. Ireland also won the Grand Slam in 2023 after winning all five of their games. Should either side win this year’s tournament they will join England in having the most Six Nations titles, with seven.
What was the score last year?
The 2024 Six Nations opened with a thrilling match as Ireland beat France 38-17 in Marseille. Ireland ran in five tries, collecting a bonus point along the way, after France had lock Paul Willemse sent off after just 30 minutes. It was Ireland’s biggest-ever away win over the French.
