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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Jacob Stockdale "deserves" to start against France in the Six Nations opener in Paris.

The 29-year-old wing, who was player of the championship in 2018, will appear in the competition for the first time since facing England in 2021.

Leinster's James Lowe has been first-choice in the position for the majority of the games since then, but has struggled to find his best form since returning from the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia last summer.

"There's always a debate to be had and Jacob deserves it," said Farrell of the selection.

"He's back to being himself this year, that's for sure. If you speak to him, he's delighted that he's simplified things and got back to what he's good at, which is beating people. We've seen that plenty this season."

Ireland Rugby

Prop Jeremy Loughman will make his first Ireland appearance in two years against France, but there is no place in the starting team for James Lowe, James Ryan or Tadhg Furlong.

With Ireland's three first-choice loose-heads, Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle, all missing through injury for the game at the Stade de France, the 30-year-old Loughman will play at Test level for the first time since the Six Nations of 2024 and make his first international start since November 2022.

Loughman's Munster team-mate Michael Milne, who won his only two previous caps against Georgia and Portugal in July, will be the loose-head back-up on the bench.

With Hugo Keenan missing because of the fractured hand he sustained in training last week, Jamie Osborne starts at full-back in what will be his first action since Ireland faced Japan in November.

Osborne had been expected to be in a straight shootout for the 15 jersey with Jacob Stockdale, but the Ulster player instead takes the place usually occupied by James Lowe on the left wing.

Ireland: Osborne; O'Brien, Ringrose, McCloskey, Stockdale; S Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Beirne, C Prendergast, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Kelleher, Milne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Timoney, Casey, Crowley.

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Captain Caelan Doris says Ireland are determined to atone for a disappointing end to last year's Six Nations, starting with next week's tournament opener against holders France.

Ireland beat England, Scotland and Wales to secure the 2025 Triple Crown before their bid for a third successive title fell apart in a hugely demoralising 42-27 loss to France in Dublin.

While Ireland endured a mixed autumn campaign that included losses to New Zealand and South Africa, Doris says the squad are targeting a statement win over Les Bleus in the Thursday night curtain-raiser at Stade de France.

"The way the fixtures fell last year we obviously had the Triple Crown after three games and it was the last two games that let us down," the 27-year-old Leinster back row told the BBC.

"We obviously won in Rome but the nature of the performance wasn't where we would have liked it and having lost to France the week before, it left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.

"So there's excitement for upping the performances and getting the results we're after from the start this year."

Former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray believes France talisman Antoine Dupont will "have a point to prove" against Ireland on Thursday after being injured against them in last year's Six Nations.

The French captain suffered a serious knee injury after Ireland second row Tadhg Beirne fell on the scrum-half's leg at a ruck in his side's 47-27 win at the Aviva Stadium.

The 29-year-old spent eight months out before returning to action in November and will make his first Test appearance in 11 months against Ireland in Paris, with Murray wary of his influence.

"We've ran out of things to say about Dupont in terms of what he can bring. Everyone knows what he's capable of," he said on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

"He got injured against Ireland last year, so I'm sure it's in the back of his mind. He's got a point to prove or he's got some sort of extra motivation, which is a worry."

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Last year, France were left "angry" after captain and star player Antoine Dupont sustained a "serious" knee injury against Ireland.

Ireland second row Tadhg Beirne fell on Dupont's leg at a ruck and the scrum-half was helped off the pitch in Dublin after receiving treatment.

Galthie said there was "anger" in the French camp over the incident, which was not referred to the television match official (TMO) during the game.

Both Dupont and Gregory Alldritt, who took over as French captain, were heard questioning referee Angus Gardner over a possible review of the incident.

Galthie said Dupont was "suffering" and that he has referred Ireland pair Beirne and Andrew Porter to the citing commissioner for possible retrospective punishment.

Dupont was attempting to steal the ball in the 28th minute and was challenged by Beirne, who then fell on to the scrum-half's right leg as Irish prop Porter joined the ruck.

"We named the players [who made contact with Dupont], Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter, who should appear before the disciplinary commission," Galthie added.

"We want explanations, so we've named two players. We have to protect our players. There are means, there are rules. There is some kind of anger."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Rampant France took control of the Six Nations title race as they scored 34 unanswered points to thrash Ireland in Dublin and end the home side's Grand Slam hopes.

Despite losing captain Antoine Dupont to a serious knee injury after 30 minutes, France scored four second-half tries to move two points clear of Ireland at the top and avenge last year's defeat in Marseille.

Tournament top scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey crossed twice for Les Bleus and Paul Boudehent and Oscar Jegou also touched down to secure the bonus point before Damian Penaud equalled Serge Blanco's French record of 38 tries at the end of a signature breakaway.

Dan Sheehan's early second-half try put Ireland - who temporarily lost Joe McCarthy and Calvin Nash to yellow cards in either half - 13-8 up, but France's response was emphatic as they put themselves in pole position before hosting Scotland in their final game - which they would go on to win.

It was announced earlier in the week that Ireland and France will be playing for a new Solidarity Trophy (or Solidarité Trophy, if you prefer) in the Six Nations.

What do you want make of it?

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Ireland Rugby Social
Listen on BBC Sounds

We all know France are a handy outfit, but where will they test Ireland? Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social, Rory Best gives his thoughts:

"The defence will be tested more than the scrum for Ireland on Thursday. You look at that Bordeaux team and the way they've been playing in the Champions Cup. That backline, I know Damian Penaud's out of it, but a lot of them are in it and if Ireland let this big French pack carry the ball over the line, some of those athletes [can cause Ireland serious problems].

At least Ali is optimistic!

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Team-mate Gael Fickou says France have lost the best prop they have ever had after Uini Atonio was forced to retire.

"He was an incredible player with an extraordinary physique and amazing qualities," Fickou told L'Equipe, external, external.

"He was undoubtedly the best French prop we've ever had."

Atonio pulled out of club side La Rochelle's match against Clermont on Sunday after suffering chest pains and withdrew from France's Six Nations squad the following day, before his admission to hospital on Tuesday.

"I'd already seen that he wasn't feeling well during his team's trip to Clermont," said Fickou.

"I know him and found it strange. He's not the type to fake it.

"He's an exceptional player, but it's the man I want to pay tribute to most of all.

"In a team, he's a great guy, always smiling. I have so many memories; I looked at a lot of photos with him this afternoon. I hope there will be more.

"Uini has left his mark. He probably would have preferred a different ending, but that's life. Rugby isn't eternal, but friendship is."

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As France name their named, we have to take a moment to think of prop Uini Atonio, who has been forced to retire after he was admitted to an intensive care unit following a "cardiac event".

The 35-year-old was taken to a hospital in La Rochelle on Tuesday with his club saying he suffered a suspected heart problem, and is now in a stable condition.

"Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long period of recovery," said French Top 14 side La Rochelle, his team since 2011.

Atonio, who was born in New Zealand, qualified to play for France through residency and made 68 appearances for his adoptive country.

During his career the giant prop won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and was selected for their World Cup squads in 2015 and 2023.

He started all five games as France regained the Six Nations in 2025, and was selected in their provisional squad for this year's tournament.

Best wishes, Uini!

One year on, Antoine Dupont is back in blue.

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France Rugby

France skipper Antoine Dupont will make his first Test appearance in 11 months after the knee injury sustained in this fixture last year and, as expected, his half-back partner will be Bordeaux-Begles number 10 Matthieu Jalibert who starts in place of Dupont's injured club-mate Romain Ntamack.

In the first game since Uini Atonio's retirement, Dorian Aldegheri will start at tight-head prop for Les Bleus.

France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Montagne, Auradou, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Gourgues.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent at the Stade de France

If France win tonight, then they are almost very likely to go for a Grand Slam!

If Ireland were to win tonight, that would blow the championship wide open.

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France's all-time top try-scorer Damian Penaud was a shock omission from the defending champions' Six Nations squad before a potentially crucial opening-round match against Ireland on 5 February.

The 29-year-old wing has scored 40 tries in 59 appearances for his country and started all three of France's autumn internationals in November.

Penaud is one of several high-profile players to be culled by coach Fabien Galthie, with back row Gregory Alldritt, who captained the side in the wake of Antoine Dupont's injury at last year's Six Nations, and veteran centre Gael Fickou also left out.

Penaud, Alldritt, 28, and Fickou, 31, could all return, with coaches able to call up players during the Six Nations campaign, however Galthie's selection seems a statement of intent before a meeting with Ireland, who won the 2023 and 2024 titles.

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Here's what lies ahead for the holders.

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France's 2025 started off really well, as they hammered Wales in the opening games of the Six Nations.

They fell to a narrow one-point defeat by England, they responded by scoring 73 points in Italy.

Despite a dominant win in Ireland, France lost talismanic captain Antoine Dupont with a knee injury, but they had enough in hand to beat Scotland on the final day to win the title.

The rest of their year was not as successful. New Zealand won all three summer Tests between the sides, and South Africa won the opening match in November despite playing the majority of the game with 14 players.

Fabien Galthie's side did end their autumn with wins over Fiji and Australia, and they will now look to go for back-to-back Six Nations titles this year.

Time to have your say on who will lift the trophy on 14 March...

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

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Six Nations referees have vowed to achieve "greater consistency" around officiating of foul play in this year's tournament after a spate of controversial incidents in the autumn.

The November internationals were dogged by varying interpretations of what constitutes a red card, yellow card, and 20-minute red card.

Among the many incidents, South Africa's Franco Mostert was given a permanent red for a dangerous tackle against France, which was rescinded, while Ireland's Tadgh Beirne also had a 20-minute red card overturned.

On the eve of this year's Six Nations, World Rugby have clarified that full red cards will be reserved for "acts of thuggery", with 20-minute reds given for "technical offences" for example in the tackle.

The game's governing body have admitted there was an "inconsistency of application" during the November window and have worked with the referees since then to improve the handling of foul play.

The 20-minute red cards were introduced as a way of sanctioning players without overly influencing the outcome and spectacle of a match.

The player who receives a 20-minute red card cannot return to the field of play, but can be replaced by another player after 20 minutes.

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There's going to be plenty of colour at tonight's game.

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