Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Stade de France

The Stade de France illuminates a very dreary evening here in Paris.

Ball handling will be key. Then again, so will every other facet of the game.

Saint-Denis has been eerily quiet this week but it's come alive tonight. There are plenty of Ireland fans enjoying some pre-match refreshments.

Perhaps not a World Cup-level green invasion, but that's hardly surprising on a Thursday.

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Sounds

You can listen to tonight's game on BBC Sounds, Radio 5Live and BBC Radio Ulster.

On BBC Radio 5Live, you can join former Ireland second row Donncha O'Callaghan and and ex-England wing Chris Ashton from 19:00 GMT.

From 20:00 GMT on BBC Radio Ulster, former Ireland lock Mike McCarthy joins Conor Morris on commentary.

In studio, Orla Bannon is joined by former Ireland internationals Paul Marshall and Grace Davitt.

Image source, Getty Images

Conor Murray, who played in the 38-17 win in Marseille two years ago, echoed Trimble's comments and insisted Farrell will use his motivational skills to ensure Ireland improve on the standards that saw them fall to New Zealand and South Africa in November.

"Talking about the Marseille game in '24, we were questioned about form and not clicking.

"The last game we had played was the quarter-final against New Zealand and we had the most detailed review of a game I had in my career.

"We looked at that game and Andy pointed out in black and white so many situations where we could have been better, that last 20 minutes against New Zealand when we struggled and tried to find a try.

"Andy showed clips of us if we were a little bit braver or believed in ourselves and stuck to the plan that Andy will be trying to instil in them. That's where my confidence comes in this group.

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Andy Farrell's Ireland defied the odds when they secured an impressive opening win over France in Marseille in the 2024 Six Nations with a performance that emphatically eased fears of a post-World Cup hangover.

"The Farrell factor is the bit that balances it up," said Andrew Trimble, who won 70 Ireland caps between 2005 and 2017.

"On paper, it feels like the scrum is more important than ever. [There are] one or two other injuries, a handful of lads you'd want to be in better form, and then no stability or consistency at 10.

"There's so many guys all playing OK at best. If there were so many young lads banging on the door, then you'd go 'OK, a spark of youth and enthusiasm to ignite this team' but there's only a couple of those guys.

"All of that on paper says we can't go to Paris and be excited, but Farrell always finds a way to get something out of these guys. He's done it less recently but he has enough credit in the bank."

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Five-time Six Nations winner Conor Murray admits he is "worried" about some of Ireland's issues heading into tonight's mouthwatering tournament opener against France in Paris.

France, who hammered the Irish 42-27 in Dublin last year, are also without a host of established internationals, but Murray feels Fabien Galthie's side will have the edge in the French capital.

"I think France will be a little bit too tough for the first game," Murray, who won 125 Ireland caps, said on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

"I hate saying that because I'm recently out of the dressing room, but I do think it'll be a little bit too far to go.

"I do, however, think they'll put in a performance and we'll see some sort of shape to what Ireland are trying to do and hopefully a few of the new guys come in and hold their head high after a game like that."

Murray added: "I'm worried now with the front-row issues and the loose-head situation and the way it ties into the story of the South Africa game [in which the Irish scrum was decimated during November's Test in Dublin].

"I'm definitely more worried now than I was a few weeks ago."

Image source, BBC Sport

Five games. Only one winner.

How will Ireland get on in this year's tournament? Let us know using 'Get Involved'.

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Ireland's 2025 actually started pretty well in the Six Nations as they defeated England, Scotland and Wales to win the Triple Crown, under the lead of Simon Easterby as Andy Farrell prepared for the British and Irish Lions.

However, it's fair to say things were mixed after that. France ended any hopes of a Grand Slam with a dominant win in Dublin, and their Six Nations came to a close with a narrow win in Italy.

Without a large number of their squad, who were with Farrell and the Lions, Ireland's fringe players signed off Easterby's reign with big wins over Georgia and Portugal.

With Farrell back in the autumn, Ireland lost to the All Blacks in Chicago but recorded wins over Japan and Australia.

Their year ended with a chaotic defeat by South Africa in Dublin, and they will look to bounce back this year.

We like to kick things off with a dash of optimism, so here's John's take on tonight's game.

Do you agree with him?

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The Six Nations captains are about to drop the hottest album of 2026.

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Two teams have dominated in recent years.

Will it be the same in 2026?

We want to hear from you!

What are you predictions for this one? Can Ireland topple France? Will Antoine Dupont come back with a bang?

Have your say using 'Get Involved' on this page.

Rugby Union Weekly

As well as the Ireland Rugby Social, you can also catch the Rugby Union weekly throughout the Six Nations on BBC Sounds.

In the latest episode, Chris Jones and John Barclay speak to the Six Nations captains ahead of the start of the tournament.

Check it out on BBC Sounds.

Image source, BBC Sport

The last five between the sides.

BBC Sounds

If you love a podcast and want your rugby fix, then catch the Ireland Rugby Social on BBC Sounds with former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray and Gavin Andrews.

There's already been some great episodes with Jacob Stockdale, Bundee Aki, Willie John McBride and a live episode with Ireland legends Rory Best and Andrew Trimble.

Check it out on BBC Sounds!

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a huge opening weekend in the Six Nations.

Image source, Inpho

I know traditionally that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but the start of the Six Nations can't be far behind.

We're starting off with a blockbuster this evening as Ireland travel to holders France.

In fact, the two sides have won the last four Six Nations titles between them, so this should be a cracker.

Kick-off is at 20:10 GMT, and we'll have live updates right here as well as live radio on BBC Radio 5Live and BBC Radio Ulster.

So put on a brew and get settled down for the evening, this should be good.