France vs Ireland Prediction: A sure open one in this opener

Stade Velodrome is set to revive this week as the 2024 Six Nations commences, featuring the 2022 victors France facing off against the defending champions Ireland on Friday night. The previous encounter for these European rugby giants occurred at the Stade de France, where they experienced the anguish of elimination in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup last year.

France entered last year's World Cup as one of the top contenders, showcasing scintillating form on their home turf. Despite high expectations, they faced a heart-wrenching 29-28 defeat to eventual world champions South Africa in a gripping quarter-final, leading to their elimination. While South Africa's brilliance was evident throughout the tournament, the disappointment for the entire French public was palpable. Now, France shifts focus to the 2027 World Cup, but the absence of Antoine Dupont, who has transitioned to Sevens rugby, is a significant setback. The captain and scrum-half had the ability to change the course of a game in an instant, and his deputy Maxime Lucu faces the daunting task of filling those large shoes. Although France may not be at their peak performance, they have the opportunity to confront an Irish side playing without Johnny Sexton for the first time.

Having clinched the Grand Slam last year, Ireland entered the World Cup as the favored team according to most bookmakers. However, their quarter-final misfortune persisted with a heart-wrenching 28-24 loss to New Zealand in Paris, marking the eighth instance of their elimination in the global event's quarterfinals in the last eight competitions. Prior to this defeat, Andy Farrell's team had enjoyed an impressive 17-game winning streak. The upcoming Six Nations serves as an opportunity for Farrell to initiate a new era for the team before temporarily assuming the role of head coach for the British and Irish Lions during the 2025 tour of Australia.

The previous Six Nations was a memorable campaign for Farrell and his team, commencing with a resounding 34-10 victory over Wales in Cardiff. They followed up with a four-try performance, surpassing France's lone try a week later in Dublin. As one of the founding nations in the Six Nations championships, Ireland holds a rich history, having secured the title on five occasions, notably in 2009, 2014, 2015, 2018, and most recently in 2023.

In the 2023 Six Nations, Ireland managed to surprise France, claiming a 32-19 victory. Before this match, the French had achieved a three-game winning streak. Over their last 10 encounters, France has secured four victories, while Ireland has emerged triumphant six times. Notably, France has won their last two home meetings against Ireland.

Despite Dupont's absence, Lucu is a remarkable player in his own regard and should seamlessly integrate into this still-formidable French side, which remains one of the best globally. Although Ireland secured a convincing win in this matchup last year, they have typically encountered challenges in emerging victorious against their familiar rivals in France. Additionally, both nations boast formidable squads on both ends of the field. While it's understandable that Ireland is considered the underdog in this encounter, I believe they will perform admirably in narrowing the odds, leading to what is expected to be a high-scoring outcome.