The first action in Round 4 of the Six Nations comes from Dublin on Saturday and it's a decisive game in terms of the title race as Ireland take on France
Ireland v France, Saturday 8th March, Dublin, KO 16:15 (South African time)
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Weather Forecast – Dublin
Ireland
Heading into the penultimate round Ireland top the log with 3 wins form 3 and 14 log points.
The defending champions were made to work much harder than the betting markets suggested to come away from Cardiff with a 27 – 18 win over Wales in Round 3. Ireland scored the first 10 points of the game but Wales fought back and the lead changed hands in the second half. Both sides scored 2 tries whilst Prendergast landed 5 penalties (and 1 conversion) bu there was no bonus poimt.
Earlier Ireland came away from Murrayfield with a 32-18 win over Scotland at Murrayfield in Round 2. They were 6.5 point favourites on the bookmakers main handicap line and 2 tries in each half saw them pick up another bonus point win.
Ireland made a winning start at home to England, coming out on top 27-22 and again earning a bonus point. They trailed 10-5 at half time before turning things around although England did sneak a losing bonus point with a couple of late tries.
In the outright betting markets with WSB Ireland are now 0.62/1 favourites to win the title and 9/10 money for the grand slam.
Fixtures & Results: R1 England (h) won 27-22, R2 Scotland (a) won 32-18, R3 Wales (a) won 27-18, R4 France (h), R5 Italy (a)
France
Les Bleus are currently second on the log with 11 log points, 3 behind Ireland with a record of two thumping wins and one defeat.
Away to Italy in Round 3 France came away with a record score, 73-24, crossing 11 times in total on their way to smashing a pre-match handicap which had settled at around 17.5 points.
Les Bleus went into their Round 2 clash with England at Twickenham as favourites, however it was England who edged the contest 26-25 thanks to a late converted try.
France thrashed Wales 43-0 in Paris in the opening round, easily covering the pre-match main handicap line of around 27.5 points.
Fixtures & Results: R1 Wales (h) won 43-0, R2 England (a) lost 26-25, R3 Italy (a) won 73-24, R4 Ireland (a), R5 Scotland (h)
Team News
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jamie Osborne, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Ryan Baird, 22 Conor Murray, 23 Jack Crowley
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Emmanuel Meafou, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Anthony Jelonch, 23 Maxime Lucu
Head to Head (6 Nations Only)
2024 6N Marseilles France 17-38 Ireland
2023 6N Dublin Ireland 32–19 France
2022 6N Paris France 30-24 Ireland
2021 6N Dublin Ireland 13-15 France
2020 6N Paris France 35-27 Ireland
2019 6N Dublin Ireland 26-14 France
2018 6N Paris France 13-15 Ireland
2017 6N Dublin Ireland 19-9 France
The Betting
Updated 07 March 16h41
Ireland -0.5 points at 9/10
France +0.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 07 March 16h52
What a game we are in for.
This line has been stable all week with Ireland edging favouritism.
The points line is 45.5 and although the last meeting in Dublin had 51 points this has historially been low scoring and with so much on the line I think unders is the play.
I like France to win though and there is 11/10 on offer.
I would rather take the 35/20 they win the tournament though.
My logic is that if they beat Ireland the points split will likely be 4-1 putting them level. Other scenarios are possible but the only one where Ireland stay ahead is is there is a 4-2 finish meaning Ireland must score 4 tries, stay within 7 and still lose without France scoring 4 tries - unlikely in my opinion.
England could also draw level on points but Frances points difference is such that a 5 point haul at home to Scotland should win them the title.
BET: 4 units France to win the 6 Nations at 35/20 at Hollywoodbets
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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