Okay,here’s a revised and verified version of the provided text,with corrections and updates based on web searches as of today,February 4th,2026. I’ve focused on correcting dates and results, as those are the moast likely areas for error.
France vs. Ireland: Six Nations Opener
Munster loosehead Michael Milne, who has just two caps to his name, is one of six forwards on the bench.
For the hosts, Antoine Dupont is back for the first time since picking up a knee injury in last year’s tie, while Matthieu Jalibert is at out-half in the absence of Romain Ntamack.
Greg Alldritt, Gael Fickou and Damian Penaud have all been left out of the squad, while Uini Atonio was forced to retire last week due to a heart issue.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey – last year’s player of the tournament after scoring eight tries – starts on the left wing.
TEAMS
France: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortere, yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (capt); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri; Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard; Oscar jegou, Francois Cros, Anthony Jelonch.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka,Rodrigue Neti,Regis Montagne,Hugo Auradou,Emmanuel Meafou,Lenni Nouchi,Baptiste Serin,Kalvin Gourgues.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Sam prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg beirne; Cian Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt)
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
WHAT THEY SAID:
fabien Galthie (France head coach): “I was not happy with the style of play we used in November even if taking the statistics into account France had the best attack, but the fifth in terms of defense. The priority is to be balanced.”
“50% of the time we had the ball, the other half we did not, and it is true ofen in France we are romantics, and for us in terms of playing the game possession of the ball is our unique passion but the game is one of balance.”
Andy Farrell (Ireland head coach): “We’ve talked about discipline a lot in the coming weeks in regards to how the game’s changing. We need to get it back to being a point of difference for us, as it’s not long ago that’s what it was.”
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Ireland 27-42 France – Aviva Stadium (8 March 2025, Six nations)
France 17-38 Ireland – Stade Velodrome (2 February 2024, Six Nations)
Ireland 32-19 France – Aviva Stadium (11 February 2023, Six Nations)
France 30-24 Ireland – Stade de France (12 february 2022, Six Nations)
ireland 13-15 France – Aviva Stadium (14 February 2021, Six Nations)
Elsewhere, the other round-one games see Italy host Scotland on Saturday afternoon (2.10pm Irish time), followed by England v Wales at 4.40pm.
FULL LIST OF FIXTURES, RESULTS AND STANDINGS
**Crucial Notes on Changes & Verification
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