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France vs Ireland Prediction and Six Nations Betting Tips: Champions Aim to Set Early Tone
Follow our comprehensive rugby betting tips as France prepare to host Ireland in Thursday's eagerly anticipated Six Nations opener. Becky Ashton Wednesday 04 February 2026 17:01 GMT
France enter the tournament as reigning Six Nations champions, with the significant boost of talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont returning to full fitness (AFP via Getty Images).
France vs Ireland Key Betting Tips
France to win by 11-20 points - 5/2 with Bet365
Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score two or more tries - 3/1 with Bet365
This year's Six Nations introduces a notable change with the opening fixture scheduled for a Thursday evening. The tournament kicks off with defending champions France welcoming Ireland to the iconic Stade de France (8:10pm, live on ITV1).
Both teams were embroiled in a thrilling three-way title race last season heading into the final round. Ultimately, Andy Farrell's Ireland side secured the bronze medal, finishing third overall in the championship standings.
France secured their first title since 2022 by defeating Scotland in their final match last March. This victory moved them level with England on seven championships won since the tournament expanded to become the Six Nations in 2000.
Collectively, these two rugby powerhouses have dominated the last four championships, each claiming two titles. France enter this encounter as favourites with most betting sites, currently priced at odds of 8/11.
France vs Ireland Prediction: Les Bleus Poised for Strong Start
Ireland face arguably the toughest possible opening fixture as they attempt to rediscover the formidable form that propelled them to Triple Crown glory last year, with victories over England, Scotland, and Wales. They must avoid the inconsistency that saw them comprehensively defeated by Thursday's opponents and only narrowly overcome Italy in their final match.
Andy Farrell returns to the helm following his sabbatical in charge of the British and Irish Lions. However, his autumn internationals comeback proved challenging, with Ireland suffering defeats against both South Africa and New Zealand.
France have emerged victorious in four of the last six Six Nations meetings between these sides dating back to 2020. Nevertheless, Ireland secured a memorable triumph the last time they visited French soil, scoring five tries during a commanding 38-17 victory in Marseille.
France vs Ireland Prediction 1: France to Win by 11-20 Points - 5/2 Bet365
Louis Bielle-Biarrey to Continue Where He Left Off
French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey concluded last year's tournament as the top try scorer with an impressive eight tries across five matches – the highest tally any player has achieved in a single Six Nations campaign. The 22-year-old will start on Thursday and is favoured to finish as top scorer again, with Six Nations odds of 2/1. Consequently, it's unsurprising he's priced at a best-price of 4/6 to score at any time against Ireland.
Bielle-Biarrey scored two tries when these teams last met in March, opening the scoring during France's impressive 42-27 victory in Dublin. He also crossed first during the narrow defeat to England, providing bettors with the option to back him to score first at 6/1 on some betting applications, or to secure another brace.
France vs Ireland Prediction 2: Bielle-Biarrey to Score Two or More Tries - 3/1 Bet365
France vs Ireland Confirmed Line-Ups
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
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
Six Nations Free Bets and Promotional Offers
While France are bookmakers' favourites to win this year's Six Nations, supporters backing England can access enhanced odds of 50/1 on Steve Borthwick's side lifting the trophy through Parimatch.
This promotional offer is exclusively available to new customers who register with Parimatch using the designated link, opt into the promotion, and make an initial deposit of £5 or more.
Participants must then wager a maximum of £1 on England to win the Six Nations at standard odds before 3.40pm on Saturday, February 7. Cashed-out bets will not qualify for the enhanced odds boost.
Should England triumph in the tournament, Parimatch will pay out the £1 bet in cash at normal odds, before crediting the remaining amount to bettors in free bets to achieve a total payout equivalent to 50/1 odds.
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