2025 Guinness Six Nations Round 4 - Ireland vs. France: Can Les Blues spoil Ireland's unbeaten run? February 20, 2024 by Marc Jerbs

The much-anticipated showdown between Ireland and France in the Guinness Six Nations is set for March 8, 2025, at 2:15 PM BST at the iconic Aviva Stadium in Dublin. More than just a battle of skill and strategy, this clash could prove to be a defining moment in the tournament as both teams vie for supremacy. Ireland is chasing a historic third consecutive Six Nations title—having already secured the Triple Crown—while France looks to regain momentum after an inconsistent run of form.

Ireland enters the contest in dominant fashion, having won all three of their previous fixtures in the 2025 Six Nations. Victories over England (27-22), Scotland (32-18), and Wales (18-27) have reinforced their position as the tournament favorites. Key players such as captain Caelan Doris, the dynamic Jamison Gibson-Park, and the ever-reliable Bundee Aki have been instrumental in maintaining their unbeaten streak.

France, meanwhile, is determined to reignite its championship hopes. A narrow Round 2 loss to England (25-26) was a setback, but they responded in emphatic style, scoring a remarkable 73 points against Italy (73-24). The return of key playmakers Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack strengthens an already formidable squad and adds another dimension to their attacking play.

2025 Six Nations Ireland vs. France Soprts Bet Odds

Team Ireland are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• Ireland is favored by 1.5 points, with a match result of 1.83.
• France are the underdogs by 1.5 points, with a match result of 2.10.
• Tie has a match result of 23.00.
• Total Goals is set at 45.5 points, with the Under at 1.90 and the Over at 1.90.

The tactical battle will likely revolve around set-piece execution and dominance at the breakdown. Ireland's scrummaging, led by Andrew Porter, and their well-drilled lineout, commanded by James Ryan, will be crucial in controlling possession and territory. Under interim coach Simon Easterby, Ireland has excelled in ruck efficiency and game management, allowing them to dictate the tempo.

On the other hand, France's powerful pack—featuring the likes of Grégory Alldritt and Uini Atonio—will look to assert themselves physically and disrupt Ireland's structured play. Dupont's ability to orchestrate quick attacking moves could exploit any gaps in Ireland's defense, particularly targeting young fly-half Sam Prendergast, who faces a major test in this high-stakes encounter.

Beyond the captains and key forwards, standout backs like Ireland's James Lowe and France's Damian Penaud will be pivotal. Lowe's ability to break tackles and create scoring opportunities adds a dangerous edge to Ireland's attack, while Penaud, renowned for his finishing ability, could be a game-changer if given space to operate.

With both teams pushing to strengthen their title ambitions, this Aviva Stadium clash promises to be a spectacle. Ireland will have the advantage of a home crowd, but France's firepower and resurgence set the stage for a tightly contested affair. The outcome may hinge on small margins—breakdown battles, lineout efficiency, and the decision-making of both fly-halves.

Ireland's consistency and tactical discipline give them a slight edge, but France is more than capable of an upset if they can impose their physicality. Expect a fierce battle, likely decided by a narrow margin of three to five points. As the rugby world eagerly awaits this blockbuster fixture, one thing is certain: Dublin will be electric on Saturday.

2025 Guinness Six Nations Table

	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points Difference	Bonus Points	Total Points
1	Ireland	3	3	0	0	+28	2	14
2	France	3	2	0	1	+91	3	11
3	England	3	2	0	1	-3	2	10
4	Scotland	3	1	0	2	-3	2	6
5	Italy	3	1	0	2	-54	0	4
6	Wales	3	0	0	3	-59	1	1