France vs. Ireland: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Six Nations 2016 Preview
Ireland will look to get their championship ambitions back on course in the 2016 RBS Six Nations on Saturday, but they face a mammoth task as they visit Paris to battle France.
The holders were pegged back by Wales in their opening match of tournament, drawing 16-16 in Dublin, and they now need a win to stop their best hopes going up in smoke.
The French came through a near defeat against Italy in Round 1, narrowly prevailing 23-21 at the Stade de France, and will need to play better against a powerful and motivated Ireland.
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Here is how you can catch the action in Round 2, including streaming and TV information:
Viewing Info
Date: Saturday, Feb. 13.
Time: 2.25 p.m. (GMT); 9.25 a.m. (ET)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (U.K. only); BeIN Sports CONNECT (U.S. only)
TV Info: BBC One (U.K. only); BeIN Sports (U.S. only)
Match Preview
When fully evaluated, it appears Ireland failed against Wales in Round 1 despite sharing the points—allowing their opponents to fight back in a war of attrition at the Aviva Stadium.
The Six Nation champions raced to a 13-0 lead over the Welsh, but they then opened the door for the visitors to claim an unexpected draw.
Ireland will travel to Paris waiting on news of the fitness of Keith Earls, who sustained a suspected concussion at the Aviva, per BBC Sport. Early indications were positive for the 28-year-old after the injury, but Fergus McFadden has been drafted into the squad as cover for the Munster player.
Earls is being monitored at the Ireland base at Carton House, Dublin, and a decision will be made about his fitness.
"Keith feels pretty good himself but a six-day turnaround - we will just have to assess that later in the week and see where he is at," said Ireland assistant coach Richie Murphy, per BBC Sport. "We are squeezed for time but no player is going to be ruled out yet."
Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien, who both missed the clash with Wales, look set to be available for the vital game on Saturday, according to the BBC Sport article.
Here is the current Six Nations table:
| 1 | England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 9 | 2 |
| 2 | France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 21 | 2 |
| 3 | Ireland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 1 |
| 4 | Wales | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 1 |
| 5 | Italy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 23 | 0 |
| 6 | Scotland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 0 |
France are the dark horses of the competition in 2016, and their unconvincing scoreline against Italy suggests they are an unstable entity.
Andy Nicol told BBC Sport he thinks the French are outsiders to win the Six Nations, but he explained it's one of the most open championships in years: "I think Wales look slight favourites as they have the most settled squad on and off the pitch but it's really tight to call as there's lots of unknowns with the likes of England and France."
Ireland must shut down new French hero Virimi Vakatawa in order to win on Saturday, after the Fiji-born player made a try-scoring debut in Round 1.
Vakatawa is a rugby sevens specialist and is expected to represent his adopted country at the 2016 Olympics Games, and Ireland will have to thwart the 23-year-old's attacking flair.
The back-line talent will be the Irish team's biggest threat in Paris, forcing the visitors to address Vakatawa as high up the field as possible.
Ireland cannot lose this game if they want to win the Six Nations once again, but the French are unpredictable at the best of times.
The home crowd will provide energy to France as they look to make it two victories on the bounce, but if the Irish can find top gear, they can claim the points on offer.
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