Ireland out to stop ‘darting fish’ Dupont and France

On the eve of the Six Nations opener in Paris, Ireland captain Caelan Doris summed up one of the biggest challenges awaiting his side with a vivid and humorous comparison. Speaking about France skipper Antoine Dupont, Doris likened the elusive scrum-half to “one of those tiny fish you try to touch, but they instantly dart away.”

It was an analogy that perfectly captured the difficulty of containing a player widely regarded as the best in world rugby.

“He’s done it to me plenty of times,” Doris admitted. “I still remember one moment in 2023 where I thought I had him covered at one side of the breakdown. He suddenly spun away, switched direction and beat three defenders on the other side.”

That moment remains fresh in the Irish captain’s mind, and Ireland can only hope that Dupont — returning after time out following a collision with Irish players last year — is not quite as slippery when France and Ireland meet at the Stade de France on Thursday night.

Dupont’s return gives France a huge boost. The Toulouse star is the driving force behind an attack capable of dismantling even the most organised defences. Ireland know that better than most.

Last year in Dublin, France tore Ireland apart in the second half, scoring 34 unanswered points. That demolition job came despite Dupont leaving the field after just half an hour. The memory of that defeat still lingers for those in green, even if Doris diplomatically avoided calling Thursday’s contest an opportunity for “revenge”.

Instead, Ireland arrive in Paris with a long list of concerns. Injuries and suspensions have disrupted Andy Farrell’s preparations, making a victory in France one of the toughest challenges of his tenure as head coach.

To have any chance of overturning last year’s humiliation, Ireland must rediscover the resilience and intensity that helped them defeat South Africa at the same venue during the World Cup. Against a French side that scored a record 30 tries in last year’s Six Nations, Ireland will need to apply pressure on the scoreboard early and often.

One player tasked with providing that cutting edge is Jacob Stockdale, who returns to the Six Nations spotlight hoping to rediscover the form that made him a household name in 2018. That year, his record-breaking seven tries earned him Player of the Tournament honours as Ireland stormed to a Grand Slam.

Although Stockdale has mainly featured at full-back for Ulster this season, he gets the nod on the left wing ahead of James Lowe. It will be his first Six Nations appearance since 2021 and a major opportunity to reassert himself on the international stage.

His battle with Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the electric Bordeaux winger who broke Stockdale’s try-scoring record last year, promises to be one of the game’s most fascinating subplots — and a serious defensive examination for the Irishman.

Ireland will also look to Dan Sheehan to maintain his try-scoring form. The Leinster hooker crossed the line five times in last year’s championship and scored in Ireland’s win over France in Marseille in 2024. Impact from the bench will be crucial too, with back-row replacement Jack Conan hoping to repeat the late heroics that saw him score against Scotland and France last year.

As always in Test rugby, attention will focus heavily on the two fly-halves.

Ireland once again hand the number 10 jersey to Sam Prendergast, who started last year’s Six Nations campaign in the same role. Gifted with vision, composure and attacking flair, the 22-year-old has the tools to unlock France’s defence. However, his tackling has been under scrutiny since France’s Paul Boudehent ran through him last season.

Despite that criticism, Doris offered firm backing for his young playmaker.

“His defence has taken a lot of heat,” said the captain. “But I see the work he puts in every day at Leinster and again in camp. That side of his game is improving all the time. Offensively, his potential is huge.”

France’s fly-half Matthieu Jalibert brings greater experience and has been in outstanding form for Bordeaux this season. Yet he, too, carries pressure after being dropped by head coach Fabien Galthié following last year’s defeat to England.

Dupont was quick to defend his team-mate.

“Everyone believes in Matthieu — the players, the coaches, even the media,” Dupont said. “He’s having a great season, and we trust him completely.”

Front-row concerns and fresh faces

Three months on from being overwhelmed by South Africa’s scrum, Ireland face another daunting challenge up front. Farrell is without key props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, while the absence of Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle further weakens the loose-head options.

That leaves Jeremy Loughman making his first Six Nations start at the age of 30. A reliable scrummager with plenty of Munster minutes under his belt this season, Loughman will be tested immediately. Michael Milne, capped twice against Georgia and Portugal, offers cover from the bench.

At tight-head, Farrell hopes Thomas Clarkson’s experience touring with the British and Irish Lions last summer will stand him in good stead as he tackles the biggest match of his career so far.

France, too, are missing familiar faces. Veteran prop Uini Atonio has been forced into retirement due to a heart condition after starting 18 of France’s last 20 Six Nations games. Dorian Aldegheri steps in as a capable replacement.

Elsewhere, France are without Gregory Alldritt, Gaël Fickou and record try-scorer Damian Penaud, all dropped by Galthié, while Thibaud Flament is absent for personal reasons.

The scale of change suggests France are looking firmly toward the future. Remarkably, Dupont is the only player in the matchday squad with more than 50 international caps.

If their captain once again dances through Ireland’s defence, France could send an early and powerful message in this year’s championship.

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