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Ireland vs France: Kick-off time, how to watch, team news

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Arguably the most anticipated match of the Six Nations is here, with Ireland hosting France in Dublin on Saturday.

While France dropped points against England last month, Ireland are still in with a chance of claiming the Grand Slam. 

The hosts will look to put a marker down and a win would all but secure another Six Nations crown, but it won't be easy against a France side who will believe they can still take the title.

Here is everything you need to know about Saturday's clash.

Key details:

When: Saturday, March 8 at 2.15 p.m. UK

Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

How to watch: You can wach live on the ITV (UK). You can also follow along with live updates on ESPN.

Officials: Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)

Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)

Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (Eng)

Lineups:

  Ireland: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, Hugo Keenan.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley.

  France:  Jean-Baptise Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Thibaud Flament, Mickaël, Guillard, François Cros, Paul Boudehent, Grégory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont (captain), Romain Ntamack, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Yoram Moefana, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos.

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Emmanuel Meafou, Hugo Auradou, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lucu.

Team news: 

Ireland: In a huge boost for the home side, captain Caelan Doris returns after missing the clash with Wales through injury. While Peter O'Mahony starts in the back-row, Cian Healy and Conor Murray are also in the squad in what will be trio's final Test in Dublin, after they all confirmed they will retire from international rugby after the tournament. 

Mack Hansen and Rónan Kelleher are absent with injuries, as is Tadgh Furlong. 


France: France coach Fabien Galthié has recalled fly-half Romain Ntamack, who has served his suspension after receiving a red card in the opening game against Wales.

Winger Damian Penaud has also earned a recall after being dropped against Italy following the defeat to England at Twickenham last month.

There are no changes to the forward pack which ran riot in Rome a fortnight ago. 

Information from Reuters contributed to the team news of this report.

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