Six Nations: Ireland v France – Key Battles

Dan Sheehan v Peato Mauvaka

Rock solid in all areas and a top athlete, Sheehan forms part of Ireland’s splendiferous spine and took the next step in his career when he captained his country for the first time in the 27-18 win over Wales in the previous round.

Born in Nouméa, New Caledonia, Mauvaka is a tank of a man with a Hilux bakkie motor. On top of his fantastic fundamentals, he brings added strength at scrum time and is deceptively mobile.

Sheehan has the edge in speed, while Mauvaka has a power advantage. It’ll be interesting to see who delivers the biggest overall display.

Tadhg Beirne v Emmanuel Meafou

A PRO12 winner with the Scarlets in 2017, Beirne made his bones in Wales and is now braced to win his 60th cap for Ireland. A double-tough workhorse and a lineout general, the 33-year-old is the architect behind Ireland’s fast and clean set-piece ball.

He has his work cut out for him against the younger and bigger Meafou, who’s recovered from the illness that kept him out of the Italy game. The 27-year-old is an absolute gargantuan, tipping the scales at 145kg, and brings plenty of muscle and mongrel to the French pack.  

Peter O’Mahony v Francois Cros

As one of three Irish stalwarts who’ll retire from international rugby at the end of the Six Nations along with Cian Healy and Conor Murray, O’Mahony is set for one last epic war this Saturday before he wraps things up against Italy next weekend. The 112-Test veteran forms part of the heart and soul of the Irish side and he’s sure to bring that hard edge to the hosts.

Cros can land a significant blow if he’s able to take the sting out of O’Mahony. He has all the physical advantages heading into Saturday, he’s younger, stronger, faster and more mobile, but as much as his goal will be to outwork the veteran across the park, he’ll also look to stop him from making any inspirational plays. 

Jamison Gibson-Park v Antoine Dupont

The most pivotal of the positional battles will play out at No. 9 where the two leading scrumhalves in world rugby will go head-to-head.

These two key cogs will have to be clinical and as well as clever as their decision-making and execution will go a long way towards determining the outcome of the contest.

Gibson-Park is the best No. 9 in the business not named Antoine Dupont. A visionary and tactician rolled into one, the New Zealand-born star pulls the strings like few others can.

The decorated Dupont gets showered with so much praise that it can be irritating for non-French fans and although claims that he’s the greatest of all time are a stretch, he’s certainly among the best to have ever played the game.

James Lowe v Damien Penaud

The Irish boast one of if not the best wing in the world in Lowe. A pure predator with size, speed and flair – along with a solid left boot – the Kiwi is hard to contain and a man for the big occasion.

Penaud is equally potent. An experienced try-scoring machine, the 28-year-old always finds a way to involve himself in the action and has a knack for whipping up magical moments. He’s also one of the best finishers in the game.