The fourth round of fixtures in the 2025 Six Nations Championship sees Ireland and France face off in Dublin.

Ireland are the only side to win their first two games of the championship, beating England and Scotland, and securing two bonus points along the way.

Prior to their heavyweight clash against France they face a Wales side who are in turmoil, with head coach Warren Gatland quitting his role midway through the tournament, after a run of 14 consecutive Test match losses.

Meanwhile, France started the championship in scintillating fashion, brushing aside Wales 43-0 before a 26-25 defeat to England halted their charge.

France are four points behind Ireland as they head to Rome to play Italy, before travelling to Dublin to face an Ireland side who are looking to become the first side to win three Six Nations Championships in a row.

When is Ireland vs France?

Ireland host France on Saturday, March 8. The match will kick-off at 14:15 (GMT).

The other fixtures in round four include Scotland welcoming Wales to Murrayfield on the same day, at 16:45, with England visited by Italy on Sunday, March 9 at 15:00.

Where is Ireland vs France taking place?

The game will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It will be Ireland’s second, and last, home game of this year’s Six Nations.

Ireland have a mixed record when hosting France at the Aviva Stadium, winning four of the eight matches the two sides have contested there, with those four wins coming in the last five games. France have won three times since the stadium was built, with one draw being played out in 2013.

Six Nations 2025 table

How to watch Ireland vs France on TV?

The game will be live on ITV1, whilst Scotland vs Wales will be on BBC One later in the day.

ITV acquired the rights for the home games of England, Ireland, France, and Italy with the BBC covering Scotland’s games at Murrayfield and Wales’ matches at the Principality Stadium.

This year’s Six Nations coverage has taken place against a backdrop of controversy with 2025 potentially being the last year that all Six Nations games are shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The current broadcast deal that the BBC and ITV hold only runs until the end of this year’s tournament. TNT Sports and Sky Sports may bid for the rights to cover the competition from 2026. This potential switch has caused concern, with suggestions that it may have a negative impact on the game.

Who is the referee?

Australian referee Angus Gardner will be in charge of this pivotal fixture. He has refereed just one game between Ireland and France before – a 30-24 France win at the Stade de France in the 2022 Six Nations.

Gardner has refereed 46 international Test matches, including three World Cups.

He was the referee in England’s 12-11 win over South Africa, in 2018, when Owen Farrell received criticism over his tackle on André Esterhuizen. With the clock ticking over to 80 minutes Farrell leaned into a shoulder-led tackle on the South African centre. Gardner judged the tackle to be legal but has since admitted he probably made a mistake. A penalty would have likely given South Africa the win.

Gardner, on the Will Greenwood podcast, said: “I think in hindsight now, having discussed it with some other referees… the general consensus would be that a penalty was probably the outcome there that should have been given.”

What is the team news?

Ireland are coached by Simon Easterby, who has taken up an interim role in this year’s Six Nations due to head coach Andy Farrell’s absence. Farrell has stepped back from his role this year as he is coaching the British and Irish Lions for their 2025 tour.

Easterby has picked just one uncapped player, in Leinster prop Jack Boyle. The experienced quartet of Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Bundee Aki are all in contention. Winger Mack Hansen was ruled out of Ireland’s win over Scotland, whilst fly-half Sam Prendergast is playing in his first Six Nations and has been picked over Jack Crowley for the opening two games.

For France, Romain Ntamack may return after a red card against Wales ruled him out of the loss to England. Damian Penaud, who has 37 international tries, missed round one but returned against England and is in contention again.

Experienced flanker Charles Ollivon has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a knee injury, whilst experienced centres Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty have missed the first two rounds but may return for the latter stages of the tournament.

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose

France squad:

Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyril Baille, Giorgi Beria, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, Francois Cros, Thibaud Flament, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mickaël Guillard, Matthias Halagahu, Oscar Jegou, Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifénua.

Backs: Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Leo Barre, Nicolas Depoortere, Gael Drean, Antoine Dupont (c), Antoine Frisch, Emilien Gailleton, Matthieu Jalibert, Nolann le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene, Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Killian Tixeront, Gabin Villiere.

When did France and Ireland last win the Six Nations?

France and Ireland have dominated the Six Nations in recent years, occupying the top two spots for three years running. France were victorious in 2022, but have since finished second in consecutive years with Ireland winning back-to-back titles. Ireland also won the Grand Slam in 2023 after winning all five of their games. Should either side win this year’s tournament they will join England in having the most Six Nations titles, with seven.

What was the score last year?

The 2024 Six Nations opened with a thrilling match as Ireland beat France 38-17 in Marseille. Ireland ran in five tries, collecting a bonus point along the way, after France had lock Paul Willemse sent off after just 30 minutes. It was Ireland’s biggest-ever away win over the French.

What are the latest odds?

• France to win Six Nations: 1000/1

• Ireland to win Six Nations: 8/15