The Six Nations is back!

The Guinness men’s six nations is back this week! 

Kicking off a day earlier this time around; the tournament begins tonight on a Thursday night rather than the normal Friday in order to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. 

The first match takes place in Paris as Ireland travel across the channel to face France in a clash between two of the favourites for the tournament. 

France have named a strong side including the likes of Thomas Ramos, Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Bielle-Biarry and the world class superstar Antoine Dupont. 

They are missing the likes of Roman Ntamack as well as second row Thibaud Flament who misses the opener after revealing it clashed with his wife’s fertility treatment (putting a more important matter at the forefront). France will also be without prop Uini Atonio who has sadly been forced to retire following a recent heart attack.

Ireland meanwhile have also named a strong side as Andy Farrell is able to include the likes of Tadhg Beirne, Jamison Gibson-Park and the ever reliable Josh Van Der Flier. 

When the two sides met in last years competition it was France who picked up the win in Dublin coming out on top in a 42-27 result.

France also were the overall tournament winners last time out as they finished just 1 point clear of second place England.

One bookmaker has France as the expected winner again for this match, offering them as a -13 point handicap favourite. But at the same time you simply never know which France side will turn up and you can also never truly write off Ireland! 

One things for certain, expected an intense game with battles all over the field and an incredible atmosphere at the Stade De France