Ireland vs France
14th February 1500hrs
Rugby – Ireland – Six Nations
Pick France -4 handicap
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: Even money odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021
Title hopefuls France will be looking to collect an impressive away win in Dublin on Sunday.
That would add to their thrashing of Italy last weekend in Rome.
Les Bleus are looking like the ones to beat in this season’s Championship.
Can Ireland pick themselves up after being defeat against Wales last weekend and do just that?
Table of Contents
Ireland Preview – Big challenge for Ireland
At the end of the previous Six Nations campaign, Ireland went to France on the final day with a shot at winning the title.
But they fell to a defeat in Paris as the dynamic French attack took their chances and picked off the Irish.
Will Ireland be able to gain some revenge for that back in Dublin?
In the match outright for rugby betting on Sunday the win for Ireland is at 9/5* (odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021).
Last weekend Ireland made the trip to Wales, a match which they were favourites to win.
But their challenge there came unravelled early on as they were reduced to 14 men within the opening quarter of an hour.
Peter O’mahony was the one to see red, so they will be without him now.
But to their credit, Ireland did only lose by a 5-point margin against Wales as they battled on resiliently.
Are they good enough to turn out the kind of performance needed to beat the French?
Probably but the one question mark would be over whether or not their attack is as sharp and well rounded as France’s?
In last season’s Six Nations, there was that 35-27 loss for Ireland in France.
But Ireland have won three of the last four meetings between the two nations in the competition, so they have that for confidence.
In their last five home games in the tournament against France, Ireland hold a W3 D1 L1 record.
It’s three unbeaten at the Aviva for them against Les Bleus.
An Ireland +5 handicap is at even money* (odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021).
France Preview – Powerful French to land the away win?
France romped to an easy and expected win in Rome last weekend against Italy.
The French ran up 50 points in that victory so they already have a bonus point on the board.
They only missed out on last season’s Six Nations title on points difference to England. But they are the front runners for this campaign.
A win in Dublin would certainly confirm that.
In the match outright for Six Nations rugby betting, a win for France is at 1/2 odds-on* (odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021).
That just goes to show how much they are being respected this season after a brilliant 2020 calendar year.
They continue to be driven forward by scrum-half Antoine Dupont who is just looking for attacking opportunities all of the time.
He is in outstanding form and can help France deliver the win against the injury-hit Irish.
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A France -4 handicap is at even money* (odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021).
This new-look French unit is looking extremely powerful and tight up front and they are also running some brilliant lines from the backs.
They are easily the most cut-throat and dynamic team in the competition this year.
Their head to head record in Ireland is nothing to cheer about recently.
But France are up and running well after their big win against Italy and that momentum should carry over here.
Ireland vs France Betting Advice
Ireland have some sizable selection problems because of injury. So the loss of O’mahoney certainly doesn’t help their cause.
Iain Henderson steps up to captain the side as skipper Johnny Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan are out, along with scrum-half Conor Murray.
That adds to the missing Jacob Stockdale and Caelon Doris as well, so they aren’t at full strength.
Key Facts – Ireland vs France Betting Tip
- Ireland have won 3 of their last 4 Six Nations home games against France
- Ireland lost in Wales on the opening weekend of this campaign
- France beat Italy 50-10 last weekend
With that in mind the France -4 handicap looks well worth backing at even money* (odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021).
Les Bleus are sharp and have the running in them to pull away from the men in green.
A France 1-10 winning margin is at 13/8 for some longer odds in rugby betting* (odds taken 22:18 Friday, 12th February 2021).
The best betting odds for Ireland vs France
Ireland to win: 9/5 at Bet365
Draw: 22/1 at Bet365
France to win: 1/2 at Bet365
