"Les Emeralds" - Picking A Combined France and Ireland Team Ahead of 2024 Six Nations Opener

Friday, 02 February 2024 at 15:05

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byTom Sansom

The 2024 Guinness Six Nations begins this evening, with a blockbuster fixture set to commence the tournament. France host Ireland in Marseille's Stade Velodrome, In what could play out to be the decisive match for wither side's Grand Slam hopes.

Fabien Galthie and Andy Farrell have each named a star-studded squad, that are set to do battle under the fabled Friday night lights. They don't get any bigger than this for a Six Nations opener, with the atmosphere set to reach a fever pitch come kick-off. The defending Grand Slam holders are out to retain their title, and would like nothing more than to chalk up a monumental win away to France.

Bundee Aki of Ireland watching the on going scrum during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 12th March 2022 - PHOTO: George Tewkesbury/PPAUK

Whilst on the other side of the pitch, Les Bleus are looking to bounce back from their Rugby World Cup heartache, which saw them suffer a quarter-final elimination at the hands of South Africa. The home soil didn't play into their favour at the World Cup, yet the fearsome backing of the Marseille fans could well fire up the French to a strong first round win.

With each team brimming with top talent from one to fifteen, it was difficult to piece together a combined squad from the selected French and Irish players. We've given it our best shot, and have only picked from the available players, so Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack miss out on a spot in this combined country.

BACK THREE

15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

14. Damien Penaud (France and Bordeaux-Begles)

11. James Lowe (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

CENTRES

13. Gael Fickou (France and Racing 92)

12. Bundee Aki (Ireland and Connacht)

HALFBACKS

10. Matthieu Jalibert (France and Bordeaux-Begles)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

FRONT ROW

1. Andrew Porter (Ireland and Leinster)

2. Peato Mauvaka (France and Stade Toulousain)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

LOCKS

4. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland and Munster Rugby)

5. Paul Willemse (France and Montpellier Herault Rugby)

BACK ROW

6. Josh van der Flier (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

7. Charles Ollivon (France and RC Toulon)

8. Gregory Alldritt (France and Stade Rochelais) (CAPTAIN)

REPLACEMENTS

Peter O'Mahony of Ireland during the Summer International match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 24th August 2019. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK.

16. Dan Sheehan (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

17. Cyril Baille (France and Stade Toulousain)

18. Uini Antonio (France and Stade Rochelais)

19. Cameron Woki (France and Racing 92)

20. Peter O'Mahony (Ireland and Munster Rugby)

21. Caelan Doris (Ireland and Leinster Rugby)

22. Jonathan Danty (France and Stade Rochelais)

23. Thomas Ramos (France and Stade Toulousain)

Six Nations 2024