France Poised to Extend Six Nations Dominance After Lions Tour Cycle, Leaving Ireland Facing an Uphill Battle
France are heavily favored to continue their remarkable streak of success in the Six Nations, a pattern established since the first professional Lions tour in 1997. Les Bleus have clinched the championship in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2022 – each victory coming in the year following a Lions tour, fueling speculation about a deliberate strategic advantage.
The French system appears to thrive while their rivals, particularly those contributing heavily to the British & Irish Lions, endure grueling tours every four years. As one observer noted, while “the Anglo-Celts are slogging it out in the south,” French players are afforded the opportunity to rest and recover, often enjoying downtime on the French Riviera. This approach was particularly evident last summer when, during a demanding Lions tour of Australia involving 18 Irish players, France coach Fabien Galthié controversially granted a sabbatical to his key players.
This decision, which saw a largely second-string squad compete in two Tests against New Zealand, surprised many in the rugby world. Despite the inexperience, the French team performed admirably, running the All Blacks close in both matches and showcasing the depth of talent within the French system. Joshua Brennan exemplified this strength in depth during the New Zealand tour last July.
Galthié further demonstrated his uncompromising approach last week with the announcement of his Six Nations squad, notably omitting established stars Grégory Alldritt, Gaël Fickou, and Damian Penaud. The message was clear: performance is paramount. “No one is safe,” Galthié reportedly told his squad, a sentiment underscored by the fact that Fickou was on the cusp of reaching 100 Test caps. Behind a carefully cultivated image, Galthié is recognized as an astute tactician who has fostered a highly competitive environment within the team.
However, replicating Galthié’s selection philosophy in Ireland is considered unrealistic. The depth of the French player pool is significantly larger than Ireland’s, described by some as a “bath tub” in comparison. While Irish supporters have grown accustomed to recent successes, the national team has often “been punching above their weight.” Currently, Ireland faces a challenging situation heading into the tournament, hampered by a significant injury list and the suspension of Bundee Aki for inappropriate conduct towards a referee. The absence of three key loosehead props – Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle, and Paddy McCarthy – particularly highlights the lack of sufficient quality international-level players to navigate such circumstances.
France’s scrum coach, William Servat, is expected to exploit Ireland’s vulnerabilities at the set piece. He will undoubtedly analyze footage of Ireland’s struggles against South Africa last November, developing tactics to maximize the French tighthead scrum. Despite the absence of regular tighthead Uini Atonio, Servat understands that “if your scrum dominates, you will win.” While France possesses a potent attacking arsenal, a dominant scrum could prove decisive.
An intriguing development is the absence of Toulouse second-rower Thibaud Flament from the French squad. Flament has withdrawn to support his partner as they undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART), with the timing of the procedure coinciding with the Ireland fixture. While some traditionalists have criticized the decision, questioning the priorities of modern players, it is widely acknowledged that starting a family takes precedence over a rugby match.
Reflecting on the past, one former Scottish international recalled a memorable Test match day where his team secured victory, followed by a celebratory evening that included whisky, a private celebration with his wife, and attendance at a formal black-tie dinner – all before the early hours of the morning. “You can say what you like about the amateur days but we had a lot of fun,” he remarked.
However, “fun and the Stade de France are not words usually linked to Irish teams.” Ireland can anticipate a similar physical challenge to last year’s encounter in Dublin, where France deployed a pack with seven additional forwards on the bench (a 7-1 split). The French pack’s dominance at set piece and in close-quarters running proved pivotal in that victory.
Adding to Ireland’s challenges is the return of Antoine Dupont, France’s talismanic leader, after recovering from a serious knee injury. Dupont’s recent form for Toulouse has been exceptional, showcasing a level of skill that continues to defy expectations. “I know he will torment Ireland, but I cannot wait to see him perform because it is such a joy to watch,” one analyst commented.
France are the clear favorites to add another Six Nations title to their impressive record in the year following a Lions tour, and they intend to make a statement against Ireland in Paris. Ireland, facing a formidable opponent and a host of challenges, will need to draw upon the spirit of underdogs from the amateur era – and perhaps a little luck in the form of red cards – to overcome a mighty French organization.
