IRFU #RWC2015 Live Blog: France v Ireland
Join us for live text commentary of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup Pool D decider with France at the Millennium Stadium today (kick-off 4.45pm), as Joe Schmidt’s men look to finish the pool stages with a fourth straight win.
On the couch, in the clubhouse, on the move? You can follow all the action from France v Ireland with our IRFU Live Blog this afternoon.
If you don’t have a ticket for Ireland’s Pool D showdown with les Bleus (kick-off 4.45pm), you can keep track of the game on our IRFU Live Blog, featuring:
– Live match updates and all the build-up from the Millennium Stadium
– Your tweets and photos
– Post-match reaction from Joe Schmidt and the players
Today’s clash in Cardiff is being broadcast live on TV3, UTV, RTÉ Radio 1 and BBC Radio Ulster. You can follow every tackle and try on the IRFU Live Blog – #ShouldertoShoulder, #RWC2015 and #FRAvIRE.
Ireland will win Pool D if they avoid defeat against France – as long as the French do not score four tries in a drawn match in which Ireland do not score four tries.
Winning the will mean playing a quarter-final against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium next Sunday. Finishing second will mean a quarter-final a day earlier at the same stadium against New Zealand.
Paul O’Connell will equal Brian O’Driscoll’s RWC caps record of 17 when he takes to the field.
There are three changes to the side that defeated Italy, the fewest of RWC 2015 for the Ireland team – full-back Rob Kearney, prop Cian Healy and lock Devin Toner all return to the starting line-up.
The front row of Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross will start together for the 30th time, the first time this has been achieved in the professional era and the first time any northern Hemisphere front row combination has managed this.
France v Ireland Preview – click here.