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John Jones

What time is France v Ireland kick-off and what TV channel is it on today?

Ireland travel to Paris on Saturday as they take on tournament favourites France in the second round of the 2022 Six Nations.

Both teams got off to a flying start with convincing wins last weekend, with Andy Farrell's side dominating defending champions Wales to run out 29-7 winners, while the French scored five tries in a 37-10 victory over Italy.

Ireland are looking to secure their 10th successive win in the competition, but will be without captain Jonny Sexton, who is ruled out of this weekend's fixture with a hamstring strain, while France have made two changes to their side, with centre Yoram Moefana making his first Six Nations start.

Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's match:

What time is France v Ireland kick-off?

Ireland v France is due to kick off at 4.45pm on Saturday, February 12, at Stade de France in Paris.

What TV channel is France v Ireland on? What about live streaming?

Scotland v England is being broadcast live on ITV1 with coverage beginning at 4pm.

You will also be able to watch the match via live stream on the ITV Hub.

What's the France v Ireland team news?

James Ryan will captain Ireland on Saturday as Johnny Sexton misses out due to a hamstring strain sustained in training this week.

Sexton will be replaced at fly-half by Munster's Joey Carbery in what is the only change made by Andy Farrell from his side's thumping victory over Wales last weekend.

Mack Hansen keeps his place following his Player of the Round performance on his debut, with Andrew Conway and Hugo Keenan making up the back three.

Carbery is partnered by Jamison Gibson Park at scrum-half, while Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose start in midfield.

Skipper Ryan is joined at lock by Tadhg Beirne. The backrow sees Caelan Doris at six, Josh van der Flier at seven and Jack Conan at No.8 with Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong completing the front row.

Jack Carty and British and Irish Lions Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw are added to the replacements for this week and join Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray on the bench.

French coach Fabien Galthie has returned from COVID isolation that saw him miss his side's convincing victory over Italy and has made two changes to his starting XV, handing Bordeaux centre Yoram Moefana his first Six Nations start.

Moefana replaces the injured Jonathan Danty, while Toulouse back row Francois Cros takes over from Dylan Cretin, who drops to the replacements. Lock Thibaud Flament has also been named in the matchday 23.

France: 15. Melvyn Jaminet; 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Yoram Moefana 11. Gabin Villière; 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. François Cros, 7. Anthony Jelonch, 8. Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifénua, 20. Thibaud Flament, 21. Dylan Cretin 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Thomas Ramos.

Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan; 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Mack Hansen; 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Jamison Gibson Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Carty, 23. Robbie Henshaw

Winger Gabin Villiere scored a hat-trick as his side thumped Italy on the opening weekend (Getty Images)

Who is the France v Ireland referee?

Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR) and Craig Evans (IRE)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

What have the coaches said?

France head coach Fabien Galthie: "It will be a solid match for us, Ireland arrive with a good run of victories, with the status of European number one and third in the world, therefore they are the best European adversary at the moment They come to Paris with the same ambition as us: to win.

"Clearly Saturday we are touching the summit of European rugby, the sublime side of European rugby. Our opponent is hugely admired by followers of rugby therefore all that obliges us to have the will power and the belief to raise our levels in all respects".

On the injured Sexton's absence: "We worked on Ireland and prepared for the game with him at fly-half.

"What we saw against Wales (last weekend) and New Zealand (in the autumn) he was their playmaker, their lead, their captain. We think this team are very structured, they have a very serene game plan, they will keep that style of attack.

"We imagine they will keep the same fundamentals, attack and defence-wise despite the absence of Johnny Sexton."

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: "We've got to play our own game, that's the way we're thinking. We've fallen into that trap before against big, physical sides and we've not been composed enough to be able to play our game, so we've learnt some lessons along the way with that.

"We've got to be brave enough to play the game how we want to play it and not get distracted with thoughts like that. We want to lay down markers everywhere we go.

"A big part of international rugby or any big sporting event is you've got to be mentally strong to be able to stay in the moment and there's no doubt that France are going to have a purple patch, it's an absolute given.

"How we get back down to neutral and get back on task is going to be key, there's no doubt."

On the threat posed by Dupont: "The reason he is such a great player is because of the dents his forwards tend to make pretty close to the ruck. The shape that he brings off nine and the rucking that follows always gives a nine room and space to be able to play how he wants to play.

"Obviously he's a running nine and a serious threat because of his speed and strength. It's something that we're certainly aware of."

On Carbery replacing Sexton at fly-half: "He's a man of many talents and he's one hell of a player. I want to see him be himself, be super confident that he's going to bring his own game to the party, and he's in a great place.

"He's been involved in some big games for us over the years and he's had some downs with the injuries, but he's had a good solid two-and-a-half weeks training with us. He knows exactly how we want to play as a team and we're expecting him to deliver that like everyone else.

"I think his experiences make him more hungry to get back on this type of stage and to perform and be the player that he knows he is and wants to be."

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