According to Philippe Saint-Andre, France should be fearful. While a certain amount of partisan proclamation is expected ahead of any Six Nations fixture, not least one of the magnitude of Saturday’s encounter, the former France boss caused a stir when he suggested to Midi Olympique on Monday that Ireland would be a better side without Johnny Sexton. Perhaps the Montpellier boss had a premonition – a tweaked hamstring in Wednesday training will leave Ireland without their fly-half and captain for this collision of championship favourites under the Paris lights.
“It is what it is,” said Ireland head coach Andy Farrell of Sexton’s absence. “There are always twists and turns, especially within the Six Nations. There are always going to be things that we have to deal with.
