Can Ireland win in Paris without Sexton?

Ireland take on France in Saturday’s late fixture without their captain Johnny Sexton after the fly half was ruled out of the game with a hamstring injury. (KO 4:45 PM)

After both impressing in round one, the teams are considered the top two contenders to win this year’s Six Nations, making Sexton’s absence an even bigger blow.

Head coach Andy Farrell on Sexton’s absence said: “We’re not just one player, it never has been, it never will be, and we want to grow as a group, and we make sure we approach every game in that manner anyway. It’s a great development for us as a team going forward as well and we still expect ourselves to be at our best in Paris on Saturday.”

Ireland dominated Wales 29-7, while France survived a first half scare to comfortably overcome Italy 37-10.

Andy Farrell’s Ireland are seeking a 10^th consecutive win, with their last defeat coming at home to France in last year’s tournament.

France have made two changes after last Sunday’s win, with Yoram Moefana replacing the injured Jonathan Danty in the centres, while Francois Cros come in at blindside flanker for Dylan Cretin, who has to settle for a place on the bench.

Munster fly half Joey Carbery replaces Sexton in Ireland’s only change, while lock James Ryan skippers the side for the fifth time.

Ireland haven’t won in France since 2018, when a last-minute Sexton drop-goal sealed a round one victory and set them on their way to a Grand Slam.

France head coach Fabian Galthie returns after being in isolation following a positive Covid-19 test and having to coach his side through a telephone link from the team hotel 40km away during Sunday’s victory.

Galthie said: “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. Our opponent is hugely admired by followers of rugby, therefore, all that obliges us to have the willpower and the belief to raise our levels in all respects.”

Did you know The Rugby Paper has a podcast? Last week, we launched The Rugby Paper Podcast with England legend Jeremy Guscott appearing as our guest to preview the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

This week, Italy and Harlequins back Tommaso Allan joins Nick Cain and Brendan Gallagher to discuss the second round of Six Nations fixtures.

Listen to Episode Two of The Rugby Paper Podcast here

Written by Ben Jaycock