Two rounds and three weeks into the 2017 Six Nations and Ireland are planning for their first match on home soil. France are the visitors to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
The back to back trips to Edinburgh and Rome mean that Joe Schmidt's side are the only team in the tournament who have yet to enjoy home comforts. Having trained in front of a large group of enthusiastic supporters in Monaghan last week, Jamie Heaslip is relishing the prospect of getting back out in front of an Irish crowd.
I can't wait, I love the @AVIVAStadium. @jamieheaslip looking forward to @IrishRugby first 2017 @SixNationsRugby game on home soil. #IREvFRA pic.twitter.com/zHgXDDr4f3
— Ross Lindsay (@Ross_A_Lindsay) February 20, 2017
Ireland have a good Six Nations record in Dublin. It has been four years since they lost a Championship game at Lansdowne Road. France did win on their first visit to the Aviva in 2011, snatching a 25-22 victory despite conceding three tries. The teams couldn't be separated at the same venue in 2013, both scoring a try and a two penalties in a 13 all draw. In 2015 Johnny Sexton kicked Ireland to a 18-11 victory, returning from a three month concussion lay off to put in a man of the match performance and score five crucial penalties.
France won by a single point in Paris last year and Ireland's 24-9 win at the recent World Cup is the only time there has been more that a score between the sides in 9 encounters. Jamie Heaslip predicts another tight battle.
"They have always been troublesome." @jamieheaslip predicts another tight @IrishRugby v @FFRugby @SixNationsRugby battle this weekend. pic.twitter.com/NsVUb64eBM
— Ross Lindsay (@Ross_A_Lindsay) February 20, 2017
Ireland v France kicks off on Saturday at 4.50pm
