Captain Caelan Doris says the final home Test match for three Irish legends will give the team an “extra edge” in Saturday’s Six Nations blockbuster against title rivals France at Lansdowne Road.
Cian Healy, Ireland’s record caps holder with 136, scrumhalf Conor Murray, who for many years formed a feared halfback partnership with Johnny Sexton, and Peter O’Mahony, last year’s championship-winning skipper, will retire from Test rugby after the final match against Italy in Rome on Saturday week.
They’re chasing a memorable farewell to Ireland fans at home by beating France, a result that would leave the reigning champions one win away from an unprecedented third successive Six Nations crown.
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“It’s an added element of motivation for us,” said Doris. “I suppose you don’t want to get overly emotional and make it too big a thing and get sidetracked from the main objective, but it’s definitely something that we’ll think of, and hopefully it will give us an extra edge as well.”
“He’s got very good knowledge of the game,” Doris said of 35-year-old O’Mahony. “He’s very skilful. His lineout ability is unbelievable. But just he’s loved amongst the group. He’s very personable in a unique way.”
One of many engrossing match-ups for the game will be the dual between Doris and France No 8 Gregory Alldritt. Both have had fitness issues coming in, Doris having recovered from a knee injury which prevented him playing in the win over Wales while Alldritt has had a groin issue.
“Alldritt is obviously a talisman for them,” said Doris. “He’s one of the best in the world. As a No 8 myself, you always look at the others and try to add a string to your bow from what they do. He provides a lot of go forward for France, he’s a nuisance in terms of poach and back end in the breakdown, something that I try to do as well.”
France are under no illusions about the challenge they are facing, said defence coach Shaun Edwards.
“It is the ultimate contest in the northern hemisphere coming to Dublin and to win here,” he said. “The last two years they have been absolutely wonderful, great to watch too.”
Six Nations round 4 fixtures:
Saturday, 4.15pm: Ireland v France, Dublin
Saturday, 6.45pm: Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield
Sunday, 5pm: England v Italy, Twickenham
IRELAND – 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Jamie Osborne, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.
Bench: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Ryan Baird, 22 Conor Murray, 23 Jack Crowley.
FRANCE – 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Bench: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Emmanuel Meafou, Hugo Auradou, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lucu
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
