France v Ireland - Recent Results:
2011: Ireland 22 France 26 (Aviva Stadium) Friendly
2011: France 19 Ireland 12 (Stade Chaban-Delmas) Friendly
2011: Ireland 22 France 25 (Aviva Stadium)
2010: France 33 Ireland 10 (Stade de France)
2009: Ireland 30 France 21 (Croke Park)
2008: France 26 Ireland 21 (Stade de France)
2007: France 25 Ireland 3 (Stade de France) World Cup
2007: Ireland 17 France 20 (Croke Park)
2006: France 43 Ireland 31 (Stade de France)
2005: Ireland 19 France 26 (Lansdowne Road)
2004: France 35 Ireland 17 (Stade de France)
2011: France 19 Ireland 12 (Stade Chaban-Delmas) Friendly
2011: Ireland 22 France 25 (Aviva Stadium)
2010: France 33 Ireland 10 (Stade de France)
2009: Ireland 30 France 21 (Croke Park)
2008: France 26 Ireland 21 (Stade de France)
2007: France 25 Ireland 3 (Stade de France) World Cup
2007: Ireland 17 France 20 (Croke Park)
2006: France 43 Ireland 31 (Stade de France)
2005: Ireland 19 France 26 (Lansdowne Road)
2004: France 35 Ireland 17 (Stade de France)
RBS 6 Nations 2012 Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | PD | TF | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  (1) | Wales | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 69 | 46 | 23 | 7 | 6 |
| 2 |  (3) | France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 29 | 24 | 6 | 4 |
| 3 |  (2) | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 40 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | (4) | Ireland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 33 | 30 | 7 | 2 |
| 5 | (5) | Scotland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 63 | -27 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | (6) | Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 37 | 91 | -54 | 3 | 0 |
Ireland return to the Stade de France for a second time in three weeks tomorrow, following the last minute postponement of the original fixture because of a frozen pitch.
The Irish always struggle against France, evidenced by the fact that they've won just 1 of the last 12 meetings between the two nations. In fact they've only won 4 of their last 35 encounters with Les Bleus and just once in their last 22 visits to Paris.
Therefore it's no surprise to see bookmakers chalk the hosts up as overwhelming favourites, at a best price of 4/11 (William Hill). Those odds might not appear great, but they 'only' represent a 73% chance of success and given that France have actually won 95% of the last 22 meetings in Paris, they probably offer a little bit of value.
By contrast, Ireland can be backed at best odds of 11/4 with Paddy Power and Stan James (which represents a 27% chance of success) and the draw is best price 25/1 with Bet365.
Ireland have an experienced squad and put in an impressive second-half display against Italy last week, but they lost to Wales at the start of February and face a team who went so close to (and many thought should have) beating the All-Blacks in the World Cup Final in October.
Winger Vincent Clerc collects his 60th cap on Sunday and appears to enjoy playing Ireland, having scored five tries against them in six matches - so the 2/1 on offer from Ladbrokes on him scoring a try tomorrow stands out. He can also be backed at 10/1 to score the first try of the match with Sky Bet.
In terms of the handicap line, whilst most bookmakers are 10/11 for Ireland +7, Paddy Power offer odds of evens for Ireland +8 and Stan James are 5/6 for Ireland +9. If you fancy a comfortable French win then head to Bet365 or BetVictor who offer evens on France -7.
