Ireland's heavy defeat by France to open the Six Nations will only further press questions raised by a lacklustre autumn.

If a talented Les Bleus click, the results could be spectacular against a much-changed Ireland with umpteen tricky questions to answer

Plus: who will referee the Test, the squads named by Fabien Galthié and Andy Farrell and what happened last year

Injury-hit Ireland face the unenviable task of trying to stop returning captain Antoine Dupont and France in Thursday's Six Nations opener in Paris.

After struggling in recent months, the French men's rugby team opens its defense of the Six Nations Championship on Thursday against Ireland. The match offers a major test for…

Minute-by-minute report: Join Lee Calvert for updates as two heavyweights meet in the Six Nations opener in Paris

Ruthless France inflict more pain on Ireland as the Six Nations holders open their title defence with a bonus-point victory at a buoyant Stade de France.

Ireland rallied in the second half but a dazzling French performance before the interval proved decisive for Les Bleus in a 36-14 win in the Six Nations opener

Ireland's heavy defeat by France to open the Six Nations will only further press questions raised by a lacklustre autumn.

Ireland face one of the most difficult periods of soul-searching under Andy Farrell after falling to a vastly superior France in Thursday's Six Nations opener.

The French, buoyed by the return of Antoine Dupont, convincingly defeated the Irish at the Stade de France (36-14). They have launched their title defense with panache.

Andy Farrell has insisted Ireland can keep pace with rugby’s top sides after 36-14 defeat by France in Paris