Ireland began its Six Nations three-peat bid by blowing away England during 30-plus minutes of controlled aggression in the second half for a 27-22 comeback victory in Dublin.

Head coach Warren Gatland is overseeing a transition to a young squad, but many of his players are yet to taste victory in a red shirt and many onlookers will be expecting tonight to defeat no.13. France will be raring to go, and have Antoine Dupont chomping at the bit after skipping last year in favour of Olympics preparations.