France to be included in Euro 2016 draw

The Republic of Ireland could face Euro 2016 hosts France in the qualifiers that kick off in September following a radical rule change from Uefa.

France are to be the first host nation to take part in European Championships qualification but they will retain an automatic place in the tournament, with their group-stage matches serving only as friendlies.

Their inclusion in the draw will create nine pools of six teams but will not affect the seeding format agreed upon by the Uefa executive committee in December and due to be rubber-stamped in Nyon on Friday.

Despite Ireland's dreadful qualification campaign for World Cup 2014, the play-off defeat France in the run up to South Africa 2010 and qualification for Euro 2012 adds up to a ranking of 19th in the Uefa coefficient, meaning Martin O'Neill's side are in the top 18 when the Euro 2016 hosts are omitted from the seeding pots.

Uefa will confirm the six pots, consisting of 53 teams, tomorrow and France will be added to the five team-group when the draw is made in Nice on February 23rd.

The tournament will be the first European Championships to include 24 teams, meaning O'Neill and assistant Roy Keane will have few excuses if they cannot guide second seeds to France as one of 23 qualifiers from 53 nations.

Expected seeding pots for Euro 2016 draw on February 23rd

Pot 1: Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Pot 2: Croatia, Ukraine, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Ireland

Pot 3: Serbia, Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Norway, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, Montenegro

Pot 4: Armenia, Poland, Scotland, Finland, Latvia, Wales, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus

Pot 5: Iceland, Northern Ireland, Albania, Lithuania, Moldova, FYR Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus

Pot 6: Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar, France*