French domination of Ireland in the Five Nations is the most complete between any two teams in the competition according to match statistics. Ireland have not beaten France since winning 22-16 in Dublin in 1983 when Moss Finn scored two tries and out-half Ollie Campbell kicked 14 points. Since that memorable victory France have won 14 games against Ireland and drawn just one in Five Nations meetings. France also came out on top in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final meeting in Durban, South Africa.

France, led by Raphael Ibanez, are looking for their third consecutive Grand Slam, an unprecedented feat in the Five Nations since its first official year in 1910. England, however, did came close to a hat-trick in 1921, 1923 and 1924.