The international rugby season kicks off on Friday with what will be a massive game in the Six Nations.

France will be at home to the second ranked Ireland in what will be a battle of attrition in Marseille.

This game is what many hoped would have been last year’s Rugby World Cup final, but both teams were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

The Irish captain, Peter O’Mahony, said it will definitely be a big game for both teams.

“I don't know about that. It's the first one up for us, first one up for them. In this competition, every game is colossal and that's an understatement.

“Both of us are out there tomorrow to win the game, set ourselves up with some momentum for the rest of the campaign.

“Performance is paramount - for every test match. We're not trying to prove a point to ourselves about what happened. We're trying to prove to ourselves in performance, where the scene is at, where we want to go, setting up momentum.

“It's not about putting things right or whatever. It's about a Test match tomorrow night. That's what the occasion is, it's the most important thing for us.

“And performance is absolutely paramount. That's what everyone is here to do, be the best version of themselves. That's what we're trying to do for Ireland.”

Kick-off is at 22:00 on Friday night. Tomorrow at 16:15, Italy will face England in Rome and at 18:45, Wales will tackle Scotland in Cardiff.

France - 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana; 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu; 8 Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros; 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Paul Gabrillagues; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille.

Replacements - 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Cameron Woki, 20 Romain Taofifenua, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Ireland - 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements - 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Jack Conan, 22 Conor Murray, 23 Ciaran Frawley.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport