LAST UPDATE | 27 Mar 2023
EVAN FERGUSON WILL lead the line for Ireland in tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier against France.
Stephen Kenny has named his starting XI, with Chiedozie Ogbene preferred to Michael Obafemi alongside Ferguson. Seamus Coleman is fit to start and captains the side from right wing-back, with Matt Doherty switching to the left.
It’s a 3-5-2 for Ireland, with Josh Cullen, Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby in the midfield trio. John Egan returns to the back three along with Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea. Gavin Bazunu starts ahead of Caoimhín Kelleher.
Mikey Johnston, Will Smallbone, and Michael Obafemi are among the substitutes.
Callum O’Dowda misses out through injury, with Robbie Brady, Troy Parrott, and Will Keane omitted from the matchday squad.
France, meanwhile, have made three changes from the side that hammered the Netherlands 4-0 in Paris on Friday. Record top scorer Olivier Giroud replaces Kingsley Coman and will lead the line, while Benjamin Pavard replaces Jules Kounde at right-back. Eduardo Camavinga is preferred to Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.
This is Ireland’s first game of the qualification campaign, with France top of the group after their win over the Dutch.
The Netherlands play Gibraltar in the group’s other game tonight.
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 7.45, and the game is live on RTÉ Two.
Ireland (3-5-2): Gavin Bazunu; Nathan Collins, John Egan, Dara O’Shea; Seamus Coleman; Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Jayson Molumby; Matt Doherty; Evan Ferguson, Chiedozie Ogbene
France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Benjamin Pavard, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez; Eduardo Camavinga Adrien Rabiot; Randal Kolo Muani, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe; Olivier Giroud
