Team news: Patten makes debut in Metz showdown

Anna Patten will make her Republic of Ireland debut against France in tonight's Euro 2025 qualifier at Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Former England underage defender Patten received her international clearance to represent the Girls in Green last week. She is eligible to play for Ireland through her grandparents.

Emily Murphy, another ex-England underage player, starts up front alongside Kyra Carusa having made her debut against Wales in February.

Aoife Mannion returns to the starting lineup for the first time in a year, while Denise O'Sullivan comes back into the engine room after missing the last window with a knee injury.

Abbie Larkin drops out of the the matchday 23, and Jess Ziu will not feature due to a hamstring issue.

The Girls in Green are facing a huge challege against the third-ranked team in the world.

Herve Renard's side made it to the final of the UEFA Nations League in Febrruary, losing 2-0 to world champions Spain, and are unbeaten on French soil since 2019.

Renard intends to leave his post after the summer's Paris Olympics, but that is unlikely to disrupt an outfit loaded with pace, power and quality.

It's an enormously difficult start to the qualification campaign for the Irish and it doesn't get much easier after this - they welcome England to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.

France: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin; Maelle Lakrar, Griedge Mbock Bathy, Eve Perisset, Sakina Karchaoui; Sandie Toletti, Kenza Dali; Grace Geyoro (capt), Kadidiatou Diani, Antoinette Katoto; Delphine Cascarino

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Louise Quinn, Aoife Mannion; Heather Payne, Megan Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan, Katie McCabe (capt); Emily Murphy; Kyra Carusa

Watch France v Republic of Ireland in Euro 2025