Ireland stand between France and Grand Slam glory

Ireland have the unenviable task of standing between a confident French side and the Six Nations Grand Slam title on French soil this Saturday.

Ireland and France games have been competitive of late, and the Irish have shaded the last two Six Nations meetings – the teams have been separated by less than seven points in the past five years. This time the French will be fancied to beat an erratic Irish team to land their first Grand Slam title since 1998. The sides led by Fabien Galthie and Keith Wood can produce scintillating rugby and both arguably have the best back divisions in the championship.

Outside of the Merceron/Humphreys duel at outhalf, in what will be one of the game's most crucial match ups, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Henderson will renew the partnership that worked so well for the British Lions when they oppose the French centres Tony Marsh and Damien Traille. The French pairing, like the Irish 12 and 13, possess the power, pace and dynamism that can dominate a game.

The return of talismanic captain Keith Wood to the team will be a boost to the Irish. The hooker's presence around the field and determination on the drive has been missed, and in spite of his return Ireland will still point to a faltering line-out as an area for improvement before Saturday.

Peter de Villiers returns to the French front row after a short injury and will bolster the team that turned in an under-par performance against a surprisingly robust Scotland.

Elsewhere in the pack, the battle between two of the game's most mobile and attacking loose forwards will be fascinating – Olivier Magne and David Wallace.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was playing down his side's chances, saying: "We may not win on Saturday, but we won't be blown away. We can defend against them, and if we can win our own ball, cross the gain line, let's just say I think they have weaknesses. For years, Ireland teams had a mental hang-up about playing French sides; the success of the Irish provinces in European competition has changed that, which is a major psychological factor."

The French have been in good form this year and have developed an all-round game that swept aside an England side which put fifty points on the Irish at Twickenham. France will go into Saturday's game as favourites, but Ireland know what it is like to taste victory on French soil.

The game is on BBC1 from 1.30pm.

(GMcG)