Some are calling it an early Grand Slam decider, but in reality this game doesn't need the cheap hype.
For the first time ever, a Six Nations game will pair off the world's number one and two sides. And while the World Cup later this year will ultimately decide if those rankings are warranted, there's little doubt that right now Ireland and France are a level above the rest.
Both sides come into Round 2 off the back of bonus-point wins, although in very different ways.
Ireland started like a train against Wales in Cardiff with three tries virtually killing the game off inside half an hour, and while they stuttered along in the third quarter, there was never any danger of them being reeled in by the Welsh.
France were largely unconvincing in their 29-24 win against Italy in Rome, needing a Matthieu Jalibert try in the final 15 minutes, and a late defensive stand, to avoid what would have been one of the all-time Six Nations shocks.
The contrasting performances have nudged Ireland into narrow favourites for the weekend, as they look to beat France for the first time under Andy Farrell, with their last win against Les Bleus coming back in 2019.
Twelve months ago in Paris the sides served up a thriller, Ireland recovering from 22-7 down at half time to get back within one point, before Fabien Galthie's side rallied to hold off the comeback.
Even without the World Cup hanging over this fixture it stands on its own legs, but the fact that these sides are on a potential collision course in a quarter-final later this year adds another layer of intrigue.
Don't expect any shadowboxing.
TV
Ireland v France is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with coverage getting under way from 1.15pm
RADIO
RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport will have live commentary from the Aviva Stadium.
ONLINE
Follow a live blog on RTE.ie/sport and the RTÉ News App followed by a match report, player ratings and post-match reaction.
WEATHER
Conditions look like they'll be ideal for rugby on Saturday afternoon in Dublin, with a dry forecast, temperatures of around 10C, and wind of around 10-15km/hr.
There are notable absentees on both sides, with plenty of changes from their last meeting 12 months ago.
On the Irish side, just nine of Saturday's starting team also played from the start in Paris last February.
Johnny Sexton is one of those to return, having not played against France since 2020, while James Lowe also missed the 2022 defeat in Paris.
Ireland are dealing with a hefty injury list at the moment, with Dan Sheehan joining Cian Healy and Jamison Gibson Park in dealing with hamstring injuries.
Notably, it's a fourth hamstring issue the squad have faced in recent weeks, with Rónan Kelleher having just recovered from his own injury, taking his place among the replacements this week.
Sheehan is the only change from last week's win against Wales in Cardiff, with Rob Herring bumped up to the starting front row, while Finlay Bealham continues at tighthead, with Tadhg Furlong still sidelined with a calf issue.
In Cardiff, Ireland's replacements brought real impact off the bench when the side appeared to be flagging in the third quarter, and it looks similarly strong this week, with Kelleher, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan and Bundee Aki all primed to be brought in early in the second half.
On the French side, Fabien Galthie has picked an unchanged starting XV, despite their struggles in Rome last week.
However, he has made two changes to his bench, back row Francois Cros and scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud coming in as replacements for Thomas Lavault and Nolan Le Garrec respectively.
Eleven of the starting side began last season's win against Ireland in Paris, with the defending champions still without the injured Cameron Woki, Gabin Villiere and Melvyn Jaminet from last year's group. Jonathan Danty also remains out, with the La Rochelle centre missing this fixture for the second year in a row due to injury.
On the bench, Galthie has gone for a flexible 6:2 split, with Stade Francais's Sekou Macolou - a flanker by trade - also covering the wing.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rob Herring, Finlay Bealham; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Bundee Aki.
France: Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Ethan Dumortier; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio; Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse; Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Gaetan Barlot, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Baptiste Couilloud, Matthieu Jalibert.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
AR: Matthew Carley (RFU)
AR: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
Andy Farrell: "I see the same dangers all over the park, I still see them being hard, aggressive at the breakdown.
"I still see them being very good as far as broken-field play is concerned, being aggressive as far as the up and in line-speed is concerned. I expect France to be at their best."
Fabien Galthie (above): "Ireland are one of the best adversaries we have played but that will not prevent us being ambitious on Saturday.
"Today Ireland is the best team in the world since last summer after their second win over the All Blacks.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
France 30-24 Ireland – Stade de France (12 February 2022, Six Nations)
Ireland 13-15 France - Aviva Stadium (14 February 2021, Six Nations)
France 35-27 Ireland – Stade de France (31 October 2020, Six Nations)
Ireland 26-14 France – Aviva Stadium (10 March 2019, Six Nations)
France 15-13 Ireland – Stade de France (3 February 2018, Six Nations)
Ireland v France is followed by the meeting of Scotland and Wales at Murrayfield from 4.45pm on Saturday, as the Scots look to win their first two games of the championship for the first time since 1996.
On Sunday, England will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Italy at Twickenham (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player) from 3pm.
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