This is the World Cup final that a lot of people had predicted but which never quite materialised.
That said, what a game to open the Six Nations championship. A new beginning for Ireland in the post-Johnny Sexton era.
A first Six Nations start for his heir apparent, Jack Crowley, for big Joe McCarthy in the second row and for Calvin Nash on the wing.
I think the magnitude of what faces Ireland tonight is the fact that of the last 11 Six Nations contests between the teams hosted in France, Ireland have only won two.
It helps our cause that Antoine Dupont, the French captain and probably the best player in the world, is missing the entire Six Nations due to his commitment to the French Olympic sevens programme.
That is countered by the news that Garry Ringrose failed a fitness test during the week. He's been outstanding for Leinster and Ireland all season. He's Ireland's defensive captain and has a massively important role in running that aspect of our game.
Home advantage - especially in the south of France, in Marseille, with the rugby-mad French support down there - is going to be a big factor. Ireland have a lot to prove, if only to themselves, after the disappointment of the World Cup.
There really is nothing between these teams but that home advantage might prove just enough to get the French over the line.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
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