Thursday night at Stade de France will be a much different experience than Ireland's last two trips to Paris.
On those occasions, Ireland were the unofficial home team. Their World Cup clashes with Scotland and New Zealand in 2023 saw the home of French rugby turned into a sea of green where the majority of supporters in both games were cheering on Andy Farrell’s side.
With their away Guinness Six Nations game against the French two years ago coming Marseille, it’s four years since Ireland last visited the capital city for a Six Nations trip.
Ireland were beaten 30-24 that night in February 2022, a late Melvyn Jaminet penalty getting the French over the line in a thriller.
At one stage in the second half it looked like Ireland were primed to make a famous comeback. They trailed 10-0 after just six minutes and 22-7 early in the second half, but quick tries for Josh van der Flier and Jamison Gibson-Park saw them get back within a point of their hosts, who eventually kept them at bay.
James Ryan captained Ireland that night, and ahead of Thursday’s return to the Stade, he knows Ireland can’t afford to give the French another head start like that.
"I think big starts are definitely unbelievably important for us," the second row said.
"They get their tails up, but then the crowd get behind them and they're into their flow.
"A fast start for us is always important, but particularly so this weekend. I think going away from home over in Paris, you've got to start well, definitely."
France haven’t lost a Six Nations game in Paris since 2021, and even that 27-23 defeat to Scotland was played behind closed doors during the Covid-19 shutdown.
For their last Paris Six Nations loss, you’d have to go back to the opening round of 2019, a 24-19 loss to Wales, when French rugby was arguably at its lowest ebb.
"It's a bit of a step up, certainly the noise levels. I remember we played there a few years ago and there was a couple of issues in terms of communication, guys not hearing things. Just because it's a little bit different, the noise is huge," Ryan (below) added.
"It probably falls back on that focus and concentration piece. Making sure that you're unbelievably present so we can do our job there. On an occasion like this, you can be inward and let it get to you or you can see it as an opportunity and something to get excited about.
"I think that's the main thing trying to get across to some of the young guys. You need to attack games like this. So hopefully we can do that."
Ireland’s 38-17 win in Marseille in 2024 was a record victory away to the French, but Les Bleus returned the favour at Aviva Stadium last year, with the 42-27 result flattering Ireland, who scored two late tries to put some respectability on the scoreline.
The third quarter of that game saw France tear Ireland apart, scoring 24 points in a 13-minute spell.
And Ryan (below) knows their hosts are capable of doing that again if there’s any dip in energy on Thursday night.
"It’s a big test for us defensively, just the way they play, they like to keep the ball alive.
"They're obviously unbelievably good on turnover, counter-attack. So, just a big challenge for us defensively.
"The focus piece is huge for us, making sure that we defend with real concentration and intent for 80 minutes plus because they can strike at any moment. They just need a lapse in concentration here or there. And they’re unbelievably effective.
"They can be a little bit unpredictable. They can play a little bit off the cuff.
"Usually when you're looking at teams, maybe they have clear pictures or trends in the way they play. France sometimes you can be not really sure.
"So for us, it's just making sure that we get all of our bits right. So we can apply pressure on them."
Follow a live blog of France v Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations (Thursday, 8.10pm) on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
