Ireland's ability to cope with French power and speed will go a long way to determining Saturday’s Six Nations clash in Paris, and indeed the destination of the title, according to Bernard Jackman.
Andy Farrell’s side made a bonus-point winning start in dominating a limited Welsh side in Dublin, while 24 hours later, France condemned Italy to a 33rd successive defeat in the tournament with a 37-10 success at a rain-soaked Stade de France.
The standout fixture in round two will see the competition heavyweights compete in Paris as Ireland look to maintain the momentum built up from a successful autumn series.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, rugby analyst Jackman reiterated his praise of the Irish performance - "the ability to move ball and find space, the passing skills, execution and speed of thought were really impressive" - but cautions that a huge challenge awaits in the French capital, notwithstanding the growing self-belief within the camp.
Italy were within eight points of Les Blues at the interval on Sunday, but the home side came good eventually, with winger Gabin Villiere running in a hat-trick, the first French player to do so since Vincent Clerc against Ireland in 2008.
"Some people weren’t impressed by France, but being there, the weather conditions were horrible," the former Ireland and Leinster hooker said.
"Italy were well organised and aggressive defensively. It took France a while to break them down, but they managed to still get 37 points and valuable game time into their key players, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, both who have struggled for game time.
"That’s a second 70 minutes in a row for Dupont, who before that he had missed six weeks. They will be much better next week.
"There were also elements of their game, in terms of power, and their speed, that would worry me if I’m Andy Farrell."
Jackman doesn’t see any changes to the Irish starting team, but among the replacements, Robbie Henshaw could come back into the picture at the expense of Ulster’s James Hume.
Whoever slips up in Paris is likely to be chasing shadows for the rest of the championship
Dupont has begun the mind games in earnest by stating that Ireland are "surely favourites" for the competition and with a Grand Slam on the line and the winner in pole position for the championship, the former Grenoble and Dragons coach says the game is set-up to be a pivotal fixture in the campaign.
"The reality is, whoever slips up in Paris is likely to be chasing shadows for the rest of the championship."
