After last week's tough opener in Cardiff, things don't get any easier for Ireland.
The 31-5 defeat to Wales came like a splash of water in the face for those who thought Ireland could quickly bridge the gap to the top tier of the women's game.
The nature of how the Irish forwards were knocked backwards repeatedly in the opening half was worrying, particularly with tougher assignments ahead in France and England, starting with the visit of the French to Cork on Saturday.
The world's number three side appear to be in a transitional phase after the World Cup, with a spate of retirements including last year's Player of the Six Nations Laure Sansus.
Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz's side started their campaign with a less than impressive 22-12 win against Italy, which took them until the final five minutes to put to bed, Caroline Boujard's converted try ultimately seeing them into a two-score win.
They're still overwhelming favourites to get the job done against Ireland however, whose target of a top-three finish in this year's championship already looks to have been adventurous, particularly with the loss of arguably their most influential back Enya Breen, whose tournament has been ended due to a knee injury.
Having brought the team around the country for their home games last season, the IRFU have settled on Musgrave Park as their home for both games this season, with Ireland having comfortably beaten Italy when they last played in Cork 12 months ago.
TV
Ireland v France is live on Virgin Media 1, with kick-off at 3.15pm.
RADIO
Listen to live commentary from Musgrave Park on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
ONLINE
You can follow live updates on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News App along with report and reaction from Cork.
WEATHER
It could be a difficult day for rugby in Cork City. Some morning showers are likely to have cleared by the time the game kicks off at 3.15pm, but it's expected to be a very windy afternoon, blowing between 30-35kh/hr. Temperatures are forecast to be around 10C.
Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams has shuffled the deck after last week's 31-5 defeat to Wales in Cardiff, with five changes in total, and a number of switches on the bench.
Up front, Christy Haney comes in to replace Sadhbh McGrath, with the 18-year-old dropping to the replacements. Haney starts at tighthead, with Linda Djougang shifting across to her regular home of lossehead.
Nichola Fryday captains the side alongside Sam Monaghan in the second row, while Dorothy Wall is the only of the back row retained, with Grace Moore and Deirbhile Nic a Bháird coming in at openside flanker and number 8 respectively, replacing Maeve Óg O'Leary and Brittany Hogan.
Dannah O'Brien is handed the keys to the backline, with the 19-year-old out-half making her first Six Nations start, partnering Molly Scuffil-McCabe.
Vicky Irwin (below), who came off the bench in last week's defeat, starts at inside-centre after Breen was ruled out due to injury, but the rest of the backline is unchanged.
On the bench, hooker Clara Nielson and tighthead Kathryn Buggy are included and are set to make their debuts if introduced at Musgrave Park, while Anna McCann and Lauren Delany also join the replacements, with McWilliams reverting to a 5:3 split of forwards and backs.
France have made two changes to their side following last week's win against Italy, with Morgane Bourgeois replacing Emilie Boulard at full-back and Clara Joyeux starting ahead of Assia Khalfaoui at tighthead.
Replacement hooker Elisa Riffoneau is in line for her first cap off the bench, with just five of the XV having started against Ireland 12 months ago.
Ireland: Méabh Deely; Aoife Doyle, Aoife Dalton, Vicky Irwin, Natasja Behan; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Nichola Fryday (capt), Sam Monaghan; Dorothy Wall, Grace Moore, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird
Replacements: Clara Nielson, Sadhbh McGrath, Kathryn Buggy, Hannah O'Connor, Brittany Hogan, Nicole Cronin, Anna McCann, Lauren Daleny
France: Morgan Bourgeois; Cyrielle Banet, Marine Menager, Gabrielle Vernier, Caroline Boujard; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon; Annaelle Deshayes, Agathe Sochat, Clara Joyeux; Manae Feleu, Audrey Forlani; Axelle Berthoumieu, Emeline Gros, Charlotte Escudero
Replacements: Elisa Riffoneau, Coco Lindelauf, Assia Khalfaoui, Maelle Picut, Gaëlle Hermet, Alexandra Chambon, Jessy Tremouliere, Marie Dupouy
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant referees: Sara Cox (RFU) and Maria Heitor (FPR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse ( WRU)
Greg McWilliams: "Understandably with an inexperienced group, you get shell-shocked and now they have experienced it, it is how we learn from it and ensure we are better for this challenge."
Past five Six Nations meetings
2022: France 40-5 Ireland, Stade Ernest Wallon
2021: Ireland 15-56 France, Energia Park
2019: Ireland 17-47 France, Energia Park
2018: France 24-0 Ireland, Stade Ernest Wallon
2017: Ireland 13-10 France, Energia Park
Ireland's meeting with France is the first game of the Round 2 weekend, with Scotland hosting Wales in the Saturday evening game at 5.30 in Edinburgh (live on RTÉ Player).
On Sunday, defending champions England will be expected to make it two wins from two when they face Italy at 3pm in Northampton.
Watch Leinster v Ulster in the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, and also watch Scotland v Wales in the TikTok Women's Six Nations (Saturday, 5.30pm) on the RTÉ Player.
Listen to live commentary of Ireland v France (3.15pm) and Leinster v Ulster (5.30pm) on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.
