Brian Kerr believes Ireland know the French team better than they did before the trip to Paris in October and that they have had more time to prepare for this match than for previous games.
Kerr revealed: "They [the Irish team] will be a little bit more familiar with those big names than they were with some of those before we went to Paris.
"We had to explain who some of the players were and show them how they played and the style of certain individuals, but this time it's much clearer.
"Everyone has seen Zidane, Makelele, Vieira, Henry, Cisse, Wiltord, while Dhorasoo they know now, whereas they didn't know him before."
Kerr has also said that the players are mentally prepared for the match: "I sense the players are really relishing the challenge, and everybody knows how big a game it is.
"We have had time to get over them and time to spend on the shape of the team, and we don't often have that."
All 23 players were in training yesterday, with only Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given sitting out the final practice match, although Kerr has confirmed he will start.
Kerr concedes he is also clear about the team he wants to play, albeit with a couple of decisions to make on whether Andy O'Brien or Richard Dunne starts at centre-back, and whether to go with Andy Reid or Steve Finnan on the right wing.
The Group Four qualifier at Lansdowne Road is a confirmed sell-out, and with Ireland and France tied on 13 points along with Switzerland, neither side can afford to lose this latest tussle.
