Oisín Heffernan is well versed with the playing idiosyncrasies posed by France having faced them in the Six Nations and World Championship at this age-grade and previously at Under-19 level.
Ireland’s tighthead prop will be hoping to cap a memorable seven days with a second successive victory in this season’s Six Nations, having already accounted for Italy 47-15, and to complement a monumental victory for his former school Roscrea over Blackrock in Donnybrook on Wednesday.
Despite scoring seven tries against Italy, Heffernan accepted that Ireland’s performance levels will need to rise appreciably as they take on the reigning Grand Slam and Six Nations holders.
France thumped Scotland 47-6 in their first outing, and matched Ireland’s feat in claiming seven tries.
Les Bleus have made four changes for the game in Athlone and possess several players with Top 14 experience.
Up fron
t Heffernan conceded: “We watched their game against Scotland. They are big, physical but have that traditional flair and if you give them space they love to play.
“It’s about confronting them up front, at scrum and lineout, and not giving them the space to play; getting up in their faces.”
Injury rules out Greg O’Shea and he is replaced by Stephen Fitzgerald with Jack Owens swopping wings. Sam Arnold, still only 18, will partner Garry Ringrose in midfield, with Fergal Cleary named among the replacements.
Ireland have been slightly unfortunate in losing players of the calibre of Ciarán Gaffney, Sean McNulty and Jacob Stockdale to injury but still possess a real depth of quality, particularly in the backline
Ross Byrne was outstanding in his game management last week while his club and country partnership with captain, Nick McCarthy and fellow UCD backs Ringrose and Billy Dardis facilitates attacking patterns. The home team will be hoping for a firm sod and a dry evening at Dubarry Park tonight.
IRELAND: B Dardis (UCD); J Owens (QUB), G Ringrose (UCD), S Arnold (Ballynahinch), S Fitzgerald (Shannon); R Byrne (UCD), N McCarthy (UCD, capt); J Loughman (UCD), Z McCall (QUB), O Heffernan (Terenure); D O'Connor (St Mary's), A Thompson (QUB); J Murphy (UCD), R Moloney (Buccaneers), L Dow (QUB). Replacements: A McBurney (Ballymena), M Lagan (Ballymena), C O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG), C Romaine (Buccaneers), N Timoney (St Mary's), J Cullen (Shannon), J Carbery (UCD), F Cleary (Lansdowne).
FRANCE: T Ramos; A Bonneval, E Roudil, F Fontaine, L Blanc; L Meret, A Meric; R Neti, J Marchand, M Simutoga; T Labouteley, C Cazeaux; S Macalou, L Bachelier, F Sanconnié. Replacements: C Chat , T Estorge, Q Bethune, J Delannoy, M Devergie, A Dupont, D Penaud, V Saurs.
