Farrell: Staying true to ourselves will be key v France

Of all the milestones reached by this Irish team in the last two seasons, the one they've yet to pass is what faces them this Saturday.

In three meetings with France during Andy Farrell's reign, all three have ended in defeat.

It's four years since the last Irish win against Les Bleus, a 26-14 win in the penultimate round of the 2019 championship, against a French side that looked to have finally bottomed out after years of decline.

Since Fabien Galthie's arrival after that year's Rugby World Cup, France have cleared out the deadwood and transformed themselves into one of, if not the best team in the world. And while Ireland hold top spot in the world rankings, the head-to-head record between the sides arguably tips the scale in French favour.

Prior to this Six Nations, this Saturday's meeting of Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium was tipped as a potential title and Grand Slam decider, although that title seems a little premature now, after Scotland's determined and professional win against England.

Whether or not it's an early title decider is irrelevant thoigh. On paper this is the game of the championship.

While France have won all three meetings between the sides, none have been easy wins; an eight-point victory in 2020 was followed a few months later by a two-point win on Valentines Day in 2021, before last season's 30-24 thriller in Paris.

And if Ireland are to arrest that run of defeats to the French this week, the head coach (below) says they have to play the game on their own terms.

"Being ourselves is the main thing, I think. Just playing our game," he said of how Ireland will approach this week's game.

When the sides met in Round 2 last year, Ireland looked ratted at times in the opening half, conceding a try to