Farrell urges Ireland to stay cool when Bleus hit purple patch

Ireland can't let France dictate the game tomorrow in Paris and Andy Farrell wants his side to respond positively to the inevitable Les Bleus purple patch.

Fabien Galthie’s side go into the Stade de France clash as favorites and their odds shortened yesterday when the news that Johnny Sexton would miss the game through injury was announced.

Munster out-half Joey Carbery, earning his first Six Nations start, comes in the for the Irish captain.

"We've got to play our own game, that's the way we're thinking," he said.

"We've fallen into that trap before against big, physical sides and we've not been composed enough to be able to play our game, so we've learnt some lessons along the way with that.

"We've got to be brave enough to play the game how we want to play it and not get distracted with thoughts like that.

"We want to lay down markers everywhere we go.

"A big part of international rugby or any big sporting event is you've got to be mentally strong to be able to stay in the moment and there's no doubt that France are going to have a purple patch, it's an absolute given.

"How we get back down to neutral and get back on task is going to be key, there's no doubt."

Farrell’s men opened their account with a comprehensive win over Wales, while France overcame a sticky first-half to beat Italy 37-10 last Sunday.

Key to the outcome of the match is the performance of world player of the year Antoine Dupont.

On the Toulouse scrum-half, the former England dual code international said: "The reason he is such a great player is because of the dents his forwards tend to make pretty close to the ruck.

"The shape that he brings off nine and the rucking that follows always gives a nine room and space to be able to play how he wants to play.

"Obvious