France flyhalf Ntamack says Ireland 'comfortable favourites' in Dublin meeting

France flyhalf Romain Ntamack says Ireland are "comfortable favourites" for Saturday's predicted Six Nations title decider with Ireland in Dublin.

This weekend's hosts are top of the World Rugby rankings with Ntamack's outfit, who won a Grand Slam last year, second. Both sides won their opening games of the tournament.

Andy Farrell's Ireland eased past Wales last Saturday thanks to a first half blitz while Les Bleus claimed a 14th straight Test victory by holding on against Italy 24 hours later.

"They are world number one, it's not for nothing, they are comfortably favourites," 33-Test playmaker Ntamack told AFP on Tuesday.

"There's no debate. They showed and proved that in round one against Wales.

"They're good in all areas. They have very few weaknesses, if any. It's going to be an arm wrestle for 80 minutes," he added.

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This year's Six Nations has the shadow of the Rugby World Cup looming over it. Hosts France kick off the tournament against three-time winners New Zealand in Paris on September 8.

Ntamack, 23, played down the pressure of the showpiece event.

"First things first, we'll be happy to win on Saturday. It would mean that we're still in line for a second Grand Slam. It's really the objective," he said.

"Beyond impressing, beyond thinking about the World Cup, if we want to defend our title and write history, it comes with a win in Ireland," he added.

At the Stadio Olimpico last Sunday, Ntamack set up two tries for team-mates after a personally disappointing November campaign, despite French wins over World Cup holders South Africa, Australia and Japan.

"Those things happen. I know what I do well, what I do less well," he