Scott Bemand: Ireland to 'fire some shots' at France on Saturday

Scott Bemand says he expects Ireland to "fire some shots" at France in this Saturday's opening round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations.

Ireland face a tough start to the campaign on Saturday in Le Mans (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), taking on a French side who have beaten them 40-5 and 53-3 in their last two meetings.

And while the Ireland head coach says his side will be up against it at the 25,000 seat Stade Marie-Marvingt, he wants his players to embrace the occasion.

"I want this group to not fear anyone," Bemand said.

"You know everybody in France is going to have flags and some sort of musical instrument. There's going to be loads of noise. Getting excited to go and partake in an occasion like that is why we're involved in rugby. I don't want us to fear going to France, I want us to be excited by that.

"France are going to be one of the favourites for the competition. They're a good team, [it has] probably not gone their way in the last few years in terms of results, it's not gone their way in World Cups, but they're up there as a World Cup contender.

"We're going to pay them the respect they deserve, but one of our outcomes is we're going to fire some shots.

"We want to get over there and get our game going. What it looks from the off, it won't be for lack of trying and I think we have the capability to really generate some momentum and we'll go from there."

The new Ireland coach (above) is expecting to have close to a full strength squad to choose from when he names his squad on Thursday, with out-half Dannah O'Brien expected to be available for selection after overcoming an ankle injury.

"We're in pretty good health as a squad," he said. "We picked up a few bumps and bruises of which Dannah is one, and we're returning