'We'll have to do our best to quieten them' - Ryan hoping to silence French crowd at Stade de France

James Ryan's two trips to Stade de France could hardly have been more different.

The most recent was Halloween night 2020 for the final round of the Covid-delayed Six Nations, as Ireland were taught a lesson by the French in the second half of their 35-27 defeat.

But his first experience of the away trip to France was also his first taste of Six Nations rugby; the opening round of the 2018 championship, Johnny Sexton and 'Le Drop' silencing the 82,000 crowd in Saint-Denis.

It was Ryan's fifth Irish cap, with the then 21-year-old midway through his remarkable run of early career success which saw him play 23 games for club and country before experiencing defeat, winning a Six Nations Grand Slam, Heineken Champions Cup and Pro 14 title along the way.

"It was incredible," the lock said when asked about the 15-13 win in 2018.

"The whole week was just class. I didn't anticipate starting that game at all at the time and I was in the team and it was amazing, to be involved in a game like that was incredible.

"I just remember the noise in the stadium, the French were really getting behind their team and really getting involved in the game.

"The last time we went there (2020), there were 80,000 empty seats so this weekend there will be 80,000 people there and that's another part of it, the crowd definitely play a part.

"I suppose we'll have to do our best to quieten them, for want of a better word.

"You see how good French teams are in general, even domestically, French clubs are always tougher to beat when you go and play them away from home. I think it influences them as well. They love playing at home and they love having their crowd behind them.

"They get involved in the game, be it a kick, a penalty or a score, they really get behind