Donal Lenihan: France game will show where Ireland's World Cup preparations stand

Key talking points for Saturday's pivotal Six Nations contest at the Stade de France

Gaël Fickou of France is tackled by Robbie Henshaw and Ross Byrne of Ireland during the Six Nations game at the Aviva last year. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

A test of a different proportion

When Ireland and France beat New Zealand on successive weekends last November, the rugby world sat up and took notice. It wasn’t the victories of themselves that captured the attention of rugby fans worldwide, it was their manner and the quality of performances.