Right mental approach vital, says Ibanez

RAPHAEL IBANEZ has called on his French colleagues to get their heads right for the Six Nations clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, because he believes more mental preparation will have to go into this match than any other this season.

"It could be too late when we get on the pitch. Lansdowne Road is never the place to get to grips with the psychological aspect of the game," the former French captain said.

Apart from the obvious need to get the set pieces in order particularly the scrum Ibanez has warned his colleagues they will need to be at their disciplined best.

"The Irish team is very disciplined, very well organised and has no obvious weaknesses. The fervour and passion of the Irish public is unbelievable you feel an entire people are behind their team.

"They push the opposition to breaking point and it's certainly not a place you can afford to lose your footing or your patience.

"Ireland appear to have the perfect balance they have a modern side but they have also the tradition of Lansdowne Road in their favour. That balance represents the spirit of rugby and it is a pretty special ground to play on, particularly for the Irish."

Ibanez is conscious that the French scrum did not perform to their best against either England or Scotland.

"It is an area that we have had to look at seriously and we have done a lot of work this week in an attempt to get it right. I'm sure Ireland will attack us there so we have got to get our basics perfect from the start."

Meanwhile, captain Fabien Pelous has also spoken of the magical atmosphere in the oldest international ground in the world.

"In Lansdowne Road, Ireland are capable of breaking through all limits. The ground is old but it has masses of history. Ireland have this ability of raising their level of play and they show so much commitment there probably more so than any other team on their home ground.

"It is the last old ground in the Six Nations. While all the other nations have built magnificent stadia, they are all very modern. Lansdowne Road may be a little ancient but it captures the history of Irish rugby. Maybe that is why the Irish perform so well there."

Having taken over the captaincy from the injured Fabien Galthie, Pelous is conscious that he needs to make a major contribution as a player and as leader of the side.

Still, he reckons his role is only a stop-gap measure. "It's a very proud moment when you are French captain but in my mind Fabien is still captain. I am here temporarily but I take this nomination with pride and enthusiasm.

"My mission is to try to prepare the team in the best possible way in order to win the match. I don't take this responsibility lightly and I will try to do it as best as can."

But he knows it will be difficult to turn the Irish over. "They are a hugely improved team over the last three years.

"In the past it was almost a formality to beat them, but the team has changed a lot of players and found a lot of talent, like Brian O'Driscoll who is almost certainly the best centre in the world. These changes have brought a huge amount of added value to the team.

"Matches against Ireland have become more and more difficult, especially since O'Driscoll arrived on the scene. He's not the only good player on the team but he has been a catalyst for the upturn in their fortunes.

"Maybe Ireland aren't yet as well organised as England but they are more committed, especially at home. Otherwise, I think the two teams are of equal quality.

"Three nations have detached themselves from the rest in the Six Nations and in European rugby England, France and Ireland. There is no particular order, but those are the teams that have been dominating for the last two years.

"It will be all too play for on Saturday and there are 15 against 15. We still have the same will to win but we have to prepare for this match without putting too much pressure on ourselves.

"Ireland will put enough pressure on us without us helping them to make it even more difficult." he said.