Laporte: Croker clash will be le crunch match for Les Bleus

FRENCH coach Bernard Laporte believes victory over Ireland in Dublin this season could ultimately see his team retain the RBS 6 Nations Championship crown.

If Les Bleus are to clinch a fourth Six Nations title, then they face achieving it the hard way.

After next week’s opener against Italy in Rome, they will become the first Test match opponents for Ireland at Croke Park.