O’Connell: Don’t be fooled by France

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has warned his team-mates not to be fooled by France’s poor showing against Scotland last weekend when the teams finally meet in Paris on Sunday.

Following the late, late postponement on February 11, when Ireland faced going into Stade de France on the back of a demoralising opening loss to Wales, O’Connell accepted yesterday that his side was in a better place to set about winning in the French capital for the first time since 2000.

However, he saw enough in France’s uncertain 23-17 win at Murrayfield last Friday to know Philippe Saint-Andre’s side have enough firepower to cause serious damage.