Six Nations: France on rampage, warns O’Sullivan

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will send his team into battle in Paris more in hope than expectation of wrecking France’s Grand Slam dream.

The visitors still have Six Nations title chances of their own, although victory tomorrow would have to be combined with an unlikely Italian triumph over England in Rome 24 hours later.

In all probability an Irish win would allow England to claim a third successive title on points difference, with three teams finishing with four successes from five outings.

But despite narrow victories on their last two meetings with the French, including a Brian O’Driscoll-inspired 27-25 triumph on their only previous visit to the Stade de France, O’Sullivan acknowledges France’s title charge has been gathering momentum and knows his team must improve on their previous spring displays.

‘‘France are finding their best form at the end of the competition which is what every coach would like,’’ said O'Sullivan.

‘‘They probably didn’t start the tournament as well as they would have liked but their victory over England was pretty comprehensive and the consistency has been building.’’

Scrappy victories over Italy and Wales were followed by the shock 20-15 defeat of England, before the winning streak was extended against Scotland in Edinburgh two weeks ago.

It is no surprise that French improvement has coincided with the return of veteran scrum-half Fabien Galthie, although O’Sullivan dismisses the notion that the home side are a one-man team.

‘‘Fabien is a superb player and a key man in their side, but it is too simplistic to say they have only improved because he is in the team.

‘‘France have improved on a number of fronts and are well equipped to put points on the board if you don’t defend properly and can shut you out if you don’t attack well.’’

O’Sullivan confirmed that winger Denis Hickie will have a late fitness test on a back problem which has prevented him taking a full part in training this week.

Tyrone Howe stands by, but the Leinster wide man is expected to take his place in a team which includes skipper Keith Wood for the first time in the competition, and front-row partner Peter Clohessy for the last time.

‘The Claw’ retires from the international arena immediately after the game, spurning the opportunity of embarking on Ireland’s marathon 14-match Test programme ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Management are keen nothing should disturb the focus leading up to tomorrow’s clash, so no special presentation has been planned.

However, O’Sullivan admits there has been a steely glint in Clohessy’s eyes as he bids to bow out in style.

‘‘That would be the romantic conclusion to an outstanding career,’’ he said.

‘‘Peter is an amazing character and I don’t think he has been given the credit his abilities deserve. He has a tremendous reputation for being hard, aggressive and tough but he is also a great reader of the game with exceptional handling skills.

‘‘Anyone who plays over 50 internationals has a special talent and the mould was broken when they made Peter.

‘‘He will leave a big hole in the team, from both leadership and personality perspectives.’’

Tomorrow’s performance - if not the overall outcome - will provide a marker for O’Sullivan’s first Six Nations campaign since taking over from Warren Gatland in the autumn.

They were downcast at the heavy opening-day defeat to England, and although they have since recorded three successive wins, their most recent success against Italy was not achieved with the kind of flowing performance the coach would have liked.

‘‘Italy played a very physical game just as we expected,’’ he said. ‘‘We had enough possession to do well but put it on the ground on too many occasions.

‘‘We have to be more clinical with the ball in hand, especially against this French team. We know we are capable of achieving that level of performance but we need to re-establish it tomorrow if we are going to give them a game.’’