Ireland not interested in playing 'PlayStation rugby'

James Ryan will return to Stade de France this weekend having made a memorable Six Nations debut there in 2018

Ireland's James Ryan collects the ball in the lineout during the Six Nations match against Wales. Picture: Niall Carson

Ireland cannot get sucked into the sense of occasion building up around this Saturday’s clash with France, James Ryan has warned, despite seeing this Six Nations showdown as an “unbelievable opportunity” for Andy Farrell's side.

Ryan will return to Stade de France this weekend having made a memorable Six Nations debut there in 2018, when the seeds for that year’s Grand Slam were sown thanks to Johnny Sexton’s game-clinching, long-range drop goal. This Saturday’s renewal sees Ireland in the form to make another run to the title, on the back of a nine-game winning streak reached with last weekend’s opening-round bonus-point victory at home to Wales.