Donal Lenihan: Ireland must counter the juggernaut and stop French stardust

Ireland need to prepare in advance for the physical and psychological impact of France's replacement pack.

Sam Prendergast during the captain’s run at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Win the fight

Win the fight, win the war. That’s the way it used to be in French rugby, at both club and international level, throughout the amateur era. I remember being caught by surprise at the level of violence the first time I played against France at the old Parc de Princes. Let’s just say games against them at Lansdowne Road tended to be a bit different.