RBS Six Nations: Ireland out to repay Kidney's faith against rejuvenated France

Ireland and France go head-to-head in Dublin on Sunday with both sides showing just one change from their opening victories last weekend.

France have overcome the loss of injured centre Maxime Mermoz by moving Damien Traille from full-back and bringing in Stade Toulousain's silky runner Clément Poitrenaud.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has brought back fit-again Jamie Heaslip at No 8, with Sean O'Brien moving over to blindside flanker and Denis Leamy dropping to the bench.

"I wasn't satisfied with the way we played against Italy. We can play a lot better," said Kidney. "But the players performed in such a way that meant they deserved another go," he added.

Defending champions France arrive with confidence partially restored after an impressive 34-21 home win against Scotland, but Ireland were clearly far from their best as they required a last-ditch drop-goal to triumph 13-11 away to a dogged Italian side.

Despite Ireland's error-strewn performance in that narrow victory Kidney this week said his charges had to go out and be positive against 'Les Bleus'.

"What we need to do is get ourselves right and have the courage to go out and play," he said. "These fellas are hugely self-critical. Sometimes they just need to relax and trust themselves, and that's what I'm hoping they'll do on Sunday."

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll goes into the match needing just one more try to equal the Championship record of 24, set 78 years ago by Scotland's Ian Smith. It is a testament to both the talent and durability of the the 32-year-old, although he is not beyond self-criticism.

"People know themselves when they've made mistakes. I know myself with the couple of errors I made," he said.

O'Driscoll was highly critical of Ireland's play against Italy in the immediate aftermath of their two-point win, but after a period of reflection said he believes his team can step up against France. "It was the small things and they can be easily corrected," he reasoned.

France were back to something like their best against Scotland - creatively at least - and Lièvremont appears to have finally opted for consistency in selection after years of tinkering. Despite that his new centre partnership of Traille and Aurélien Rougerie is his 19th since taking charge after the last World Cup.

Injury forced his hand this time, but his decision to move Traille to his natural club position of inside centre and bring back Poitrenaud at No 15 makes complete sense. "Traille at inside centre gives us a second fly-half helping out Francois Trinh-Duc with the kicking game. He is also an excellent passer of the ball," said the French coach.

Trinh-Duc was inspirational against Scotland last weekend and his quick hands and willingness to run were sorely missed by France when injury sidelined him during the November internationals. Scrum-half Morgan Parra was less convincing and Lièvremont hinted strongly during the week that Dimitri Yachvili is pushing hard to claim a starting spot from Top 14's Player of the Year. 

Winger Maxime Médard also had an eye-catching game against Scots and the free-scoring wide man is in the form of his life at present. But the hugely talented French backs would be nothing without their dominant pack, and that is where Sunday's game is likely to be won - up front.

Match Stats:

- Two years ago Ireland won 30-21, but France triumphed in their two previous encounters in Dublin, winning 20-17 in 2007 and 26-19 in 2005. 'Les Bleus' were also victorious in their last four home games against Ireland in the Championship, as well as registering wins against them in the 2007 and 2003 World Cups. That means France have won eight of their last nine meetings with the Irish.

- Brian O'Driscoll is captaining Ireland for the 70th time in Tests. He has also captained the British Lions twice, leaving him just four behind the record of 76 by South African John Smit. He also needs just one more try to equal the Championship record of 24 set by Scotland's Ian Smith. O'Driscoll will also further extend his record number of Irish caps to 109 this weekend.

- Ireland replacement Ronan O'Gara requires 15 more points to become the fifth player to reach the 1,000. He is also just two points behind Jonny Wilkinson's Championship record of 530, with the latter also on the bench this weekend.

- Ireland's Paul O'Connell has lost eight of his nine Tests against France, while O'Driscoll has scored more tries against France than any other side - with eight in 11 matches.

- On the French side Julien Bonnaire has a 100% record against Ireland with six wins from six, while replacement winger Vincent Clerc has scored seven tries in six matches against Ireland.

- Dimitri Yachvili, another French sub, goes into the game fourth in his country's list of all-time scorers and needs just 10 more points to reach 300. France's starting scrum-half Morgan Parra needs six more points to reach 100 in the Championship, but is still looking for his first international try..

- France have won their last seven matches in the Championship and are bidding to become the first side to successfully defend a Six Nations title following a Grand Slam season.

- The last time Ireland failed to score a try in a Six Nations match was in their 16-12 defeat by Wales in Dublin in March 2008.

- Former France captain Lionel Nallet will be playing his 26th consecutive Six Nations match, dating back to 11 February 2006 when he came on as a sub against Ireland at the Stade de France. Fabien Pelous holds the French record with 35.

-  Aurélien Rougerie and replacement Yannick Jauzion jointly hold the French record for most tries scored (nine) in the Championship.

- Sébastien Chabal will make his 60th appearance if called from the bench, while Sylvain Marconnet is France's most capped prop and will extend that total to 81 if he also comes off the bench.

- The seven French replacements have 361 caps between them.

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Date: Sunday, February 13th 2011
KO: 15.00
Referee: Dave Pearson