The big match on Saturday is hours away and two former Six Nations veterans joined us on The Takeaway with Chicago Town to preview France v Ireland.
Gordon D'Arcy will be well aware of the French threat in the competition, but Thomas Castaignède is no stranger too to preparing for a visit from Ireland.
The versataille back amassed over fifty caps for France over a twelve year period. When it comes to this current Irish crop, however, Castaignéde feels its slightly different.
"I think your national team has improved massively year after year," he said. "This team is really different from the team we used to play before."
"Some of your provincial teams have really improved. They've shown the European teams that they are one of the best teams in Europe, if not the world."
Ireland Without Sexton
A big omission in Paris on Saturday will be Irish captain Johnny Sexton. Joey Carberry is set to earn his first Six Nations start for Ireland as a result.
While James Ryan assumes the captaincy duties, Castaignéde isn't downplaying his loss:
I really believe that Johnny Sexton has a massive impact on the team even if I'm pretty sure Ireland can do without him. I think he brings something special. Every time we played, he was in the team. In the last minute he scored the drop goal, he has a massive impact mentally on the group. I think he drives the car.
The former Saracens clubman is aware that Sexton, who's 37 in July, will have to be replaced at some point. The likes of Cabrerry and Jack Carty will be hoping to push through.
"When the driver is not there, you can change him and have a new one," Thomas said. "I think that's what Ireland will need to have in the next few years."
"They need to build for the future and that's really the time to do it. But without (Sexton) I think things won't be the same. I really think the French team is improving too."
What can we takeaway from France's performance against Italy? The Italians have been underwhelming in Six Nations competition as of late but they still provide a test.
"Playing against Italy, it's not easy," Castaignéde said. "Italy is a good team. They're not as bad as their results. They are very aggressive every time they play against us."
"(France) won it, we had a bonus point but the game wasn't really that entertaining. The speed of the game wasn't really at the level that we wanted."
What is his prediction for Saturday? Many have billed this as a clash of the two top teams in the Six Nations. Castaignéde thinks it could provide for a cagey affair.
"The last ten years, the results were very close with not much tries scored," he said. "Every time they play against each other they manage to balance the weaknesses that they have."
"Even if we expect some entertaining game with some tries, I won't say we are disappointed but it goes more like a chess game than an entertaining game."
"These two teams are may be the best in the world at the moment. They are really really interesting to watch, who can take the lead on the day. Without Sexton, I think it will be much harder for Ireland."
Thomas Castaignède reckons it'll be 20-15 or 20-16 to France. Will it be 'allez les verts' or 'allez les blues' in Paris on Saturday? We're looking forward to the big game.
See Also: 'He's Suited To The Way We're Playing': Gordon D'Arcy Backs Carbery
