As this season's Six Nations tournament enters its second week, the warning signs are already ominous for an Irish side struggling to reach the required performance levels.

Failure to dominate a disorganised Italian side last weekend has left many fearing the impending trip to Paris this Saturday. While Ireland were flattering to deceive against Italy in Croke Park, France were lighting up the tournament with a swaggering display against a resurgent Scotland in Murrayfield. If Marc Lievremont can inspire his charges to reproduce the same intensity and creative levels which they displayed last Sunday then it could be another very long afternoon for Eddie O'Sullivan and his side.

It's only four months since Ireland's World Cup hopes were severely dented at Stade de Paris and the memories of that dreadful display will still be fresh in the minds for many of that side.

While one hopes the majority of this squad will be eager to atone for their flat performance that night, it will be interesting to note what type of tactics the management adopt ahead of the game. The changes within the French structure over the last twelve weeks have lead to a host of changes both on and of the field.

New coach, Marc Lievremont, has disregarded many of the old favourites and when you include injury and retirements, this current side bears little or no resemblance to the one which exited the World Cup at the semi-finals stage. Out have gone Raphael Ibanez, Fabien Pelous, Immanuel Harinordoquy, Serge Betsen, Freddy Michalak and Yannick Jauzion to name but a few. In their place we have the explosive duo Thierry Dusautoir and Julien Bonnaire, along with goal kicking expert David Skrela and Perpignan centre David Marty. What the current side lack in experience, they more than make up for in flair and enthusiasm.

It's imperative that Ireland get off to a good start. They must test the resolve and nerve of this young side and put their mental and physical limits to the test. If Denis Leamy and Jamie Heaslip can put the home side on the back foot, then Ireland will have enough experience to kill the game off. However, if like almost every other visit to Paris over the last thirty years, France are allowed to dictate the pace of the game then a one-sided affair is a complete certainty.

Following last weekend's flat display against an uninspiring Italian side, Eddie O'Sullivan has decided to introduce some fresh faces to the starting fifteen. Simon Easterby and Rory Best have both been dropped to the bench and in their places come the Leinster duo of Jamie Heaslip and Bernard Jackman respectively.

In all honesty, this selection was made a week too late and it's a decision which may come back to haunt the Irish coach. Last Saturday was the perfect opportunity to give this duo their Six Nations debut. Paris has been graveyard for many an Irish international career over the last three decades and the experience of starting against Italy seven days earlier would have stood to them both come kick-off this weekend.

Ireland's game plan will be a simple one. Maintain a high-intensity level throughout the eighty minutes and seek to keep the home side retreating at all times. The line-out is one area which O'Sullivan will seek to exploit, with Ronan O'Gara and Eoin Reddan hoping to pin the French back inside their own 22 at all times. Pressurising opposition possession will be another key to success along with stifling their creative threats in midfield.

It's a big ask for an Irish side short of confidence to win in Paris, but if they are to have any hopes of finally claiming that elusive Six Nations title then a victory on Saturday is a must.

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