A few minutes to go and the familiar pre-big-match feelings are manifesting themselves. Butterflies in the stomach, and a simultaneous feeling of dread and exhilaration.

Will Ireland show up? Will the French pepper our back line with high balls and try to force errors? Will our scrum creak? Will we concede a soft, stupid try under the posts within the first five minutes?

Or will our lads get stuck in from the get-go and put them under pressure? Will they frustrate the French so much that the crowd starts to give the home team the bird? Will they give the French the hiding they should have given them in Croke Park earlier this year?

WILL THE IRISH PUT THE FEAR OF GOD INTO THEM????

Hang on to your hats, we’re in for a bumpy ride.