After a hugely disappointing opening round defeat to Wales, Declan Kidney must attempt to pick his team up for a daunting trip to face France in Paris in round two of the Six Nations.
Although struggling at times in that defeat to the Welsh, Ireland had put themselves in a position to win the match and will be bitterly disappointed not to have done so.
The French in Paris will provide a sterner challenge again with new coach Phillippe Saint Andre looking to make his mark and bury memories of his unpopular predecessor, Marc Lievremont.
Saint Andre has made four changes to the side who dispatched Italy is less than convincing fashion last week and a late withdrawal of Dimitri Yachvilli sees Morgan Parra wear the number nine shirt also.
Biarritz powerhouse Imanol Harinordoquy takes over from Julien Bonnaire at openside with Yoann Maestri replacing Lionel Nallet in the second-row.
The exuberant Dimitri Szarzewski starts at hooker, while the experienced Toulouse operator Jean-Baptiste Poux replaces Vincent Debaty at loose-head.
It is by all accounts a strong team selected by Saint Andre, who has vast resources at his disposal. Ireland were targeted by the huge Welsh three quarter line on Sunday and were found wanting as George North and co consistently ploughed their way over the gainline and beyond.
France will surely adopt a similar strategy come Saturday, given the size of their backline. The likes of Rougerie and Malzieu in particular are huge men with speed to burn and it would be no surprise if they attacked the thirteen channel, as Keith Ealrs have been left exposed in this role in the past defensively.
Earls comes in for Fergus McFadden in what was the only change to the fifteen from the Welsh encounter. David Kearney drops out of the match day twenty two to make way for McFadden on the bench.
On paper, it looks an incredibly difficult task for Ireland, particularly as they have enjoyed only one win here in the last twenty years. Couple this with a lack of form and it is difficult to envisage an Irish victory.
This Irish team is as unpredictable as it is talented however and unexpected results do tend to spring out of nowhere. The English match in the Six Nations last year and the victory over Australia at the World Cup are two prime examples.
France in Paris is a different proposition however and victory at the Stade de France is a feat rarely achieved, by any team. This Irish team will need to put last weekend’s disappointments behind them and produce a performance steeped in passion and accuracy.
Temperatures could be as low as minus seven come kick off on Saturday night and Ireland will need to give France the frostiest of receptions on the pitch. If they don’t, it could be a long night.
France XV: M Medard; V Clerc, A Rougerie, W Fofana, J Malzieu; F Trinh-Duc, M Parra; J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, N Mas, P Pape, Y Maestri, T Dusautoir, I Harinordoquy, Picamoles
Replacements: W Servat, V Debaty, L Nallet, J Bonnaire, M Parra, L Beauxis, M Mermoz.
Ireland (XV v France): R Kearney; T Bowe, K Earls, G D'Arcy, A Trimble; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Ferris, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, T Court, D Ryan, P O'Mahony, E Reddan, R O'Gara, F McFadden.