Elissalde wary of Irish backlash

France scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde predicts Saturday's showdown with Ireland will provide his team with a tougher test than last weekend's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

France scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde predicts Saturday's showdown with Ireland will provide his team with a tougher test than last weekend's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

Many thought a new-look Les Bleus side would struggle against the Scots at Murrayfield on Sunday, but they swept to a comfortable 27-6 victory in coach Marc Lièvremont's first game in charge.

Ireland, who unlike Scotland did not reach the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup, stuttered to an unconvincing 16-11 home win against Italy in the first round of Six Nations matches.

But Elissalde insists that result will only serve to fire up an under-pressure Irish XV.

“Everybody is concerned about this match against Ireland, which will be at a superior level than that against the Scots,” said the Toulouse number nine.

“We are going to have to leave our euphoria to one side and really focus. We must have a lot of humility and be ready for what will be a fierce battle.

“It's a long time since Ireland have beaten us and they will really want to erase what has been said about them.”

Aurélien Rougerie, back in France's starting line-up after being benched last week, is certainly taking nothing for granted.

“We have prepared for this match with total seriousness all week,” said the Clermont Auvergne winger.

“There is a lot of talent in this Ireland team, in every position, and I wouldn't like it if they rediscovered their unity against us on Saturday.

“We have to know what to do when faced against Ireland's cutting edge. And they are going to be more organised than the Scottish and therefore more difficult to overcome as a result.

“We can't underestimate our opponents. That would be a massive error on our part.”

David Marty and Elissalde returned to full training on Thursday after their respective back and ankle complaints, and should be fit to start.