France v Ireland: no romantic ending for Irish in rescheduled Six Nations clash "We've given them soft tries in my time since I've been there," said O'Connell, who has not won in five visits to France. That's been the most common theme and you just can't do that in Paris. For France, Clermont centre Wesley Fofana, 24, is emerging as an increasingly influential figure in a back line which has yet to properly cut loose. Fofana, who has slimmed down to a respectable 14st 11lb from a rather porky 16st 1lb over 18 months, reducing his body far from 21 per cent to 8 per cent in the process, has quick feet and has scored in each of France's opening two fixtures. The themes Unsurprisingly, World Cup fallout seems to be affecting both line-ups. Neither side has produced sustained spells of error-free, grown-up, accurate rugby though both still retain some potency. Ireland were clinical towards the end of their recent match against Italy, scoring twice in the final five minutes, and it took France just three minutes to put Scotland back in their box when Andy Robinson's side took the lead early in the second half. If there is a major difference between the teams, it seems to be at the scrummage where France have a considerable advantage, able to introduce Lionel Nallet and William Servat from the bench to beef up their tight five. Ireland lack that luxury. Tom Court is work in progress, even aged 31, as is replacement hooker Sean Cronin. The end It's hard to argue against history and Ireland do find it awfully difficult in Paris to stay close enough to France to do some damage. If Ireland are to have a chance, they will need to crank up their back row which hasn't quite functioned as a unit. Jamie Heaslip has drifted a little this season, and although Stephen Ferris, more regularly, and Sean O'Brien, occasionally, have let rip, Ireland will need that trio to be at their harmonious, pugnacious best. Then, provided that Jonathan Sexton and the two wings also play to their potential, Ireland will be competitive. For France, it's all about one man. Aurelien Rougerie is possibly the worst one-on-one defender in the tournament, slow on the turn and unsure more often than not whether to blitz or drift. In a tight game a mistake from him might prove decisive. But Ireland need to make it a tight game.