Andy Farrell insists Ireland will still travel to Paris with confidence despite losing inspirational skipper Johnny Sexton to a hamstring injury.
With the 36-year-old out for a week to 10 days, Farrell has turned to Joey Carbery - starting his first Six Nations game, and his first game of any nature since elbow surgery in early December - in the pivotal no 10 role, with Jack Carty on the bench.
Ireland are looking to maintain their nine-game winning streak by beating the championship favourites at their Stade de France home, and the loss of Sexton is a massive blow.
The veteran captain, described as Farrell as "integral" to Ireland's improvement over the last 12 months, will travel to the City of Light with the squad.
Sexton will play no part on the field but Farrell stressed that his team have belief that they can pull off a first win against Les Bleus since 2019.
“Because we’re a group," he said. "It’s not just about one player, it never has been and never will be.
"We want to grow as a group. We want to approach every game in that manner.
“Listen, it’s a funny one for me to answer that because it’s not just about Joey Carbery and it’s not just about can he handle a big game in Paris.
"It’s about us as a group and as a squad and that’s what Johnny does, he makes sure that the whole group is exactly where it should be.
"Johnny will travel with us and be a big part of the group but at the same time it’s not just about the No.10 as far as the direction of the team is concerned. It’s about everyone that takes the field.
"There are always going to be injuries, there are always going to be people that you would expect to be chosen that get injuries along the way and we have got to be able to deal with that.
"From day one, at the start of this Six Nations, that is how we train anyway. So the lads that are coming in are certainly ready.
"We play the same game, we keep making good decisions. We play what is in front of us; nothing changes as far as that is concerned.
“Joey will be a leader within himself anyway. And so will Jack Carty.
"We are always trying to grow as a leadership group anyway in terms of taking responsibility and growing into the task.
"Every one of the players becomes a leader in their own right, so we are expecting everyone to step up to the plate.”
Sexton suffered the setback in training yesterday. "He was doing a bit of everything," said Farrell.
"He pulled out of training before anything serious happened."
With a week off after the second round of games, it is hoped that the Dubliner will return ahead of the Italy game on Saturday fortnight.
“It’s a small hamstring strain that is definitely going to keep him out for this weekend but I don’t envisage it being difficult at all," said Farrell.
"It might be a week to 10 days but what we don’t want to do is risk anything and make that worse and take him out of the competition completely so we expect him to be back pretty soon.
“It is what it is and that’s the sport that we love. There’s always twists and turns, especially within a Six Nations. It’s a long old competition that runs over eight weeks so there will always be something that we have to deal with.
“Obviously Johnny is an important member of our group being skipper of the side.
"He is integral to how we push forward with many parts of our environment but at the same time this is about the group. Johnny will travel with us and be leading as well as he possibly can be.
“It’s a great development for us as a team going forward as well and we still expect ourselves to be at our best in Paris on Saturday.”
Carbery for Sexton apart, the only changes to the matchday squad are on the bench, with the experience and quality of Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson added for James Hume and Ryan Baird respectively.
“The side played pretty well last week, there is a bit of cohesion there," reflected Farrell, referring to the bonus point win over Wales.
"Robbie and Hendy have obviously not had as much training time as others have had.
"They’re fit and well and have had a great week, back in the thick of things, and ready to add off the bench."
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