Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton is bracing himself for more pre-match propaganda from France ahead of Saturday's crunch Six Nations clash.
Two years ago, prior to the last championship collision of the sides at the Aviva Stadium, Sexton was forced to defend his concussion record.
Dr Jean-Francois Chermann ordered the out-half be stood down from rugby for 12 weeks when he was a Racing 92 player in 2014 due to repeated brain injuries.
In February 2021, in the wake of Sexton picking up a head injury against Wales on the weekend before the France game, the neurologist claimed that the Dubliner had sustained around 30 concussions during his career - and expressed concern about him rushing back into action.
In response, Sexton describes Dr Chermann's comments as “highly inappropriate”, “inaccurate” and “upsetting” for his family.
As it happened, Sexton didn't even play against Les Bleus that weekend as he didn't come through the return to play protocols and Ireland lost 15-13.
There were also other occasions in the past when Les Bleus put a pre-match focus on Sexton.
Speaking today at the IRFU's high performance centre in Abbotstown, the 37-year-old commented: "They are always big weeks.
"Often for me something comes out of the woodwork in French week and I'm expecting something later in the week.
"It's always a big game. I grew up in an era of watching Ireland lose to France, heavily, to then sort of see the first teams beating them and then to be part of teams beating them has been amazing.
"But you still have those memories from a young kid of France coming and demolishing Ireland.
"You probably naturally feel the underdog at my age, whereas the younger lads probably don’t. It’s a strange mixture in the squad."
Sexton also dismissed the claim by France out-half Romain Ntamack that Ireland are the "clear favourites" as the world number one side against his team - who are ranked second, are 14 games unbeaten and are the curren Six Nations title holders.
"They are world number one, it's not for nothing, they are comfortably favourites,” Ntamack told AFP.
"There's no debate. They showed and proved that in round one against Wales.
"They're good in all sectors, they have very few weaknesses, if any. It's going to be an arm wrestle for 80 minutes."
The Ireland skipper replied: "I don't really mind. The favourites tag is not something we mention internally.
"Being number one in the world, the public or the press will do it or the opposition will, but it comes down to the performance on the day.
"If we're favourites, we're favourites. It doesn't really bother me if that's what he says."
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