Les Bleus have a spring in their step

ON RUGBY: Paris in the springtime always represents an enticing prospect for the visitor. A match against France in Paris is always a very formidable assignment.

There is a belief, and it is sustainable when one reflects on their record, that the French in the spring with the sun on their backs, a firm sod and a dry ball are invariably even more difficult to beat than when the cold, rain and wind impose their own limitations. The Irish know well what it is to strive in vain in Paris in the springtime.

When Ireland last played in Paris two years ago, it was, in fact, a glorious March afternoon and it was Ireland who prospered as they had not done in Paris since 1972.

Whether or not the sun will be shining tomorrow, who can say, but Ireland will be facing a French team with a huge incentive for victory.

Irish sides have found Paris more difficult than any other venue in the championship. Not a win in Parc des Princes from 1974 to 1996.

But against that, since the French moved their home venue from Parc des Princes five years ago to Stade de France, their home record has been anything but impressive and the new splendid venue has not been the fortress for the invader that Parc des Princes was for so many years.

Four years ago Ireland should have won on their first visit to Stade de France and lost 18-16. That season France did the Grand Slam. Then the following season, Ireland lost 10-9 to France in Dublin, losing the match in the closing stages by the concession of two silly penalties.

Then came 2000 and the famous Irish win at Stade de France, a match always remembered for Brian O'Driscoll's three tries and David Humphreys' great penalty near the end as Ireland won 27-25.

Ireland will have 12 of that side on duty tomorrow, while Humphreys came on for Ronan O'Gara as a replacement. The other changes are David Wallace on the flank for Kieron Dawson and Gary Longwell in the second row for Mick Galwey. So the players know what is required to win in Paris and Ireland will need the kind of application and opportunism they revealed two years ago, if they are to deprive France of the Grand Slam. Ireland must also play infinitely better, especially up front than in the wins over Scotland and Italy if they are to keep their championship hopes alive even if for only 24 hours before England take on Italy in Rome on Sunday. A win tomorrow would be a great way for Ireland to finish the Championship season. And it could be attained however strongly the French are favoured and understandably so in all the circumstances.

The return of Keith Wood is a major boost for Ireland.

Ireland also beat France last season. Thus tomorrow Ireland will be seeking a third successive win over France and that has not been attained since 1973. And one of those matches was a non championship match when France came to Dublin to play an extra match after Wales and Scotland had refused to come in 1972. One has to go back to 1953 for the last occasion Ireland won three championship matches in succession against the French.

LET us not forget either that Ireland A will be seeking their own Grand Slam when they meet France this evening.

Tomorrow will be a very special occasion for one Irish player, Peter Clohessy. When he left the field a few minutes from the end of Ireland's match against Italy last Saturday week, he was leaving Lansdowne Road for the last time in an Ireland jersey. That was Clohessy's final appearance for Ireland on home soil. He got a tremendous ovation from the crowd. It was thoroughly deserved.

"I was very grateful for the warmth of the reception. You will always remember a day like that and, for me, it was very special," said Clohessy.

Like so many memorable occasions in sport, Clohessy's emotions were diverse as he left the field . The last hurrah is invariably touched with sadness, but equally as he said he was touched by the crowd's reaction, no doubt grateful too that he has had so rewarding a career of record proportions.

Last Saturday week, by winning his 53rd cap, he became the most capped Munster forward in history, beating the record of 52 held by another great Munster player Donal Lenihan. When Clohessy plays against France in Paris tomorrow, he will equal the record of yet another of Munster's greats Tom Kiernan, who is Munster's most capped player with 54 caps.

In some respects it is ironic that it was Lenihan's record that Clohessy broke last Saturday week, for no one did more to help and encourage Peter Clohessy during the dark days of suspensions, especially after he was given 26 playing weeks - in effect almost a year out of the game - following the match against France in Paris in 1996 after being found guilty of stamping on Olivier Roumat.

"I fully acknowledge the support and encouragement I got from Donal. I paid the price for what I did and I accept that and learned from it. But Donal always had faith in me when others did not. I owe him a great deal, and have the utmost respect for him.

He was the best manager I have played under," said Clohessy.

Lenihan has played with and against Clohessy and paid him this tribute, "He has been a great player for Ireland and for Munster. He paid a very high price for his indiscretions and I have profound respect for the way he came back especially after being out of the game for almost a year when he was suspended after the French match in 1996.

As he steps out for the last time in an Ireland jersey at Stade de France tomorrow, Clohessy says he still has a few ambitions left. "I want to beat France, if we do, maybe the Italians will surprise everyone and do us a favour against England on Sunday. I cannot think of a better way to end my career than a win tomorrow and to help Munster to win the Heineken Cup." The end of his playing career is at hand for Clohessy, but he has a few more important matches to play, maybe a few more days of glory.