French rugby fans socialising in Dublin yesterday were preparing to watch tomorrow's big match in local pubs, with many saying they had travelled to Ireland without match-day tickets.
Philippe Mayot from Marseilles, who had attended several Ireland-France rugby matches at Lansdowne Road, said he would miss the special atmosphere of the old stadium, but was looking forward to experiencing the larger crowds at the new stadium.
But Mr Mayot, along with his two friends Thomas Leyre and Boris Leclerc, was facing an anxious wait to see if the group could get tickets. Despite the significant increased capacity at Croke Park, tickets were scarce and costly yesterday. He attributed this in part to the historic nature of the occasion.
"It appears that lots of Irish people think 'okay we'll go to the match because of this'," he said.
"When you visit Lansdowne Road, there is a great spirit. I love the place because it's got an incredible atmosphere to receive France for the Six Nations], it's exciting and maybe the new place is not the same."
Mr Mayot and his friends had been quoted prices "on the street" of €500 for a ticket since they arrived here on Thursday.
"It is quite a bit more difficult to get tickets, there are no tickets.
"On the four times we came over here without a ticket, we always got a ticket," said Mr Leclerq, who is from Montpellier.
"Usually my friend in France has 100 tickets, but he had only 50 tickets this time . . . if we don't get a ticket, we will watch it in the pub. It's a shame."
Frederic Barbe from Tarbes in southern France was socialising with some of a group of 31 fellow French rugby fans in the Guinness storehouse.
Eleven of the group had tickets, with the others also searching for some in advance of the game.
"If we cannot get tickets, we will watch it in a bar . . . but it's wonderful in Dublin. The Irish people are lovely," he said.
"It is my first time here. I know it is a new stadium and I hope the French supporters, I hope they sing."