Ireland must be bigger than the occasion

Analysis: In the week of an important game all a coach can do is control the aspects that come under his remit. Training and selection being the obvious two. Eddie O'Sullivan has been faced with an incredible amount of uncontrollable issues this week.

He appeared to adequately deal with the furore surrounding referee Steve Walsh's leaked comments about the breakdown, but such criticism was out of his control. Likewise, the fitness of BriaO'Driscoll and Peter Stringer is something he could not influence.

It's a well-known phenomenon in sports psychology that over-aroused emotions severely inhibit team performances.

It's been very hard to explain to an Australian this week what it means for an Irish player, and the public at large, to play in Croke Park. You must live in Ireland to comprehend the magnitude of the GAA in society at large.

The Irish rugby players - be they from the North or South, exiles, Catholic or Protestant - represent the diverse characteristics of the island.

It doesn't necessarily help that an overwhelming belief now exists in Irish rugby. This is a knock-on effect of modern Ireland.

It's impossible not to get caught up in this week's hype. Eddie O'Sullivan cannot control his players' emotions. He can try, but this is entering the realms of uncertainty.

The game will be decided by the team with the correct mental approach. It puts Ireland at an immediate disadvantage, as to the French this is merely another Six Nations game. The move to Croke Park suits the French.

The pitch has been compared to Stade de France, while they will be more accustomed to the superior facilities of a modern stadium. That was undoubtedly an advantage lost by the move away from Lansdowne Road.

Disregard the All Blacks' demolition of Bernard Laporte's men in November, because this is a superb French line-up.

Laporte is a shrewd operator. He made five changes from the convincing victory over Italy that, Cedric Heymans aside, have all strengthened his hand. Even Heymans's replacement, Vincent Clerc, is a ruthless finisher.

The back row is where the main assault will occur. They have a raging bull at eight in Sebastien Chabal, a hard-hitting groundhog in Serge Betsen and an all-round athlete in Imanol Harinordoquy.

The inclusion of Sylvain Marconnet at loosehead means France possess the most ferocious front row in the competition.

The Irish scrum will be the second point of attack. If it falters early on, the French will relentlessly revert to it for an attacking platform. Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell need to regain their early-season form for 80 minutes here.

O'Driscoll's absence is an immense loss, as is that of Stringer. At least Shane Horgan's return softens the blow, as his physicality will guarantee yardage and his direct approach will fix the French midfield and provide scope for Gordon D'Arcy, who is better at outside centre anyway. That said, in Yannick Jauzion France have the prince of outside centres. It will be a telling duel.

Isaac Boss is a good player. He overplayed his hand against Australia last November but if he becomes more judicious with his running threat, he can somewhat compensate for a significantly weaker pass. The French back row will target the number nine's attempts to clear at ruck time and thereby heap further pressure on Ronan O'Gara.

The disruption - again, not something O'Sullivan can fix - will increase frustration and create anxiety among the players. The management are not completely helpless. It is their job to prepare the team psychologically as well as tactically. If the occasion becomes bigger than the game itself Ireland will lose.

The tournament will be decided here. Win tomorrow and Ireland should capture the Grand Slam. They will have survived the Croke Park factor and the mental fortitude garnered will be enough to overcome the English.

The French weakness? Nothing obvious, I'm afraid, but if Ireland bring the crowd into play in the opening 20 minutes the visitors might just blink first.