Simon Easterby admits Ireland will have to cut out mistakes to beat France

Interim Coach Simon Easterby accepts Ireland had worrying patches in each of the three games to here. The was the poor start and a loss-of-concentration finish against England, off-colour patches against Scotland and the 80 minute scare against Wales - France are likely to be less forgiving. "There have been lots of areas in every game where you feel we could have done better," says Easterby.

READ MORE: Ireland v France: Breakthrough Irish starlet Jamie Osborne continues to prosper with one unquestionable quality READ MORE: Paul O'Connell's concern for Ireland after worrying defensive statistic against Wales "I guess the pleasing thing is we came from behind against England, found a way in the second half to take the game away from them. "We started really well in Scotland and, even though the scoreboard probably didn't reflect that, we felt like we were dominant and even when Finn Russell and Darcy Graham went off, we felt like we were probably the more dominant team in that first 20, 25 minutes. "Against Wales, again we probably didn't feel like we'd taken as much of those opportunities early on but we felt dominant.



We went behind and we came back. There's been different elements of the game where we've won and lost momentum, let it slip. "I guess our challenge is to try and build as much momentum and build big moments on big moments.

That's when you start to get the return, the reward, That's a continuous challenge for any team, and this one as well. "We want to feel like we can go and dominate sides but you've got to be really consistent in what you do and in making sure you don't allow them access into the game as well." It is important Ireland gain the front-foot early and stick with it.

“I guess our challenge is to impose our game on them as much as they're trying to impose their game on us and I think that's the exciting thing about this game. "That there's very little between the teams three games in it becomes a crux game really in the championship, in terms of where the title might head. "We know that if we're to do what we wanted to set out to do at the start this championship, we need to go and perform on Saturday and take away their strengths and impose ours on them.

” It is a contest that could right down to the wire. "I think physical fitness but mental fitness will be really important, having the ability to stay in the game continuously until there's a break in play - then you get that chance to take a breath. "They'll probably feel with Jamison that they'll have to be on it all the time and likewise for us against them, there's no difference against someone like Antoine Dupont.

" IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt). Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley. FRANCE: Ramos; Penaud, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt.

Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Meafou, Auradou, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu. - The Irish Mirror has a rugby WhatsApp group where you can get b reaking new and top stories on Ireland's Six Nations campaign straight to your phone. Click here to join.

You can leave our group at any time if you don't like it..