Where before Ireland travelled to Paris on a bit of a wing and a prayer, this time there's genuine hope, within the squad and outside of it, that the worst losing run of any fixture in the country's history can be ended. But are we kidding ourselves a little here?

The backdrop to tomorrow's game carries some comparisons with two years ago. Once more the team is staying away from the madding Parisian crowds in Versailles, in the splendiferous Trianon Palace which two years ago prompted Pat Whelan to remark "nothing but the best for the lads".

Once more they trained in Club Orsy, though whereas two years ago it was a nervous, error-prone run-out - "the worst in the history of the Irish rugby union," Donal Lenihan admitted yesterday - yesterday's was slicker. "I can safely say we trained better this time," added Lenihan drily.

Kieron Dawson was passed fit, but in a minor surprise Andy Ward's ability to cover both wing forward positions and Dawson's injury scare has prompted the management to prefer the Ballynahinch flanker to Trevor Brennan on the bench.

"It's tough on Trevor but that's part and parcel of modern-day rugby," said Lenihan. "We're only a stone's throw away from a position where the replacements won't be decided until the day of the match, depending on the ground and the weather."

So Ward returns to the fold for the first time since the World Cup at the place where he was plucked from relative obscurity for Warren Gatland's first game as coach. That was then, and this is now, though.

Ireland have moved on from a largely kicking, one-ruck gameplan, especially in the last two free-scoring victories as Ireland put a premium on playing at a high tempo, and exploring the width of the paddock.

Quick off-the-top ball from the tail of the line, move it quickly onto the gain line, ruck the ball back quickly, probe the blind side and look to put one of the game's likeliest match-winners into space. And remarkably he's Irish - Brian O'Driscoll, of course, the jewel in the Irish crown.

Yet it will still require an exceptionally accurate and focused performance to be in the game at the death, never mind winning it. For regardless of French injury woes, many of the age old Paris adages still apply.

Accuracy in the kicking game is one of them. Ronan O'Gara will surely find the French wingers lying a little deeper than the Scottish and Italian wingers, and as Gregor Townsend's loose diagonal kick down the throat of a deep-lying Emile Ntamack showed at Murrayfield a fortnight ago, the punishment remains as severe as ever. Ntamack ran it back, brushing past John Leslie, and in a flash Olivier Magne was on his shoulders for his second try.

It is the threat from broken play that sets the French apart. Ireland could be playing well for 20 or 30 minutes, and in an instant, from one turnover or one loose kick, could concede a seven-pointer.

The reality is that this Ireland team are still relatively unproven at this level - in the scrum, the back row, the half-backs and out wide and deep. France have won the last 15 clashes, it's been 17 years since Ireland last won at all, and 28 years since the last win in Paris.

Against that France have, amazingly, lost their last four outings in the Stade de France. This intensifies the need to stay in the game for the first 30 and up until halftime. Then the doubts might spread in the home ranks and as much as the French might set their stall out through their bruisers up front, the crowd won't settle for a grinding win. They'll want more than a dash of flair. The longer the game passes without this happening and the more pressure Ireland apply, then the likelier it becomes that the crowd turn on their own - as they do more mercilessly than anyone else.

The French injury rash would be a bigger factor if it was anybody else. Contrary to English hype, the French club game remains the best in the world, in terms of quantity and quality. Three years ago injuries compelled France to use 28 players - and they won the Grand Slam. New cap David Bory on the wing could have a game like so many other wing debutants against Ireland and mark the occasion with a hat-trick.

For sure, Magne can't be replaced, much less an entire backline. Yet, the untried nature of that French backline makes it even more likely than is usually the case that Bernard Laporte will send his pack out on a diet of raw steaks, with the Irish pack on the menu for dessert. This will be an altogether different test for the Irish pack than the last two lightweight contests.

Ireland do have a real chance here, but beating Wales a fortnight from today and finishing third in the table is still the real goal. That would still constitute the best season in seven years.

To that end, a good performance tomorrow is critical. To be competitive until the 80th minute and to develop their game further by scoring a try or two would be another significant step forward.