Andrew Trimble is determined to forge a lethal midfield partnership alongside Brian O'Driscoll that will improve Ireland's dismal record in Paris.
The Irish have returned victorious from the French capital just once since 1972 and have lost their last six Tests against the reigning RBS 6 Nations champions.
Marc Lievremont's new-look Les Bleus are overwhelming favourites to make it seven when the rivals clash on Saturday when a heavy defeat would leave coach Eddie O'Sullivan fighting for his job.
But an interesting team selection has offered despairing fans a tiny glimmer of hope that the gloom which has enveloped Irish rugby over recent months is about to lift.
Leinster trio Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman and Rob Kearney have been promoted from the bench in the hope their ball carrying will put France on the back foot.
And in midfield the hard-running Trimble has taken the number 12 jersey left vacant because of Gordon D'Arcy's broken arm, moving from the wing to his preferred position.
The 23-year-old Ulsterman believes his direct style will compliment O'Driscoll's more subtle approach as Ireland seek to register a first win in Paris since 2000.
"Brian and I are different players. He has a wide range of skills and I've learnt a lot from the way he's played rugby," he said.
"That's only good for me because I'm still young. But I feel I have plenty to offer too and it looks a balanced midfield with the two of us there.
"I'm strong on the ball and my lines of running are quite good. I like to follow players into contact and pick a line off that. I like to back myself and look for offloads.
"I loved playing in the centre - it's great to get your hands on the ball and get a bit more involved. You also make more tackles."
O'Driscoll, who has been off key since the World Cup, could benefit from the change in personnel beside him as D'Arcy was also some way below his best.
The Lions centre's form and leadership have been challenged recently but Trimble insists he justifiably remains Ireland's three-quarter kingpin.
"Brian takes control and dominates the backline, which is exactly what you need. He calls the moves and organises the backline," he said.
"When someone is doing that it takes a lot of the pressure off you.
"He likes to take the ball on and it's become a lot easier to read what he's going to do the more I've played alongside him."
Trimble is still haunted by his last trip to the Stade de France when he allowed Vincent Clerc to score in the demoralising 25-2 World Cup pool defeat.
Frederic Michalak produced a wonderful kick off the side of his foot to Clerc who - with Trimble out of position - made light work of the finish.
The blame for the score was planted squarely on Trimble's shoulders, but he insists it was the result of a breakdown in communication.
"It was s system error. It was something we had practised earlier that week," he said.
"Vincent Clerc usually comes in off his wing and it was my job to make the tackle and take the pressure off Ronan O'Gara.
"Whenever I did that there was a communication mix-up between myself, Denis Leamy, Simon Easterby and Eoin Reddan.
"All of us should have covered but that didn't happen. France read the situation very well and there was a fair bit of elaboration in how quickly they read and executed it."
Teams
France: C Heymans (Toulouse); A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne), D Marty (Perpignan), D Traille (Biarritz), J Malzieu (Clermont-Auvergne); D Skrela (Stade Francais), J-B Elissalde (Toulouse); N Mas (Perpignan), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), L Faure (Sale), A Mela (Albi), L Nallet (Castres), F Ouedraogo (Montpellier), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont-Auvergne)
Replacements: W Servat (Toulouse), J Brugnaut (Dax), L Jacquet (Clermont-Auvergne), L Picamoles (Montpellier), M Parra (Bourgoin), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), V Clerc (Toulouse).
Ireland: G Dempsey (Leinster); G Murphy (Leicester), O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), A Trimble (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), B Jackman (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: R Best (Ulster), T Buckley (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), P Stringer (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), S Horgan (Leinster).
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