France get us under way.

Tense?

Brian Moore
Former England hooker on BBC TV

It's a lot simpler for Ireland than we thought it would be. We thought they'd have to win with a bonus point so it's definitely achievable but they are going to have be disciplined.

The anthems play inside an empty Stade de France. Ireland's Call first followed by La Marseillaise.

You can definitely tell who'd make it past the first round of X Factor and who wouldn't. When I say "first round" I mean the pre-TV first round.

Andrew Priestley: The late Italian try that Ireland allowed last week could be their undoing. Any win in Paris is a very difficult ask, never mind by 7 clear points. Expect to see Sexton and Ireland keep the scoreboard ticking throughout the game.

John McEnerney: Plenty of experienced heads in the Green XV to get the job done but the French defence is solid it’ll take a massive performance which we have in us. Sexton & Murray need to drive Ireland around the park like they’ve done plenty of times before & the title should be ours.

There will be a minute's silence for the victims of the attack in Nice.

They've switched on the dry ice machine in the tunnel. This is serious.

Paul O'Connell
Former Ireland captain on BBC Two

France gave away 16 penalties last week and Ireland scored two maul-tries against Italy so you imagine that will happen this evening. Ireland are going to have a few cracks at scoring maul-tries.

Ireland have what it takes to do something special. They are just going to have been incredibly good defensively really solid.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaking on BBC Two: "It's a tough old ask to come and score any tries in Paris. we've prepared well and we're ready to go out there and give it our all. It means a lot for us and we've got a guy winning his 100th cap so hopefully we can make it a special night for them."

On France's full-backs: "We need to make sure we don't give them the room and space that they crave. Hopefully we can put enough pressure on them to make them not dominate the game. Obviously that's the plan."

Can we expect fireworks? "You've got to play the game. For us we've got to be adaptable for what we see, we've got to play with our eyes open and see the space. The game will take its own standing. we've got to play this game properly and respect it for what it is and hopefully we'll come out with the victory in the end."

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has just been speaking. He wants to play the game rather than think about what his team need to achieve. In good spirits, naturally.

His thoughts coming up.

Paul O'Connell
Former Ireland captain on BBC Two

Ireland are going to have score points. They struggled with exiting against England, if they kick loosely tonight then France will damage them.

In 41 away matches in the Six Nations era (excluding games against Italy), Ireland have managed to score four tries just three times (in a defeat v France, and in two wins at Murrayfield).

So you're saying there's a chance...?

Paul O'Connell
Former Ireland captain on BBC Two

Since France changed the team they've been really consistent and the average age of the team is 25 with 16 caps and they've spoke about that wanting to be 28 with 40 caps by the 2023 World Cup.

They've used only 40 half-back combations in the last 11 years and it's difficult to build a team without having familiarity within the group.

They've got the right people in the group now and they are backing them. They've got to go through the ups and downs to be successful. It's a good tactic.

Andrew McKeeman: Ireland by 7 points . However if it reaches the 70th minute and France have a strong lead then I'm quite happy for the lads to let France score the points required to deny England.

Martin Johnson
Former England captain and coach on BBC Two

England didn't have an edge. England looked like they were going through the motions slightly - even if you're five per cent off at this level it shows.

Last two Six Nations matches at the Stade de France...

2016: 10-9 France

2018: 15-13 Ireland

2020: ?