France certainly shading the opening exchanges and they have a penalty from distance. They are going for goal...

Not the most fluent of opening three minutes.

A few nerves, maybe?

France have it again as they move into Ireland's half.

Tony Ward
Former Ireland fly-half on BBC Radio Ulster

It is just one of those special occasions and I just hope it lives up to it. It is a huge game. We have two really class sides out there with some really good match-ups.

First scrum of the game goes to Ireland, who look to run it but France have got it back.

The talking is over.

The match has started in Dublin.

Show time!

With kick-off fast approaching, here's a bit of a one-stop shop for a lot of the key content produced during the build-up to this colossal match.

From statistics to team news and pundits' thoughts to the views from inside each camp, it's all here in one bit-size package for you to squeeze in before the match gets underway.

Image source, BBC Sport

Fair to say the home anthem was no less rousing.

Dublin is ready.

Is there a more rousing anthem in world sport than the French one?

The visiting players and fans are certainly enjoying it in Dublin.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, speaking to ITV: "You have to take your opportunities, that is definite, and you got to want to see those opportunities in the first place and be yourself to attack the game. It is something we have got better at since our last outing in Paris.

"We just need to be ourselves, as a group and be as together as we possibly can be, going from moment to moment and just playing the game as it comes in front of us - making good decisions and backing ourselves."

Ireland president Michael D Higgins carrying out his meet and greet with the players and officials.

Anthems incoming.

Nearly there, folks.

Former Ireland wing Tommy Bowe is one of the most insightful voices on this current Irish side.

In his latest BBC Sport column, the 2009 Grand Slam winner explained why he's liking what he's hearing from head coach Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland hosting France.

Read Bowe's thoughts here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Andy Farrell says Ireland "must have a clear understanding of the clarity of the plan" if they are to overcome France.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, the Ireland head coach said he side should go into the encounter "fully believing in what we are trying to achieve".

"We need to put in an 80-minute performance," said the Ireland coach.

"We need to play our own game and make sure we are courageous to take our game to them and ask questions of their defence," added Farrell."

Read more of Farrell's pre-game thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

If any Ireland fans are looking for a sign that their team will be victorious in Dublin this afternoon, how about the Irish Under-20s having already come out on top against their French counterparts?

Sam Prendergast's late penalty clinched a 33-31 win for the hosts in their Under-20 Six Nations meeting in Cork last night.

Read our match report from Musgrave Park here.

Image source, Inpho

Let's hope he got lucky!

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Last week, Johnny Sexton said he was "as nervous as he's ever been" before kick-off in Cardiff.

Given he missed the last two meetings with France - Billy Burns and Joey Carbery took the 10 jersey in his stead - the butterflies are probably in full-flutter right about now, too.

And a few Irish fans would have feared the worst when they heard about the dead leg Sexton sustained in the win over Wales.

But such concerns were alleviated when the 37-year-old confirmed he was all set for today's Test during Wednesday's media duties.

He's come through Thursday and Friday and is ready to lead Ireland out once more in what could be a landmark day for the Leinster stalwart as he chases down predecessor Ronan O'Gara's Six Nations points record of 557.

Sexton is currently 14 adrift of O'Gara's mark. He'd love to surpass him, but make no mistake: his focus is fixed purely on getting the win.

The big team news coming out of Dublin this week was that Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan misses out through injury, being replaced by Ulster's Rob Herring.

There had been speculation over Conor Murray's fitness but the Munster scrum-half is selected in the half-backs alongside skipper Johnny Sexton, who starts despite having to go off during the win over Wales.

France, meanwhile, have named an unchanged starting XV from the one that defeated Italy last Sunday.

Galthie has made two changes among the replacements, with Francois Cros and Baptiste Couilloud coming in for Thomas Lavault and Nolann Le Garrec.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

When the legend that is Brian O'Driscoll has his say, it's worth taking note.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

It's finally here. The big one.

It may only be the second round of the championship, but given the hubbub that has surrounded France's visit to Dublin this afternoon, it feels like we're about to bear witness to something much bigger.

Reigning Grand Slam winners France, searching for a 15th straight win, come up against an Ireland side hoping to take a significant step towards a first Six Nations title since 2018.

Image source, Getty Images

Whatever way you look at it, this is huge for Ireland. They've lost their last three matches against the French and can gain a major psychological edge over Les Bleus ahead of a potential World Cup meeting later this year.

While Ireland swept past Wales in efficient enough fashion last week, France's unconvincing display in Rome has led some to suggest that Fabien Galthie's side are not the irresistible force they were 12 months ago.

Even if they aren't, a giant French pack and the artistry of out-half Romain Ntamack pretty much guarantee a much stiffer test for Andy Farrell's side as Ireland aim for a record 13th straight home win.

Image source, Getty Images

While it was plain sailing for the Irish against the Welsh last Saturday, it was anything but for France the following day as they had to come from behind to avoid a shock defeat against Italy in a thrilling opener.

As openers go, last week's win over Wales in Cardiff was pretty emphatic for Ireland.

Here's how Andy Farrell's side strolled to that 34-10 victory.