Cian Healy has tears in his eyes during the anthems. It means a lot to him for his last game in Dublin.

Rugby Union Weekly pundit Sam Warburton says Ireland's Sam Prendergast is the leading contender to start at fly-half for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia this summer.

That was pretty good for an away anthem, with plenty of French fans in attendance. Over to you, Ireland.

It's time for the anthems, which will both be sung by Cian Ducrot. He's an Irishman who has an Irish father and French mother.

First up, it's France.

The camera cuts to Calvin Nash, who didn't know he was going to be involved his afternoon until about half an hour ago.

He's a very capable replacement on the wing and scored against France last season.

Image source, Inpho

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby has backed fly-half Sam Prendergast to put "a few question marks" around his defending "to bed" against France.

Prendergast, 22, has impressed in the Irish attack in wins over England, Scotland and Wales, but has also missed a tournament-high 15 tackles.

Easterby says Prendergast is "fully aware" of the need to "step up" in that area as Ireland prepare to a France side that have scored 21 tries in three games.

"I think at times he's been excellent and put some real good shots in and at times he's missed a couple," said Easterby.

"He's working incredibly hard at figuring out lots of things in his game, trying to be the best 10 he can be and the best 10 that can create opportunities in attack but also understands and values the other side of the ball.

"That's part and parcel of his growth as a player, making sure he understands how important both sides of the ball are."

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Aviva Stadium

We've seen plenty of pictures already of the French fans enjoying the build-up on this spring afternoon but it's worth repeating the sheer number of those that are going to be cheering on the visitors in the stadium here.

There's an absolutely huge travelling support and we've had a few big shouts of 'Allez Les Bleus' already.

Should make for a cracking atmosphere!

D-U-P-O-N-T.

Here's more fans having fun in the sun.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Irish president Michael D Higgins is being presented to the players ahead of the anthems.

I'm not sure what his French is like but he's having a warm conversation with the French team as he makes his way down the line.

Plenty of smiles all round.

Image source, Inpho

It's one of the most infamous moments in Irish sporting history.

In a play-off game for the 2010 World Cup at Stade de France, Henry's handball was not spotted by officials in the build-up to William Gallas' extra-time goal, which sealed France's place at the finals in South Africa at the Irish team's expense.

Henry later apologised for using his hand to keep the ball in play, but that didn't change the result and Henry subsequently booked his place in the book of Irish sporting villains.

Thankfully for France, using your hands will be encouraged this afternoon.

Image source, France Rugby Instagram

Look who visited the French camp ahead of this one. Are they playing mind games?

Former France and Arsenal football star Thierry Henry, whose handball famously ended the Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, spoke to Fabien Galthie's squad earlier this week.

Was the timing a coincidence? Apparently so, according to Antoine Dupont.

"We talked about performance at a high level, and how you can deal with pressure, away [from home] especially," said the France captain.

"I think he has long experience and I hope he has inspired us for this weekend."

A smiling Dupont added: "But we didn't talk a lot about the hand[ball]."

Whatever Irish players are remaining and the French 23 soon follow them out of the tunnel.

Games faces on in Dublin.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

Peter O'Mahony leading Ireland out to a simply spine-tingling reception.

I can't remember having heard this place this loud over the past couple of years.

The France fans have been making an incredible amount of noise, too.

They're followed by Caelan Doris, Finlay Bealham and Jack Conan, who are all winning their 50th Ireland caps this afternoon.

Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray are out of the tunnel ahead of the teams on what is their Dublin farewell.

That's a huge noise for three legends of Irish rugby.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Aviva Stadium

The switch to Ireland's team comes so late that James Lowe was still announced as starting in the stadium.

A back spasm is given as the reason for the wing's withdrawal.

Here's how the teams will line up after James Lowe's injury.

Ireland: 15-Keenan; 14-Nash, 13-Henshaw, 12-Aki, 11-Osborne; 10-S Prendergast, 9-Gibson-Park; 1-Porter, 2-Sheehan, 3-Bealham, 4-J McCarthy, 5- Beirne, 6-O'Mahony, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt).

Replacements: 16-Herring, 17-Healy, 18- Clarkson, 19-Ryan, 20-Conan, 21-Baird, 22-Murray, 23-Crowley.

France: 15-Ramos; 14-Penaud, 13-Barassi, 12-Moefana, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Ntamack; 9-Dupont (capt); 1-Gros, 2-Mauvaka, 3-Atonio; 4-Flament, 5-Guillard; 6- Cros, 7-Boudehent, 8-Alldritt.

Replacements: 16-Marchand, 17-Baille, 18-Aldegheri, 19-Meafou, 20-Auradou, 21-Jegou, 22-Jelonch, 23-Lucu.

Huge news from Dublin.

James Lowe is out of this one after picking up an injury in the warm-up. The IRFU says it is a back spasm.

Calvin Nash comes into the team on the right wing, with Jamie Osborne shifting across to the left.

Image source, Getty Images

Brian O'Driscoll
Former Ireland captain on ITV1

The power game of France is always nervous for us.

The bookies have one point in it and they rarely get it wroing.

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby, speaking before Lowe's injury, on ITV1:

"It doesn't get any bigger than this. These sides have had some really tough battles in the last couple of seasons.

France are a formidable outfit but we feel we have enough to put them under pressure.

"It will come down to fine margins, key moments."