Last week O’Gara won his 118th cap from the bench against Italy to become his country’s most capped player of all time but it’s the experience of his third cap which he wanted to bring to the attentions of his teammates this week.

Back in 2000 a fresh-faced O’Gara helped Ireland beat France 27-25 to record their first victory in Paris since 1972 but the Irish haven’t repeated the success since - a statistic which grates with the Munsterman.

“I don’t think you become a rugby player until you play France in the Stade de France,” the 34-year-old fly-half told the Irish Times.

“It’s unique in terms of a challenge. As a neutral you have to admire them. If they (the French) get into their off-loading game, it’s lethal.

 “It is vital that we don’t beat ourselves. If we turn over ball, if our basic skills aren’t good enough they will thrive on that.

“It’s important that when we do get chances we take them.

“You don’t need to force it. It’s a fine line. You have to be ambitious but you don’t do the forcing.

“There have been times over the years when they feel they are going to charge over you and ten minutes later they’re dead on their feet. That seems to happen with French teams.”