World Cup finalists France have since laboured to victory over Scotland while Ireland ran in five tries to thrash Italy 42-10 in Dublin and put their dramatic last-gasp opening round loss to Wales behind them.

Unbeaten France remain on course for a Grand Slam showdown with Wales in Cardiff on March 17 having also dispatched Italy with relative ease, but Les Bleus’ captain knows it would be foolish to look that far ahead with Declan Kidney’s men in such confident mood.

”This is our first real test when you see the level of Ireland at the moment,” said Dusautoir. “You run on to the pitch knowing you are going to play a really good team.

“We have had to prepare for this match twice and we have been able to witness their approaches to the ruck and tackling. These areas will demand a lot of us. We must be ultra-determined.

“With England and Wales to come, the fixture list in this year's tournament shows that each match requires us to up our level of play.

“However, all I'm thinking of is tomorrow as we have enough on our plates there to occupy our minds and our bodies.”