Byrne packs down between props Reggie Corrigan and John Hayes for the RBS 6 Nations opener in Paris and admits the Irish trio face a mighty challenge against Sylvain Marconnet, William Servat and Pieter de Villiers.

The scars of Frances crushing front-row display during the World Cup quarter-finals last November have yet to heal for Byrne, who witnessed their domination from the safety of the bench.

But the 30-year-old Leinster forward has resumed his place in the starting line-up following the retirement of Keith Wood and has marked his return by warning France that Irelands front row will meet them head-on.

Its not really the venue that makes the difference in the match, its more the front row youre playing against that is important. The French front row are rated very highly and I know why, he said.

They really stamped their mark on the match during the first scrum in Melbourne when we last played them. We are well aware how good they are so weve been doing a lot of work on our scrummaging.

Their quality is beyond question but its good that we are aware of what we have to deal with - they certainly wont be springing any shocks because were up for this one.