The unbeaten Irish go into the Lansdowne Road clash brimming with confidence after beating world champions England, but ODriscoll is aware of traditional Irish failings when labelled as favourites.

But the Lions centre insists that his players are coping just fine ahead of the eagerly anticipated RBS 6 Nations clash.

There is always going to be more pressure when you start winning - that's natural, ODriscoll said.

The level of expectation from the Irish public has heightened but the players' expectation has also risen.

Of course nerves will come into it but dealing with those is part of the process of improving as a player and a team. The great teams perform as if that pressure isn't there.

France are a huge challenge for us but we can beat them if we play to the best of our ability.

We are level pegging with them and I think the side with the greater will to win will come through it.