Skrela performed superbly in tandem with scrum-half Pierre Mignoni as France kicked-off the Six Nations with a 39-3 win over Italy at the Stadio Flaminio last Saturday.

But he is expecting a sterner test against opposite number Ronan OGara and - fitness permitting - scrum-half Peter Stringer.

Skrela said: I would even say that the pairing of Stringer and OGara is not far off from being the best in the world.

They have played together for years at Munster and in the national team and they can play together blindfolded. We must try and open their eyes.

Isaac Boss of Ulster is standing by to replace Stringer if he does not make it but Skrela is anticipating a Stringer-OGara axis at Croke Park.

He said: OGara is an excellent tactical kicker and also goal-kicker. He can find the right angles to put the opponents under pressure.

With Stringer, he plays in a comfortable position behind some dominating forwards and three-quarters who are capable of making the difference at any moment.

They can run the game very well. I have not often met them but it will be a tough match-up.

Stade Francais fly-half Skrela is delighted at the understanding he has forged with Mignoni, who plays for Clermont-Auvergne.

He needed a goalkicking number 10 to play and I like number nines who take the initiative, said Skrela in an interview published on the website of the French Rugby Federation, www.ffr.fr.

We share a room and we communicate well and we both want to show what we are capable of achieving.

At the moment, both our clubs are doing well in the championship and I think we both share the same objectives.

You could see that at Rome where we got on well, although this weekend will be a different matter. We wont have all the ball and we will not be going forward all the time.

Skrela is well aware of the implications of a good performance against Ireland in what is a World Cup year.

He said: If we play well in Ireland, maybe doors will open for us, but I dont want to put so much pressure on us in World Cup year.

I am taking things game by game to show what I can do against a team of this quality.