Les Bleus played the role of party poopers in 2007 when a last-gasp Vincent Clerc try ensured Ireland's first ever match at Croke Park ended in a 20-17 defeat.

Ireland gained a measure of revenge two years later on home soil with a 30-21 victory and, after four seasons at Croke Park, Ireland return to the site of the historic Landsdowne Road ground where a new 50,000-seater stadium has been erected.

But Declan Kidney's side will hope the new ground brings them more success than the old Landsdowne Road where they had managed just two wins over the French in 20 years prior to its redevelopment.

The return of talismanic No.8 Jamie Heaslip will be a huge boost for Declan Kidney, whose side limped to a 13-11 victory in Rome.

The Leinster man has been out of action for over a month with an ankle injury but Kidney had no qualms about bringing him straight back in to face France.

But Ronan O'Gara, who knocked over the last-gasp drop goal in Italy, will have to settle for a place on the bench after Kidney chose to stick with the backline which scraped past Italy.

"I wasn't satisfied with the way we played against Italy. We can play a lot better," said Kidney.

"But the players performed in such a way that meant they deserved another go. Sometimes you need to back your players and after the way they went about their business, that's what I'm doing.

"Jamie trained fully on Monday and Tuesday, so there was no need not to select him."

Marc Lièvremont has also made just one change from the side which convincingly defeated Scotland in Paris 34-21.

Damien Traille moves to the more familiar role of inside centre in place of the injured Maxime Mermoz, while Clement Poitrenaud takes over at full back.

Toulouse centre Yannick Jauzion and Biarritz prop Sylvain Marconnet come in to bolster a bench which boasts a massive 361 caps.

Also on the bench is Toulouse flyer Clerc, who has scored seven tries in six matches against the Irish, including a hat-trick in Paris three years ago.

Clerc's team mate Poitrenaud is savouring his recall to the side after coming off the bench to great effect against Scotland., but is under no illusion as to the challenge posed by Ireland.

"You have to forget about their match in Italy. They were nowhere near their best and they were missing several top players," said the 28-year-old who will be winning his 43rd cap on Sunday.

"I'm pleased to be starting again. It shows the management's faith in me a few months out from the World Cup."