Andy Farrell urges Ireland rookies to be ffearless in Paris

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has urged his Six Nations newcomers to play without fear as Ireland prepare to face defending champions France at the Stade de France on Thursday night.

Ireland return to a venue where they were beaten 30–24 by France in the 2022 Championship, but Farrell believes the current group can grow from the challenge despite their relative inexperience.

He pointed to Mack Hansen’s debut try in Paris that year as an example of embracing the occasion rather than being overawed by it.

Farrell said the focus is on executing the game plan and staying present against a world-class France side led by a returning Antoine Dupont.

"It's being fearless, isn't he?” Farrell said on Tuesday when asked if he wanted his rookies to emulate Hansen’s performance of two years ago.

“He's making sure that we're not playing any occasion here. He's making sure that we're present in everything we do and executing the plan that we're all buying into doing.

He added that testing themselves in such an environment will provide valuable lessons for the team as the tournament begins.

"I'm sure if we do that, there'll be ups and downs, I'm sure of that against a world-class side at home, but it's an exciting game for us going forward, because we'll certainly learn a lot about ourselves, testing ourselves in big occasions like this, so that'll stand to us anyway."