Props talk scrummaging prior to this weekends clashes
Adam Jones is looking forward to his scrum battle with Ireland counterpart Cian Healy
©Press Association
Wales prop Adam Jones has given a rave review of his opposite number - Ireland front-row forward Cian Healy.
France's cornerstone prop Nicolas Mas expects a "complicated" scrummaging battle with Italy in Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash in Paris.
The 33-year-old will start against Italy this weekend in a side showing just three changes after that England win.
Dimitri Szarzewski starts at hooker, while Hugo Bonneval will make his debut in place of Maxime Medard on the wing.
Yoann Maestri starts alongside captain Pascal Pape at lock.
Francois Trinh-Duc, initially omitted from coach Philippe Saint-Andre's squad altogether but back in due to injuries, takes a seat on the bench with Antoine Burban ruled out.
"The scrum is one area where they come together extremely well," Mas told Le Figaro.
"They have a pack that knows their roles perfectly.
"And they are very good players, including (Martin) Castrogiovanni and (Leonardo) Ghiraldini.
"They must work this area a lot, they love it, they excel in this, and their coach likes it too.
"We must remain humble: we only imposed ourselves with three minutes to go against England."
Italy forced Wales into a fright before the hosts ground home 23-15 on the tournament's opening weekend.
Perpignan native Mas represented his home club with distinction for 14 years before making the Montpellier switch.
Italy boss Brunel coached Catalan club Perpignan between 2007 and 2011.
Mas admitted he knows the Italy head coach's style inside-out, but does not expect that to have any bearing on the contest.
Their scrum battle promises to be one of several key individual encounters at the Aviva Stadium.
And Jones is looking forward to renewing acquaintances after they both toured with the 2013 British and Irish Lions to Hong Kong and Australia, although Healy's trip was cut short by injury.
"I never knew the guy (beforehand), but we shared a room in Hong Kong," Jones said. "He is a really good bloke.
"I've never seen someone drink so much coffee in my life - absolutely phenomenal!
"I was sad to see him get injured. We've seen how good he is. He's come back stronger and he's probably one of the best, if not the best, loosehead in the world at the moment. I will look forward to playing against him."
Jones, meanwhile, says he is "under no illusions" about how fired up Ireland will be in Dublin.
The fierce rivals' latest meeting has its trademark back-drop of there being a huge amount at stake.
Although it is only the second weekend of this season's tournament, Saturday's victors could take some stopping after establishing strong title momentum.
Ospreys prop Jones has won 90 caps and featured in eight previous Six Nations games against Ireland, but he will struggle to remember one with more hype surrounding it than this weekend.
Many Ireland supporters still bristle at memories of star player Brian O'Driscoll being controversially overlooked for last summer's Test series decider between the British and Irish Lions and Australia that the Lions won 41-16.
It was a decision made by Lions boss and current Wales coach Warren Gatland, and one that saw him fiercely criticised by Irish fans, former Ireland players and media pundits.
"I am under no illusions how fired up they will be," Jones added.
"They've talked down the O'Driscoll-Gatland thing, but I'm quietly confident 'Paulie' (Ireland captain Paul O'Connell) will have them revved up come half-past-two on Saturday. We know what to expect."
Jones, though, has no doubt it is a healthy rivalry that exists between players on both teams.
"Since we've been on tours with them (Irish players), you get to know them. There's no dislike there, but we want to beat them, obviously," he added.
"I am sure it will be very physical, come Saturday, but I will look forward to having a pint with them afterwards.
"That is what's so good about this sport. You can knock seven bells out of each other, then shake the guy's hand and have a pint with him afterwards. There will be no hard feelings."
©Press Association
