France manager Jo Maso has warned his Grand Slam-chasing warriors to steel themselves for an Irish onslaught in the Six Nations decider at Stade de France on April 6.

"We will have to be fully ready to fight, because the Irish will come to Paris for a win," he said on Wednesday.

Maso reckons the Irish pose a big threat, despite getting hammered 45-11 by England at Twickenham last month.

They are currently third in the championship standings with six points - the same as England - but two adrift of the French, the only team with a 100% record so far.

Coach Bernard Laporte understandably shares Maso's concern with the Irish going for their third straight win over Les Bleus.

He said: "Ireland have progressed a lot in the past four years and the game a week on Saturday will be difficult.

"On the other hand, we have also improved a lot, especially in defence. It will be very important for us to beat the Irish team."

Laporte will field the side who were on duty for their 22-10 victory over Scotland last Saturday, even though Stade Toulousain's Clement Poitrenaud (ankle), David Auradou (thumb) and Pieter de Villiers (ankle) have been recalled after injury.

The France coach believes their strength is based on consistency of selection allied to experience.

"Our success comes from the group's stability," Laporte. "This is what we lacked in our first two games, especially with the absence of Galthie."

France have won their last seven games, including two Tests against South Africa and Australia in November.

"Since our victory against South Africa we have more or less used the same players," Laporte added.

"And the 22 that I name on Tuesday, when I announce the team, will be the the players most capable of living up expectations and winning the game and the Grand Slam."