France coach Bernard Laporte believes that his team will have a tough task on their hands to avenge the defeat at the hands of Ireland two years ago when the sides do battle in this year's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The Irish claimed victory last time out at Lansdowne Road when a controversial try from Brian O'Driscoll proved decisive.

Eddie O'Sullivan's side are currently top of the Six Nations points table with two wins from two games and Laporte believes the clash could be pivotal in deciding the destiny of the title.

"It's a crucial game for both sides because Ireland are still in the running for the Grand Slam.

"Ireland have really improved over the past couple of years and having won four games in a row it will be a very important game for them.

"By losing to England we pretty much lost the chance to win the championship but we have another chance to win on Saturday

"The best team won on that day. Even though we scored three tries we made too many fouls. It was a very good match in terms of intensity but we made a lot of mistakes and conceded a lot of penalties.

"As far as Saturday goes I think it is important we continue to play in the French spirit and score a maximum number of tries. From what I saw against England we have to improve our first-phase game.

"We have to find the right balance between being inspiring and not giving too many points away to the opposition.

"With the World Cup coming up there is the temptation to experiment a bit but I think in the Six Nations you have to pick your best players because the standard is so high now.

"But there are some players in the French A team that we would be looking to when the World Cup comes around."

Laporte believes Les Bleus' current line-up is stronger than that which won last season's Six Nations, despite their mixed start to the new campaign.

"Even though we lost to England I think we improved our rugby compared to last year and I was happy with certain aspects of our performance.

"I know we are a bit inexperienced in the back. But there is a lot of talent there and they are young and hungry."