FOR ALMOST a quarter of a century Ireland's rugby followers have travelled to Paris pondering on the possibilities of seeing an Ireland victory in Parc des Princes, and, conditioned by previous experiences, at times fearing the fate of the national side.

This afternoon Ireland will bid farewell to the stadium where victory has proved unattainable. The French Federation are moving their headquarters away from this Municipal ground. Not too many tears will be shed by the Irish at that, yet a fond farewell this time for Ireland would erase the memories of near misses and more recently heavy defeats. A win for Ireland would end a sequence of defeats against France that date back to 1986 and at this venue to 1974.

Two years previously Ireland played at Stade Colombes for the last time and that afternoon ended a frustrating 20 years wait for victory in Paris. So today the last hurrah at the Parc gives Ireland the chance to get back on the winning track after the disappointment of the performance and the manner of the defeat endured against Scotland.

But while Ireland went into that match with high hopes and weighed down by expectation they will carry no such burden this afternoon. Those shrewd men who lay the odds make France odds on favourites.

Ireland will be much more comfortable in the role of the outsider, and some of Ireland's greatest wins have, through the years been achieved against the improbable. In that regard one is reminded of a famous day against England in 1993.

Five members of the team in the Ireland jersey today shared in that win, including four members of the pack, the entire front row of Nick Popplewell, Terry Kingston and Peter Clohessy, and Paddy Johns then as now in the second row. The fifth man is Richard Wallace called in on Thursday to replace Simon Geoghegan.

The Ireland forwards set the tone and laid the foundations for that famous victory. They will need to rekindle that approach this afternoon, ruck in a similar manner and contest the line out with similar vigour and effect.

Scotland laid down some worthy precepts against the French a fortnight ago, the lessons have not barn lost on Ireland manager, Pat Whelan, coach Murray Kidd and his assistant John Mitchell.

The Ireland preparation has been intense and adapted to suit the needs of this occasion. Central to those needs will be the vital necessity that the pack plays infinitely better than they did against Scotland.

The concessions to that inept performance have been more pronounced amongst the backs than up front. But the changes that have been made in the pack have been aimed at bringing about a much more vibrant approach.

The front row survived, all the members of it know the verdict will be less lenient unless the performance this time is compatible with the vote of confidence. Johns has been moved from number eight to the second row and he and his partner, Gabriel Fulcher, together with their back row colleagues Jeremy Davidson, Victor Costello and David Corkery, must perform in the line out.

Likewise Kingston's throwing must hit the target. The French, as we know to our cost, can do immense damage in this area and there are none better at taking advantage of the loose tap back and at driving through gaps left in the line out.

The French selectors have not hesitated to make major alterations in their side after the defeat at Murrayfield.

Four changes in personnel and four positional alterations is their own commentary on the level of dissatisfaction. A notable casualty is second row Olivier Merle.

France have moved Abdelatif Benazzi from blind side flanker to second row to partner Olivier Roumat. Benazzi is versatile enough to make the move and feel comfortable in his new assignment and forms a formidable combination with Roumat.

The flank berth vacated by Benazzi goes to a new cap Richard Castel. The scrummaging, an area where Ireland cannot afford to give an inch was not deemed satisfactory against Scotland and here again the French have realigned the front row and brought in new cap, Franck Tournaire, at tight head and Christian Califano moves from tight to loose head.

If these changes suggest something of a gamble with players being switched around, it must be borne in mind that French players are extremely adaptable.

Ireland will go into the match with a basic policy of ruck and run, to do that they must win good set piece possession and they must win it regularly. Speed to the loose ball, a notable Scottish characteristic and one that disconcerted France a fortnight ago, will also be essential.

A lack of it was a notable England failing against the French a month ago and it was also lacking in Ireland's play against Scotland. It is questionable whether the Ireland pack has the capacity to match the French and win the possession and give the backs the opportunity to attack France. If they do, then Ireland's chances will be enhanced considerably.

Parc des Princes is a notoriously hostile environment for visiting sides and imposes its own demands on teams. This time Ireland must produce 80 minutes of tireless endeavour and concentration. Likewise the volatile French crowd can reveal impatience with their own players and French reaction to pressure is not always composed.

One of Ireland's major problems against France has been an inability to apply it in a really meaningful manner. A heavy price has also been paid through the years for defensive lapses and a loss of the essential concentration. That comes with belief and Ireland must have this to stand a chance of creating an upset.

The shadow of the Scots lay heavily over the selectorial deliberations of both Irish and French selectors. Ireland have brought in a new outside half in David Humphreys. It is a big test for the 24 year old. But he has revealed a great temperament when operating on the big occasion. He will need to show it again today and make the very best of the possession that comes his way. He will be partnered by Niall Hogan, who is recalled to the colours. His last international was against France in the World Cup. Likewise Niall Woods is recalled on the left wing and his last experience of the international occasion was also against France, 12 months ago.

Hogan is a very resolute and durable player and he and Humphrey's must make the very best of the possession that comes their way with Humphreys varying his game as effectively as he did for Ulster against New South Wales last week.

He is a good distributor and a good kicker and faced by a full back of the quality and counter attacking capacity of Jean Luc Sadourny, his tactical kicking must be well placed. He has quality outside him but one hopes that this afternoon Jonathan Bell will show a return to the form that marked him out as a quality player but which has deserted him this season.

His partner Kurt McQuilkin is not a player with great pace but he is very dependable in the middle of the field. The pace of Woods and Richard Wallace will be needed against the quality of Emille N'Tamack and Phillipe Saint Andre, two of the best finishers in the game.

Simon Geoghegan's rounded, skills could, however, be missed and Wallace must close quickly on Saint Andre. Jim Staples has the capacity to come into the line but his fielding and positional, sense can be fallible. He will not, be able to afford any lapses in either element today.

The French have moved Thierry Lacroix from outside half to centre in a switch with the youthful Thomas Castaignede and recalled Guy Accoceberry to scrum half. Ireland must try and disrupt and pressure this new combination in a vital area.

France have chosen to give a first cap to Olivier Campan, a man who plays at full back for his club Agen, and have named him, to partner Lacroix in the centre.

There certainly seems to be an element of a gamble in the composition of the French back line, but French backs are invariably quick and inventive.

The French are adept at applying early pressure and too often Irish sides have wilted under it. If that happens this afternoon, Ireland could struggle and their task will be difficult. One hopes, however, that referee Ed Morrison will be vigilant and strict in his application of the laws in the line out. Place kicking will as always be important and Ireland will have sharp memories of Lacroix's performance against them in that respect in the World Cup. Humphreys will undertake the task for Ireland today.

This batch presents Ireland with an immense challenge that few if any will favour Ireland to be able to meet. But equally this is also a fine opportunity for an Ireland team that looks to have considerable ability and potential that sadly lay dormant against Scotland.

For some members of the Ire land side with distinguished international records their performances today will decree their international futures. That is a considerable incentive with or without the win bonus of £1,000.

Ireland go into this match unburdened by expectation and as rank outsiders but have more than a faint hope.

Ireland have not scored a try in Paris since 1980, a truly remark able statistic. One hopes that will be erased today.