France coach Bernard Laporte has urged a doubting French public to follow the example set by Ireland's loyal supporters and get behind his team in the Six Nations.

Les Bleus, who beat Italy 39-3 in their tournament opener, go into the historic match against Ireland in Croke Park on Sunday knowing a win would put them in the box-seat with three more games left.

Laporte has had to battle against a media and a public in his country that are suspicious of his approach and tactics, especially the idea of rotating his players for each game, in preparation for the World Cup in France.

He, however, is confident his team is on the right track, and reckons the kind of fervent backing Irish fans give their side would not go amiss in France.

"I am only hearing people speak about (Brian) O'Driscoll and (Gordon) D'Arcy," said Laporte ahead of the news that the Irish captain will not feature in the game at GAA headquarters.

"The Irish have an excellent team, they are favourites, very good. But I would like it if the French also talk about their players.

"The Irish public really get behind their team. In France, at the moment, it is completely the opposite.

"They haven't beaten us since 2003. That means my players cannot be that bad."

Laporte has vowed to give each player in his party, which because of injuries is now 39 strong, at least one game in the Six Nations so they can prove themselves ahead of the selection in the summer of France's 30-man World Cup squad.

Despite the solid display against Italy in Rome last weekend, Laporte made five changes to his team, three in the pack and two in his back-line.

The outlook now looks a lot better compared to two months ago, when his team were twice convincingly beaten at home by New Zealand in the November internationals.

Naturally the win over Italy has not changed much. "The Italians and the All Blacks, they aren't the same opposition," said Laporte. "The match in Italy was satisfactory but that doesn't mean if we were to play the All Blacks now, we would be better. We have to be conscious of that.

"Ireland, it is true, are a bigger test."

Lock Pascal Pape is one of the players who has been brought in by Laporte for this weekend's game. He replaces Jerome Thion, who is nursing a slight ankle injury, and will partner Castres teammate Lionel Nallet in the second row.

He is one of the beneficiaries of Laporte's squad rotation, and he naturally welcomes the approach.

"It is good for each player," he said. "You can't rest on your laurels.

On the task awaiting his side at what is sure to be an intimidating Croke Park, 14-cap Pape added: "Ireland are on an upward curve and are making great progress.

"But we have the opportunity of playing a great match in what will be a peculiar environment.

"To win in Ireland, it will need 22 determined guys."