Laporte is well aware of Croke Park's history

It will be the first rugby union match to be played at the home of Gaelic sport, which holds 82,500 supporters.

Laporte said: "They will only face 15 Irishmen on the pitch.

"The game will be played in a stadium where the Irish rugby team wasn't allowed to play because of internal problems, their problems, not ours."

Croke Park normally plays host to Gaelic football and hurling and many have opposed using it for other sports.

SIX NATIONS BLOG It will be pressure-cooker stuff, and Ireland could inevitably suffer more than France BBC Northern Ireland's Jim Stokes More on our Six Nations blog

But the Gaelic Athletic Association has agreed for the stadium to be used for both rugby and football while Lansdowne Road is being rebuilt.

"We heard a lot of things about this stadium," said France skipper Raphael Ibanez.

"We understand it was the cradle of Irish sport, the heart of Ireland in a way. An historic challenge is awaiting us at Croke Park.

"It will be a fantastic experience and that's why we are going there with our heads held high.

"We shall not be there to be one of the party, we'll be there to defend our flag, our virtues."

Full-back Clement Poitrenaud added: "We know the fervour of the Irish supporters.

"In front of more than 80,000 people, in a new stadium and in an historic context, the game should be played in an even more highly-charged atmosphere.