McGrath: Discipline 'top of the list' for Ireland

Jack McGrath has put discipline "top of the list" when it comes to ensuring Ireland can win what is likely to be a close-fought battle against France in their RBS 6 Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow (KO 5pm).

McGrath put in an impressive performance in last weekend's opening 26-3 Six Nations win over Italy in Rome, but France will be a very different proposition despite only beating Scotland 15-8 in Paris.

The question hanging over the French is usually which team will turn up – the hungry or the disinterested? The united or the fragmented?

However, recent history shows this clash normally rests on a knife-edge. The last three games have coughed up two draws and an arm wrestle in Paris last year when Ireland pipped Philippe Saint-André's men 22-20 in Paris.

So form would dictate it's likely to be a kick of the ball between the two sides at the Aviva, or maybe the slightest slip in concentration will be the moment that defines the 80 minutes.

"I think discipline is massive for us this weekend," McGrath told RTÉ Sport.

"Last weekend I think we let ourselves down in a few areas and we weren't punished.

"If we're ill-disciplined in the same areas we will be punished because they've top quality kickers and top quality maul and they can punish us.

"Over the last few seasons the matches have been one-score games so definitely discipline is on the top of our list for things to look after."

McGrath believes if Ireland can get on top or build up a lead, the worst thing to do against the French would be contain them and take the foot off the pedal.

"They are a very dangerous team," reiterated McGrath.

"We have to be aware if we have them on the back foot, we have to keep going after them because otherwise they are just going to attack and make a line-break out of nowhere and make an offload and show that French flair they've shown during the years."

Warming the Ireland bench tomorrow will be McGrath's fellow Leinster prop Cian Healy, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since September.

Though delighted at Healy's return, McGrath admits his presence puts added pressure on keeping the coveted green jersey.

"Obviously him coming back in is a pressure to perform this weekend and put my hand up for selection for the next couple of games," admitted the 25-year-old.

"There's a certain area of looking at guys who are coming back in and knowing you have to perform or you're out. But also you've got to have your own plan in what you want to do [in the match itself].

"It's great to have a guy of his quality there as well, so both of us can swap and change.

"We'd like to think there's little or no drop off when the other one comes onto the pitch.

"So there's confidence there you can give a good 50 or 60 minute performance and the other guy is coming on and playing really well and putting pressure on you to perform.

"But there's also pressure to perform especially with the team we're coming up against.

"It's a step up from last weekend [against Italy]. We know we have to improve in certain areas and its going to be a massive test for us."

McGrath has a formidable opponent at tight-head in the form of Stade Francais prop Rabah Slimani, however, he is undaunted by the prospect.

"Slimani is a pretty strong operator. I've played against him a couple of times. I was up against in the last game over there in France and he's a pretty tough operator.

"He's doing really well in the Top 14 for Stade.

"For me though it's about getting my own job right. Going in with confidence and focussing on the job at hand."

That job for McGrath will be, first, ensuring Ireland get over the winning line and only then, hoping it is him pulling on the No. 1 jersey when Ireland square-up to England in Dublin on 1 March.

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