Raphael Ibanez claims the Aviva Stadium is no longer 'hell' to France - but fears a big home crowd reaction for Saturday's high-stakes Six Nations clash (2.15pm).
The meeting of the world's top ranked teams - Ireland are first, France second - is seen by many as a potential Grand Slam decider.
Les Bleus have arrived in Dublin on the back of a 14-match unbeaten run and are defending champions.
But Ireland have their sights on yet another big scalp having taken out New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Wales since November.
They have also won 13 games on the spin at the Lansdowne Road venue and 18 out of the last 19 - and Andy Farrell and his players are expecting a massive reaction from the home supporters.
"I don't believe Lansdowne Road is hell," said Ibanez, the former France star who is now the squad's general manager.
"It's not far off hell - but it's not far off paradise either.
"It's true the first feeing I have about it is the old one - a stadium which in my eyes had an air of the end of the world about it with the spectators on their feet behind the posts, their constant chanting of popular songs.
"Since then they have refurbished it and maybe it is a little bit more cosy.
"I see a relationship though like its old self of encouraging the Irish fans to be as enthusiastic as possible and transfer this energy into the team. We'll see."
Ibanez claims Johnny Sexton's efforts will be the key to success or failure for Ireland.
Andy Farrell's hopefuls haven't beaten Les Bleus in the last three attempts but Sexton, 37, was missing for the last couple and the captain made a winning comeback from injury against Wales last week.
"He's the key," said Ibanez. "He's a quality player of course, he has so much control of a game. He could be like a player coach, I think.
"We spent a lot of time obviously analysing the game against Wales. We know that they're very proud of their fitness and athleticism, their physicality as well and their tactics.
"This is why they deserve their current position in the world rankings. They will be ready but we will be ready, too."
France skipper Antoine Dupont believes his team are prepared to deal with the kind of early Ireland onslaught that Wales couldn't live with in Cardiff a week ago.
"The pressure is rising as we know what is at stake in this match," said Dupont yesterday.
"We have evolved together over the past few years as a team and we have already experienced difficult moments under pressure.
"Sometimes we were favourites, sometimes they thought we were the underdogs.
"It is imperative that all those experiences strengthen us, that we are ready and we do not lose sight of our ultimate goal, winning the match."
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