Hitherto, there was no rugby at Croke Park. The Gaelic Athletic Association's rule 42 ensured that, as it was an English game, it would not be played there. It was in the days of sectarianism and Irish-English antipathy.

The decision to allow rugby into the GAA's sanctuary was not without acrimony and debate, but it seems that well over 60 per cent of the GAA committee believes that now is the time to cast off the divisions of the past - with rugby, a sport that has always bridged the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland divide, the perfect sport to help usher in the harmony.

What a pair of games they have chosen too. Politically and historically, the England match in a fortnight's time will be the more significant occasion with all the history between the two countries buried behind it. But in rugby terms, this match against France is the bigger of the two. Probably.

It is a likely Grand Slam decider. The teams occupy spots two (France) and four (Ireland) in the IRB rankings, but given Ireland's annihilation of third-placed Australia in November, that gap is less large than the IRB would have you believe. Either way, the two are the best teams in Europe, and the two most likely to give New Zealand a scare in the Rugby World Cup in September/October.

The two also go head-to-head in the Pool stage of the World Cup. It is tempting to say that the winner would get an easier path through to the final and the loser would have to face the All Blacks in the quarter-final, but Argentina are in that Pool as well. The loser there, as here on Sunday, may well end up with nothing.

Ireland revealed last week that they have both the polished and clinical aptitude to closing out games, and that touch of luck that all great teams need on their side. They didn't have the bulk of the possession against Wales, but they scored three tries and conceded none.

At key moments, such as the charged down kick that led to the first try, and Ronan O'Gara's spot of James Hook's hesitation, Ireland proved themselves mentally to be the stronger. At others - such as the referee's decision not to award a penalty for Simon Easterby's early tackle on Chris Czekaj - Ireland simply rode their luck and built on it.

The lads from the Emerald Isle, many of whom have been a part of this team for a good three years, may never have a better chance of sweeping the board, but France have proved a bogey team down the years - twice in the last three years the French have prevented the Irish from taking a Grand Slam.

Certainly it often seems that France have too much flair for Ireland at the crucial moment, but Ireland are now not the percentage team they used to be.

Under Bernard Laporte, France have become more of a percentage team than they used to be, and it hasn't always been for the best. The French endured a miserable November, twice being dismantled by the All Blacks before stumbling to defeat against Argentina, and looked tired and uninspired throughout.

But against Italy, those percentages were high again. Pierre Mignoni brought back a little inspiration to balance out the hard-nosed graft of the forwards, who went about their own task with much more enthusiasm than they did three months ago. There is no doubting the talent outside Mignoni, nor now should there be much doubt about David Skréla's ability to run a game.

But there is a doubt about the defence, which was barely tested against Italy. Looking lively is one thing when on the front foot the whole time, looking lively in the face of a local onslaught is quite a different kettle of fish. Bernard Laporte has already lamented the signs of fatigue in his players, and the slumped shoulders of the tired players in November is also an image to bear in mind.

In form France might be, but whether they will withstand a sustained battery from the fresher Ireland players is debatable. It could be here more than anywhere else, where Ireland find enough of an edge to clinch their precious victory.

So, with both teams in fine form, both finding the right mixes and the right calls at the right times, Sunday's match is all set up. 82,000 people are about to welcome rugby at its very highest level to Croke Park. Ireland's call may never be louder again, but it should be answered.

Ones to watch:

For Ireland: I could say do not take your eyes off Shane Horgan, but the giant winger is hard to miss anyway. He will pop up in the centre, on the short side, on the far side under kicks and on the burst, and he will pop down, so to speak, in most backline tackles. An integral part of Ireland's attacking arsenal is back in place.

For France: 'Sea-bass' is back! Sébastian Chabal has finally stepped up to the mark in the blue of France as well as the blue of Sale, but having quashed the Italian resistance, he now faces taking another step up in the face of messrs Leamy, Wallace and Easterby.

Head to head: The contest in the front row will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this contest. It is Ireland's achilles heel, and France have just the trio to exploit that on their day. Sylvain Marconnet will want to mark his record-breaking 70th cap with a grand performance in a probable Grand Slam decider.

Prediction: Ireland have finally found the little bit extra to propel themselves beyond merely being courageous runners-up this year. This match will decide the tournament, and Ireland will, finally, win it. Ireland by two points.

Recent results:

1996: France won 45-10 in Paris
1997: France won 32-15 in Dublin
1998: France won 18-16 in Paris
1999: France won 10-9 in Dublin
2000: Ireland won 27-25 in Paris
2001: Ireland won 22-15 in Dublin
2002: France won 44-5 in Paris
2003: Ireland won 15-12 in Dublin
2003: France won 43-21 in Melbourne
2004: France won 35-17 in Paris
2005: France won 26-19 in Dublin
2006: France won 43-31 in Paris

The teams:

Ireland: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 A.N. Other, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Denis Hickie, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 A.N. Other, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Rory Best, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Simon Best, 18 Mick O'Driscoll, 19 Neil Best or Jamie Heaslip, 20 Isaac Boss or Eoin Reddan, 21 Paddy Wallace, 22 Geordan Murphy or Andrew Trimble.

France: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 David Marty, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Christophe Dominici, 10 David Skréla, 9 Pierre Mignoni, 8 Sebastian Chabal, 7 Imañol Harinordoquy, 6 Serge Betsen, 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Pieter de Villiers, 2 Raphaël Ibañez (captain), 1 Sylvain Marconnet.
Replacements: 16 Yannick Bru, 17 Olivier Milloud, 18 Jérôme Thion, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Dimitri Yachvili, 21 Lionel Beauxis, 22 Cédric Heymans.

Date: Sunday, February 11
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Weather: Sunny, little wind, 8°C - about as perfect as you can get!
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
Television match official: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)

By Danny Stephens