O'Sullivan's Ireland 'retain belief'

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan insists his side's self-belief remains intact as they complete final preparations ahead of their clash with France in the RBS Six Nations.

Critics have speculated that a heavy defeat in Paris on Saturday would render O'Sullivan's position untenable.

The Irish have triumphed only once in the French capital since 1972 with the 27-25 upset in 2000 - inspired by Brian O'Driscoll's stunning hat-trick.

And Marc Lievremont's side, gunning for a hat-trick of Six Nations titles, are heavy favourites to extend their superiority when the rivals collide at the Stade de France.

Seven disappointing Test displays of varying degrees of ineptitude dating back to August's World Cup warm-up games have thrust O'Sullivan into the firing line.

But the 49-year-old has confronted the most challenging period of his six-year tenure steeled by the conviction that he can guide Ireland out of their slump.

He said: "My self-belief hasn't wavered. Of course when things don't go well you want to address and fix them. That's the job."

Lievremont has made four changes to the pack that helped Les Bleus to a 27-6 victory over Scotland with Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Arnaud Mela and Julien Bonnaire starting.

He has also chosen the unfancied David Skrela ahead of Francois Trinh-Duc at fly-half, but O'Sullivan insists France have not been weakened by their coach's tinkering.

"France have a strong squad so it doesn't really make difference what team they pick," added O'Sullivan.

"The changes won't alter the way they want to play the game and won't affect their confidence.

"The danger for us is to read too much into what France are doing. We need to focus on our own team and game instead.

"I'm sure there's a logic to what France have done but we shouldn't delve too far into trying to understand it. We need to play what's in front of us."

Meanwhile in the day's other clash, Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips is ready to unleash two years' of pent-up frustration after being selected ahead of arch-rival Dwayne Peel to face Scotland.

Phillips has been rewarded for his performance in the win over England by retaining the number nine jersey for Saturday's clash with Scotland, restricting the fit-again Peel to a place on the bench.

"I am enjoying it much more," said Phillips, who scored the winning try last weekend as Wales won at Twickenham for the first time since 1988.

"I feel much more part of the squad now and that has given me a lot more confidence."

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