Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has challenged his players to turn Croke Park into a "coliseum" that intimidates the opposition.

The stadium will host its first rugby international on Sunday when Ireland meet France in a potentially epic clash that will shape the RBS 6 Nations title race.

With double the capacity of Lansdowne Road, which has been closed for redevelopment, O'Sullivan is sure the Gaelic Athletic Association-owned venue will prove inspirational.

He said: "Playing at Croke Park will be a big boost because there will be a lot of excitement, a lot of expectation and a lot of hype around.

"We've always had that at Lansdowne Road but there's that bit extra edge there this weekend.

"It's the first rugby game at Croke Park and that will heighten the intensity. There will be 82,300 voices, most of them cheering for Ireland for a change.

"Usually, when we go to the big stadiums in Paris or London most of the crowd are cheering for the opposition.

We'll take France with a four point start on the handicap with betterbet.com at 10/11.