Conor Murray has no doubt Aviva Stadium will be "hopping" for Ireland v France, even if the blockbuster clash has been given matinee status.
Ireland could be crowned Guinness Six Nations champions with a game to spare, although Simon Easterby's side would have to beat France convincingly and then rely on Italy beating England on Sunday. However, the race is set to go down to the wire on Super Saturday on 15 March.
That makes this weekend’s tie, which kicks off at 2.15pm, a de facto final.
The atmosphere for some Ireland games at the Lansdowne Road venue has been the subject of much debate over the years, with frustration voiced about disengaged fans and noticeable in-match lulls.
The teams played out a classic in Dublin two years ago, with Ireland prevailing 32-19, however, for certain periods during the game, it was the travelling French fans who outsung their hosts.
"It is such a big game and everyone knows what’s riding on it.
"I don’t think the kick-off time has any bearing on the atmosphere. You know by the end of the warm-up what the vibe will be like.
"This game is as big as it gets.
"That’s part of the connection the fans over the years. They know their rugby well.
"They know how much is on the line and it will be hopping. It will be right up there."
Murray, alongside Cian Healy and Peter O'Mahony, announced they will retire from Test rugby after the championship.
"It will be emotional and my genuine overriding feeling is happiness and gratitude," said the 35-year-old, who has won 123 Ireland caps and eight for the Lions.
"I'm not just throwing those words out there. I've played for Ireland a good few times and been very lucky.
"Yeah, when the anthems are on and things like that, you'll get a bit emotional but it would be different if it was a dead rubber.
"This is France at home and we're in a good position.
"It's going to be a hell of a Test match and getting too emotional, you'll just get in your own way and it will be too much."
Meanwhile, France number 8 Gregory Alldritt (above), who sat out training on Wednesday due to a groin issue, says they are determined not to add another 'second-place' finish to their tally.
The visitors won the championship in 2022 but have been runners-up four other times under Fabien Galthie.
"We have finished runners-up in the championship four times, we do not wish it to be five times it is that above all else that fires us up," said the 27-year-old.
"Whether it is Ireland or Scotland, it is for us to raise our standards:
"The Irish have been a bit less dominant than they were, but, having said that, they are still on course for the Grand Slam.
"Sometimes they have been less flamboyant this campaign, but they have so far managed to get their noses in front on the line.
Ireland have beaten England, Scotland and Wales, while France have recorded big wins over Wales and Italy either side of a shock loss to England.
La Rochelle captain Alldritt, who expects to be fit for selection, added: "Where [Ireland] are dangerous is that they are consistent from the first to the 80th minute.
"It is for sure tiring physically because they play with the ball a lot, but they are above all exhausting mentally, because they exploit everything, whether a slip of concentration, a bad decision taken by us, the slightest error we make."
