Caelan Doris is expecting another "unbelievable atmosphere" for the next chapter of Ireland v France but insists cool heads will prevail with so much at stake.
Ireland top the Guinness Six Nations table after three rounds, three points ahead of Les Bleus, who have a significant, practically insurmountable, points-difference advantage if it goes down to the final weekend.
Should France beat Ireland for the first time in the last three games tomorrow (2.15pm), they will host Scotland will the destiny of the title in their own hands in round five.
Ireland, on the other hand, would then have to beat Italy in Rome and hope for an upset in Paris.
If Ireland avoid defeat, it would put Simon Easterby's men in pole position to claim an unprecedented third championship in a row, while England could come into the reckoning depending on certain unlikely results.
That brings into play the scenario where Ireland could forgo Grand Slam shot to stay ahead in the championship race.
Asked about taking a late kick for a draw in the midst of what could be a chaotic finale, Doris says all permutations have been discussed.
"Your aim is obviously to win but yeah, you have to have an awareness of those things as well, that there's different permutations, that if the game isn't going how we want it to, we need to leave ourselves in the best possible place for next week, regardless.
"So yes, it's been touched on."
France, runners up four times in the last five seasons are determined to add to their 2022 title, and number 8 Doris is bracing for the best Les Bleus have to offer.
"We're very much aware of the threat they pose and the quality they've got individually but what they can do collectively as well," he said speaking after the captain's run at Aviva Stadium, which everyone cam through.
"We've seen that with some of the scorelines they've put down against some other quality teams, and we've experienced it firsthand as well a number of times too so we're definitely aware that we're going to need to be at our best.
"But there's excitement to go there and to have our best performance yet.
"Some of the fixtures against France in the past are up there with my favourite games that I've been involved in.
"Marseille last year was a special venue to play in, very cool. Thinking back to the Aviva in '23, unbelievable atmosphere, very good game, one of the highest ball-in-play times that we've had.
"It's two teams with an attacking mindset and attacking desire so hopefully it will make for a good watch."
France captain Antoine Dupont missed the Six Nations last season after switching to Sevens for the Olympics and Doris knows keeping the scrum-half quite is half the battle.
"We've got to stay connected on him," said the 26-year-old Leinster man.
"We're definitely aware of what he's done, both from provincial level playing against him with Leinster but also, like, he's the best in the world, isn't he and some of the stuff he's capable of, pulling a rabbit out a hat.
"We are going to have to do our best to nullify him but it's definitely a big challenge."
After missing the nervy victory in Cardiff with a knee injury picked up in the Scotland game in round two, Doris spoke about his determination to return for what is a de facto title decider.
"It's been a good number of weeks," Doris (above) said ahead of winning his 50th cap.
"I'm very grateful to the medical staff, a very hands-on approach from them over the last number of weeks.
"I've gotten quite a few runs in and good progression in each run and then trained fully this week so happy with where it's at. I don't think it will hold me back tomorrow, hopefully.
"[Recovery time] varies quite a bit with the injury I had and the fact I was quite functional from early on meant I could get on top of the rehab quite early.
"I knew how much this game meant for us so I was very determined as were all the staff to get me back for it so it was all hands on deck."
Doris, Finlay Bealham and Jack Conan are set for a half century of Ireland caps, while it will be the final home game for retiring internationals Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy.
The Mayo native is expecting a raucous atmosphere.
"It's definitely an added edge it gives us," he said.
"Some of the biggest games, I think when there's an awareness from the public that it's going to be a big game, the atmosphere in here is always quite a bit better and the crowd definitely buy into it a lot more.
"You saw that with England this year, you've seen it with France two years ago, some of the bigger games where everything is on the line, the crowd really come in and play a big factor in it and give us the extra few percent that we need."
