Ireland v France: Cian Healy wants Ireland to get into winning habit

LEINSTER prop Cian Healy insists Ireland are desperate to topple France at the Aviva Stadium today, even though there is nothing riding on the game.

The 19-12 loss in Bordeaux last Saturday will be fresh in the memory when Ireland host their rivals in the second of their two meetings arranged in preparation for the World Cup.

Having lost both of warm-up games to date, good performances are required against France and England, who visit Dublin a week later, to establish some momentum for New Zealand. Balancing the benefits of a confidence-boosting victory over strong opposition is the pressing need for key players Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Stephen Ferris to be restored to match fitness after injuries. While Healy concedes there is nothing tangible on the line, he stresses winning remains imperative. "This the same as any game. It doesn't matter if it's just before the World Cup or at the end of the season, you still want to win it," he said.