O'Driscoll: Ready for French test

O'Driscoll has identified the breakdown as being the key battleground for the World Cup in New Zealand, which begins on September 9.

Ireland's build-up for the tournament continues with their trip to Bordeaux in the first of a double header against Les Bleus.

O'Driscoll is braced for a challenging contest but believes the game will provide an ideal workout as the countdown to the World Cup continues.

"On Saturday we'll get exactly what we always do from French teams," he said.

"They are very physical and when they get that front foot ball they're a very difficult team to contain.

"A lot of it will be about trying to be physical. A big aspect of this World Cup and the warm-up games will be the breakdown.

"It will be about who wins the collisions and who gets quick ruck ball because that's the be-all and end-all of the game these days.

"If you create quick ruck ball defences don't have time to realign, which is how you score tries and get line breaks.

"There will be an onus on all sides to get the breakdown work spot on."

Ireland face a busy schedule in August, with four internationals and a fifth game against Connacht, while some players will also be freed to turn out in pre-season matches for their provinces.

The hectic warm-up to the World Cup is in response to 2007 when the team arrived in France undercooked - having played just the two warm-up internationals - and paid the price with an embarrassing group exit.

"These games are very important. It was well documented that we weren't match hardened four years ago," said O'Driscoll.

"As a result of that we stumbled in the first few games. We want to make sure we are raring to go when we take on the USA in the first game.

"Everyone in the 30 will need some pitch time so that they're ready to be called up if need be."