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Ireland face France, who thrashed Namibia 87-10, in a daunting Pool D encounter the hosts must win if they are to qualify for the quarter-finals and defeat to Les Bleus would probably leave Brian O'Driscoll's side requiring a bonus-point victory against Argentina to progress further in the competition.

"It's a big week that's for sure, although I'm not sure if it's my biggest week," said O'Sullivan. "Once France had lost to Argentina, Friday was always going to be a pivotal match in the group."

He added: "The way we have been playing I understand why people are saying that we are in a crisis.

"We know our standard has to go way up. We know what is needed to compete at this level.

"We have competed well at this level in the past. But our first two performances in the tournament were nowhere near that.

"We know that's the benchmark we must reach. There's no hiding from that. We know if we play poorly we'll get well beaten.

"And I know what it's like to play badly in Paris. We know what the challenge is this week."