Brian O'Driscoll insists winning isn't the "be all and end all" for Ireland after suffering defeats to Scotland and France.
Kidney able to recall big guns, Ferris passed fit to be on the bench
Brian O'Driscoll insists Ireland are not concerned about results as they continue their preparations for the World Cup.
Centre O'Driscoll will make his first appearance of the summer in Saturday's clash with France at Aviva Stadium, Ireland's third warm-up match ahead of the upcoming tournament in New Zealand.
So far they have been beaten by both Scotland and Les Bleus, who ran out 19-12 victors at at Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux last Saturday.
However, Ireland's returning skipper insists another defeat would not cause panic in the camp.
"Winning is important but isn't the be all and end all. It's also about getting game time and getting up to speed," he said.
"If we didn't win a warm-up game it wouldn't be ideal, but it's not the World Cup right now.
"The World Cup is in three weeks' time. Let's focus on getting the best possible performance.
"We're going into the game with the attitude of we really want to win this game, so let's see what happens.
"There's definitely an onus on trying to win the game but because some guys will be making their first start, it's essentially about playing your way into the season.
"We'll try to get the performance that will take care of the result.
"It's about making sure we have the right mentality for the weekend. Our intensity and physicality need to be right."
Timely boost
As well as O'Driscoll, Ireland coach Declan Kidney is also able to recall Gordon D'Arcy, who will be in action for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery in May, Paul O'Connell and Jamie Heaslip.
There is also a further boost with back-rower Stephen Ferris being passed fit for bench duty following a seven-month battle with a knee problem.
"The only injuries involving Stephen now are the people he's been bumping into," said Kidney.
O'Driscoll is ready to hurl himself into the fray at Lansdowne Road against France, though does not expect to hit his stride immediately.
"Although I haven't been able to do a huge amount of contact during this pre-season, I've put myself in a position to make sure I'm doing everything up to that contact point," he said.
"I've been working on things like footwork and being in the right place at ruck time.
"For me I like to be up to speed after three games, but I'll feel an awful lot better after getting 80 minutes under my belt this weekend."
Rob Kearney has been ruled out for one week because of a groin strain, so Felix Jones makes his first start at full-back. Winger Tommy Bowe faces another week on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.
Tomas O'Leary and Jonathan Sexton have been recalled to the half-back positions after sitting out the away defeat to France.
