Thursday 20th September 2007
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan claims his troops are ready to avenge their recent Six Nations defeat to France when the main Pool D rivals meet in Paris on Friday night.
The two European heavyweights face off in the group stage's biggest match with the losers likely to tumble out of the World Cup, although Ireland would retain a slight glimmer of hope against Argentina.
Hosts France have triumphed in the previous five meetings between the teams, including February's 20-17 injury-time victory at Croke Park.
But O'Sullivan insists Ireland have taken heart from that match as they seek to end the hosts' World Cup just two weeks into the tournament.
"We knew in the aftermath of Croke Park that we would have this chance to put that defeat right," he said.
"Croke Park has been at the back of our minds ever since that match.
"It's a real motivation for us to know we had the beating of a French team in a big pressure situation, only to let it slip.
"Now more than ever we're determined not to let that happen. That goes into the pot."
Ireland have made a dismal start to the World Cup with lamentable victories over Namibia and Georgia making a mockery of hopes they would make an impact.
But despite nearly two weeks of incessant criticism, there appears to be genuine belief within the Irish camp they can upset the 1-7 favourites.
"The high-risk game we played in the autumn and Six Nations we tried to replicate here," said O'Sullivan.
"But we were shy of match practice and made lots of errors. That didn't help our confidence.
"But when you step back from the game you realise it's very fixable.
"We knew we had to score points against the smaller side and that created its own pressure, which forced more mistakes and the whole thing became a vicious circle.
"Tomorrow is different because we know France, we play them every year and have been to the Stade de France.
"We know them and they know us. In some ways that will have settled the mind. We didn't know much about Namibia and Georgia.
"We know what we are facing against France so they're much easier to prepare for."
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