As one might expect from a Giovanni Trapattoni-led side, Ireland’s main strength through qualifying was their defence. Conceding just eight goals in ten games, they remained unbeaten, but crucially drew six of those games and wasted decent opportunities to win their home and away clashes with both Italy and Bulgaria. Nevertheless, attaining second-place in the group was a decent achievement for the Irish who have not qualified for a major tournament since 2002 and whose squad is short of world-class performers. Doubtless relishing the role of underdogs, the home side are expected to have most of their regular starters fit and available for Saturday’s Croke Park clash, with Damien Duff the latest to prove his fitness after shrugging off a hamstring problem. Trappatoni has resisted calls to include enigmatic midfielder Andy Reid who has been in sparkling form for club side Sunderland and there is also no place in the squad for Blackburn’s Steven Reid who has only recently returned from long-term injury.

Beleaguered France boss Raymond Domenech, meanwhile, is keenly aware that should France slip up and fail to qualify, he will be seeking alternative employment with immediate effect. He will have to make do without the services of Gael Clichy and Franck Ribery, however, both of whom are injured and he has opted not to offer an international lifeline to Patrick Vieira who has been struggling for game time at Inter Milan. Two uncapped players come into the squad in the form of Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso and Lyon defender Aly Cissokho. France have an embarrassment of riches in terms of attacking flair, with the likes of Thierry Henry, Karim Benzema, Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Sidney Govou all vying for a place in the starting eleven, but Domenech failed to successfully harness that talent during qualifying as France were beaten to top spot by unfancied Serbia.

All the pressure, therefore, is on the visitors and that is not something that they have coped well with in recent times. This workmanlike Ireland side will provide a stern test for the fragile French and roared on by a capacity crowd at Croke Park, they may be able to snatch a draw and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Prediction: Ireland 1-1 France