France Vs Ireland Second Leg Preview

The Republic of Ireland are in Paris and are all set for what is now the most important game this team will have played in years. Nicholas Anelka broke Irish hearts in Croke Park on Saturday when his shot deflected off Sean St Ledgers left buttock to give France a much needed advantage heading into the second leg in the Stade De Frence tomorrow night. Any worries Irish fans had here of not being able to watch the game were pushed away when RTE announced this morning, they had won the war on rights and will be broadcasting the match on radio, online and on television.

Damien Duff knows beating France on their own park to clinch a trip to next summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa would represent a massive achievement. When he was asked if it would be the nation’s greatest result despite being a goal down Duff replied: “without doubt” He added “We have taken an awful lot of positives out of Saturday. Other people may not have but we think we can go there and do it.’ Duff, who is in line to win his 80th  international cap , is one of the men in the current squad who played at the 2002 finals in the Japan.

Off the field, France midfielder Lassana Diarra has accused the Republic of Ireland’s players of ‘making up stories’ following an altercation at the end of the end of the game on Saturday. Ireland’s  Keith Andrews claimed Diarra had insulted the Irish  in a foul-mouthed rant at his team-mates – a claim he says are all lies  French defender Patrice Evra admitted the events after the match would ensure that tomorrow night’s encounter will have all players fired up.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.