Fifa ranking: 34
Manager: Giovanni Trapattoni (Italy, 70)
World Cup finals: 1990 (quarter-final), 1994 (2nd round), 2002 (2nd round)
Star player: Robbie Keane.
Chances: Trapatonni has performed wonders to get Ireland this far but the draw has been cruel. Ireland were unbeaten in the qualifiers but scored only 12 goals – Italy, Bulgaria and even Cyprus scored more.
Losing Liam Miller and Shane Long will not help their cause, but a two goal lead in Dublin may be necessary.
FranceFifa ranking: 9
Manager: Raymond Domenech (France, 57)
World Cup finals: 1930 (1st round), 1934 (1st round), 1938 (quarter-final), 1954 (1st round), 1958 (3rd), 1966 (1st round), 1978 (1st round), 1982 (4th), 1998 (winners), 2002 (1st round), 2006 (beaten finalists)
Star player: Nicolas Anelka.
Chances: Domenech is not popular in France and failure against the Irish will end his reign. Missing the injured Arsenal defender Gaël Clichy and Bayern Bunich midfielder Franck Ribery will not help his cause.
The feeling in France is that Domenech has failed to take advantage of world class players.
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