Thread: Ireland v France

Can't wait for this, will be a cracking day. fa sho.

2-0 Ireland. A goal midway through the second half, then another in the last few seconds after catching the snail munchers on the break.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has delayed finalising his team for Saturday's World Cup play-off first leg against France at Croke Park.

Trapattoni has named 10 of his starting line-up but has yet to decide whether Liam Lawrence or Aiden McGeady will fill the second midfield flank role.

Damien Duff is named in the team after overcoming an Achilles injury.

Jeremy Toulanan appears to be a major injury doubt for France who are already without Franck Ribery and Gael Clichy.

Lawrence was preferred to Stephen Hunt for last month's game against Italy.

The Republic's training formation on Thursday suggested that the Stoke player would start again on Saturday ahead of McGeady.

However, Trapattoni said on Friday afternoon that he had yet to make up his mind on the issue.

For the French, Toulalan has a groin injury and his club coach Claude Puel has said that the player would not have been risked if Lyon had been in action this weekend.

The Lyon player resumed light training on Friday after missing Thursday's session but a French Federation statement indicated that he remained doubtful for Saturday's game.

Andre-Pierre Gignac took a full part in training after picking up a knock on Thursday while Lassana Diarra is also fit after his late arrival from Real Madrid.


606: DEBATE
France are a mess, the manager is a joke and the fans don't believe either

corzellian
Striker Gignac has been playing up front alongside Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry in the bulk of France's recent fixtures.

He is expected to start again at Croke Park with Karim Benzema having to be content with a place in the substitutes.

Like the Republic, the French side has had a settled look in recent games.

Hugo Lloris is again expected to start in goal with Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Eric Abidal and Patrice Evra operating in defence.

If fit, Toulanan is expected to be joined by Diarra and Yoann Gourcuff in midfield.

Trapattoni's Irish line-up largely picked itself with the only apparent selection issue over whether Lawrence, McGeady or Hunt were handed one of the midfield flank roles.

Lawrence appears to be the man in possession of the shirt with his willingness to track back when the Republic are not in possession also impressing Trapattoni.

Sean St Ledger and Richard Dunne are now an established central defensive partnership for Trapattoni with John O'Shea operating at right-back and Kevin Kilbane on the other defensive flank.

Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews start in central midfield with Duff on one of the flanks and Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle up front.



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Republic of Ireland team: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Kilbane, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, Lawrence or McGeady, Keane, Doyle.

France squad: Carrasso (Bordeaux), Lloris (Lyon), Mandanda (Marseille), Abidal (Barcelona), Cissokho (Lyon), Escude (Sevilla), Evra (Manchester United), Fanni (Rennes), Gallas (Arsenal), Sagna (Arsenal), Squillaci (Sevilla), Diaby (Arsenal), Diarra (Bordeaux), Diarra (Real Madrid), Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Toulalan (Lyon), Malouda (Chelsea), Sissoko (Toulouse), Govou (Lyon), Anelka (Chelsea), Benzema (Real Madrid), Gignac (Toulouse), Henry (Barcelona), Remy (Nice)

C'mon France.

Who'll play in goals for France? Lloris or Mandanda?

I know it says Lloris in that post above, but that's just from a 606 debate. Hopefully it is Lloris, although Mandanda's class too.

Originally Posted by Ghod

The Queens student union in Belfast are putting it on, £2 a pint. Cant go wrong

Fuck sounds good! You watching it there mate? I'm heading back to Downpatrick in like an hour so probably going to watch it in town!

Originally Posted by L.S.F.

C'mon France.

Who'll play in goals for France? Lloris or Mandanda?

I know it says Lloris in that post above, but that's just from a 606 debate. Hopefully it is Lloris, although Mandanda's class too.

Why you cheering france for ya prick

Want all the best teams there

Although, in all seriousness, a keeper of Given's quality should be playing at world-cups.

Mon the Irish!!

Excited now, Hopefully theres a decent atmosphere

Originally Posted by mcfitz

France aren't one of the best going by there qualifying group! Ireland are just as good

Ireland aren't "just as good" as France.

France just have an idiot in charge, like Argentina.

Take Given out of the team, or even keep him in it, and France still have a better player for every position.

Ooft, Gourcuff will be the main man for France.

Never know, we beat them twice, anyone can