IN THEIR OWN WORDS: What the French starting XV think of Ireland

What the French really think of us

Olivier Milloud

"I think that, like us, they have fallen from a great height and didn't expect such a tough pool. They are a bit nervous but the difference between us and them is they have won all their matches. I think they are going to roll up their sleeves and we are expecting a big occasion. We have to play with more desire and keep the ball. The objective is to take the five points, but we can't put the cart before the horse. We will try to advance progressively."

Raphael Ibanez

"We know the importance of this match. It is effectively an elimination game for the loser in terms of the play-offs. They possess talented players, some world class."

Pieter de Villiers

"I think that we'll be playing a team that is wounded and still dangerous. Ireland have a habit of turning in a good performance. Their pride is wounded and perhaps they need to prove that the negative criticism is not true."

Sebastien Chabal

"He (Paul O'Connell) is one of the best lineout jumpers in the world. He has plenty of experience, is one of the best second rows and I'm looking forward to the contest."

Jerome Thion

"They (Ireland) have a lot to prove, because up to now they have not shown the quality they had during the last Six Nations. Maybe they haven't forgotten the image of Vincent Clerc scoring in the last minute (game winning try in 20-17 win for France during last Six Nations)."

Serge Betsen

"They especially have quality players in the backs who are very quick and lively. They have (Ronan) O'Gara, (Gordon) D'Arcy and (Brian) O'Driscoll, who is probably the key to their team. Their forwards are solid and we have to be aggressive and physical in the scrum and lineout to get the ball to our backs."

Thierry Dusautoir

"When I arrived in Marcoussis, I decided to enjoy myself and work hard and it suddenly clicked. The coach said everybody would have an opportunity to show his worth. I believed him, worked hard and it paid off. I fear a little the reaction that Ireland will have because of their pride."

Julien Bonnaire

"They may not be playing well at the moment but they are proud and they have some excellent players. Players like D'Arcy and O'Driscoll can change a game in an instant. We won't be under-estimating them no matter how they've played in the other games."

Jean Baptiste Elissalde

"We must play our game. We know what to expect from Ireland and we respect them but it is up to us to concentrate on our own performance."

Freddie Michalak

"They are a team with a strong mental attitude. We know them quite well and even, like us, if they have not started well, they are still a great team and we need to be cautious.

Cedric Heymans

"When O'Gara takes up a certain position we know he's going to kick to the right and when he takes up another position, we know he'll kick it left. That's the value of video."

Damien Traille

"The match amounts to a qualifier for both them and us. But we are not looking at the opposition, we are concentrating on ourselves."

David Marty

"I have plenty of good memories against them (Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll) from the game at Croke Park (O'Driscoll didn't play that day) and the year before at Stade de France but they are both very good players."

Vincent Clerc

"We expect to build up our performances to a crescendo. We won't let ourselves get down under the pressure again. I am having a great time, we are getting the ball and we are playing it. The France team has shown it has got character, we have got lots of spirit in reserve."

Clement Poitrenaud

"It's important that we remember we are playing a World Cup match in France, not to project too much into it, but to concentrate on the game. We must not forget it is primarily a game of rugby."