Dublin - France take on Ireland in the first leg of their World Cup play-off in Dublin Saturday looking to put memories of a stuttering qualifying campaign behind them and take a giant step towards next year's finals in South Africa. Coach Raymond Domenech is acutely aware that he is an unpopular man at home and nothing less than a dominating performance in Croke Park, followed by completion of the job next Wednesday in the return leg in Paris, will do for the 2006 World Cup finalists.
"There are matches which don9t need external pressure. It9s here - the players want to go to the World Cup," said Domenech.
"They are ready. It9s not worth adding more pressure."
Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra joined up with the squad after playing in the Spanish Cup for his club while Domenech has injury concerns over Abou Diaby, who picked up a calf strain against Wolves last weekend, and Jeremy Toulalan.
The Olympique Lyon defensive midfielder was a regular during France's qualifying campaign but has been struggling with an adductor muscle problem over recent weeks.
Should the 26-year-old fail to recover in time, his place will most likely by taken by Girondins Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra.
Meanwhile, Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will have to do without Shane Long and Hibernian midfielder Liam Miller as both players have calf strains.
The 70-year-old Italian will stick with novice Sean St Ledger in defence alongside experienced trio Richard Dunne, Kevin Kilbane and John O'Shea.
However St Ledger, who plays for Championshp side Middlesbrough, is not overawed at the prospect of facing the likes of Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Karim Benzema.
"It is going to be a difficult game for us, but Kevin, Richard, Shay (Given) and John have played against these players week in and week out and have had the experience, and I am sure they will pass that on to me," said the 24-year-old ahead of winning his seventh international cap.
Despite going into the match as major underdogs, assistant coach Marco Tardelli believes Ireland, who went through a qualifying group that included world champions Italy unbeaten, can spring a shock on Les Blues.
"I think this group, this team, do a lot of positive things. They also do things that aren't so positive. Now, in these two matches, it9s important that we have character and concentration but it9s always possible to do more, to learn a little bit extra," said the 1982 World Cup winner with the Azzurri.
