Brian Kerr's men travel to Paris for this Group Four World Cup qualifier (kick-off 8.00) with legitimate hopes of causing an upset against the formerly formidable French.
Since their World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000 double, Les
Bleus have been in decline, culminating in a disappointing Euro 2004 in Portugal this summer. Zinedine Zidane, Claude Makelele, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram have all now departed the international scene. New skipper Patrick Vieira is also an absentee today - through suspension - but France can still call on the likes of Henry, Cisse, Pires, Saha and Gallas.
The Republic will be looking to striker Robbie Keane for goals. If the Tottenham man finds the net today, he will surpass Niall Quinn as his country's leading scorer of all time. Presented by Ray Stubbs, with commentary coming from Jonathan Pearce and Mark Lawrenson.

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