O’Connell holds Ireland forwards meeting

“We know just how risky the French are at World Cups, but we get our game right and our set-piece running, I hope we can get the upper hand”.

“There is good rugby in France and a lot of opportunity 14 teams in the top and 16 in the second division and another three divisions underneath that where there are semi-professional players so there are a lot of players to choose from and a lot of opportunities for players and coaches, it’s a good environment to work in, the rugby is very physical and competitive, it’s a good experience to go there and coach”.

Ireland centre Jared Payne and fullback Rob Kearney will be available for the Six Nations champions’ Rugby World Cup Pool D decider against France on Sunday after returning to training following minor injuries.

“He has the potential to be one of the stand-out performers at this World Cup, particularly if Ireland are successful”.

“But now he’s got to find that belief in himself that he produces performances week in and week out and becomes a real leader, that’s the measure of a top player”.

If Ireland beat France in their crunch pool match that will leave the All Blacks with a sense of deja vu – playing France in a World Cup quarter-final at Millennium Stadium.

He also noted that in spite of enjoying their best run against the French in more than 60 years, Ireland have drawn two of those four matches (before he took over) and his side’s two wins have been by single score margins.

“Obviously they weren’t used to it, but we’re glad to have him back to be honest”. “There’s a lot of mind games, media battles, it’s part of the PR war”.

IRELAND XV -R Kearney; Bowe, Payne, Henshaw, D Kearney; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross; Toner, O’Connell; O’Mahony, O’Brien, Heaslip.

Pressed on whether he could name the side now that would play France or Ireland, Foster said: “We’ve got a plan but we’ll take this Tongan game first and foremost”.

“So they’ll try every trick to upset him, but the player he is, the person that he is, I have no doubt he’ll be outstanding this weekend”.

However, regardless of the result against France on Sunday, Ireland will have a tough task when facing either tournament favourites New Zealand or in-form Argentina in the quarter-finals.