French support for mission impossible

FRANCE flanker Julien Bonnaire has admitted that his team will become temporary Irish fans tomorrow as World Cup Pool D reaches a nervous finale.

The French take on Georgia in Marseille at noon where they are expected to pick-up a victory as well as a bonus point which will guarantee them a last eight place.

But they also want Ireland to defeat group leaders Argentina in Paris tomorrow, a result which would give the French top spot and avoid the All Blacks in the quarter-finals.

“Of course we will be supporting Ireland,” said Bonnaire. “Ireland can win and have some exceptional players, especially Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy who are not at their best but it still might come. Ireland have to take advantage of the line-outs and Donnacha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Connell form one of the best second rows in the world.”

If Argentina win, then France must travel to Cardiff to take on New Zealand for a semi-final place on October 6.

“If we have to play the All Blacks, so be it,” said Bonnaire.

Meanwhile Georgia coach Malkhaz Cheishvili made seven changes from the team that beat Namibia 30-0 on Wednesday for the game.

FRANCE: C Poitrenaud; A Rougerie, D Marty, Y Jauzion, C Dominici; L Beauxis, P Mignoni; O Milloud, S Bruno, J-Baptiste Poux, L Nallet, J Thion, S Betsen (capt); J Bonnaire, Y Nyanga.

Replacements: D Szarzewski, N Mas, F Pelous, R Martin, J-Baptiste Elissalde, D Skrela, V Clerc GEORGIA: Otar Barkalaia; Besiki Khamashuridze, Revaz Gigauri, Irakli Giorgadze, Otar Eloshvili; Merab Kvirikashvili, Irakli Abuseridze (capt) M Magrakvelidze, A Giorgadze, D Zirakashvili, Z Mtchedlishvili; M Gorgodze, I Maisuradze; G Labadze, G Chkhaidze.

Replacements: A Kopaliani, G Shvelidze, V Didebulidze, Z Maisuradze, G Elizbarashvili, I Machkhaneli, M Urjukashvili.