Ibanez wary of revived Red Rose
Les Bleus produced the shock of the competition by defeating the world’s top-ranked team — the mighty All Blacks — 20-18 in Cardiff last Saturday, and are now being tipped to go on and claim their first world crown.
They now face an England side who have gradually improved as the tournament has gone on, and who showed their desire to hold on to their crown by seeing off much-fancied Australia 12-10 in Marseille at the weekend.
Ibanez, who plays in the Guinness Premiership with London Wasps, is predicting an even tougher battle at the Stade de France as his men look to dethrone the world champions.
“It’s just about fronting up. With their pack, we know what is coming now,” he said.
“This is an even bigger challenge. They are the world champions and they are competitors.
“It’s our biggest challenge of the competition so far and we all can’t wait to roll our sleeves up against a great opponent.
“We are not scared of the English but we respect them. They are the holders of the title and we must not forget that.”
Les Bleus, the tournament hosts, will be out for revenge after their exit to England at the same stage in the last World Cup four years ago.
On that day, Jonny Wilkinson’s superb kicking display in a rainy Sydney secured Clive Woodward’s side a 24-7 win, and they went on to beat Australia in the final — courtesy of Wilkinson’s decisive drop-goal.
France are a much-changed team from then, though, and head coach Bernard Laporte attaches no relevance to that game.
“Who can we speak about revenge to?” said Laporte, who will leave his post at the end of the tournament.
“Half of our players now weren’t there. What was Lionel Beauxis doing in 2003? He didn’t lose against them that day.
“In 2003, we didn’t win the match because the English were better than us. In 1999, it is the same, the Australians were better than us in the final.
“We must stop looking for excuses.”
Laporte, who saw his side start the World Cup with a catastrophic defeat to Argentina in the opening game, is not underestimating England
“We have had the same run-up to the game as them,” added Laporte, who masterminded two triumphs over the English in the August warm-ups.
“They made a recovery when they played Australia, and we did the same when we played the All Blacks. And we mustn’t forget that this is the team that prevented us from winning the Grand Slam during the Six Nations.”
France were left to count the cost of their exploits against the All Blacks with a host of their players sustaining knocks during the game.
But Laporte should have a fully-fit squad to select from ahead of his team announcement this morning.
The likes of Serge Betsen, Yannick Jauzion, Jerome Thion and Vincent Clerc are all back in training after shrugging off minor injuries.
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