French in confident mood as Phillipe Saint-Andre reshuffles pack

London’s Indian summer came to an abrupt end yesterday, but the slate skies and soft rain did little to dampen the sense of conviviality that permeated the mood around the French camp ahead of their second outing in Ireland’s Pool D tomorrow night.

With Italy beaten, comfortably if not wholly convincingly, and Romania next up at the Olympic Stadium, there was a sense that Phillipe Saint-Andre and his crew were easing themselves gently into the first week or so of this tournament.

Players on press duties laughed and giggled like schoolboys on a day trip to the zoo.