Steadman hopes to spring surprise

Ireland defence coach Graham Steadman is confident the Stade de France will witness a major upset tomorrow night when his side go head to head with the tournament hosts.

The stakes could not be higher for both sides in what is shaping up to be the biggest match of the World Cup pool stages.

Defeat would subject France to an embarrassing group exit while the same result for Ireland would leave them facing mission impossible against Argentina.

Les Bleus have been installed as 1-7 favourites but Steadman insists Ireland’s talented backline – which has yet to fire – ensures the outcome is no foregone conclusion.

“France will obviously be more expansive in their play than Georgia. Georgia showed very little in terms of a wide threat,” he said.

“But first France have got to create a platform if they want to move ball and we have to meet them head on there.

“Let’s not forget that we have some quality backs and if the guys replicate the way they’ve trained this week then there could be – and I’m not being over-confident here – a real surprise on the cards.

“The guys can take a lot of pride from the defensive composure they showed in the last 10 minutes against Georgia.

“That will stand us in good stead when we play France. The guys definitely want to put one or two wrongs right tomorrow.”

Ireland are priced as long as 4-1 to register only their victory in Paris for 35 years following a deflating start to the tournament.

Their confidence has been significantly damaged after scraping past Pool D minnows Namibia and Georgia and the camp has been beset by behind the scenes problems.

Less than a year ago thumping victories over South Africa and Australia saw Ireland acclaimed as genuine World Cup contenders, but instead they have fallen so far off the pace they are unlikely to qualify for the last eight.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has been at a loss to explain his side’s meltdown but insists complacency has not been an issue.

“France have always been difficult to beat. We don’t beat them very often and our record in general against them is poor,” he said.

“It’s all down to performance and we know that if we reach a certain level of performance we can win the game.

“We’ve looked at the complacency issue because it is a reasonable thing to think when you’re playing below par like we are.

“To be fair to the players this a huge tournament. There’s no holding back. No one is taking anything for granted so I don’t think complacency has been the problem.”