Dempsey puts pressure on hosts

Ireland full-back Girvan Dempsey has ratcheted up the tension on France by declaring tonight’s showdown is like the “World Cup final” for the hosts.

The winners are virtually guaranteed passage into the last eight but the stakes are higher for Les Bleus, who would see their participation in the tournament end with defeat.

Ireland would face one final chance to revive their tournament aspirations against Argentina, although the maths would not be in their favour.

“It’s a big game for us and for France but for them it’s like the World Cup final,” said Leinster full-back Dempsey.

“It’s the perception that we are going into the game with our backs against the wall, but the pressure on France is huge.

“If we can get the start we want and ask a few questions of them, the French fans will be taken out of the game and the Irish fans will help us.

“If we want to reach the quarter-finals this is a game we have to win.

“I played in Paris when we won in 2000 and there are a lot of guys on this team who were there, so we know we can do it.

“This match is right up there as one of the biggest in my career.”

France have been installed as 1-7 favourites for the match and it is doubtful they will be afflicted by the stage fright that marred their opener against Argentina for a second time.

A poor record in Paris with just one victory in 35 years counts heavily against the Irish, who have endured their own problems during the first half of the group stages.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan admitted earlier this week his side are in crisis following abject victories over Namibia and Georgia, but Dempsey disagrees.

“I do not think we are in crisis. There is too much talent in this team for us to be in crisis,” said the Leinster back.

Ireland enter the match with a fresh face installed at scrum-half after Peter Stringer was axed in favour of Wasps’ Eoin Reddan.

Heineken Cup winner Reddan will win his fourth cap tonight and half-back partner Ronan O’Gara believes his elevation to the starting line-up will trouble the French.

“I don’t look upon the decision to select Eoin as a risk. Eoin is a good quality player,” said the Munster star.

“He has been exceptional for Wasps and deserves his chance. He could excite the backline.

“There should be a change of emphasis because he is obviously a different scrum-half to Peter.

“There won’t have been much analysis done on him I hope so it could be interesting. Mentally he is very prepared for it.”