Santini focused on England

FRANCE coach Jacques Santini is determined to avoid a repeat of the opening-match hoodoo which derailed Les Bleus at the 2002 World Cup in Korea.

Then under different management, then world champions France were beaten 1-0 by Senegal in Seoul and later exited the tournament without winning a game or scoring a goal.

That debacle led to the sacking of Roger Lemerre and Santini's appointment, and although the current incumbent's job is not on the line he joins Tottenham in July he knows that Sunday's showdown with England will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.