Trap fields unchanged team

Giovanni Trapattoni kept faith with the men who ran France close on Saturday for tonight’s decisive World Cup play-off clash in Paris.

Liam Lawrence was once again handed the job of providing both width and defensive cover on the right side of midfield as Aiden McGeady had to make do with a seat on the bench.

France coach Raymond Domenech made one enforced change as injured central defender Eric Abidal was replaced by Julien Escude.

The French took a 1-0 lead into the second leg knowing a clean sheet would belatedly seal their place at next summer’s finals at South Africa.

TEAMS:

France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Escude, Evra, Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra, Gourcuff, Anelka, Gignac, Henry.

Rep of Ireland: Given, O’Shea, St. Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Doyle, Keane.