Ireland clash on the periphery as France readies for Rugby World Cup opener

“I think I’ve other things to focus on. I didn’t exchange so much with Fabien (Galthié) about their preparations," said Didier Deschamps.

RUGBY COUNTRY: France manager Didier Deschamps during a France press conference at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Paris is bedecked in posters promoting the Rugby World Cup starting on Friday, demoting the round-ball game to the periphery of the nation’s gaze.

Both managers were asked for their opinions of the contenders, as was Antoine Griezmann, and despite a typically Gallic grunt from Didier Deschamps, the French manager was in surprisingly chirpy form.