France is treating this weekend’s World Cup clash against Ireland as its first knockout match of the tournament.
"We have to win to avoid an early exit, it's as simple as that," team
manager Jo Maso told reporters.
France is currently third in the group, three points behind Ireland and Argentina.
"We played our joker and we know we can't afford another defeat. Friday's game will be a knockout match and the Georgia game will be another one," Maso added.
After its shock loss to the Pumas in the opening match of the tournament, France restored some pride after hammering Namibia 87-10 on Sunday and coach Bernard Laporte has made four changes to face Ireland, recalling captain Raphael Ibanez, flanker Serge Betsen, prop Olivier Milloud and lock Lionel Nallet.
Laporte has retained the 9/10 combination of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Frederic Michalak, as well as the Toulouse back three Vincent Clerc, Cedric Heymans and Clement Poitrenaud.
Despite, Ireland’s poor showing so far at this Rugby World Cup, French skipper Ibanez is certainly not taking his Six Nations rivals rightly.
"I don't believe for a minute that Ireland are in crisis. Maybe they haven't found their rhythm yet but ... they are very experienced players, they have power upfront and speed in the backline," he said.
Ireland hasn't won in France since 2000 while the two teams have met twice before at the World Cup, France winning quarter-final meetings in 1995 and 2003.
