Pool D:Surveys and the evidence of the naked eye suggest the vast majority of the French are blissfully unaware of a trifling matter such as a World Cup in their own rather splendid and vast backyard. They have their unique culture, three-course lunches, coffee and cigarette breaks, rigidly applied working hours, uniquely chic style and inimitable pace of life to be getting on with. But at 9pm local time, the 2007 Coupe du Monde will lift off and the home team are doing their best to whip up quite a frenzy.
French people everywhere have been encouraged to wear blue today, and as inspiring as any of the good wishes bombarding Les Bleus has been the support of the iconic Zinedine Zidane.
This rugby squad may not be anywhere near as emblematic of France's multicultural society, or as fleetingly unifying a force, as their counterparts of the round ball, but far from shying away from them, they have deliberately accentuated connections with the 1998 football World Cup.
"It would be great if every French person wore blue shirts on Friday," implored Bernard Laporte, the French coach.
"What we want is for the whole of France to wear blue to show that 60 million people are behind the team. We have launched the 'blue day'.
"It will be wonderful for people to get a good impression of France. A lot of people are coming and are going to discover our beautiful France and what we need is for everyone to receive a warm welcome. This week the eyes of the world will be on France and we must show that we as French are friendly people."
Regarding the phone call the squad received from Zizou on Wednesday, Laporte revealed: "Zidane telephoned to encourage us. He has experience of this moment, which can be difficult. He wanted to show his support for the team.
"It was a heartfelt message that touched the players deeply. He told me he was the number one supporter of the team."
Laporte wouldn't be Laporte without one wild card. His opening hand is a physically huge, experienced team clearly designed to meet Argentina head on, in which all the selections from one to 14 are utterly logical.
And then there's Cedric Heymans at fullback.
Very much a winger by trade, after one run-out at fullback in their most recent warm-up win, over Wales, he has replaced his Toulouse teammate Clement Poitrenaud, the only recognised full-back in the squad. Go figure.
No-one can, apparently, especially not a distressed Poitrenaud himself.
"It is a beautiful surprise," said Heymans. "The Wales game was a match where the selectors wanted to test me. I take the same attitude into this meeting with Argentina. The result will be vitally important. If we don't perform on Friday, we will live in hell next week. The media will fall on us and we will be under enormous pressure. It will be vital to play a great match and to leave this clash victorious."
Argentina have been here before and have a couple of T-shirts to prove it. They lost tournament openers 23-18 to Wales in 1999 and 24-8 to the 2003 hosts, Australia. Eight of their starting line-up are playing in their third World Cup; captain Agustin Pichot is in his fourth.
They are also les frères ennemis; Pichot is one of 11 of the 22 Pumas who play in France.
"It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever been through in my whole life," said the scrumhalf. "On Tuesday, I did the captain's pictures and then I went to visit my family before I came back to the hotel.
"It's strange because we are in a country that is a little bit ours too. My French neighbours told me they were going to shout for Argentina on Friday."
Their four-match winning sequence over the French came to an end only last November in a one-point defeat, and Eddie O'Sullivan and Brian O'Driscoll yesterday forecast a narrow French win. But this is an altogether stronger, fitter, more focused-looking French team.
There is a recent 31-point difference between the sides on a line through Wales, while los Pumas have been hit hard by injuries to their outside backs.
This opener may well set the trend for the most attritional team competition on the globe, if not for the many imbalances we are about to witness among the supposed 20 best countries. Nonetheless, the advantages and all the momentum point to France, who at some point should have the greater capacity to cut loose.
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
Head-to-heads: Played 39. France 30 wins, Argentina 8 wins, one drawn.
Previous World Cup meetings: France 47 Argentina 26 (1999 quarter-final, Dublin).
Odds (Paddy Powers): 1/6 France, 25/1 Draw, 7/2 Argentina. Handicap odds (= Argentina +12pts) 10/11 France, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 Argentina.
