Revenge, they say, is a dish best served cold. Eddie O'Sullivan has had over seven months to stew on Ireland's last-minute defeat to France at Croke Park and believes tomorrow night is the perfect opportunity to hand the hosts some "pain and hurt" of their own.
O'Sullivan's side have been castigated for its performances against Namibia and Georgia in this tournament, with many commentators writing off their chances against the World Cup hosts. But the Ireland coach is confident his players can turn around their desperately poor form and record just their second win in 35 years in Paris when the sides meet at the Stade de France.
Ireland are massive underdogs to overcome Bernard Laporte's side, with bookmakers installing the French as 1-6 favourites. Nevertheless, O'Sullivan believes the time is right to redress the balance following Vincent Clerc's last gasp try at GAA headquarters.
"It's about remembering that pain and hurt that we felt at the pit of our stomachs at Croke Park," O'Sullivan told reporters at today's press conference. "We want to bring that with us to the Stade de France and impose that pain and sickness on the French.
"At the end of the day, it's about us getting a result. However we get it doesn't matter, but if we get that result, that's the end of France at the World Cup."
Brian O'Driscoll, meanwhile, told reporters there were numerous reasons for the team to feel confident and factors for their motivation.
"It's important to have our destiny in our own hands," O'Driscoll said. "You're in the lap of the gods if you have to rely on someone else.
"We've always said we had to beat France to reach the knockout stage and nothing's changed."
Ireland and Argentina have nine points apiece and France six after two matches. if Ireland lose on Friday they will have another shot at qualification when they meet Argentina at the Parc des Princes.
O'Sullivan also took the opportunity to attack the French media, who he accused of overstepping the mark and trying to unsettle his side.
Referring to what he regards as "gutter journalism", O'Sullivan told RTE Radio: "We're a very tight-knit group, despite all the talk during the week.
"This might have been a concerted effort by the French media to upset the Irish camp before the biggest game in the pool. For me that's their way of doing business, it's not our way of doing business. We'll just get out and deliver on the field."
