Defender Eric Abidal has urged France not to fall for the Republic of Ireland’s “provocation” on Saturday. The two sides meet in Dublin in the first leg of their World Cup play-off, with the tie concluding next Wednesday in Paris and a place in South Africa at stake.

A fervent and hostile atmosphere is likely to await Raymond Domenech’s side at Croke Park and Abidal acknowledges they must keep their wits about them.

The Barcelona defender is tipped to edge out Julien Escude and Sebastien Squillaci in the battle to partner Arsenal’s William Gallas at centre-half.

And he told L’Equipe: “There will be a little malice and provocation. We must see what happens and not get caught up in it. They will look for the slightest mistake and try to draw fouls, it’s part of football. It is a strategy.

“We must not give them free-kicks on the edge of the box or corners — that way they will have less chances to score from set-pieces. Football is a sport which takes control and enormous concentration — you must not respond to provocation or do anything which would handicap the team.”

His thoughts were echoed by defensive colleague Bacary Sagna, who looks set to get the nod over Rod Fanni at right-back for the key clash.

The Arsenal full-back said: “We will go to Dublin to impose ourselves and to win. We cannot begin to plan for defeat or a draw. In this type of match, it is dangerous to calculate.

“We want to impose ourselves over there and after that will be the time to think about the second leg in front of our fans. I am only thinking of qualification and of nothing else for the time being.”