The first place the team to face the French will appear will be on www.irishrugby.ie courtesy of IRFU's Gerard Carmody 'embedded' with the Irish squad in the Australian theatre.

So who's it going to be in the pivotal out-half position ?- David Humphreys or Ronan O'Gara ?

Who'll have the unenviable task of filling the boots of Denis Hickie ?

If it's John Kelly, as the pundits predict. Who'll sit on the bench ? Will it be Anthony Horgan ? or Tyrone Howe ? Maybe Paddy Wallace ?

And with Big Vic back in full training, what's the back-row going to be ?

It's a fascinating scenario. It's an exciting one too as Ireland stand on the brink of a place in the semi-final of Rugby World Cup 2003.

Allez les Verts.