ENFIN. At last France strut on the big stage again.

Having missed the last two World Cups, the job of hosting the party secured them their ticket.

They have significant difficulties. The pressure from an expectant public is a retarding factor. A reliable goalscorer would be a great blessing. French airline pilots have a more impressive strike rate than the national team.

Aime Jacquet may come to regret the omission of Arsenal's precocious talent Nicolas Anelka. The French have been constipated in front of goal for some time averaging just a strike a game over the last year. Jacquet has even horrified the nation by musing publicly over the possibility of long-ball tactics.

If there is a saviour galloping into view on a white horse it is Monaco's young star, David Trezeguet, the man who dumped Manchester United out of the Champions Cup this spring. He came on as a sub last week against Finland and scored his first international goal. Jacquet started the game with a 4-3-3 formation using Dugarry, Djorkaeff and Guivarc'h up front.

That intervention against Finland may not get Trezeguet on the pitch tonight but public sentiment may swing the matter later.

There is some impatience with the constant lobbying of Deschamps and Zidane for their friend Christian Dugarry to be selected.

Dugarry has two goals in 20 appearances. Stephane Guivarc'h on the other hand has no goals in his last six outings.

Jacquet has expressed his doubts but is likely to hand Guivarc'h the chance to play as a lone striker with Dugarry dropping back to support him with Djorkaeff and Zidane providing the other offensive options and Petit and Deschamps serving as watercarriers.