Pool D France v IrelandA 30-minute interrogation concludes with French captain Raphael Ibanez picking his way past the barrage of tape recorders, notebooks and cameras through the corridor of media and looking for the refuge of the team diningroom at Marcoussis.

There is one final entreaty from an Irish delegation for a few words in English, specifically on a Wasps team-mate who will be an adversary at the Stade de France tomorrow night. Eoin Reddan will start for Ireland at scrumhalf and during the week spoke of the enormous respect he harbours for the French captain to whom he simply refers as "Raf".

Ibanez stops and smiles when asked about Reddan, the latter making his first start for Ireland in the number nine jersey. "No I have not spoken to him yet but I am really happy for him. It is a big reward for a great player and a good team-mate at Wasps. He's improved a lot in his spell in England and there's no doubt about the quality of his game. He's very dangerous for any opposition."

When asked whether he'd be keeping close tabs on the young Irishman, Ibanez admitted: "Not especially, but Jean Baptiste (Elissalde) is really aware of Eoin's skill. The fact that he is starting is not good news for France."

The French hooker and captain is just pleased to be leading his team out at Stade de France, a sentiment no doubt echoed by his team-mates and the management, following an injury sustained when coming on as a replacement in the victory over Namibia. "I spent a troublesome night after the game. In the dressingroom I had a little difficulty swallowing after getting a blow to the larynx during the game. As a precaution and because a haematoma had shown, I was placed under observation (in hospital) for a few hours.

"But the following morning the consultant who examined me was satisfied that the bruising had gone down and I was able to rejoin my team-mates. It's normal to take a few blows during a game and it wasn't too bad thankfully."

Ibanez is a pivotal figure, particularly in the absence of Fabien Pelous, for his leadership skills as well as his ability. At 34 years of age and winning his 95th cap tomorrow night, he's suitably streetwise to disregard Ireland's poor form in the run up to and in the World Cup's opening two matches.

"They will be motivated, very determined. We are going to have to do a lot of work in this match, particularly up front. We understand the importance of the game; in practical terms it's a match of elimination or qualification. I prefer the second option.

"It is out of the question for us to offer a repeat performance of the Argentina game. I hope we retain the lessons learnt and take them into this game. I don't believe in any way that they (Ireland) are a team in decline. They have suffered because they have struggled to get a rhythm in the couple of matches over the past weeks.

"That makes them more dangerous in my opinion. They possess a lot of talented players and some that are world class. I think (Eddie) O'Sullivan has looked to make their game more dynamic (given his team selection). Even though they have encountered difficulties they have won their two matches. Their players will want to show that they can play at the highest level."

Ibanez confesses to being very motivated for this particular game and sees his role as leading by deed and, when required verbally, directing his players, making sure they concentrate and that the team plays well.

He's perfectly placed to offer a verdict on "Seb-mania", that has swept through the supporters of the French team, sporting beards and other accoutrements in homage to Sebastien Chabal. Ibanez smiled: "I already sensed the impending phenomenon during our preparation for the tournament at Val d'Isere and Font Romeu.

"I had already spoken to him, said that he would become one of the icons of the team during the World Cup, whether he liked it or not, because he inspires that (adulation). It's great for him and the team. Seb isn't the same as he was four years ago. He's improved at Sale, he's matured, become more confident and found his place in the group. We need Chabal in top form for the upcoming games."

The French captain reflects the new-found comfort within the squad in regard to the expectation and meeting those goals. The nightmare of Argentina has been dispensed with and if anything has steeled this particular group for what lies ahead starting with Ireland tomorrow night.

Namibia facilitated that rehabilitation but one suspects that Ibanez will check any over-confidence ahead of the Irish game. The French have recalibrated and have Ireland firmly in their sights.