UEFA EURO 2024 GROUP B QUALIFIER
France v Republic of Ireland, Parc des Princes, 7.45pm.
TV
Darragh Maloney presents all the action from Parc des Princes in Paris Live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm.
RADIO
Live commentary on RTÉ 2fm, with coverage starting on Game On from 6pm.
ONLINE
Live match tracker on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Updates and match footage on RTÉ Soccer Twitter and RTÉ Sport Facebook.
WEATHER
A very warm day day is forecast in Paris on Thursday with temperatures getting into the mid-30s. It won't be as hot come kick-off time but water breaks are likely with high-20c heat forecast come kick-off time.
KENNY FACES INTO MAKE-OR-BREAK WEEK
Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying hopes could be over after this weekend as Stephen Kenny faces into two games that will decide Ireland’s fate and possibly his future.
The Boys in Green are sitting on three points from three games with just a win over group whipping boys Gibraltar to show from their opening fixtures as a narrow defeat to France and a disappointing reversal away to Greece left them with a mountain to climb.
With the meeting of Ireland and the Netherlands to follow the trip to France on Sunday, the Boys in Green face the two strongest opponents in Group B within the space of a few days and their hopes for qualification are very much in the balance.
Ireland can at least draw some comfort from the manner of their performance against France at the Aviva Stadium in March when a 1-0 defeat was harsh on Kenny’s side after they matched Les Bleues for much of the game and were denied a last-gasp Nathan Collins equaliser by a stunning Mike Maignan save.
Kenny, who’s time in charge of Ireland has been marked by a seemingly endless stream of ill fortune when it comes to injuries and player fitness, has been handed another disappointing blow coming into these games with the news that rising star Evan Ferguson is ruled out through injury.
The Brighton striker hit the headlines at the weekend when his hat-trick and hopes were high that he would help lead the line against France but a knee injury has ruled him out of the double header.
It’s another headache for the Ireland manager to deal with as questions about Ireland’s record under his stewardship continue to grow.
Despite being afforded the backing and goodwill of supporters who bought into his efforts to change Ireland’s style of play and their approach, results have remained stubbornly out of reach with just five wins from the 24 competitive games Kenny has been in charge for and patience among supporters appears to be waning.
The manager’s case hasn’t been helped by the FAI’s decision to not renew the contract of Vera Pauw, despite her steering the Ireland women’s team to qualification for the World Cup.
While that decision may have been influenced by more than just on the pitch results, Pauw’s record was much stronger than her male counterpart and comparisons between the two will continue to be made, particularly should Ireland suffer another qualifying disappointment.
MANAGER NOT LOOKING FOR EXCUSES
Despite the absence of Ferguson, along with more established players like Seamus Coleman, Troy Parrott, Michael Obafemi, Callum Robinson and the suspended Matt Doherty, Kenny still believes that his squad is strong enough to go to France and get a result.
"We have given 18 players their debut, it means we still have a strong team. I am happy with the options we have," he said.
"We know we got one of the most difficult groups but I have every confidence in the players that they showed their quality in the game against Dublin which was a very even affair. France had more possession but on chances created, it was pretty even.
"It is different coming to Paris, we understand that. It’s a difficult challenge and missing several of our players but it increases the motivation to put in a strong performance and that’s our intention."
"Not many people give us a chance and I understand that, but we are going to do everything we can."
The Ireland manager is hoping that John Egan can shake off knocks to his knee and ankle, which forced him off in the second-half of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Everton. Andrew Omobamidele was called up as cover but does not make the final squad.
Ryan Manning and Caoimhín Kelleher appear to be doubtful, having missed their final training session.
FRANCE LOOKING TO EXTEND PERFECT RECORD
The French come into the game with their place at Euro 2024 already looking secure.
Les Bleus sit atop Group B with four wins from four and have yet to concede a goal in their campaign, having thumped the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening game and following that up with wins over Ireland, Gibraltar and Greece.
Ireland presented France with their toughest test of their four opening games and manager Didier Deschamps is expecting another close-fought encounter when the sides meet in Paris.
"The game over there was a bit complicated but I can add that I know that Ireland played three days earlier, they played a friendly," Deschamps said.
"Playing against Ireland is always complicated, we have seen the quality of the Irish team, we need to improve our defensive line. We had some problems as our opponents had some chances in Dublin, we have to improve this side of us, our defensive game."
The French boss has taken heart from the absence of Ferguson from the Ireland line-up and like most others, has taken note of the Irish attacker’s meteoric rise, even if he did seem to think that the striker plays for Crystal Palace.
"He's a very good player, he has shown really good quality with his club, I know he has less appearances with his national team than his club," said Deschamps.
"He has so many qualities as an attacking player I know he is going to be a very efficient player, I know he will get even better in the future but it's an important loss for the Ireland team not to have such a player."
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