FIFA Women's World Cup Group A2 qualifier
Republic of Ireland v France, Tallaght Stadium, 7.30pm ko
(Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1)
Q: How do you try to nullify a team with a kaleidoscope of attacking dimensions?
A: Change the dimensions.
The pitch at Tallaght Stadium has been narrowed to the minimum FIFA requirement (64 metres) for tonight's World Cup qualifier against France as Carla Ward attempts to blunt the visitors' lethal wide weapons.
It's going to take more than that of course; a lot more. France have injuries, coming here without captain Griedge Mbock Bathy (knee), London City Lionesses' recent marquee signing Delphine Cascarino (calf), Lyon full-back Selma Bacha (ankle) and Real Madrid attacker Naomie Feller (back), but they're still loaded with quality - a powerful, dynamic team that can carve open any team in the world when they're in the groove.
Ward has a healthy squad with the exception of Crystal Palace defender Hayley Nolan, who suffered an ankle/calf injury in training. Tara O'Hanlon has been drafted in as extra cover.
Last October's Nations League promotion/relegation defeat of Belgium was a significant stride forward for this team, and while they're not stepping into uncharted territory, this is unforgiving terrain. One wrong move and you're picking the ball out of your own net. Produce an under-par performance for half an hour, and you could be 4-0 down.
That's the quality Ireland will encounter tonight and again on Saturday when they travel to the Netherlands, though the Dutch don't look quite as clinical as Laurent Bonadei's Les Bleus.
"When France and Netherlands are on it, they can be completely unplayable," said Ward.
"But when they're not there’s areas to exploit. That’s what we’ve to pay attention to in both matches."
Ward has left no stone unturned in her preparation for this game, making some divisive calls in the search for "the one per cents".
The insistence on playing Hungary behind closed doors in Marbella; the desire to bring France to Tallaght rather than the Aviva; the appointment of Jasmine Mander as a performance analyst - these are decisions designed to make Ireland as tough to beat as possible.
Mander's arrival was a bolt from the blue. She served a one-year FIFA ban for her role in Canada's drone-spying scandal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with head coach Bev Priestman and analyst Joseph Lombardi also banned following an independent report into the use of drones to spy on a New Zealand training session.
"Jasmine is a top quality coach," Ward said. "When the opportunity arose to bring her in, we looked at what we needed, we looked at what can help us and I keep saying to you, how do we get to a World Cup? We need the right people in the right places and she fit that for sure."
For Ward the ends will justify the means. But what chance does her team have here?
There's no doubt Ireland possess the experience to at least make things awkward for the visitors.
It's highly possible they'll have just one player under the age of 26 in the starting XI (Emily Murphy, who turned 23 yesterday). Abbie Larkin and Jessie Stapleton are the other young guns in contention but overall this is a seasoned Ireland squad.
It's four years since they dug out a 1-1 draw in Sweden en route to World Cup qualification and though there's been significant change since then, a chunk of the side are still involved: Courtney Brosnan, Katie McCabe, Chloe Mustaki, Megan Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan, Ruesha Littlejohn, Lucy Quinn and Leanne Kiernan.
So Ireland have the muscle memory of coming through adversity. They're a tough, streetwise bunch with a streak of quality that France will be well aware of.
McCabe had a brilliant duel with Kadidiatou Diani when Arsenal got past Lyon in the Champions League semi-finals last season. Lyon tasked Diani with forcing McCabe to defend, keeping her on the back foot. A ding-dong duel went McCabe's way as the Gunners progressed, but she'll have her work cut out to get the better of Diani again here.
Lazio's Megan Connolly (above) is back having missed the Belgian games and might sit in front of a back five, with Anna Patten possibly nudging Jessie Stapleton out of central defence.
Last week O'Sullivan admitted she often felt the "exhausting" effects of flying to and from the States to represent Ireland during her years with North Carolina Courage. Now at Liverpool, the Cork midfielder has a much shorter commute; Ireland will need her at her very best if they're to disrupt the French engine room.
Up top, Kyra Carusa and Emily Murphy should get the opportunity to further nurture a partnership that really clicked against Belgium. Together, they offer strength, pace and an out ball.
It's a year since Ward succeeded Eileen Gleeson as head coach. Her reign hasn't all been plain sailing, but there's been encouraging signs in recent times to suggest they're getting the chemistry right. A positive result tonight would blow the group wide open. It will require a very special performance.
Prediction: Republic of Ireland 1-2 France
Predicted Republic of Ireland team: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe; Megan Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Emily Murphy; Kyra Carusa
Watch Republic of Ireland v France in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on an extended Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
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