French eyeing World Cup 'revenge'

France captain Thierry Dusautoir said the three-time losing finalists were seeking "revenge" for last year's heartbreak after being drawn in a "little Six Nations" for the 2015 World Cup in England.

The French reached the 2011 World Cup final but lost a hard-fought contest by the narrow margin of 8-7 to hosts New Zealand in Auckland.

But Dusautoir, who led his side superbly during last year's tournament, said France hoped to go one better in England in three years' time after being drawn Monday in a Pool D also featuring Six Nations rivals Ireland and Italy,

"For us maybe we are going to have our revenge for the final against New Zealand," said loose forward Dusautoir following Monday's draw in London.

The two remaining teams in Pool D will come from either the United States or Canada and one out of emerging European nations Georgia, Russia, Romania, Spain and Portugal.

But all eyes will be on the Six Nations trio who are expected to dominate the fight for the two quarterfinal spots out of Pool D.

And for the winners of this pool there is the added incentive of missing out on a likely quarterfinal clash against favourites New Zealand, with Argentina in line to provide the opposition for the table-toppers.

However, then hosts France - despite playing in Cardiff - managed to beat New Zealand 20-18 in a thrilling 2007 quarterfinal at the Millennium Stadium.

And even before Monday's draw France, by virtue of being fourth in the IRB rankings, were among the top four seeds for the 2015 draw and so avoided a pool match against one of the southern hemisphere 'big three' of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

By contrast, Six Nations foes England and Wales were drawn in a group with Australia labelled the "pool of death" by France coach Philippe Saint-Andre.

And Dusautoir was more than happy with the draw given to France, who lost the inaugural World Cup final 29-9 to New Zealand in Auckland in 1987 and were also beaten 35-12 by Australia in the climax of the 1999 edition in Cardiff.

"It's a European pool, it's like being in a little Six Nations again," Dusautoir said. "But it's true that we can be happy to not be in a pool which is really hot."

Meanwhile Ireland captain Brian Driscoll said his team had an "okay draw".

"It could have been worse," said O'Driscoll. "It's a bit of a double-edged sword because when you avoid New Zealand, South Africa or Australia, inevitably when you get to the knockout stages you're likely to face one of them sooner rather than later.

"It's an okay draw but I'd imagine France and Italy are quietly happy they've drawn us. They'll think they can beat us."

Ireland have an appalling record against France, winning just one of 13 Tests since 2003, a sequence including defeats at both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

"Early in my career we managed to get a few victories against France and then all of a sudden they became a very difficult team for us to beat," said O'Driscoll, who confirmed his great talent with three tries against France in 2000 giving Ireland their first win in Paris since 1972.

"They play with a lot of confidence against us because of that record.

"But if we play well we can definitely beat them."

However, O'Driscoll - who will be 36 by the time the next World Cup begins - does not expect to be in the Ireland team come 2015.

"I'll be there in some capacity, but as a player I doubt that very much. It's far too far away to be contemplating playing," said the gifted centre, who has appeared in four World Cups.

"I think my World Cup ship has sailed, but I'll be there as Ireland's number one supporter."

AFP