Lawrence in starting 11
Liam Lawrence
Liam Lawrence was handed the task of shoring up the Republic of Ireland’s right flank in their World Cup play-off with France.
The Stoke midfielder, whose only other competitive start for his country came in last month’s 2-2 Group Eight qualifying draw with champions Italy, got the nod ahead of Aiden McGeady.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni named 10 of the players who started against the Italians, with Damien Duff’s return from injury in place of McGeady the only change.
French counterpart Raymond Domenech, as expected, named a potentially lethal front three of skipper Thierry Henry, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Nicolas Anelka.
TEAMS
Ireland: Given, O’Shea, St. Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Lawrence, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Doyle, Keane.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Evra, L. Diarra, A. Diarra, Gourcuff, Anelka, Gignac, Henry. Replacements: Mandanda, Escude, Govou, Benzema, Sissoko, Malouda, Squillaci.
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