France are bidding to reach their third World Cup final, having lost against New Zealand in 1987 and Australia 12 years later.

Current form suggests they have all the ammunition required to destroy England’s World Cup dream, with 30-year-old hooker Ibanez a key influence on a side packed full of experience and uninhibited attackers.

“We know it will be a big event for both teams,” he said. “The English have planned for this game for four years, and so have we. I have no doubt that England will be ready.

“There will be enormous intensity, and technically, it will be very important to be physical. It is one of England’s best qualities, their physicality, but it is not so much that you cannot match them.”

Ibanez has featured in seven Tests against England, winning three and losing four, and that experience is priceless for a French outfit who genuinely believe 2003 could be their year.

He was part of the 1999 World Cup side that unforgettably ran New Zealand ragged in a pulsating Twickenham semi-final, so knows all about what to expect on Sunday.

“I won’t compare this French team with 1999, because it is so different. In the last four years, there has been a big evolution in rugby, but again, we are all so determined to do well in this tournament,” he said.

“We have worked a lot on things like our discipline – there is a big difference from 1999 – and you just have to watch our games since then to notice it. When you receive a yellow card, it is always dangerous for your team.”

As for England, Ibanez added: “Perhaps they have had their difficulties in this competition, but they always win their games. They won in New Zealand this year, they won in Australia, and they are winning in this tournament.”

If England are to triumph though, then they must subdue a powerful French pack and prevent Les Bleus’ gifted back division from cutting loose.

It is a daunting double mission not lost on England forwards coach Andy Robinson or defensive mastermind Phil Larder.

“One of the great things about playing the French is that they have the ability to destroy your set-piece,” Robinson said.

“Every scrum, every lineout is going to be a massive occasion in this game. We have total respect for the French scrum – they’ve shown that they are the world’s best scrummagers.”

And Larder is similarly wary, stating: “We think that France will threaten in most areas of the pitch. They have got 15 players who are all comfortable with the ball.

“Their fly-half (Frederic Michalak) is playing particularly well, and we are preparing for a test all over the pitch.”

Ultimately though, experience will count in the heat of battle, which is why players like Ibanez are such a priceless asset on what could be a truly great day for French rugby.