FORMER French players are already tipping France as potential World Cup winners in South Africa next summer before the team have even qualified - and Ireland striker Kevin Doyle hopes that the Irish side can punish French complacency in Paris tomorrow night.

France are clear favourites to win tomorrow's tie in the Stade de France and advance to the World Cup finals. French confidence is so high that reports have emerged of the French FA already booking their training camp and hotels in South Africa next summer, while media reports here in Paris today suggest that the financial implications for France in the event of non-qualification are so horrible that they don't bear thinking about.

With a superb home record (France are unbeaten in competitive games at the Stade de France since 1999), a dismal away record for Ireland (the Irish side has not won a qualifying game away from home against a major nation in 22 years) and that 1-0 lead from the first leg, no wonder French minds are already on South Africa.

"This group of the players doesn't just have the potential to qualify, they have the potential to win the World Cup next year," said Christophe Dugarry, a World Cup champion with France in 1998.

"Saturday was a superb win which showed that we simply have the better players. A lot was made of the atmosphere and the support, which is always the same against the Celtic nations. But the advantage from that is in the stands, not on the field, where it counts, and we won the game in Dublin on the field. I have no doubts about this team."

Former Manchester United man Laurent Blanc added: "You can't talk about victory until the final whistle, but with the quality and stature in this French team, we have to go to the World Cup finals. We had problems in qualifying but in South Africa next summer the team will show their quality."

Thierry Henry and his team expect to be celebrating at 10pm in Paris tomorrow night, and Wolves man Doyle says that could play into Ireland's hands.

"Hopefully they will be complacent. They have the 1-0 lead, they are at home, they are planning on putting on a show for their fans. But we're looking forward to taking advantage of that," Doyle said. "Also, France don't have the best of home records, in terms of conceding goals, so we are confident ahead of the game."

Ireland have no injury worries ahead of the game but France have to make one change, with Seville defender Sebastian Squillachi likely to replace the injured Eric Abidal in defence.

- From Aidan Fitzmaurice in Paris