Paul Pogba is sporting a special tournament haircut this afternoon in the France midfield. Special. The fans of both sides have been mingling outside the stadium in Lyon. 

Image source, PA

Kevin Kilbane
Ex-Republic of Ireland international on BBC Radio 5 live

It would have been only yesterday that the Republic of Ireland would have looked at today's game after playing on Wednesday. I think the first 20 or 25 minutes will be key because there will still be a bit of tiredness in the Irish legs, but they will have a buzz from that Italy game.

Hosts France make four changes to the team that drew 0-0 against Switzerland in their last group game. Star man Dimitri Payet, Blaise Matuidi, N'Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud all return to the starting line-up.

France XI: Lloris, Sagna, Rami, Koscielny, Evra, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Payet, Giroud

Republic of Ireland go with the same starting line-up that beat Italy in their last group game. It means Wes Hoolahan is on the bench again and could have an important part to play later on.

Republic XI: Randoph, Coleman, Keogh, Duffy, Ward, McCarthy, Hendrick, Brady, McClean, Long, Murphy

Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane were all smiles on the pitch at Stade de Lyon earlier on. Roy wasn't quite at the hugging phase but the Republic of Ireland look in relaxed mood. 

Image source, Reuters

It later emerged that Fifa paid the Football Association of Ireland 5m euros (£3.6m) to stop legal action after France controversially beat Ireland in that World Cup play-off.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said he had believed they had a case against Fifa after French striker Thierry Henry's handball in the 2009 match.

Delaney said a "legitimate agreement" was made to drop the claim after Ireland missed the 2010 World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Thierry Henry will not be on your TV screens as a pundit this afternoon - the game is live on ITV.

But he may also be hiding anyway. Why?

A certain handball in the build-up to the winning goal of that play-off.

Henry clearly handled before crossing for William Gallas to score.

Image source, Getty Images

Remarkably, Henry sat down on the pitch with Richard Dunne after the final whistle and said afterwards he admitted the handball to the Irish defender.

"I told Dunne," Henry said. "He said the same to me, 'you're not the ref'. That's why the players did not come to me, that's why they went to the referee.

"You can clearly see the opportunity. Sebastien Squillaci went to jump for the ball with two Irish players and I'm behind him. The next thing I know the ball hit my hand, my arm even. It was right in front of me, I played it.

"The ref allowed it and that's a question you should ask him."

The Republic have scored one goal past France since 1981. It was an eventful one though.

Remember Robbie Keane sweeping home in the Stade de France during a play-off for World Cup 2010...?

Image source, Getty Images

Right-back Seamus Coleman captains the Republic once again this afternoon. 

The French press are on board. Stop Wessi, stop the Republic...

Unfortunately for humanity the Norwich genius is only on the bench.

France may have not been brilliant so far - but they have a hugely talented squad.

And here's some food for thought. France have hit the woodwork more times (five) than they’ve scored goals (four) so far.

Stick another five goals in their + column and we may be thinking differently about this squad.

Image source, EPA

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to this game on BBC Radio 5 live with build-up on your airwaves right now.

Kick-off it at 14:00 BST, with Conor McNamara commentating, alongside former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane.

As you can see - we are in Lyon today. 

France, meanwhile, make four changes from the team which drew with Switzerland as Didier Deschamps returns to his first-choice XI.

France: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Rami, Evra, Kante, Griezmann, Payet, Matuidi, Pogba, Giroud.

The Republic of Ireland are unchanged from the team which beat Italy. Unsurprising. 

It is 14 long years since the Republic last played in a knockout match at a major tournament.

Then, like now, they were facing one of the European superpowers, and Mick McCarthy's men produced a dogged and valiant display to take Spain to a penalty shootout.

Image source, Getty Images

Indeed, had Ian Harte scored from the spot in normal time they may well have reached their second World Cup quarter-final.

Image source, Getty Images

Instead, it went to penalties. Matt Holland, David Connolly and Kevin Kilbane all missed. Spain went through...

Today's man of the match may well be Captain Greg Browne of Ryanair. Flying fans out to the match from Ireland, Browne stepped into the cabin to address the passengers.

"Have a laugh," he says. "I want to hear a few songs as well. If I don't hear you up the front there's something not right. I'm going to fly you back to Ireland if I don't hear you singing on this flight today."

Introducing his team, the captain delighted the cabin by saying his first officer and crew were all called Gary Breen - a reference to a favourite Irish fans' song about dreaming of a team of Gary Breens.

Before making his way into the flight deck, the captain said: "Ryanair has a very strict uniform policy. We're not allowed to wear our own clothes when we're flying.

"But today, I think because of the occasion, I'm going to put that out the window and I'm going to wear my very own jersey while I'm flying the plane."

He can then be seen pulling a green jersey on over his white shirt before disappearing into the cockpit.

Hero.

You can see a video here., external

There hasn't been an outstanding team in Euro2016 - discuss.

Image source, AP

Will France lay down a marker this afternoon? Or can the Republic produce the sort of all-action, committed display which brushed a feeble Italy team aside and pull off another shock?

Your thoughts please. On text to 81111, or tweet us at #bbceuro2016. Lovely. 

France v Ireland (14:00 BST)

Germany v Slovakia (17:00 BST)

Hungary v Belgium (20:00 BST)

Postpublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 26 June 2016

12:38 BST 26 June 2016

France v Republic of Ireland (14:00 BST)

Both teams have arrived in Lyon and have inspected the pitch on what is a gloriously sunny afternoon in France. A massive day for the hosts. Will the pressure get to them?