Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

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With Callum O'Dowda ruled out, the big question from a Republic perspective was who Stephen Kenny was going to select at left wing-back and it looks like Matt Doherty has been given the nod ahead of James McClean.

Doherty, usually a right-sided defender, has not been getting a look-in at Atletico Madrid, but has played at left wing-back for the Republic before. Captain Seamus Coleman's inclusion is also a big plus for Kenny given the Everton defender's vast experience.

As expected, Josh Cullen is restored to the Irish midfield while Chiedozie Ogbene has been rewarded for coming off the bench to score the winner against Latvia, with Michael Obafemi making way.

It's a big night for Evan Ferguson too, of course. It's the 18-year-old's competitive international debut and he'll be closely shadowed by Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate and Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano.

While Irish hopes are pinned on Ferguson, all eyes will be on France captain Kylian Mbappe, who has five goals in his last two international outings - including a hat-trick in the World Cup final.

No stage is too big for the 24-year-old. The Republic defence have a monumental task on their hands tonight.

Didier Deschamps has made three switches for the trip to Dublin from Saturday's hammering of the Netherlands in Paris.

Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard comes in at right back as Jules Kounde drops to the bench.

Eduardo Camavinga comes into the team in place of Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni while Oliver Giroud will spearhead a trio of France attackers as he starts ahead of Kingsley Coman.

Kylian Mbappe captains the side from the start. All 10 outfield players featured in the World Cup final. There's talent everywhere you look.

France: Maignan, Pavard, Konate, Upamecano, T Hernandez, Rabiot, Camavinga, Griezmann, Kolo Muani, Mbappe (capt), Giroud.

Subs: Samba, Areola, Disasi, Kounde, Fofana, Tchouameni, M Thuram, Veretpout, Todibo, K Thuram, Diaby, Coman.

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The big news from the Republic camp is that captain Seamus Coleman has overcome any fitness concerns to play from the start in Dublin.

Stephen Kenny has made six changes from the friendly win over Latvia, as Gavin Bazunu starts in goal ahead of Caoimhin Kelleher.

Coleman starts at right back and Sheffield United's John Egan starts in defence in place of Andrew Omobamidele.

Josh Cullen, Jason Knight and Chiedozie Ogbene return to the starting team as Will Smallbone, Alan Browne and Michael Obafemi make way.

Callum O'Dowda, who scored in the friendly win, misses out through injury.

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, Coleman (capt), Egan, O'Shea, Collins, Doherty, Molumby, Cullen, Knight, Ogbene, Ferguson.

Subs: Kelleher, Travers, Omobamidele, Browne, Obafemi, Idah, McClean, Hendrick, Sykes, McGrath, Smallbone, Johnston.

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As if Kylian Mbappe hasn't achieved enough already, he now has another target in his sights.

His double against the Dutch took him to 38 senior international goals, just three fewer than Michel Platini, the next target in his sights.

He said: "For me, it's an honour to be at this stage. That's my next target and I'll keep going, It might be tomorrow, it might not.

"Obviously Michel Platini is a legend of French football, but I'll get past that mark at some point."

However, he still has a few more to get to catch Oliver Giroud, who has 53 to date.

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And just to underline Matt's point.

That's an ominous stat.

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Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Exactly two years ago, the Republic of Ireland lost to Luxembourg in this stadium.

It was the Republic's darkest night under Stephen Kenny and effectively crushed his side's hopes of reaching the World Cup just two games into the qualifying campaign.

Defeat tonight would not be a fatal blow to the Republic's Euro 2024 dream, but if France continue the form that saw them hammer the Netherlands on Friday night, it would underline the task facing the Irish in this qualifying series.

The Republic have never been fast starters under Kenny. They lost to Serbia and Luxembourg in the World Cup qualifiers and have failed to win the opening two games in either Nations League campaign under the Dubliner.

Few give them a chance of starting their latest bid to reach a tournament with a statement victory tonight, but even a draw would go down as one of the Republic's best results in recent years given the form Kylian Mbappe and co appear to be bringing to Dublin.

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It's fair to say it has been a pretty mixed bag for the other home nations so far.

Last night, Northern Ireland fell to defeat at home to Finland as Michael O'Neill's side failed to back up their opening Group H win over San Marino.

England fared slightly better as goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka secured a 2-0 win over Ukraine, which came after an opening-game victory away to the Italians.

Scotland opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Cyprus in Glasgow and Wales stunned World Cup semi-finalists Croatia with a last-gasp equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw.

The Scots face Spain tomorrow while Wales take on Latvia in Cardiff.

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Can the Republic cause a shock and join France and Greece on three points?

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Stephen Kenny's side opened 2023 with a 3-2 friendly win over Latvia.

In-form teenage striker Evan Ferguson scored his first international goal 17 minutes into his first start.

Callum O'Dowda gave the hosts the lead before Brighton's Ferguson pounced from close range to open his Ireland account midway through the first half.

Roberts Uldrikis pulled a goal back with a screamer and Arturs Zjuzins levelled in first-half injury time.

Substitute Chiedozie Ogbene struck a winner in the second half.

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How do you respond from losing one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time?

By thrashing one of the biggest teams in Europe.

France dismantled the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening Group B match on Satruday.

Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano put the hosts 2-0 up inside eight minutes before Mbappe added two more goals to inflict a heavy defeat on the Dutch in Paris.

You've been warned.

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Bonjour!

It's time to see how Kenny's kids stack up against the World Cup finalists as France travel to Dublin.

The French are heavy favourites but can the Republic cause a massive upset?

You can follow all the action right here. You won't miss a thing!

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