The build-up to tonight's match has been overshadowed by allegations against Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw.

A number of unnamed ex-Houston Dash players and staff allege Pauw body-shamed players and behaved inappropriately during her time in charge of Dash in 2018.

The allegations were published in The Athletic earlier this week.

Pauw was first named in a report in December on misconduct in the USA's National Women's Soccer League.

The Dutchwoman has described the latest allegations against her as "nonsense" and says she is the victim of "an agenda" and a deliberate attempt to undermine her on the eve of the World Cup.

"There is a person that has targeted to destroy my career and has influenced a few," Pauw said on Wednesday.

"This agenda is known, this agenda has been on Twitter, this agenda is with me and I have said that after the World Cup I am going to see if we are going to take legal actions."

Read more about the story here.

The Republic of Ireland face co-hosts Australia in their World Cup opener in Sydney on 20 July.

Then they face Canada in Perth on 26 July.

Five days later, they close out their Group B campaign against Nigeria in Brisbane.

Before the tournament, the Irish will take on Colombia in a warm-up game on 14 July.

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Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Tallaght Stadium

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In the midst of the dramatic press conference yesterday, Pauw was asked about the match and said she would select the strongest team available to take on the French.

That has largely rung true, with several changes from the team that defeated Zambia a fortnight ago.

It's a big moment for Sinead Farrelly, who will make her first start in Dublin on only her second cap.

It looks like Pauw has opted for a 5-3-2, with Heather Payne and Katie McCabe providing the width on the flanks.

It also gives an indication into how the Republic might line up in their opening World Cup match with Australia.

USA-born players Marissa Sheva and Sinead Farrelly are handed first home starts for the Republic of Ireland.

Both players were first called up to the Republic squad earlier this year before earning their spots in Vera Pauw's World Cup squad.

Katie McCabe captains the Republic having been rested in the recent friendly win over Zambia.

It's a strong-looking France line-up, led by all-time leading goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer.

Republic of Ireland: Brosnan, Payne, Fahey, Louise Quinn, Connolly, McCabe, Littlejohn, Farrelly, O'Sullivan, Sheva, Carusa.

Subs: Moloney, Walsh, O'Gorman, Caldwell, O'Riordan, Mustaki, Atkinson, Agg, Grant, Lucy Quinn, Barrett, Larkin.

France: Peyraud-Magnin, Lakrar, Cascarino, Renard (capt), Karchaoui, Geyoro, Toletti, Dali, Diani, Bacha, Le Sommer.

Subs: Durand, Picaud, Fazer, De Almeida, Majri, Mateo, Le Garrec, Asseyi, Feller, Becho, Perisset.

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Right, let's get to the teams for tonight...

The fans have braved the Dublin rain to bid the Republic of Ireland a fond farewell tonight.

Plenty of smiling Irish eyes at the moment. Will they still be smiling at full-time?

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In exactly two weeks, the Republic of Ireland will make their Women's World Cup debut against co-hosts Australia.

But before they jet off to the other side of the planet, the Republic welcome France to Dublin tonight for their pre-tournament send-off.

It'll be an important tune-up for the Republic as Vera Pauw gets one final look at her team on home turf before making the long trip to Australia.

It should be a decent game in Tallaght Stadium tonight, so stick around for updates, analysis and post-match reaction.

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