Theo Hernandez slips in Kylian Mbappe and plays a lovely outside of the boot pass aimed at finding Marcus Thuram, but it just evades the Inter Milan forward, much to the Republic's relief.

As anticipated, Stephen Kenny decides to make changes.

Off go the industrious Adam Idah and Jayson Molumby and on come Will Keane and Dara O'Shea.

Keane has had a bright start to his season with Preston and how the Republic would love him to take his early goalscoring form onto the international stage.

Image source, Inpho

Another Aurelien Tchouameni thunderbolt from outside the area is beaten away by Gavin Bazunu. It was a good save from a swerving strike.

Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

I think changes might be on the cards for Ireland, they might need to freshen things up. They've not really made anything, a few players look jaded at the moment.

James McClean does well to block Ousmane Dembele's shot after he weaved his way inside.

It has turned into a bit of a training session for France, who are knocking the ball about with ease as the Republic tire.

You would imagine that Stephen Kenny will again look to his bench.

Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

France are so confident on the ball in the final third. There's no panic about them, there's no rush. They are waiting for an opening, they are very patient in possession.

They're not worried about what Ireland can do at the moment, it's what they can do to hurt the Irish, it's can they get a third goal.

Image source, Inpho

Chances at either end, with Kylian Mbappe curling his low shot wide after being played through on goal, although the flag did go up for offside to spare his blushes.

At the other end, Jules Kounde gets a vital touch to prevent Jason Knight from getting on the end of a deep cross from Alan Browne.

Whilst it was Ousmane Dembele who was the Republic's chief tormentor in the first-half it is Theo Hernandez in the second, he has the freedom of the left hand side to deliver dangerous deliveries.

The Republic need to stop him getting on the ball as Kylian Mbappe was inches away from getting on the end of one of his enticing crosses.

Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

It's an uphill battle now for Ireland. That's instinctive from Thuram, that's a striker's finish, he has to turn on it and he knows where the goal is. There's joy around the stadium from the French supporters. The Irish fans over to the right are very quiet at the moment.

Almost an instant reply from the Republic of Ireland, as Chiedozie Ogbene's downward header is saved well by Mike Maignan from close range.

The resulting corner also falls to the Luton forward, who curls a shot over the crossbar.

Better from the Republic, who need to keep creating chances.

Josh Cullen picks up a yellow card for a late challenge on Adrian Rabiot. He wins the ball, but goes through the man and will have to be careful for the rest of this half.

Marcus Thuram kicks-off the second period for the hosts.

There is a change at the break with James McClean replacing Enda Stevens who was struggling to contain Ousmane Dembele.

Here's hoping McClean can do a better job.

His introduction sees McClean overtake Damian Duff and become the Republic's sixth most-capped player.

France lead at the break in the Parc des Princes after a stunning strike from Aurelien Tchouameni.

It dampened Irish sprits after a bright start from Stephen Kenny's side, although they were unable to fashion a clear-cut opportunity in the first period.

Kylian Mbappe had a goal ruled out for offside, whilst some last-ditch defending have prevented troubling crosses from Lucas Hernandez and Ousmane Dembele from finding blue shirts.

Dembele has been the dangerman for France so far, and Enda Stevens will require more support to deal with the winger in the second-half.

A big 45 minutes await the Republic, will they be able to salvage anything from the game?

Image source, Inpho

There will be four minutes of additional time at the end of the half.

The Republic manage to keep the ball in the French half for a period and string together a few passes.

A scooped ball into Adam Idah almost presents a chance, but up against Lucas Hernandez he is unable to keep the ball under control and France clear.

A bit more composure and precision in the final third and the Republic could muster a few opportunities.

The Republic, and indeed Gavin Bazunu, breathe a huge sigh off relief as Kylian Mbappe's effort is ruled out for offside.

Aurelien Tchouameni clips the ball forward to Marcus Thuram, who was in an offside position.

He lays it off to Mbappe and his low strike squirms through Bazunu and into the net, but it won't count.

Image source, Inpho

Antoine Griezmann delivers another enticing set-piece, this time a corner, which Dayot Upamecano heads wide from. Nathan Collins did enough to put him off.

Ray Houghton
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTE

Deschamps should be saying to his team to play it out wide to Dembele. He's got the beating of Enda Stevens on this right wing, he's just far too quick for him.