Trapattoni gives nod to Lawrence

World Cup play-off: Republic of Ireland v France
First leg: Croke Park, Dublin Date: Saturday, 14 November (2000 GMT)
Second leg: Stade de France, Paris Date: Wed, 18 November (2000 GMT)
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and online, plus text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Also live on Sky Sports 1.

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Liam Lawrence will hope that he gets the nod over Aiden McGeady

Liam Lawrence will start for the Republic of Ireland in Saturday's World Cup play-off first leg against France at Croke Park.

Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni has preferred the Stoke midfielder to Celtic's Aiden McGeady.

Trapattoni named 10 of his team on Friday but waited to make a decision on whether to select Lawrence or McGeady.

Jeremy Toulalan is ruled out for France because of injury and Alou Diarra was drafted into the visitors' midfield.

As expected, Raymond Domenech opted for Andre-Pierre Gignac in attack alongside Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka with Karim Benzema starting on the bench.

Damien Duff was named in the Republic team after overcoming an Achilles injury.

Toulalan joins Franck Ribery and Gael Clichy as absentees from the French side because of injury.

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Republic of Ireland team: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Kilbane, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, Lawrence, Keane, Doyle. Subs: Joe Murphy, McGeady, McShane, Kelly, Gibson, Hunt, Best.

France: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Evra, Lassana Diarra, Alou Diarra, Gourcuff, Anelka, Gignac, Henry. Subs: Mandanda, Escude, Govou, Benzema, Sissoko, Malouda, Squillaci.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)