**The Republic of Ireland will have to beat former World Cup winners France over two legs if they are to make it to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.**Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will contest the tough play-offs ties against the 1998 champions on 14 and 18 November.
Elsewhere, Portugal will play Bosnia-Hercegovina, Greece face Ukraine and Russia come up against Slovenia.
The Republic will play their home tie first and then face a momentous task at the Stade de France in Paris.
Portugal aside, it is perhaps the hardest draw the Republic could have faced and will anger the Republic’s players and fans who felt aggrieved at Fifa’s late decision to seed the play-offs.
606: DEBATE
Are France beatable for the Republic
France just missed out on automatic qualification for South Africa, finishing one point behind Group 7 winners Serbia and losing only once.
The two sides last met in the 2006 World Cup qualifying stages sharing a 0-0 draw in Paris, while a Thierry Henry goal was the difference between the two sides in Ireland.