France: 'Millennium Stadium holds special memories'

7msports > Rugby Video > France: 'Millennium Stadium holds special memories'

Sunday, October 11 2015 by SNTV

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (French) Thierry Dusautoir, France flanker and captain:
(Talking about the last time they played World Cup match in Cardiff - when they beat the All Blacks in a quarter-final in 2008)

"It is always special to come back. Eight years have passed and many matches have been played here, including the European Cup, with the French team. A lot has moved on since 2008.

Today it is a different contest, it's not a quarter final, it's not a decisive match but it is still important for us because, quite simply, we want to finish top of the pool."

SOUNDBITE: (French) Frederic Michalak, France fly-half:
(Question - How do you live with the expectation placed in you?)

"I live with it well with the expectation, I can play well and express myself. I've been in this group since the 5th of July so I've been able to get back in shape, which I've needed to do for a few years. When we play, we get more confident and we improve with each match. It's great to be here and I really appreciate being a part of this."

SOUNDBITE: (French) Thierry Dusautoir, France flanker and captain:
(Question - Are you worried about relaxing too much against Ireland?)

"We have a tendency to ease up when faced with a team that's weaker than us. Today that's not the case. We have to play our best rugby to beat them, everybody knows that. So there won't be any time for relaxing. It will be a very physical match, we know that the Ireland team has been viewed as one of the favourites of the competition as well. So we will have to rise to the challenge."