Les Bleus will not hold back

Opponents Japan might be a modest 13th in the international rankings but France coach Marc Lièvremont has taken no chances by naming a powerful side for their Rugby World Cup 2011 opener on Saturday.

Lièvremont has lost centre Maxime Mermoz, wing Alexis Palisson and full back Damien Traille to injury but the XV who will take the field remain an imposing proposition for the Japanese, who have won just once in the past six World Cups.

"Without being disrespectful to Japan, I want to think that we have the side to manage this match nicely," Lièvremont said ahead of Pool A clash at North Harbour Stadium.

The only time the sides have met at a RWC was in Townsville in 2003 when France won 51-29.

Japan coach John Kirwan, whose goal for this RWC is to beat Tonga and Canada in his team's last two games, concurs with his French counterpart.

Impressive performances

"I think he's picked a very, very strong side," said New Zealander Kirwan, whose team had three defeats and a draw at RWC 2007. "I can't see too many weaknesses there."

The French are coming off a gritty 26-22 away win to Ireland on 20 August, but the Six Nations runners-up are determined to avoid complacency going into the Japan match.

They have been impressed with the recent string of performances from the Brave Blossoms, who lifted their first Pacific Nations Cup in July, triumphing over Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, and were competitive in a Test in Italy. Japan beat USA 20-14 in their last tune-up on 21 August.

"We will need to reassure ourselves, as we did with the two matches against Ireland," said full back Cédric Heymans. "But we've seen the footage. We need to take the Japanese seriously. They won the Pacific Cup. It's quite something."

Japan, who have lost the two Tests they have played against France, will go for broke against the world's No.4 side. They will be without injured centre Yuta Imamura and second row Justin Ives, but realise all the pressure to perform is on Les Bleus.

Champagne rugby

Kirwan has repeatedly said Japan will look to pick up their points off Tonga and Canada on 21 and 27 September.

"These players have shown an incredible commitment in the last four years to improve and to play a style of rugby that suits us as Japanese people," Kirwan said.

"When you talk about French rugby at its best, you call it champagne rugby. I'm hoping that on Saturday night, you'll understand what Japanese rugby is."

Kirwan himself is facing pressure of a whole different kind.

"I'm under pretty big pressure on Saturday night because my mother's coming," he said.

"She's 82 and a half, and she knows the game. If the team doesn't play well, she'll be the first to give me a hard time."