SYDNEY - France freely admit they cannot wait to see the battle-scarred back of Ireland's inspirational captain, Keith Wood.
Wood is widely expected to end his illustrious career after the cup.
And France hope tomorrow will be the last time they will have to play the tenacious Irish hooker, who led histeam to a 15-12 win the last time they met, in the Six Nations at Lansdowne Rd in March.
"He is playing very well, but if he decides to retire then please don't change his mind because he'll probably end up beating us some time later," France loosehead prop Jean-Jacques Crenca said yesterday.
Wood has been back to his tireless best in the cup, rallying his players to the brink of an upset against defending champions Australia.
Wood and props John Hayes and Reggie Corrigan managed to unsettle the Australian front row, suggesting that tomorrow's forward exchanges will be torrid.