Moment of truth: Philippe Saint-Andre is counting on France to deliver the goods

Philippe Saint-Andre has just weeks remaining as France rugby coach, but he hopes the moment he can say "I told you so" to his many critics is imminent as they embark on their World Cup campaign against Italy on Saturday.

The 48-year-old former France captain believes he can mount a serious challenge to land France their first World Cup and sends his troops into battle at Twickenham against an Italy side deprived of their one world-class player, inspirational captain Sergio Parisse.

Anything but a convincing victory over the Italians will be considered yet another below-par performance and hardly build confidence that they can beat pool D favourites Six Nations champions Ireland, a side that Saint-Andre has yet to get the better of in four meetings.

Saint-Andre - who will be replaced by Guy Noves after the final whistle has been blown on their tournament - is only without injured star centre Wesley Fofana for the match.

The coach has tried to ease the pressure on his players by telling them to go out and enjoy themselves at Twickenham.

"I have lined up my best team at the moment, the most in form," said Saint-Andre, who comes into the game on the back of a rare pair of successive wins in their warm-up games against England and Scotland.