Tuesday 15 September 2015 11:48, UK
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre says their World Cup campaign will only be considered a success if they reach the final.
Les Bleus have never won more than three successive matches since Saint-Andre took over from Marc Lievremont after they finished as runners-up at the 2011 World Cup.
France are in Pool D with Six Nations rivals Ireland and Italy and their October 11 meeting with the former is likely to decide who tops the pool.
"The goal is to play a great World Cup... coming back home in November, first or second," said Saint-Andre.
"We're not favourites but we have what it takes to beat any team on one game."
We lost four or five games because our No 1 kicker or the one we had at the end of the match, failed.
France start their campaign with a Pool D match against Italy before taking on Romania, Canada and Ireland.
The French last won three matches in a row when they beat Australia, Argentina and Samoa in November 2012.
Saint-Andre blamed the poor statistics on the fact that he never had enough kickers at his disposal.
"We lost four or five games because our No 1 kicker or the one we had at the end of the match, failed," he said.
"I need world-class kickers like Frederic Michalak, Rory Kockott, Morgan Parra. And Scott Spedding for the long-distance kicks.
"Before, our rivals could be penalised until the 40-metre line. Not anymore."
After two and a half months of preparation, Saint-Andre is convinced his squad is ready.
"We are ready to enter the competition," he said. "The guys are fit, they've been living like in a club. Now, let's go."
