AS HE prepares to make his 101st appearance for the Republic of Ireland, Kevin Kilbane yesterday shrugged off any suggestion this might be his last campaign on the international stage and insisted he would keep lining out until the manager stops selecting him.

None of the four he has served under to date has shown any sign of tiring of the winger turned left back, and the Hull City player is hoping to get another World Cup under his belt before Giovanni Trapattoni takes stock ahead of the next qualifying campaign.

“My enthusiasm has never waved – and never will,” Kilbane says in an interview with City Magazine, Hull’s official monthly. “As long as my wife keeps pushing me out of the door and as long as Ireland want me, I’ll carry on playing.”

More remarkable than his tally of caps is the fact that Saturday’s game, assuming he features in it, will be his 59th consecutive competitive appearance for his country.

“I’ve been lucky I’ve managed to stay injury-free,” says Kilbane. “At times, other players who might have taken my place have been injured so I’ve filled in. That’s been lucky from my point of view. Touch wood, that will continue.”

Pressed on whether he expects to still be around when the side are looking to secure a place at the 2012 European Championships, he admits he cannot be certain.

“I can’t say how long I will go on for. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it – from the first time I played in ’97. I’ve had some unbelievable times.

“Obviously, I’d love to play in another World Cup, though. I’ve managed one so far and come close on another couple of occasions. I just hope we can qualify. It’s a tough one against France. The seedings didn’t help us, but we know what to expect.”

Trapattoni’s involvement, he says, will be a major factor, with the Italian’s experience and faith in his players key to why the team have come this far in the campaign without being beaten.

“He commands tremendous respect and everyone knows him throughout world football,” says Kilbane of the veteran coach.

“He’s won virtually every honour in the game so he commands respect when you talk to him.

“He’s incredible to work with. His knowledge of the game is brilliant.

“I’m sure we will know everything about the French players there is to know. As a player, when you go into games, you know you are well prepared and you’ll have a chance against anyone.”

Despite that, at least one of his club-mates reckons the Irish are doomed. But, Kilbane points out, Bernard Mendy has been somewhat outgunned whenever the subject has come up at City’s training over the last couple of weeks.

“Ever since the draw was made, Bernard (Mendy) has been giving out the stick and saying we’re out before we even kick a ball against France,” Kilbane says with a smile.

“But he was pretty much out-numbered with me, Macca (Paul McShane) and Huntie (Stephen Hunt). We’ve also got a couple of young Irish lads who are doing really well at the club, so we’re well represented. Bernard is confident, but we’ll wait and see what happens.”

“They (France) haven’t been as consistent this time as they have in recent years,” he continues, “but towards the end of their qualifying campaign, they were showing real form and put some good results together.

“They’ve got quality players right through their side. They’ll be the favourites and we’ll be the underdogs but we’re used to that.”

Hunt also weighs in on Ireland’s chances this week in his interview with the same magazine, and the midfielder is confident the French can be beaten over the two legs

“Of course, it’s winnable,” he says. “I know what some people think, but we’ve just drawn against the world champions. In fact, we should have beaten the world champions on two occasions in qualifying.

“Really, we should have qualified automatically, but at least we’re in the play-offs and we still have a fighting chance.

“France will be strong, but then we’ve more than a few good players ourselves. The first leg is in Dublin. The whole country will be behind us and, if we can get any kind of result to take to France, then we’ve got a chance and I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

Ireland will be without Hunt’s injured brother Noel for the play-offs, but Stephen admits the pair both starting last month against Montenegro was an especially proud occasion for the entire family.

“It was fantastic for us to be in the starting line-up,” he says. “There’s a bit of rivalry between us. There always has been. The Montenegro game was marvellous for the family. Most of them live in the Waterford area and they’ll be really proud of us.

“Hopefully, we’ll both be on the plane to the World Cup finals. Now, that really would be something.”