Richard Dunne has said that he “laughed” when the French side crashed out of the World Cup.

“I didn't see it - but I did laugh,” said the Irish defender.

France impeded Ireland’s entry to the 2010 South African World Cup by the infamous Hand of Frog by Thierry Henry: an illegal handball which the referee wrongly allowed and which sent the Boys of Green packing their bags.

Richard Dunne was visibly distraught after the match last November, saying afterwards that: "[although] Henry admitted afterwards he handled it, it doesn't make me feel any better. We were cheated," he said.

Now the Tallaght-born defender, who currently plays for English premiership side Aston Villa, has gotten his revenge.

Besides the appalling campaign for France, the World Cup attempt was also marred by in-fighting, with the players refusing to train following Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the squad for verbally abusing coach Raymond Domenech.

Laurent Blanc has now taken over from Domenech, with France hoping for better performances in qualifying for Euro 2012.

France were eliminated after the first round of the World Cup; they drew with Uruguay, then lost to both Mexico and South Africa.