By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport in Paris

France have built a head of steam going into the World Cup

France legend Philippe Sella believes the hosts can win the Rugby World Cup on home soil - providing they dispose of Argentina in Friday's opener.

The French were losing finalists in 1987 and 1999 but are hoping to match their 1998 football counterparts.

"It is very delicate because the expectation in France is that we have all the attributes to have a great World Cup," Sella told BBC Sport.

"France can be champions but their future depends on the opening match."

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France, third favourites behind New Zealand and South Africa at the outset, also have Ireland, who they have beaten in their last five meetings, in their group.

But after impressing in warm-up wins over England (twice) and Wales, there is growing confidence the French can follow the lead of previous hosts New Zealand (1987), England (1991), South Africa (1995) and Australia (2003) and reach the final.

Victory can be theirs if they work hard enough, stay concentrated and play without fear Philippe Sella

Sella, who won 111 caps in a glittering career and played in the first three World Cups, believes Bernard Laporte's squad is well prepared physically and mentally.

"Each player is in great shape and they are battle hardened," he said. "They will need that in a long competition because if they face adversity against Australia or South Africa in a semi-final, they have to be physically strong enough to cope.

"But they are also in a great state of mind. You could see when they beat Wales recently they had smiles on their faces and they looked serene in their approach.

"They must take it day-by-day and match-by-match because the prize of victory can be theirs if they work hard enough, stay concentrated and play without fear.

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"They have a lot of solidity, experience and many leaders, but to win the World Cup you have to score some tries, too.

"In (wing/full-back) Cedric Heymans, France have a player with an enormous amount of talent. He has tremendous speed and acceleration, and a very good kicking game. I think he could be one of the stars of this World Cup."

Sella is one of World Cup sponsor Visa's "Rugby Legends" promoting the tournament.

But unlike Zinzan Brooke (1987), John Eales (1991 and 1999), Joel Stransky (1995) and Martin Johnson (2003), he cannot call himself a former World Cup winner.

"I am the only that hasn't won it and I feel I am lacking something," he admitted.