Those who know and care about these things tell me that the French reaction to the World Cup is shamefully low key. I say 'shamefully' only because from a British perspective not to be obsessed by the World Cup seems to be a dereliction of one's human duty. But I see what they mean. By comparison with across the channel, the lack of frenzy here is quite startling. No flags, no wall-to-wall newspaper coverage, no World Cup blogs by cabinet ministers. Here in Paris there's more enthusiasm to be found outside the many English, Scottish and Irish pubs than in the cafes and bistros. Cycling through the city centre Saturday, I saw a giant screen up outside the Hotel de Ville, and presumed the authorities were laying on all-match coverage for die-hard fans. But no. It was the rugby final between Toulouse and Biarritz. France's games will be screened, but nowhere near the city centre -- at Stade Charlety out by the peripherique. Why is this so? First point: let us not forget that the British attitude to football has got completely out-of-hand, so critical comparisons of France are a bit unfair. And in any case France has never been a football nation in the way the UK is: viz the relative lack of interest in clubs. Second: I don't think anyone has very high hopes about this French team. England, by contrast, is built up -- as in every cup -- as a potential winner. Perhaps things will heat up on Tuesday when they take on Switzerland.