Raymond Domenech claims England will be beaten easily by France in their Euro 2012 opener because they are so poor.

The teams meet in the first game in Group D in Donetsk on June 11 and the former France coach said: 'The game against England should be easy as they have no quality.

'Then we must not lose against Ukraine and we will progress past the first round. I put France among the favourites, I truly believe it.

'They should get to the semifinals at least.'

Domenech was handed a four-year extension after steering France to the 2006 World Cup final, and subsequently clung on to his job despite a wretched Euro 2008.

But the in-fighting in South Africa during the last World Cup two years ago eventually cost him his job.

After drawing their opening match with Uruguay, France lost 2-0 to Mexico, leading to a row between Domenech and Nicolas Anelka, with the former Chelsea striker sent home.

There was a player boycott before the French campaign ended with a 2–1 defeat by South Africa.

Results have improved since Laurent Blanc took over and a recent 2-1 win in Germany extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches.