Welsh in way of French Six Nations ambitions

France, despite disappointing form, have not given up hope of winning the Six Nations rugby crown as they prepare to face Wales at the Stade de France in the fourth round tomorrow.

Tournament favourites England have dominated the competition so far, winning their opening three games, against Wales, Italy and Scotland, in style.

Although the French have beaten Scotland and Italy, they went down 15-22 to Ireland in Dublin last month and have certainly lost some of their legendary flair.

But French coach Bernard Laporte said: "We still have a chance to win the tournament. And we are looking for a kind of final against England at Twickenham in April. But we must first beat the Welsh here."

Laporte is aware that a second consecutive defeat to Wales on home soil would be a major setback. Wales won at the Stade de France in 1999 before the French took a 36-3 revenge at the Millennium Stadium last year in the opening game of the championship.

"We mustn't under-estimate the Welsh," Laporte said.

"Just like the English and the Irish, they have made impressive improvements over the past two years. Even if we deserved to win last year, I'm sure the gap is not that wide between our two nations. We can expect a tough challenge."

Wales were forced to miss the March 3 round.

Their game against Ireland in Cardiff was postponed because of the fear that Irish fans might take Britain's foot-and-mouth disease back to the republic.

Wales' previous game in the championship, against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 17, ened in a 28-28 draw.

"It's difficult to say if it's going to be an advantage or a disadvantage for them [having missed a round of action]," former France captain Raphael Ibanez said.

But Wales coach Graham Henry said the break had probably been an advantage.

"We may have lost some momentum from the improvement at Murrayfield, but we have had a better preparatory period."

Meanwhile, if England get their way, tomorrow's clash between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield will be described as a "relegation battle" in the future.

English rugby chiefs said this week that they were keen to see two divisions in the championship, with relegation and promotion.

The Murrayfield game is a bottom-of-the-table affair. Both teams are looking for their first win.

Despite playing some positive rugby at times, the Italians have lost against Ireland, England and France, while Scotland have just one point, from their draw with Wales in Edinburgh.

The Scots lost their opening game to France and were beaten by a record 3-43 by England in their last game at Twickenham on March 3.

Last season, the Italians upset Scotland in Rome 34-20 in their debut in the championship.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan remembers the game well.

"It was a damaging match for us. The players lost confidence and it took three games for them to regain it."

Italy's coach, former All Black Brad Johnstone, believes the match in Rome will act as a huge motivation for the Scots.

France: Jean-Luc Sadourny, Philippe Bernat-Salles, Sebastien Bonetti, Thomas Lombard, Christophe Dominici, Gerald Merceron, Fabien Galthie, Christophe Juillet, Olivier Magne, Christophe Moni, Fabien Pelous (capt), David Auradou, Pieter De Villiers, Raphael Ibanez, Christian Califano.

Wales: Rhys Williams, Gareth Thomas, Mark Taylor, Scott Gibbs, Dafydd James, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis, Andy Moore, Ian Gough, David Young (capt), Robin McBryde, Darren Morris.

Scotland: Chris Paterson, James Craig, Gregor Townsend, John Leslie, Kenny Logan, Duncan Hodge, Bryan Redpath, Simon Taylor, Budge Pountney (capt), Martin Leslie, Stuart Grimes, Scott Murray, Mattie Stewart, Gordon Bulloch, Tom Smith.

Italy: Cristian Stoica, Massimiliano Perziano, Walter Pozzebon, Manuel Dallan, Luca Martin, Diego Dominguez, Filippo Frati, Carlo Checchinato, Mauro Bergamasco, Aaron Persico, Andrea Gritti, Wilhelmus Visser, Franco Properzi, Alessandro Moscardi (capt), Andrea Lo Cicero.

- REUTERS

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