Previews

France step up Grand Slam push

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 26/02/2010
Rugby Union betting

Six Nations action kicks back into action this weekend with the competitors looking to consolidate their own burgeoning aspirations.

France make the trip to Cardiff as they face a beleaguered Wales side at Millennium Stadium on Friday evening.

The classy French still have Grand Slam ambitions as they boast a 100 per cent record from their opening fixtures and should be quietly confident of grabbing maximum points against Warren Gatland's side.

A comfortable 18-9 win over Scotland was followed by an even more resounding 33-10 success against current Grand Slam holders Ireland at Stade de France a fortnight ago as they set about their business on capturing the crown they last won in 2007.

Although a partisan and passionate crowd lie await for the French, Wales' preparations have taken a battering as injury and indiscipline has wreaked havoc.

Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Williams will all miss the big clash through injury and Bradley Davies has been told he won't be selected in the starting line-up following his mother's death.

To add to their woes, Andy Powell has been dropped from the squad after being charged with driving a golf buggy while under the influence of alcohol following the dramatic last-gasp 31-24 win against Scotland.

France, who are now the overwhelming sportsbook favourites to win the Six Nations this season, have also been forced to make changes because of injury.

Coach Marc Lievremont has handed wing Benjamin Fall and flanker Julien Bonnaire starts following the withdrawals of Vincent Clerc and Fulgence Ouedraogo.

Meanwhile, Italy take on Scotland in Rome with a realistic chance of grabbing a vital victory.

Scotland are another side struggling for personnel after they lost Thom Evans to a serious neck injury as well as 100-cap winner Chris Paterson and Rory Lamont in the defeat to Wales.

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Hugo Southwell and Simon Danielli come in to the team as does Evans' brother Max with Allan Jacobsen replacing Alistair Dickinson in the front row.

The Italians are a different side these days under Nick Mallett and, although lacking a cutting edge in attack, they haven't looked out of their depth so far.

They have lost both their games, but they stifled Ireland, particularly in the second half, before losing 29-11 on the opening day of the campaign.

England didn't have it all their own way at Stadio Flaminio two weeks ago when they stumbled to an unimpressive 17-12 win.

Finally, Declan Kidney's Ireland face an eagerly-awaited showdown against England at Twickenham with both sides going through mixed fortunes during the opening Six Nations exchanges.

Ireland's hopes of retaining their Grand Slam crown has gone after their loss to France but England have won their first two games without setting the world alight.

This will be the toughest of tests so far for Martin Johnson's side as they look to win the prize that has eluded them since their all-conquering 2003 season.

Johnson was the team captain back then under Clive Woodward as they won the Grand Slam and World Cup.

Jerry Flannery will miss the test after being banned for six weeks for kicking out at France's Alexis Palisson. He will be joined on the sidelines by injured trio Rob Kearney, Donnacha Ryan and Sean O'Brien.

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