England 23 France 13

France team manager Jo Maso does not believe England’s crushing victory over Wales will have an influence on his team’s clash with the world champions at Twickenham on Saturday.

CHANCES are that a swirling wind will blow all over Lansdowne Road this afternoon. And they are just the conditions Ireland and France would gladly do without in a match that will play a major part in deciding the destination of the RBS 6 Nations Championship for 2005.

Yannick Jauzion believes France’s hopes of reaching a fourth World Cup semi-final rest on how successful they are in locking down Brian O’Driscoll in Sunday’s showdown.

The recent renaissance in French rugby has left Italy coach Brad Johnstone wary ahead of tomorrow’s opening Lloyds TSB Six Nations clash at the Stade de France.