"It's amazing, when you get into it, how you just become overpowered with such positive thoughts."

FORMER Toulouse and France legend Jean-Claude Skrela will have different reasons for an attack of nerves before this afternoon’s Heineken Cup semi final against Leinster at Le Stadium.

France coach Bernard Laporte has angrily hit back at his predecessor Pierre Villepreux following his criticism of the current France team.

FRANCE are to keep the same coaching staff for the 2004 Six Nations championship but are to review the set-up in April as part of the overhaul planned for the build-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

NAPOLEON had Talleyrand, Louis XIII had Cardinal Richelieu and France rugby coach Bernard Laporte has as his chief advisor and fixer, the flamboyant former international centre Jo Maso.