William Gallas has retained his place in a reduced France squad as Raymond Domenech’s side begin their World Cup preparations in earnest in Tignes tomorrow.

France coach Raymond Domenech has warned his Les Bleus players that if they are not fit for a training camp on May 18 they will be ruled out of World Cup contention.

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN is hoping his time-trial failings will not prevent him from winning the Tour de France at the fourth time of asking.

DENMARK’S Michael Rasmussen won the eighth stage of the Tour de France by a comfortable margin and claimed the yellow jersey in the process.

Denmark’s Michael Rasmussen won the eighth stage of the Tour de France on Sunday by a comfortable margin and claimed the yellow jersey in the process.

THE death knell has been sounded for many parts of the Alps as rising temperatures spell the end of snow.

France coach Raymond Domenech has given midfield enforcer Patrick Vieira a ringing endorsement and all but dismissed reports the 29-year-old might start the World Cup on the bench.

FRANCE’S third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet, but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

France’s third-choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau claims he is not taking sides in the rift between first-choice Fabien Barthez and number two Gregory Coupet but admits Les Bleus are still talking about it.

THE mood was tense at France’s World Cup training camp after reports of a dispute between number one goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and his reserve, Gregory Coupet.

Alpine ski resorts were on high alert today after heavy weekend snowfalls caused avalanches that killed at least five people in the last three days.

John Cramer heeds the advice of his ski instructor, but just can't seem to master the snow business.

Three snowboarders practising off-piste died in avalanches that swept through the French Alps this weekend, police said.