Servat warns of Grand Slam distraction

FRANCE hooker William Servat has urged his team-mates to put all talk of the Grand Slam to one side as they prepare for today’s crunch battle with England in their final RBS 6 Nations test.

Marc Lievremont’s men have exceeded expectations this year and, despite injury problems which have dogged them since even before the start of the tournament, are now favourites to beat England in Paris, completing a clean sweep of victories.

Les Bleus could already be Six Nations champions by the time they take to the pitch, with Ireland’s match against Scotland taking place nearly three hours earlier.

Servat has revealed the French have been working harder than ever this week and believes they will only have themselves to blame if they lose.

“It is certain that there has been more work, more seriousness, in preparing for this match than during last week,” he said.

“We are aware of the step we have taken but also of the efforts we still need to do to develop.

“There is a feeling of expectation which has been caused by those around us.

“More journalists are around than last week. There are a lot of things around the group that make everyone talk about the Grand Slam.

“I only hope that this doesn’t disturb us and that the players don’t think about the entourage but rather about what’s waiting for us on the pitch.

“We have not won this match. The English are always there to annoy us and throw a spanner in the works. We saw it in the last two World Cups. If we fail, it would be a stupid error on our part.”

He added: “Without even talking about the Grand Slam we fear the English. We fear what they do in all their matches and even more so against the French.

“They have a lot of physical commitment, and enormous amount of concentration. They try to shatter their opponents so that they can make the difference in the final minutes.

“We know that the English aren’t coming here on holiday. We know that it will be an enormously physical game.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Moody will enjoy the proudest moment of his England career today when he captains his country. The Leicester flanker was given the honour after Steve Borthwick, who had captained England for 20 consecutive Test matches, was ruled out with a knee injury.

Louis Deacon has replaced Borthwick in the second row while Stade Francais lock Tom Palmer, who last played for England in 2008, has been preferred to Courtney Lawes on the bench because of his lineout expertise.

“You don’t get asked to captain your country very often. Without doubt it will be the proudest moment in my England career,” said Moody.

“To be asked under whatever circumstance to captain your country is a huge honour. What a day, it will be amazing.”

Moody vowed that instinctive style would not change just because he is captain. The Mad Dog’s bite will remain fiercer than his bark.

“I think for me the most important part of being a captain is to play the game the way I do,” he said.

“It will not change me. I will just play the way I do. I will not talk more than I have done.

“If I need to say something I will do but there will be no Churchillian speeches.”