Wales eyeing Grand Slam

Wales are optimistic captain Sam Warburton will be fit to lead his team’s RBS 6 Nations title bid against France next Saturday.

Warburton misses today’s Millennium Stadium appointment with Italy because of a knee injury, the latest problem following thigh trouble that restricted him to just 40 minutes’ action during victories over Ireland and Scotland last month.

Prop Gethin Jenkins will skipper the side, with Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric handed a first Test match start, packing down alongside back-row colleagues Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau. A Welsh win would then leave them needing to beat France for their third Six Nations and Grand Slam in eight seasons. Of more immediate concern is the Six Nations favourites putting Italy away to set up next week’s assault on Six Nations silverware.