Six Nations: France v Wales set to get go-ahead

Wales' Six Nations Championship clash against France in Paris on Saturday week looks likely to go ahead as planned.

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Lapasset spoke with the country's agriculture minister Jean Glavany and received an assurance about the fixture taking place.

The United Kingdom-based foot-and-mouth crisis has so far claimed three championship matches - Wales versus Ireland, Scotland against Ireland and Ireland versus England.

The Wales/Ireland Test has been provisionally rearranged by Six Nations chiefs for Sunday, April 29.

May dates are likely for the other two games, although the situation is complicated in England through a clash with club play-offs on suggested alternative weekends announced by the Six Nations Committee.

France has so far proved free of foot-and-mouth.

"Bernard Lapasset and Jean Glavany had a conversation this morning, when assurances were given that the game can go ahead," said Federation spokesman Lionel Rossigneux.

"The French squad will meet next Monday, and prepare as usual."

If foot-and-mouth does appear in France over the next few days, it would inevitably cause a major rethink, but the match is currently not in doubt.

Scotland's Murrayfield appointment with Italy on Saturday week is another confirmed starter.