Lievremont plays down Bastareaud fitness fears

Marc Lievremont has reassured French fans that Mathieu Bastareaud is fit to face Italy and has only been named on the bench in order to allow him such much-needed rest.

France’s bid for the Grand Slam crown has been maintained despite a host of injuries which have dogged them since even before the start of this year’s RBS 6 Nations.

However, undeniably the biggest blow was when Lievremont announced the France team to face Italy and it was revealed Bastareaud, who has trained separately all week with a calf injury, was only fit for a place on the bench.

Speculation began to mount that the powerful Stade Francais centre could also miss next week’s mouth-watering clash against England but Lievremont claims that Bastareaud, who has been arguably Les Bleus’ most impressive performer in the tournament to date, could even play some part tomorrow.

“Mathieu underwent some reassuring tests at the beginning of the week,” said Lievremont. “There will be no risk taking with him.

“He is certainly one of the players who has played the most since the start of the year 2010.

“These three, four days’ break have really done him good. He has recharged his batteries and Thursday morning, he tested himself in a really convincing manner.”

With or without Bastareaud, France are expected to easily see off the challenge of Italy, especially after defeating Scotland, Ireland and Wales in their opening three matches.

France wing Julien Malzieu insists Les Bleus “do not have the right” to lose at the Stade de France tomorrow.

“In general, everything happens in the first 20 minutes against them,” he said. “We know that we will have to immediately impose our rhythm and be more aggressive than them.

“They attack strongly? Very good, it’s up to us to attack even stronger, to show that we are at home, that whatever they do, it will not come off.

“Victory is ours, we absolutely need it. We will be at home and we don’t have the right to lose.

“We have the cards in our hands.”

Italy have long been regarded as the tournament’s whipping boys.

However, in the last round of matches they defeated Scotland 16-12 and earlier in the tournament ran England close.

France will nevertheless be overwhelming favourites but Malzieu insists they cannot afford to be overconfident heading into the Stade de France meeting.

He continued: “We need to win it, and in style if possible.

“But it will be very difficulty because the Italians are aggressive. It’s up to us to prepare for that and above all to apply ourselves to keeping the ball.

“They will pose us problems there but we have to succeed in disorganising them.

“After some time they will have difficulty in getting back and that will open up spaces for us.

“They are still lacking positioning in their organisation. We know it.”

Malzieu has been dropped to the bench for Sunday’s game in favour of Marc Andreu, who has played just three minutes for France – against Wales last month.

The 26-year-old admits he is disappointed after making his first start at the Millennium Stadium but claims he is happy with life as a replacement.

“I am a bit disappointed but when I think about the way I arrived here, I put things into perspective,” said Malzieu. “I had to wait for three players to get injured to start against Wales.

“So, obviously, there’s disappointment, but I am more with the view to savouring each second with the France team.

“I live happily with this status as a replacement and I don’t get worked up about it. That’s not my style.

“Moreover, Marc Andreu has had a good beginning of the season with Castres and he also has the right to have his chance on the international stage.”