Don’t take us lightly, Jauzion warns Wales

Mar 11 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

WALES have been warned not to under-estimate France during Saturday’s Millennium Stadium showdown for the Six Nations title.

French coach Marc Lievremont last night showed Les Bleus mean business by recalling six established players for ‘le crunch’.

Even though France need to beat Wales by 20 points to secure a remarkable third European crown in a row, star centre Yannick Jauzion reckons they can pull off the unexpected against the Grand Slam chasers.

He pointed to seven months ago when they hammered Wales 34-7 in a World Cup warm-up in Cardiff and last season when France snatched the Six Nations crown from Ireland on points difference in dramatic fashion.

They needed to beat Scotland by 24 points in Paris to overhaul Ireland in the standings and No 8 Elvis Vermeulen’s converted try in the final minute secured a memorable 46-19 victory, meaning they claimed the title narrowly on points difference.

“There is a possibility we can do it,” said the Toulouse centre, who is expected to have sparring partner Damien Traille alongside him in midfield against Wales.

“It was the same for us last year against Scotland. We have to stay realistic and remain focused on what we need to do. We have a chance, though. We need to keep playing together and retain our philosophy.”

France have never lost at the Millennium Stadium in a Six Nations match - their only defeat at the ground was in a warm-up before the 1999 World Cup - and it remains a favourite venue after they dramatically knocked favourites New Zealand out of this season’s World Cup in the quarter-finals.

Hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, predicted, “It will be like a final. It is going to be a highly intense match.

“The Welsh are full of confidence in their magnificent Millennium Stadium. Their fans are going to be full of voice and we are not going to be able to hear ourselves think.”

After taking a look at 37 players - including 12 newcomers - in the first four matches of the tournament, Lievremont opted for experience when naming his 22-man squad for the all-or-nothing showdown at the Millennium Stadium.

Toulouse quartet William Servat, Thierry Dusautoir, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Cedric Heymans return, while there are also recalls for Stade Francais outside-half David Skrela and Clermont-Auvergne ball-carrier Vermeulen.

Winger Aurelien Rougerie, official man of the match against Italy two days ago and who has caused Wales major problems in the past, is a shock absentee after being dropped. Lievremont put off naming his team by 24 hours until tomorrow but it is likely to be the strongest he has picked since succeeding Bernard Laporte as coach following their World Cup semi-final exit against England.

France squad, backs: J-B Elissalde (Toulouse), D Yachvili (Biarritz), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), D Skrela (Stade Francais), D Traille (Biarritz), Y Jauzion, V Clerc (Toulouse), J Malzieu (Clermont-Auvergne), C Heymans (Toulouse), A Floch (Clermont-Auvergne). Forwards: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), W Servat (Toulouse), F Barcella (Auch), J-B Poux (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), L Nallet (Castres, capt), A Mela (Albi), J Thion (Biarritz), F Ouedraogo (Montpellier), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire, E Vermeulen (Clermont-Auvergne).