9:51am Saturday 20th March 2010
FRANCE hooker William Servat has urged his team-mates to put all talk of the Grand Slam to one side as they prepare for tonight’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.
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 develop.
Today 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.’’
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/