Rugby digest

A round-up of today's rugby news

French go for experience

France coach Marc Lievremont brought back several experienced players rather than calling up any newcomers when he named his 22-man squad to face Wales in Saturday's Six Nations decider at the Millennium Stadium.

Lievremont, who had included uncapped players each time for France's previous four outings in the tournament, made six changes to the squad he picked before Sunday's 25-13 win over Italy.

Scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, outhalf David Skrela and fullback Cedric Heymans return, as well as hooker William Servat, flanker Thierry Dusautoir and number eight Elvis Vermeulen.

FRANCE: Backs: D Yachvili, J-B Elissalde, F Trinh-Duc, D Skrela, Y Jauzion, D Traille, V Clerc, J Malzieu, A Floch, C Heymans. Forwards: F Barcella, J-B Poux, N Mas, W Servat, D Szarzewski, J Thion, L Nallet, A Mela, J Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Elvis Vermeulen.

Robinson role played down

Frank Hadden has laughed off the suggestion Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson was really the brains behind Scotland's 15-9 Calcutta Cup victory over England.

The Scotland coach dismissed an article in one leading Scottish newspaper that claimed the Englishman was "a bigger part of the latest Calcutta Cup victory and English downfall than anyone let on last week".

"Did you not know he was Scotland coach? Apparently he's coaching Glasgow as well," he joked, before insisting there was nothing unusual about Robinson and his Glasgow counterpart Sean Lineen being asked to help the Scots prepare for the match.

"Obviously, we have a number of people who we ask to assist us with our preparation, in fact we have a huge string of people we ask to assist. I actually wanted all the professional coaches in last week but, of course, someone had to stay and coach Edinburgh and Glasgow, so Andy and Sean (Lineen) came in."

Campbell joins Ulster exodus

The exodus from Ulster has continued with former Ireland scrumhalf Kieran Campbell the latest to depart after agreeing a two-year deal with Connacht.

The 28-year-old, capped three times by Ireland, follows in the footsteps of Roger Wilson, Neil McMillan, Tommy Bowe, Neil Best and Justin Harrison in leaving Ravenhill.

Campbell has spent eight seasons with Ulster, having joined from London Irish where he spent four years."I am excited to be joining Connacht and am looking forward to working under Michael Bradley and Eric Elwood," he said.

Wales focused on Slam

Lee Byrne has warned France that confident Wales will not allow themselves to let the Grand Slam slip from their grasp in Saturday's Six Nations decider at the Millennium Stadium.

France need to beat Wales by 20 clear points to wrestle away the championship trophy but Wales' bid to make the Millennium Stadium a feared place for visiting team is at the forefront of Gatland and his players' minds.

"All these games will mean nothing now if we don't win at the weekend," said 18-times capped fullback Byrne, who has played all four games so far.

"The Grand Slam is there for us and that is what we are going out to achieve. We are going out to win, especially in Cardiff. We don't want to lose any home game and we want to make the Millennium Stadium a fortress."

 Nonu out

Wellington Hurricanes winger Ma'a Nonu (above) will miss his side's Super 14 match against the ACT Brumbies on Friday after being suspended for one game at a judiciary hearing.

Nonu accepted the tackle he made on Otago Highlanders prop Clint Newland in their match last Friday in Dunedin was dangerous and was suspended by judicial commissioner Bruce Squire for one week, the New Zealand Rugby Union said in a statement.