Welsh joy unlikely in last Parc tango

WALES bid the Parc des Princes a not-so-fond adieu today. When the Welsh return to Paris in 1999, it will be to the Stade de France, a ground being built across the city to host next year's soccer World Cup.

Wales (like Ireland) will hardly miss the Parc, having lost there on their last 10 visits, a run that stretches back to 1975, and they may be excused for feeling a little heavy-hearted on their way to that vast concrete bowl this afternoon.

Wales's defeat by Ireland in Cardiff a fortnight ago when the French had their feet up to recover from their impressive 32-15 win in Dublin last month makes les Tricolores favourites to extend their winning home run.

But there are reasons for Welsh optimism. The uncompromising nature of the French club game has led to today's side being shorn of five injured players. Emile Ntamack, Thomas Castaignede, Alain Penaud, Fabien Galthie and Philippe Benetton have all hobbled out of contention while the prop Franck Tournaire had already been banned for kicking Ireland hooker Allen Clarke at Lansdowne Road.

Wales's expansive style has rewarded their supporters with seven tries in their two games. With Allan Bateman restored at centre after his cartilage operation and Gareth Thomas back to his best position on the wing, Wales can certainly worry the French.

Richard Dourthe will meet Bateman head-on and the controversial Dax centre is giving Wales plenty of respect. Dourthe, who missed the Dublin visit when he knocked himself out in a training accident, rates the Welsh scrum as better than England's.

He added: "They're a fine combination of power and talent. I watched England against Scotland and I wasn't at all impressed. I think Wales are more dangerous than England this year.

Jean-Claude Skrela has promised that France will attack from deep positions and if he keeps his word and Wales maintain the hands-on style epitomised by their mercurial out-half Arwel Thomas, today's game could be a classic.

France, though, do have impressive strength in depth. Any side that can leave a player of the quality of the Brive full-back Sebastian Viars on the bench must be feared. Viars was magnificent in Brive's recent European Cup triumph over Leicester as was Christophe Lamaison in the centre.

Lamaison moves to fill Penaud's out-half berth today, a bold move by Skrela, who yesterday insisted his squad were in good heart. "All these injuries have brought us even more closely together, added his captain Abdel Benazzi.

Skrela's opposite number Kevin Bowring mastermined Wales's victory over the French in Cardiff last spring. Bowring said: "While France are always a much more difficult proposition in Paris, we've shown that they can be beaten if the players' attitude and commitment is absolutely right.

Wales can prevail if they play with the sort of verve they displayed at Murrayfield and Ieuan Evans, in splendid form in this championship, could prove a handful for his marker David Venditti. But the most likely result would be a French win similar to their 40-33 victory in a friendly in Cardiff last September.