TEAM NEWS: Fabien Galthie, who gave France's bid for their third grand slam in five years a boost when he returned from injury against England last month, may miss the final match of the campaign against Ireland in Paris on Saturday because of a hamstring strain.
The 33-year-old scrumhalf will have a fitness test tomorrow and it is hard to overstate his importance to the side. Laboured victories without him against Italy and Wales were followed by emphatic displays against England and Scotland after his return.
The injury forced Galthie to pull out of training yesterday but wing David Bory, flanker Serge Betsen and number eight Imanol Harinordoquy were all passed fit to play.
Bory had been suffering from an inflamed right Achilles tendon.
Meanwhile, Colin Charvis is set to hold the Wales captaincy on a long-term basis - signifying a remarkable turnaround in his fortunes.
The 29-year-old Swansea back row will lead Wales at home against Scotland on Saturday in place of the injured Scott Quinnell, but coach Steve Hansen claims Charvis is the man to lead the squad on the end-of-season tour to South Africa.
If outhalf Stephen Jones, as expected, shakes off a niggling leg injury and returns in place of Cardiff's Iestyn Harris after missing Twickenham with a back injury, Wales will show six changes to the starting line-up.
The others see Rhys Williams, of Cardiff, picked on the right wing ahead of Bridgend's Dafydd James, Neath hooker Barry Williams replacing Llanelli's Robin McBryde and Ian Gough, of Newport, recalled to the second row in place of Llanelli's Chris Wyatt.
Scotland coach Ian McGeechan received a welcome injury boost as his side flew to Wales yesterday afternoon. Saracens lock Scott Murray missed training on Monday with a bruised knee while John Leslie also sat out the session after sustaining a calf injury.
But the Scotland coach yesterday reported a clean bill of health. "Everybody trained yesterday and today so at the moment we are at full strength for the game."
Former Australia coach Greg Smith has joined Zurich Premiership side Saracens as temporary performance director.
Guardian Service
WALES (v Scotland): K Morgan (Swansea); R Williams (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), A Marinos (Newport), C Morgan (Cardiff); S Jones (Llanelli) or I Harris (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff); M Williams (Cardiff), C Charvis (Swansea, capt), N Budgett (Bridgend), A Moore (Swansea), I Gough (Newport), C Anthony (Newport), B Williams (Neath), I Thomas (Ebbw Vale). Replacements: S John (Cardiff), D Peel (Llanelli), D James (Bridgend), R McBryde (Llanelli), C Wyatt (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bath), I Harris (Cardiff) or S Jones (LLanelli).
