If proof were needed of how small rugby's world has become at the highest level, look no further than two of today's midfield protagonists at the Millennium stadium: Tom Shanklin, who makes his championship debut for Wales in the centre, and Tony Marsh, his opposite number in the French side.
Shanklin, first capped by Wales on last summer's tour of Japan, has been able to turn to his Saracens team-mate Thomas Castaignede, who gave Wales the runaround four years ago, for lowdown on France's midfield while the New Zealand-born Marsh has played in teams masterminded by the Wales coach Steve Hansen and his predecessor Graham Henry, both New Zealanders.
There is a sense of history repeating itself for the 22-year-old Shanklin because it is 32 years since his father Jim, also a threequarter, made his first championship appearance, likewise against France, after an embarrassing defeat for Wales in Dublin.
Injuries have restricted Shanklin to nine club games this season but once Jamie Robinson damaged ankle ligaments against Ireland two weeks ago Hansen, inclined to drop Iestyn Harris to the bench, turned to the A team, for whom Shanklin played at outside- centre in Cork.
"I was very surprised to be called up but this is my chance," said Shanklin. "I was quickly in touch with Thomas, who knows everything about the France squad."
It has been another traumatic month for Wales, whose decline since their last Grand Slam in 1978 shows no sign of ending. The record 54-10 defeat against the Irish, their fourth reverse in five matches, led to Henry resigning and his assistant, Hansen, who took over as forwards coach only last month, being promoted.
Hansen has adopted a simpler gameplan than the intricate one favoured by Henry, which succeeded only in confusing his players. Whereas Henry operated as a dictator, Hansen is more a first among equals. He not only delegates but has involved the squad in decision-making processes.
It is a sign of the hard times for Wales that today's match is not a sell-out. The last occasion that happened for a championship match was in the 1960s and the organisers of a rugby website have arranged a march through Cardiff today which will end up outside the WRU offices near the central railway station.
France will be looking to get on top in the opening 20 minutes to silence the crowd. "Wales have had a tough time lately but they will be looking to prove a point and it is going to be hard for us," said the Montferrand centre Marsh.
"I played in a side coached by Steve Hansen 10 years ago and I was in the Auckland Blues squad in 1997 when Graham Henry was in charge. They are among the best in the business but in times of strife it is all about digging deep." ... Guardian Service
REPLACEMENTS: WALES - B Williams (Neath), D Jones (Neath), I Gough (Newport), G Thomas (Bath), D Peel (Llanelli), I Harris (Cardiff), R Williams (Cardiff).
FRANCE - O Millaud (Bourgoin), S Bruno (Beziers), A Audebert (Montferrand), F Pelous (Toulouse), A Albouy (Castres), F Gelez (Agen), J Marlu (Montferrand).
REFEREE: David McHugh (Ireland)
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