Five countries eye Six Nations title

By the time France and England troop off the Stade de France pitch tomorrow one of them will still be in the mix for the Six Nations title while the other's chances will probably be over.

More of a final eliminator than a grand slam decider, it is hardly the scenario envisaged when the fixtures were released. But such is the open nature of this year's tournament that Ireland, Scotland and even Wales can also still be crowned champions after the concluding round on March 18.

France and England both have four points from two wins, as do Ireland and Scotland, who meet in Dublin today. Champions Wales, with two points, open proceedings in Cardiff against Italy, who have yet to register a victory despite leading in the second half against Ireland, England and France.

Until Wales gloriously gate-crashed the party last year, France and England had won nine of the previous 10 Six Nations titles. Whoever won their head to head generally won the title.

This season, however, both have been patchy, and even tomorrow's victors will have work to do on the final weekend when England host Ireland and France travel to Cardiff.

This certainly was not what coach Bernard Laporte had in mind after France completed their own "mini-slam" in November's test series and he talked confidently of remaining unbeaten at home right through to the 2007 World Cup final.

Unbeaten, at home at least, they remain but unbowed they are not after producing typically schizophrenic displays against Ireland and Italy having been outplayed by the Scots when losing in Edinburgh.

Yachvili card

For all his long-term building plans, Laporte knows that the French rugby public will not accept home defeat by England, something they have not had to swallow for six years.

Consequently, he has made a percentage call by recalling Dimitri Yachvili, England's scourge in the last two years, at scrumhalf.

Unspectacular, but tactically reliable, Yachvili scored 19 points when France beat England 24-21 in their grand slam-winning game in 2004 and all 18 in their one-point Twickenham win last season.

Andy Robinson has also shelved any ideas of development by recalling 33-year-old Matt Dawson for Harry Ellis at scrumhalf.

The vastly-experienced World Cup winner captained England on their last successful visit to Paris in 2000 and will bring a steadying influence to the pack in what is likely to be another tight, forward-dominated contest.