France will find out if they are geniuses or idiots when they pit a makeshift line-up that has had little time to train against champions Wales this evening, the first Six Nations match to be staged on a Friday.
Ireland, on course for a grand-slam decider against Wales, host England at Croke Park tomorrow, while Scotland play Italy at Murrayfield in the championship's third weekend of games.
France coach Marc Lievremont, unhappy that any Six Nations game should be played on a Friday or an evening, has also bemoaned the fact that nine members of his squad will be playing just five days after a weekend of French championship games.
He will be playing with a centre at fly-half (Benoit Baby), an uncapped back in midfield (Mathieu Bastareaud) and no recognised goalkicker after injuries robbed him of Lionel Beauxis and Maxime Mermoz for the game.
"If we win, we'll be called geniuses, if we lose we'll be called idiots and incompetents," the French coach said.
Wales coach Warren Gatland had some sympathy for his French counterpart but it did not stop him from rubbing his nose in it.
"We trained Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week and then the players had the weekend off. There is no denying the fact our preparation going into this game is a hell of a lot better," he said.
He admitted the French team's adverse preparations could work in the hosts' favour.
"Sometimes that sort of thing galvanises a team and we've got to be aware of that," he said.
Gatland, with wins over Scotland and England behind him, made just one change to his team by recalling 2008 world player of the year, winger Shane Williams, who had recovered from an ankle injury.
With their game based on pace, furious energy and defence, Wales are only one win away from equalling the Six Nations record of nine successive victories held by France and England.
France go into the game following a defeat in Ireland and a sluggish win over Scotland.
Like Gatland, Ireland coach Declan Kidney had the luxury of naming the same team as in the wins over France and Italy for the visit of England.
Two years ago, in a highly charged first meeting between the two at Croke Park, Ireland swept to a 43-13 victory to make it four wins in a row against them but England stopped the rot at Twickenham last year with a 33-10 success.
"The Irish were very patient and trusted themselves in the latter stages against France and we know Brian O'Driscoll can be lethal," England manager Martin Johnson said.
England will have to improve their disciplinary record which has seen them receive eight yellow cards in their last three games and concede a host of costly penalties.
"If we give Ronan O'Gara seven kicks at goal we'll be in trouble," Johnson said.
The Scotland-Italy game will be another episode of the battle to avoid the wooden spoon between two teams who are seeking their first win of the campaign.
Italy recorded their maiden Six Nations away victory at Murrayfield two years ago and defeated the Scots in Rome last season.