French bid to repeat 2004 heroics against old foes

France will bid today to end a six-year wait and land the Six Nations Grand Slam against the same side they beat to secure the 2004 cleansweep - arch foes England.

Victory over the English would also end a series of humiliating defeats by their opponents dating back to the 2007 Six Nations, culminating in an astonishing 34-10 thrashing at Twickenham last year.

"That marked us hugely," said France coach Marc Lievremont.

"This defeat remains relatively incomprehensible because for two years, there was rarely such a supine display by the French team, with such a catastrophic outcome. Yes indeed, that is a bad memory."

However, Lievremont - who was the surprise choice to replace Bernard Laporte after the 2007 World Cup where England had for the second successive time defeated them in the semi-finals - said that on the basis of the tournament so far the two sides were in very different mode mentally.

"It is the French side that is confident and the English team that has its doubts. But we will assess this England team on its potential, and that it will be solid in every department," he said.

"They have very powerful and aggressive players. Both the players and the coaching staff are nursing injured pride. I can just imagine the talk that Martin Johnson (the England manager) will give to his players."

Quite what Johnson said to talismanic fly-half Jonny Wilkinson when he told him he had dropped him to the bench for this clash will remain between them.

On current form, few would back against a French cleansweep today but England's last two matches against France in Paris, the 2007 World Cup semi-final and the 2008 Six Nations clash, have ended in victory.

"It's a huge challenge to play in Paris but it's one we are all looking forward to," said Johnson.

"France will be under pressure to win the Grand Slam. For us, it's time to front up. They've played very well and been the form team of the tournament."

For Lievremont, though, victory will be even sweeter than the one Grand Slam he won as a player in 1998 in the then Five Nations.

"For me, it will be the first time that I finish a competition with a smile on my face, without brooding about things behind the public face I am putting forward.

"It will validate the work we have put in, the confidence and the performances of the players."

Playing today

15.30 Wales vs Italy; 18.00 Ireland vs Scotland; 20.45 France vs England.

Current standings

France (4-0-0) 8; Ireland (3-0-1) 6; England (2-1-1) 5; Italy (1-0-3) 2; Wales (1-0-3) 2; Scotland (0-1-3) 1.