And the former Sale and Toulon head coach has warned his players they will have to work to be part of the French team which will look to avenge last year’s 21-20 defeat to Italy in the opener on February 4.

He said: “I want professionalism and work. We represent a sport, a team and a country. That gives you rights but above all lots of work.

“The most important thing is to win. With little time to prepare we will play to ours strengths: a good set-piece and good discipline.

“That’s the minimum at the highest level. We need to try to offer some attacking options but that will take time and cohesion. It’s a race against time.

“I don’t think [that France are favourites]. It’s a very open tournament. The Welsh [who France will play in the final game at Cardiff on March 17] are waiting for this French team.

“All the tickets went within 90 minutes.

“It’s not a country but a club that we’ll play against. But first we have Italy. And even if we don’t have many training sessions together, we aren’t going to exchange ties but to win.”