The tournaments so-called Super Saturday on March 27 is planned to reach a shuddering crescendo when the World Cup semi-final opponents clash at Stade de France.

But Wales assistant coach Scott Johnson is fed up with the hype surrounding that game, and he knows his players could shunt it spectacularly off course.

Wales tackle France in Cardiff on Sunday, then travel to Twickenham a fortnight later, and Johnson said: We are still in this championship.

The odds are stacked against Wales on both counts. They have not beaten France in a home championship clash since 1996, while their last Twickenham victory came 16 years ago thanks to the sublime brilliance of players like Jonathan Davies and Mark Ring.

Johnson though believes Wales can recover from their Dublin debacle last time out, when Irelands forwards steamrollered a feeble Welsh pack, and at least give France something to think about.

Im sick of hearing about this showdown on March 27, he said. Who knows? Come next Monday morning, people might not be talking about it any more.

We are still in this championship, and weve still got to play those two teams.

Australian Johnson has unstinting admiration for the French, although he believes they will reflect on last autumns World Cup as a missed opportunity.

France were blown away by England at a rain-lashed Telstra Stadium in Sydney, sending Bernard Laportes team into a third and fourth place play-off, instead of the final.

I genuinely felt that they thought it was their best chance to win the World Cup, Johnson said.

I think that when they got to Australia, and after all the build-up, that it could be their time. They will be hurting a little bit that it didnt happen, but they are not far off a World Cup win.

Ive got a great affinity with the French. They do so many things outside the text book, and if any other country did it, then it wouldnt work.

Player-wise, they have got the most depth of any nation in the world.

Wales received an off-field boost with Bath prop Duncan Bells declaration that he wants to play for them.

Bell has withdrawn from England A duty, having been offered a place on the bench against France A in Perpignan this weekend. The ex-Pontypridd and Ebbw Vale forward will concentrate instead on trying to secure Wales recognition.

He qualifies for Wales on residency grounds in May, just before Wales summer tour to Argentina and South Africa.

From my perspective, it seemed nonsensical to sit on the bench - and possibly not even get on - when it would mean a potential international career over, said the 29-year-old.

It was a real honour to be selected but at this moment in my career I didnt feel it was in my best interests.