Laportes men kick-off their defence of their crown against Scotland on Saturday, and he is adamant Ireland and Wales are both real threats to the traditional pacesetters of France and England.

I believe the 2005 tournament is more open than in previous years. England dont dominate as they used to two years ago, Laporte told L'Equipe.

Like us they are in a process of rebuilding and they are facing a series of absences of key players in their back row.

Ireland on the other hand have a favourable schedule of matches, since they will host us as well as England.

As far as Wales are concerned they seem to have reached a new level considering their performances during the November Test matches.

Victory is the only objective for the French and Laporte pinpointed the trips to Lansdowne Road and Twickenham as key to the fate of their hopes.

He continued: As for us, a successful tournament is a winning tournament, thats all. We are the defending champions and our objective is to keep the crown.

This means we must win our matches at the Stade de France and impose ourselves at least once or twice in our three away games, especially at Twickenham and Dublin.

France head into the tournament with the 2007 World Cup, which they are hosting, only two years away.

The pressure is on for Laporte to deliver the trophy and he is determined to see the job through despite criticism from certain quarters.

He added: The expectations are normal but there is no pressure. I am doing the most beautiful job in the world and what I am feeling is impatience and enthusiasm.

As long as I have accepted this mission I am not asking myself any questions anymore. I want to go until the end of it.

Of course I am sensitive to critics but they are part of the job. If president (Bernard) Lapasset tells me one day that it's over, then it will be over and I will not go and see him to cry and ask to continue.

In the meantime I have no time to waste on controversy. I put all my energies to help the French team go forward.

Laporte was criticised after a disappointing autumn, which saw a victory over Australia but two defeats to New Zealand and Argentina.

However he was quick to fire back at his doubters by pointing to the achievements of the year.

Laporte added: I would also like to remind you that during 2004, which was called horrible in December, we won the Grand Slam and defeated the world champions England as well as the World Cup runners-up Australia. That counts.