The FFR are currently looking into offering special contracts to a select few internationals to ease their hectic schedules ahead of the 2007 World Cup, which will be held on French soil from September 7 to October 20.

This could see players being paid part of their salary by the federation, although it is likely to apply only to older players, such as 32-year-old captain and lock Fabien Pelous.

Stade Francais Pieter De Villiers, 33, Sylvain Marconnet, 29, and Remy Martin, 26, Bourgoins Olivier Milloud, 29, Pascal Pape, 25, and Julien Bonnaire, 27, as well as Sales Sebastien Bruno, 31, and Biarritzs Jerome Thion, 27, could also be tied to the new deal.

The proposal was discussed last week between the federation, the league and the clubs presidents and players unions.

And for Maso, the France team need every tool at their disposal to lift the World Cup in front of the Stade de France crowd in two years time.

It is out of question to sacrifice the championship but we must find specific solutions for the World Cup, Maso told www.lequipe.fr.

But if we all want France to win the World Cup in 2007 we are all going to have to make some effort.