Les Bleus have made just five changes to the side that defeated Ireland at Croke Park on February 11, with head coach Bernard Laporte only making changes forwards.

Wales have lost to Ireland and Scotland in their opening two RBS 6 Nations games, but Laporte is still wary of Gareth Jenkins' men.

France team manager Jo Maso felt it was important to keep a solid spine to his unbeaten side, insisting the Welsh - who have lost two out of two in the tournament so far - would be anything but cannon fodder.

'The turnover continues, and we are still carrying on with this strategy,' he said.

'But the base of the team has been preserved, while adding some new players each time.

'After two positive away games, this will be our first game in Paris. It is important to continue giving our best.

'But we mustn't forget that Wales beat us two years ago at the Stade de France, so we must be careful.'

Laporte added: 'Against Ireland, Wales dominated for six minutes but they conceded twice.

'They did not play well against Scotland. But we know perfectly well the Wales that beat us two years ago, and they have clubs like Llanelli (Scarlets) and The Ospreys. They have a lot of movement.'

Laporte admitted the hardest decision was sticking with the half-back partnership of Pierre Mignoni and David Skrela, with the as-yet-unused Dimitri Yachvili and Lionel Beauxis waiting patiently in the wings.

In the end, though, Laporte felt scrum-half Mignoni, who has excelled on the road in the first two rounds, deserved his chance in front of the French public.

And that automatically meant Skrela, a specialist kicker, was also retained.

'That has been the longest subject of discussion, but we have been decisive,' he added.

'It is good to have confidence in Pierre Mignoni, who has played in the first two away matches. It is always difficult to then say to a player that he will not be playing in our first (match) in Paris.

'We will make changes in this position against England, but through respect of what he has done against Italy and Ireland, we had to play him.'