We can take pressure - Laporte
France coach Bernard Laporte has challenged his players to handle the pressure as they look to secure the RBS Six Nations Championship title this weekend.
Les Bleus top the standings on points difference over Ireland and they know victory over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday will hand them their third title in five years – unless the Irish rack up a cricket score against England at Twickenham.
Laporte’s men are still to entirely convince in this year’s tournament despite their lofty position in the standings.
Even in their 31-6 win against England in Paris last Sunday, France were solid rather than spectacular and were content to capitalise on their opponents’ mistakes.
They are now clear favourites to finish top of the standings and Laporte appreciates his players will have to shoulder the expectations that go with that tag.
“Whoever the opponents are, pressure is good if you want to win,” he told L’Equipe. “If we want a result, we must have pressure on our shoulders.
“The Wales game is very important for us, but we must be careful because the game next week will not necessarily be the same as the one we‘ve just had (against England).
“The most satisfying thing for me about the England game was our capacity to be strong for 80 minutes. We did not let the pressure drop and I am satisfied with this fighting spirit.”
Wales have been a shadow of the side that claimed grand slam honours last year, the disappointing 18-18 draw against Italy last weekend summing up their campaign.
However, if they had made the most of their chances in the first half, the Welsh could have won at a canter and Laporte is wily enough not to underestimate the reigning champions.
“I saw the first half of the Wales-Italy match and Wales played well,” he added.
“They had lots of opportunities to score and could have been 40 points ahead.
France’s team to face Wales is expected to be named tomorrow.
