Six Nations Digest/ENGLAND: Henry Paul could find himself back in the England reckoning today - less than three months after his public humiliation at Twickenham.
The Gloucester centre appears to be a candidate for bench duty when England host France on Sunday.
Coach Andy Robinson has delayed announcing the starting line-up and replacements until today. Changes are likely, with Bath centre Olly Barkley, Leicester scrumhalf Harry Ellis and his Tigers colleagues - backrow men Lewis Moody and Martin Corry - all potential starters.
Barkley is tipped to earn a midfield slot, probably replacing Jamie Noon, while Ellis could take over from Matt Dawson.
If Barkley starts then Paul, who has been called up to join the England squad, would offer more versatile bench cover than Noon, likely to be omitted rather than Mathew Tait.
Paul was substituted just 26 minutes into England's defeat against Australia in November, hauled off by an impatient Robinson during a game the world champions lost 21-19.
Robinson also drafted props Matt Stevens and Andrew Sheridan, together with Wasps lock Simon Shaw into his training plans yesterday.
Flanker Moody missed the Wales game because of a hamstring injury, but it would appear he is now fully fit and looks set to replace Andy Hazell.
Number eight Corry, who was out with an elbow injury, also seems on course for a recall.
FRANCE: Coach Bernard Laporte, due to name his starting XV today, is awaiting the outcome of flanker Serge Betsen's hearing before European Cup disciplinary chiefs in Glasgow.
Betsen is poised to start against England, provided he is cleared today after being cited following a challenge on Stuart Abbott during Wasps' European Cup defeat against Biarritz last month.
The French squad will arrive in London on Saturday, anxious to produce a vastly-improved display following their narrow win against Scotland.
"We were weak and fragile against Scotland," said France captain Fabien Pelous.
"We were sort of scared to do well - I don't really have an explanation. We are now trying to put this match to one side and prepare for the England clash. We must produce twice as much than the first clash."
WALES: Gavin Henson will continue as Wales' back-up goalkicker despite his late long-range penalty which gave Wales their first Cardiff victory over England since 1993.
Wales coach Mike Ruddock has decided to retain outhalf Stephen Jones as first-choice marksman for his team's game against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
"We are sticking with Stephen as our number one kicker and I have told him that he needs to better his strike rate," said Ruddock.
Jones, who will feature in an unchanged side, missed three shots at goal from four attempts against England.
The only change in Wales' match-day 22 to face Italy is an enforced one on the bench, where Newport Gwent Dragons forward Ian Gough replaces injured Neath-Swansea Ospreys number eight Ryan Jones.
WALES (v Italy): G Thomas (Toulouse, capt); H Luscombe (Newport Gwent), T Shanklin (Cardiff), G Henson (Neath-Swansea), S Williams (Neath-Swansea); S Jones (Clermont Auvergne), D Peel (Llanelli); G Jenkins (Cardiff), M Davies (Gloucester), A Jones (Neath-Swansea), B Cockbain (Neath-Swansea ), R Sidoli (Cardiff), D Jones (Llanelli), M Williams (Cardiff), M Owen (Newport Gwent).
Replacements: R McBryde (Llanelli ), J Yapp (Cardiff ), I Gough (Newport Gwent), J Thomas (Neath-Swansea), G Cooper (Newport Gwent), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent), K Morgan (Newport Gwent).
