Rugby:France scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili, who orchestrated the French victory over England, declared himself fit to face the Welsh in this weekend's rugby World Cup semi-final.

The master strategist had not trained since last Saturday's dramatic victory, but told reporters he had started running again and would be ready to face the Welsh at Eden Park.

"Yes, I am confident everything is fine," he smiled, when asked if he would take his place in the starting 15 on Saturday night. "I am still healing but things are coming along well. I started running again this morning.

"I took a blow to the thigh in the match against England, but have rested it since then. You need a few days' rest for it to begin healing properly," he explained. Such is Yachvili's influence, the news is a blow to Wales who hope to reach their first World Cup final.

"Yachvili looks to me like a man who totally understands the game of rugby," Wales defensive coach Shaun Edwards told reporters in Auckland.

"The French forwards love him as their scrumhalf because he almost coaches them on the pitch."