Wales v France:If the campaign against Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins in the local media has achieved one thing, it is to bring his squad closer together. When Jenkins was last week compared to the television character Mike Bassett, a hapless football manager played by Ricky Tomlinson, the indignant response from players was neither superficial nor a ritual organised by spin doctors.

As Jenkins prepares for Wales's final friendly before the World Cup, against France at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow, the players are behind the head coach.

"I feel, and I know everyone else does too, very passionately that the way we are being taken as a group of players is the right one," said prop Chris Horsman. "I have unbelievable faith in the people who are leading us and in my team-mates."

From the moment he took over from Mike Ruddock 16 months ago, Jenkins has made the World Cup his priority. Wales suffered in the short term as tactics were changed and new combinations tested, but victory over the World Cup hosts would leave the coach close to where he envisaged being when he accepted the job.

It would also send a message to their pool rivals Australia, who have to travel to Cardiff next month, that home advantage will count for something, unlike in their World Cup encounters in 1991 and 1999.

England failed to score a try in two matches against France this month, but in recent years Wales have not had a problem creating against les Bleus, who have found their ability to offload in the tackle and support ball carriers more disconcerting than England's straight lines.

"We defended superbly against England, but I will be looking for our team to play a little more in Cardiff," said the France coach, Bernard Laporte, who will announce his line-up today having pondered whether to experiment by playing Cedric Heymans at fullback, David Skrela in the centre and Lionel Beauxis at outhalf.

"The victory in Marseille last week was vital for us because it was our only warm-up game at home. On Sunday the players' state of mind will be important, and the manner in which they play the game."

France have never lost a Six Nations international at the Millennium Stadium, but Wales did beat them there in a friendly before the 1999 World Cup. Supporters stayed away from last week's meeting with Argentina, but more than 50,000 are expected to turn up tomorrow.

Jenkins has not given a start this month to players such as scrumhalf Mike Phillips and hooker Rhys Thomas, evidence his mind is largely settled on the team for the opening two World Cup matches.

Jenkins is likely to field virtually the same side against Canada and Australia, one that will bear a strong resemblance to the starting line-ups last week and tomorrow.

It means the Wales captain, Gareth Thomas, will stay at inside-centre. The 33-year-old is physical and confrontational, but his decision-making does not lose its focus under pressure. He personifies the subtle change engineered by Jenkins: appearance is not everything.

It takes all sorts.

WALES: K Morgan; M Jones, J Robinson, G Thomas (capt), S Williams; J Hook, D Peel; D Jones, M Rees, C Horsman; I Gough, A Wyn Jones; J Thomas, M Williams, A Popham. Replacements: R Thomas, G Jenkins, W James, C Charvis, M Phillips, C Sweeney, S Parker.

FRANCE (possible): C Heymans; V Clerc, Y Jauzion, D Skrela, C Dominici; L Beauxis, P Mignoni; N Mas, S Bruno, P de Villiers; S Chabal, L Nallet; S Betsen, R Martin, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: D Szarzewski, J-B Poux, J Thion, T Dusautoir; J-B Elissalde, D Traille, A Rougerie.

Referee: W Barnes (England).