I'M not sure that I have ever been so excited about a Wales rugby match as I am about this Saturday's match against France. This is the weekend of destiny for this Welsh team.

There has been an enormous amount of talk about the two victories so far and about the possibilities that lie ahead in terms of the winning of championships and maybe even a Grand Slam.

But all that will mean little if victory cannot be achieved in Paris. That might sound harsh because Wales could still end up having a decent season, even if they do lose in France, but they will know that they will rarely have a better chance of achieving something memorable and historic than this season of unexpectedly poor fare from the more fancied nations.

France have been awful so far this campaign despite the fact that they have won two out of two.

I was at the Stade de France to watch them scrape through with a scarcely deserved victory over Scotland, and even the French themselves must be wondering how they came away from Twickenham with a win in their last match. They were overrun in the first half and then somehow managed to persuade England to give away countless penalties in the second half, even though they never looked like breaching England's line.

England's problems are well documented, even if a little exaggerated. Some of coach Andy Robinson's selections have been way off the mark and he seems to have erred again for this Sunday's clash against Ireland, starting with Matt Stevens at tight head prop with Duncan Bell (the wannabee Welshman still living in Pontypridd) on the bench when at their club side, Bath, the reverse happens.

Bell is a ferociously strong scrummager who sometimes fails to last the distance, allowing the more athletic and mobile Stevens to give it a lash in the last quarter.

I wouldn't bet against an English win in Dublin because I am not convinced the Irish are as good as many are making out. Their pack is showing signs of ageing and with injury concerns hanging over their brilliant centre pairing of Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy, that puts a lot of responsibility on half backs Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara, two players I have never rated highly. Stringer is one-dimensional at scrum half and would be about my fifth choice for the Lions (both Dwayne Peel and Gareth Cooper should go ahead of him), while O'Gara can be flaky when the heat rises.

I prefer his deputy, David Humphreys, and it may be that Sir Clive Woodward thinks the same way. Humphreys played under Woodward at London Irish many moons ago and don't be surprised if he prefers him to O'Gara come Lions' selection time.

Which brings me on to the fashion of the moment: picking one's Lions' Test team for the summer. Everyone is at it so I thought it would be silly to miss out. How about this for the 15 to start the first Test, presuming that all are fit by then and not necessarily taking into account form?

Josh Lewsey; Gareth Thomas, Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Jason Robinson; Jonny Wilkinson, Harry Ellis; Gethin Jenkins, Steve Thompson, Julian White, Paul O'Connell, Ben Kay, Colin Charvis, Martin Corry and Martyn Williams.

I think Gareth Thomas should be playing on the wing for Wales because from there he can pop up anywhere and be much more involved than he currently is. As should Jason Robinson for England because sides have now worked him out at full back, kicking to him and sending two, maybe three, defenders in a line at him.

Ellis might surprise you at scrum half and I can hear the shouts of English bias but, as I have mentioned, there are few outstanding contenders in this position and Ellis has something different (as long as he can curb his temper) with his pace and strength to produce match-turning moments.

Peel will push him but will need to improve on his showings in this campaign.

He was excellent in the autumn but has been only competent so far in the Six Nations, having a poor second half against England when his control left much to be desired.

What, no Gavin Henson? I hear you cry. He's still got a lot to do in my book. One magnificent kick does not make a complete player and did anyone notice how his running across the field scuppered numerous overlaps for Wales in Rome? He will go on the trip for certain though, as will Michael Owen, Peel, Cooper, Stephen Jones, and maybe Robert Sidoli and Mefin Davies.

And if you want a complete long shot, put some money on John Yapp going. Again call me biased (he plays for Cardiff Blues, by the way) but I have not seen a prop in Britain who can carry the ball as powerfully as him.

Maybe Sale's Andrew Sheridan, who has been in and out of England's squad, is near but his propping ability is less than that of Yapp, who can only go from strength to strength, and whom I am glad Mike Ruddock has retained for this weekend.

There, that should get you all talking, especially coming from a cricketer (ex).