French clubs on Wednesday fired back at criticism labelling them as the main reason France performed so badly in the recently-concluded Six Nations. France finished the tournament with the wooden spoon, with just one victory to their credit, over Scotland, and a draw against Ireland. France coach Philippe Saint-Andre laid a large part of the blame for the poor performances at the door of an overloaded domestic playing schedule, which he hopes will be revised when the clubs, the players representatives and the French federation meet in the coming weeks.

France must do whatever it takes to beat Ireland in their Six Nations clash in Dublin on Saturday and ease the pressure on them landing their first wooden spoon since 1957, captain Thierry Dusautoir has demanded. The French have made their worst start to a Five/Six Nations since 1982 in losing their first three matches, and are the only side still to record a point. But they travel to Dublin at least in the knowledge they have lost only once to their opponents in their last 13 tests, the Irish Grand Slam in 2009.

By Julien Pretot PARIS, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Wales restored their dented pride and inflicted a second straight defeat on France as the reigning champions ended an eight-match losing streak with a 16-6 win over the World Cup runners-up in the Six Nations on Saturday. Wales, who had not won a game since last year's victory against France in the Six Nations, defended fiercely throughout and wrapped it up thanks to a late moment of inspiration from Dan Biggar and try scorer George North.

France on Thursday announced two changes as they prepare to take on Grand Slam champions Wales in Saturday's Six Nations showdown in Cardiff. Both countries lost their opening encounters - France going down to Italy in Rome while Wales succumbed on home turf to Ireland. France manager Philippe Saint-Andre has brought in Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud in place of Florian Fritz, while Bastareaud's club teammate and second rower Jocelino Suta steps in for injured captain Pascal. Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir skippers the side.