The intense public pressure which has built on the Wales coach, Gareth Jenkins, after an unsuccessful Six Nations and a record defeat by England this month may have eased after last weekend's win over Argentina, but the scars of his ordeal remain. He spent yesterday defending his team while admitting they need to show an improvement against France on Sunday as they begin to focus on their opening World Cup game against Canada.

Jenkins, who has recalled the wing Shane Williams for the France game at the Millennium Stadium, said: "We know there are areas we have to improve on and France will be another step up. We have to concentrate on developing our style of play and we know we are up against one of the best defences in the world, one which England failed to crack in two matches this month. We are not likely to know what our best team is until the quarter-finals of the World Cup. While our key group game against Australia is at the back of my mind, Sunday is about building momentum."

Ireland face Italy in Belfast tonight. Already without the injured Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan, they may lose the scrum-half Peter Stringer. He has been plagued with back spasms all week.

Wales Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Robinson (Cardiff Blues), G Thomas (Cardiff Blues, capt), S Williams (Ospreys); Hook (Ospreys), Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); D Jones (Ospreys); Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Horsman (Worcester), Gough (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), Popham (Llanelli Scarlets).

Replacements R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), James (Gloucester), Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), Phillips (Ospreys), Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), Parker (Ospreys).