Six Nations to start with crunch match

Could the Six Nations title be decided in the first match?

England hosts defending champion France in the opening round next Saturday at its home ground of Twickenham.

The two teams are set to battle for the title again this season, with revenge and an elusive Grand Slam high on England's mind. Meanwhile, France will have to overcome the positive drug test of prop Pieter De Villiers.

"The game against France is a massive one," England coach Clive Woodward said. "They are the Grand Slam champions and were the only team to beat us last year, and I'm sure the competition will be very intense."

The French, who won all their matches in last year's tournament, handed England its only defeat last year -- a 20-15 loss at the Stade de France.

This time, England has the home advantage and that could be the deciding factor.

Ahead of November's World Cup in Australia, all sides are seeking early psychological points. Players will be staking their claim for a World Cup berth.

All countries start the season on a high. England, France, Scotland, Wales and Ireland won matches when southern hemisphere Australia, New Zealand and South Africa toured Europe in November.

Meanwhile, Italy is lessening the margins of its defeats.

Also on the opening day, Italy hosts Wales in Rome, and Scotland plays Ireland at Murrayfield the day after.

France, runner-up to Australia in the 1999 World Cup, has transformed its team from Six Nations also-rans in 2001 into Grand Slam winners last year. But French team manager Jo Maso isn't overconfident.

"We've got our feet on the ground and enough humility to understand that we have had an exceptional season," Maso said. "We have still got a lot of progress to make to position ourselves long term among the world's best teams."

De Villiers, the South African-born prop with 28 France caps, was excluded from the England game after it emerged this week that he tested positive for cocaine and Ecstasy on Dec. 18.

De Villiers insists he did not take drugs and has asked for a follow-up test. But he could miss the entire tournament.

French captain Fabien Galthie, named the player of year by the International Rugby Board last year, has the powerful Imanol Harinordoquy, Olivier Magne and Serge Betsen at the heart of his backrow.

Back Thomas Castaignede and wing Aurelien Rougerie are also available after long-term injuries.

Harinordoquy is particularly keen to beat England.

"The only memories I have of England and the English are unpleasant ones," the 22-year-old said. "As long as we beat England I wouldn't mind if we lost every other game in the Six Nations."

England has an 18-game winning streak at Twickenham -- and hasn't been beaten at home in either the Five or Six Nations since 1997.

Woodward's side has won 22 of its last 24 test matches, but this year desperately wants to complete a clean sweep after years of coming up short.

"I have always wanted to win a Grand Slam," England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson said. "It's no good me pretending that it doesn't matter because I'm desperate to say I've got one. I've had five attempts at it, but each time it has proved elusive.

"In its way, that encapsulates the essential beauty of the Six Nations. No team can afford to be complacent."

Jason Leonard could become only the third player to reach 100 caps. Frenchman Philippe Sella (111) and Australia's David Campese (101) lead the way.