France have posponed the announcement of their starting line-up for Saturday's Six Nations match against Wales from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning.

"The decision has been taken to enable the players to recover in the best conditions of Sunday's match against England," team press officer Lionel Rossigneux said today.

After thrashing England 31-6 in Paris on Sunday, France top the standings on six points from three wins and a defeat, level with Ireland who beat Scotland 15-9 in Dublin on Saturday.

France's points difference, however, is 28 superior to Ireland's and they should be crowned champions if they beat holders Wales in Cardiff, even if Ireland beat world champions England at Twickenham on the last day of the championship.

The win over England, however, took its toll as five French players had X-rays or scans on Monday. Prop Pieter de Villiers, who suffered a rib injury, will be exempted from training until Thursday, Rossigneux said.

Number eight Thomas Lievremont and centre Damien Traille, who both suffered rib injuries, and wing Aurelien Rougerie, who has a bruised sternum, will resume training on Wednesday. Prop Olivier Milloud will be available from Tuesday despite a toe injury.