DANNY Gabbidon is usually calmness personified but even he is quivering in his boots at the prospect of facing the mighty French forwards!

The Football Association of Wales last night confirmed they are keen to arrange a tantalising pre-Euro 2004 friendly with France before Les Bleus head to Portugal to defend their European Championship crown.

A glamourous 72,500 Millennium Stadium full-house against Jacques Santini's superstars is the FAW's preferred option to rake in vital revenue rather than a date at the Stade de France in Paris, although a trip to France is an option.

And Gabbidon is quite rightly fearful of facing a front-line that boasts Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Zinedine Zidane, Sylvain Wiltord and Djibril Cisse.

"That attack is frightening," frowned the Cardiff City centre-back.

"Henry, in particular, is ripping defences apart for fun with Arsenal and is probably the best player in the world at the moment.

"I don't need to tell you of France's quality up-front, they probably have the best strike-force in the world to go with the best squad."

Apart from their menacing marksmen, Santini's French squad possesses players to leave Welsh football fans drooling.

Players with the ability of Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, William Gallas and Lilian Thuram, to name but a few, show why France, ranked second in the world behind Brazil, are odds-on favourites to win Euro 2004.

"Obviously I'd love to pit myself against the best players in the world," said 24-year-old Cwmbran-raised Gabbidon (pictured above).

"But you do fear if you play a team like France because they are awesome in every department.

"However, it will show us how far Wales have improved for if we can hold a team like France then we're obviously going in the right direction.

"It would be great to play against the French but it is still frightening."

France coach Santini is eager to face Wales before Euro 2004's kick-off to analyse his heroes against British opposition before the French meet England in their opening Group B match of next summer's tournament in Lisbon on June 13.

France and England have also been grouped with Switzerland and Croatia.

France are odds-on favourites to regain their trophy while Mark Hughes' Wales are still nursing their Euro 2004 heartache following their play-off misery against Russia.

Mark Evans, Head of International Affairs at the FA of Wales, admitted: "A friendly against France is the type of game we're looking for, especially at The Millennium Stadium.

"The Welsh public deserve to see the best teams and a game against the French would surely capture the imagination of our fans and we would enjoy a Millennium Stadium sell-out.

"France actually promised us a friendly before so we might take them up on that offer now, but Mark Hughes as national team manager needs to make that decision. But Mark doesn't want to commit to any friendlies before the World Cup 2006 qualifying draw on Friday."

Designated friendly dates are on February 17/18, March 30/31 and April 27/28.