THE best in the world -- that is the label given to the French back row by Wales captain Martyn Williams.

The openside flanker has regained the captaincy after the recurrence of Jonathan Humphreys' shoulder injury, and he will run straight into a formidable French unit on Saturday.

Wales are out to avoid their first Six Nations Championship whitewash when they visit the Stade de France, but Williams offers an immediate warning.

He calls Olivier Magne, Imanol Harinordoquy and Serge Betson the best in the business.

"Magne and Betson are totally different. Magne is athletic and could play centre, wing or even full back while Betson's workrate is phenomenal," said Williams.

"France have got the perfect partnership at six and seven and with Harinordoquy as well they've got the best back row in the world.

"France obviously want to go out on a high with the World Cup coming up and we'll have to be at our best to even hold them."

But if praising France to the hilt sounds defeatist, Williams is anything but that as he leads Wales for the second time, the first being against Scotland at Murrayfield.

"We will need self belief and we'll have to be confident or France can run all over you," he admitted.

"But team morale is superb. We got a big kick against Italy, but we have shown we can compete against the best.

"It's been frustrating in that we lost in Italy and Scotland against teams we believed we should have beaten, but then had the opportunity to beat two of the best in England and Ireland.

"It's a big ask for a young side going to Paris, especially against a pack as good as any in the world, but we've won there the last twice though nobody gave us a chance.

"We've got to use our game plan, be patient and get off to a good start. We've got to avoid them starting like they did against Italy and stick with them.

"If we can compete right to the end we're in with a shout."

Wales coach Steve Hansen has made four changes, three in the backs and one up front.

Craig Morgan returns on the wing for the injured Mark Jones in his first appearance since Romania on November 1.

Iestyn Harris makes his expected return as an inside centre and Dwayne Peel reclaims the scrum half spot from Gareth Cooper.

The only change up front is the recall of Mefin Davies at hooker.

Team: R Williams, C Morgan, M Taylor, I Harris, Gareth Thomas, S Jones, D Peel, I Thomas, M Davies, G Jenkins, R Sidoli, G Llewellyn, C Charvis, D Jones, M Williams (captain). Replacements: G Williams, M Madden, Gavin Thomas, S Williams, G Cooper, T Shanklin, M Watkins.

* Newport No 8 Richard Dale has kept his place in the Wales Under-19 team to play France at Montauban tomorrow.