Former Wales and Lions flanker Richard Webster once famously said rugby union is a sport played on grass, rather than paper, which is just as well for England this weekend.

Try this simple exercise.

Look down the England team-sheet, then compare it man-for-man with a Grand Slam-chasing French side that will arrive at Twickenham on Sunday.

Didn't take long, did it?

Okay, current form possibly puts wing Jason Robinson ahead of his opposite number Vincent Clerc, and openside flanker Tom Rees might hold his own with Julien Bonnaire, but as for the rest?

I give you Mike Catt, 35 and counting, against Yannick Jauzion; Tim Payne versus Pieter De Villiers; George Chuter opposing Raphael Ibanez; Nick Easter against Sebastien Chabal. I presume you get the drift?

Firstly, the case for England head coach Brian Ashton's defence.

Injuries have ruled out Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Farrell and captain Phil Vickery - the latter through alleged skullduggery - while a rib problem probably curtailed Bath skipper Steve Borthwick's hopes of a recall to the second-row.

With an inexperienced fly-half, Toby Flood, replacing Wilkinson, Catt's selection provides a possible insurance policy at inside centre, while Julian White was the obvious prop to take over from Vickery.

Robinson's return is a considerable boost, and lock Tom Palmer makes a first Six Nations start - it should have happened three games ago - but France won't lose too much sleep as they target a fourth successive victory over the world champions.

Quite why the pace and invention of Mathew Tait remains a talent in reserve on the bench is baffling; wing Mark Cueto, a proven class-act at Test level, could also have started with Robinson moving to full-back; while Chris Jones was surely a back-row option, rather than either Easter or Joe Worsley.

And what about the young Northampton talent Dylan Hartley? Neither Chuter nor his hooking companion Lee Mears possess the X factor, and with Steve Thompson unfortunately sidelined long-term, surely the best young number two in England deserved an opportunity.

For me though, the real concern is Catt.

He will become the oldest back to captain England and the 15th oldest red rose Test player of all-time, and while Ashton has inevitably sung his praises this week, one wonders whether the international game has now passed him by.

Before London Irish fans jump on their soap-boxes and start ranting, given Catt's often blistering form for the Exiles this season and last, I would agree that he has been a magnificent player - in his prime.

But anyone who witnessed his totally ineffective displays for England against Australia in Sydney and Melbourne last summer would perhaps allow themselves not to get carried away by the hype and expectancy surrounding his return.

Inside centre remains arguably England's biggest problem position - it has been since the 2003 World Cup campaign - yet Catt, I don't believe, is the answer, as someone of Jauzion's talent might confirm this weekend.

Wales, meanwhile, will head to Rome with their Six Nations campaign already in ruins.

And however much talk is spun to the contrary, they look like being the tournament's biggest underachievers this season.

Gareth Jenkins' coaching reign is currently littered by defeats and poor performances - played nine, won two, drawn one, lost six - and you wouldn't put one brick of your house on them beating Italy at Stadio Flaminio, let alone your mortgage.

Yes, there was a considerable improvement against France in Paris two weeks ago, yet will Wales improve on that display or sink back into the mire caused by their own incompetence at Murrayfield?

While England boss Ashton has made his case for recalling veteran Catt on Sunday, Jenkins continues to do the complete opposite in snubbing 31-year-old flanker Colin Charvis.

Now, Newport Gwent Dragons might be the least fashionable of Wales' four professional regions, but Charvis has made a statement virtually every time he has appeared for them this season.

In terms of the Magners League, he is unquestionably Wales' best forward. The fact though, he cannot force his way into a Test squad not exactly oozing quality at present remains a mystery of Agatha Christie proportions.

If Wales were ripping apart opponents and challenging for Six Nations silverware, then it would be easier to understand Charvis' omission, but they are not.

Here is a player who leads by example, wins possession on the floor - and then doesn't lose it - and makes tackles of such shuddering intensity to almost make them game-defining moments.

Perhaps Jenkins is holding him back for a possible face-saving exercise next weekend - beating England to avoid a Six Nations whitewash - but don't hold your breath.

And as for Ireland? If they are only half as good against Scotland on Saturday as they were in demolishing England two weeks ago, then a second successive Six Nations Triple Crown will be secured - end of story.