Warburton on the mend

Sam Warburton is "looking favourable" to be fit to lead Wales in Saturday's Grand Slam showdown against France.

Wales hopeful skipper will be fit to face France

Sam Warburton is ''looking favourable'' to be fit to lead Wales in Saturday's RBS Six Nations Grand Slam showdown against France. The inspirational skipper was due to undergo what Wales forwards coach Robin McBryde described as a "rigorous fitness test" on Monday after missing the latest 24-3 victory over Italy because of a knee injury. Warburton has played in just one-and-a-half games of this season's Six Nations, with his knee problem following thigh muscle trouble that forced him off at half-time against opening opponents Ireland. But McBryde is hopeful the 23-year-old will be fit for Saturday's crunch clash with Les Bleus at the Millennium Stadium which could give Wales a second Six Nations crown and Grand Slam of coach Warren Gatland's four-year reign. McBryde said: "Sam will be undergoing a rigorous fitness test, and we hope he comes through it and takes a full part in the remaining sessions this week. "We will then have a better understanding of where he is at. He has stood up well in every fitness test he has done. "Things are looking favourable, but we know we have a good player in Justin Tipuric, who acquitted himself well at the weekend. It is not quite panic stations."