Jones' squad provided the vast majority of Wales' 2008 Grand Slam side, but their defence of the Magners League ended in a woeful seventh-placed finish and the Heineken exit rocked the region.
He played 98 times for France after making his debut against Wales in 1996, and reached the World Cup final in 1999 as well as captaining the 1998 Grand Slam winning side.
However, you cannot forget that the side which won the 2003 Grand Slam and went on to win the World Cup lost three Grand Slam matches before they won their first Slam, so if England lose on Saturday, this side should not be written off.
Italy didn't do too badly considering their resources and France were unrecognisable in the autumn from the side that won the Grand Slam last season.
The 21-year-old Earls, who can play centre or full-back, has two Ireland caps but did not feature in the Grand Slam-winning side during the Six Nations campaign.
Dai Young provided specific scrummaging expertise for the U19 Grand Slam-winning side last season, and will follow that group of players into the U20 age group as scrum coach.
Realistically, Johnson expects to be going to the Stade de France to face a French side going for a Grand Slam but he remains convinced that could play into England's hands.
Australian skipper Rocky Elsom was disappointed to concede the late try which cost his side victory and the chance of a successful grand slam tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Warren Gatland's side opened with a 26-19 defeat by Grand Slam-chasing England - the only unbeaten team in the competition - but recovered with a 24-6 win against Scotland at Murrayfield before winning in Rome.
BBC: Wales indiscipline daft says Lions centre Jamie Roberts
New York Senator Hillary Clinton won approval on the Democratic side, but former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani got a body slam.
Thomas himself is looking forward to packing down on the blind-side on Friday night, as Wales seek to derail France's Grand Slam quest.
Wales' last Six Nations visit to Scotland in 2007 ended in a 21-9 defeat, although two years before that Mike Ruddock's side had swept to a 46-22 win on their way to the 2005 Grand Slam.
应用推荐