That led to Baby being changed, his place taken by Francois Trinh-Duc, but that did not dim French morale.

BBC: France 21-16 Wales

Training takes place under the control of French Brigadier General Francois Lecointre and is expected to continue for about 15 months.

BBC: Mali crisis: EU troops begin training mission

He held off a last-gasp charge from Belgian driver Francois Duval, who just missed out on a podium place after making up a 20-second deficit.

CNN: Loeb lands record fifth Monte Carlo win

The first round of the presidential election takes place next month, and Mr Sarkozy is neck and neck in the polls with Socialist rival Francois Hollande.

BBC: Nicolas Sarkozy