The rugby evening headlines as France react to Eddie Jones' 'brutal' warning and Wales star reveals he questioned his future

The Six Nations evening headlines the day before the championship kicks off

Here are your rugby evening headlines from the Six Nations for Friday, January 31.

France fire England warning ahead of Six Nations opener

England have been warned to expect a French onslaught in Paris on Sunday as Fabien Galthie reacted to Eddie Jones' promise of "brutal physicality" in their Guinness Six Nations opener.

Jones opened the week outlining his vision for his team in the post-2019 World Cup era in an attempt to inspire them to reach new levels after leaving Japan as global runners-up.

But Galthie, his opposite number with France, has returned fire with his own blueprint for success.

"We also have a plan," said Galthie, who will be overseeing his first Six Nations match as head coach.

"Expect a ferocious pack. Expect a ferocious battle to win the ball.

"Expect my players to stand their ground with ferocious tackles and collisions. They will play with passion and go beyond their limits."

Faletau: 'At one point you wonder if you can still play rugby'

Taulupe Faletau lines up at No. 8 on Saturday to make his first Wales appearance in two years following a spell of injuries: two broken arms and a collarbone issue which kept him out of the Rugby World Cup.

And the Bath forward has opened up about wondering whether he would ever get the chance to make his international comeback.

"At one point you wonder if you can still play rugby," the Lions star said.

"I get those kind of nerves and am just glad to be out there playing again."

The 29-year-old added: "I've been away for a while and more now than ever I will try to make the most of the times I do get to play.

"Just running out at the stadium is what I have missed most. When you're away for that length of time I guess I'll look forward to it more.

"Running out in front of that crowd is amazing and there is no place like the Principality Stadium."

Italian star's debt to Welsh rugby coach

Italy full-back Matteo Minozzi has opened up on the debt of gratitude he owes to Wasps boss Dai Young.

The Italian, who starts against Wales in the Six Nations opener on Saturday, signed for Wasps from Zebre when he was still recovering from a serious knee injury which required two operations to fix and ruled him out for more than a year, CoventryLive report.

Helping to plug the gap at the club left by Willie le Roux and Elliot Daly, one of his biggest motivations is to repay the faith director of rugby Dai Young demonstrated when getting the deal over the line.

“When I signed, I had only just started running again,” Minozzi told Rugby World.

“The belief they had in me, not knowing how I would come back from that injury, meant a huge amount. It wasn’t hard to choose Wasps.

"They’re one of the most highly decorated clubs in England with one of the biggest histories.

"In the last few years there haven’t been those major wins. But it’s a young group with strong players and bit by bit we can build something that allows us to try and win again."

What Italy coach is expecting from George North

Italy coach Franco Smith has been given his thoughts on Wales selecting Lions winger George North in the centre for Saturday’s Six Nations opener at the Principality Stadium.

“George is a very good player with a lot of Test match rugby played,” said the former Springboks fly-half.

“The 13-14 role is very similar. He has played for the Ospreys there a bit, so he has that experience. I don’t think it’s completely new to him.

“He is a big boy that will come closer to the action now. We expect him to be a force.

“He will come in hard on some good lines. I think he will look forward to the opportunity.

“Most wings want to get closer to the ball at some time in their career and I’m sure it will excite him.

“With Jonathan Davies not being there, it has encouraged George and the coaching staff to look what else is in that role and his future might lie there.”

On coaching for the first time in the Six Nations, Smith said: “It’s a really proud moment. I grew up with the Five Nations.

"It’s a huge opportunity. It’s the heartbeat of world rugby and it’s good to be a part of it.”

Ospreys full-back out for over a month

Dan Evans has been ruled out for up to six weeks with an elbow injury after suffering an injury during the Champions Cup defeat to Munster earlier this month.

The Welsh region say a scan has confirmed has damaged his elbow ligaments, but does not require surgery.

It's his second lengthy lay-off of the season due to an earlier shoulder problem.