ENGHIEN-LES-BAINS, France, Feb 27 AFP – Wales lock Luke Charteris says Saturday’s Six Nations rugby clash against France is a pressure match as both sides desperately need to win.

Wales have won their past three in a row against France, including a 16-6 victory the last time they met at the Stade de France in Paris, two years ago when they won the Six Nations despite losing their opening match at home to Ireland.

But with both sides having already lost once — Wales were beaten 21-16 at home to England in their opening match while two weeks ago France fell 18-11 to Ireland in Dublin — defeat on Saturday would mean the end of their championship hopes.

“I think here for sure it will be a tough game because both us and the French, we’re in the same position, if we lose the tournament is over,” said Charteris, who plies his club trade in Paris with Racing-Metro.

Charteris is one of five players in the Wales 23 who play in France while two of his Racing teammates and four former teammates from his Perpignan days are in the French XV.

France have made some changes to their line-up due to injury or suspension, crucially bulldozing centre Mathieu Bastareaud has dropped to the bench and Morgan Parra is at fly-half.

But Charteris is not expecting that to change much.

“Maybe it’s different but the tactics will be the same. They’ll be strong up front, in the scrum and lineout.

“If we can win the battle up front, with our backs we can win the game.”

France captain Thierry Dusautoir says his much-maligned team must play with freedom.

They have been highly criticised in their home press for a perceived lack of ambition in their style, preferring to batter away in the forwards rather than throw the ball around the backs.

They scored just one try over their first two Six Nations games but Dusautoir, who admitted a couple of weeks ago this may be his last Six Nations, says they must start enjoying their rugby again.

“The aim is to see a liberated French team who are enjoying themselves,” said the 33-year-old Toulouse flanker.

“I think what is frustrating everyone, players, coaches, fans, is to see and feel that this team has a lot more to offer.

“We’re not managing to completely express ourselves. Being able to free yourselves is part of top level rugby.”