Thousands of rugby fans are expected at the Millennium Stadium

There is just one train from Holyhead on Sunday and maintenance work means supporters will have to go on coaches for part of the trip, arriving in Cardiff eight minutes after the international's 1500 GMT kick off.

Rail company Arriva have admitted that special trains have been laid on from the north for previous matches at the Millennium Stadium but they have not proved viable.

"We count the number of people who travel from north Wales and the number of rugby fans using the trains isn't that great - you're not talking hundreds of people," said a spokesman.

I've paid �42 for my ticket and I'm not happy Colin Jones

He sad there was nothing Arriva could do because Network Rail were carrying out engineering works and they are not prepared to lay on an earlier train.

Network Rail say they plan their timetable for maintenance work up to 18 months in advance and this weekend's repairs between Hereford and Abergavenny had been scheduled.

However, rugby supporters from north Wales claim they have been forgotten about.

"I've paid �42 for my ticket and I'm not happy," said Colin Jones from Mold Rugby Club.

"We've now got to set off from Chester, down to Crewe and over to Bristol to get a train back to Cardiff.

"We leave Chester at twenty past nine and we get into Cardiff about quarter to two. It takes a long time but at least we get to see the game."

Wales need a win against France at the weekend

Mr Jones, 52, said there are hundreds of rugby fans from north Wales who will attend the weekend's game.

"I was rather annoyed when I first heard. I couldn't believe that an international game where you'll have 72,000 people converging on Cardiff and there's no transport.

"I can't go down the day before because of work and the expense of having to stop down there.

"We were expecting them[Arriva] to put on rugby specials but they didn't, It'll affect all the supporters across north Wales," he said.

Bryn Evans, also from Mold, said he would have to drive down to the match now.

"English supporters were able to get down to the Millennium Stadium for the football game with Bolton and Middlesborough last weekend and we can't," he said.

"I'm a little disappointed. It's a long drive and trains are usually pretty good," he added.