Six Nations: FRANCE v WALES
Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Sat, 19 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC One HD and online from 1930-2200; Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Radio 5 Live; Text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Leigh Halfpenny kicked a long-range penalty against Ireland

Leigh Halfpenny believes Wales should be confident of Six Nations success in Paris on Saturday having won in Rome, where France lost at the weekend.

Italy beat France 22-21 in Rome and Wales overcame Ireland 19-13 to give a slim chance of winning the title.

Wales lost to England and beat Scotland and Italy before seeing off Ireland.

"We went out to Rome and beat Italy and they [France] didn't manage to do that, which is something we can take confidence from," said Halfpenny.

"It's a massive game for us. We have put ourselves into the position we wanted to, and we know we can improve."

Halfpenny, 22, returned from injury to kick a trademark long-range penalty in the win over Ireland in which Mike Phillips' controversial try tipped the balance.

Is there a bigger challenge than going out to Paris and playing France in their own back yard when they've just lost to Italy? Wales centre Jamie Roberts

But the Cardiff Blues wing says Wales' defensive effort also had a major bearing on the outcome and that it can be equally important at Stade de France.

He said: "We need to show the same attitude that we did against Ireland. Our defence will be massively important - we know how France can play at home - and we've got to match them physically.

"Our confidence is high now, and we can go out to France and really perform. We have just got to concentrate on our own performance and do the job we know we've got to do."

Halfpenny's Blues team-mate Jamie Roberts is also upbeat ahead of the clash in Paris, the centre saying: "The buzz is really growing and is there a bigger challenge than going out to Paris and playing France in their own back yard when they've just lost to Italy?

"Personally I don't think there is for this one. It's a huge challenge for us and this is why we play the game.

Alun Wyn Jones expects a French backlash in Paris on Saturday

"We play the game for these big games and the Six Nations is certainly proving to be a great tournament that will go down to the last weekend.

"A lot of the guys here know what it's like to win in France and that's important."

Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones believes Wales' win-loss ratio may leave something to be desired, but contends their performances have been up to the mark as the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand approaches in the autumn.

He said: "No doubt there'll be some sort of backlash [in Paris], which is going to be a tough place to win especially going out to Stade de France with the quality players they have and questions over some of the players they have rested etc.

"So we'll keep one eye on that and see how they go off the game against Italy.

"There's still one carrot at the end of this competition and there's an even bigger carrot at the end of the year and we're well aware that what we achieve now puts us in good stead for that."

Wales coach Warren Gatland names his side to face France on Thursday.

*Follow Thursday's Wales team announcement on all BBC Wales outlets from 1300 GMT.

Wales squad:

Forwards: Paul James (Ospreys), John Yapp (Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets, capt), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Wasps), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Dan Lydiate (Dragons).

Backs: Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Sale), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets), Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version