We’ll dig deep for Slam says Williams

WALES’S coal-mining heyday has long gone but its echoes will power a Grand Slam bid tonight with Wayne Pivac’s history boys intent on taking France to some dark places in Paris.

The flair that has lit up the Six Nations Championship represents a danger to their dream, but Wales will rely on out-grafting the French to deliver their 13th Grand Slam – a mark that would bring them level with England.

The capacity for hard work that has driven Wales to an unexpected four wins out of four is woven into the DNA. And full-back Liam Williams – once a scaffolder working around the blast furnaces at Port Talbot steelworks – believes it will make the difference. Williams, left, said: “It’s a tough one because they’re always a tough team to play against and they have got some big boys. We’re going to have to take them down the pits, grind them down, tire them out and, hopefully, it opens up in the second half. “They’ve been playing good rugby and have some special players but hopefully we’re good enough to win and create history. “I do like playing on the big stage, who wouldn’t? People would kill to be in my spot. It would be an amazing achievement to win a Grand Slam.”

It has been a unique campaign with its lack of crowds and its bubbles – for Williams, doubly so. He lives in an apartment at the Vale resort 500 yards from the hotel where the squad have been billeted through the championship, yet has been unable to go home.

“Whenever we drive down to the bottom pitch to train I always see my missus in the window and give her a wave,” he said.

“It’s been a bit strange, but these are strange times.”

It is half a century since they completed a Slam away from home and, if they are to emulate the 1971 side, who sealed the title in Paris, they will need to play their game of the championship.