The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Statistics set aside for clash in Cardiff
Robin McBryde feels that Wales’ impressive recent record against France should “stay in the past” ahead of tonight’s RBS 6 Nations showdown in Cardiff.
Wales have reeled off four successive victories against their Six Nations title rivals, and only conceded one try in the past five Tests between the countries.
Such one-sided statistics have contributed to Wales’ status as firm favourites under a closed Principality Stadium roof, when victory would take them top of the table before unbeaten England host Ireland.
“You can never take a French team too lightly, especially with an experienced coach like Guy Noves in charge and the success he has had with Toulouse over the years, especially in the European Cup,” Wales assistant coach McBryde said.
“If you create an identity in your team and everybody buys into that team, and then you match that ambition with the way you train and play, you are going to be a handful for any team.
“They are two (wins) out of two, so we can’t take this challenge too lightly. The records of the past should stay in the past tomorrow night.
“If we have got any ambition to get anything out of this championship, we have got to win tomorrow night.”
France have not beaten Wales in Cardiff since 2010 – that game was also on a Friday night – and while they are undefeated after two games of this season’s Six Nations, home wins against Italy and Ireland were achieved by a combined margin of three points.
Any Welsh victory foundations will be built on the efforts of their forwards, who have excelled so far in the tournament, but no-one more so than No 8 Taulupe Faletau.
The 54-times capped Newport Gwent Dragons forward made 33 tackles – and missed none – in the games against Ireland and Scotland, and McBryde said: “He is one of the best No 8s in world rugby.
“He has grown into an individual who is the first name on the teamsheet, and commands his position.
“He keeps getting better and better, and still has the ambition to improve.”