SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Wales face a backlash from fearsome France

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Wales face a backlash from fearsome France but Wayne Pivac’s side will feel they are still yet to produce their signature performance of the season

• Wales vs France will be a feast of rugby similar to the match at Twickenham 
• It will be difficult for Wales as they will face a fired-up France side after their loss 
• If France pull off two bonus-point wins they can still take this championship
• Wales will still feel they are yet to produce their best display of the season 

Along with just about every pundit — including Welsh ex-players and commentators, I might add — I was not expecting Wales to set the Six Nations alight this season but that’s the beauty of the tournament.

If a side get on a roll and start building confidence and momentum anything can happen, and in this case that sees Wales going for the Grand Slam in Paris on Saturday.

One or two things have gone their way during the course of the opening four games but this shot at the Slam hasn’t happened by accident.

Wales will be going for the Grand Slam in Paris after their thumping 48-7 victory over Italy

They will face a tough test travelling to France, who will be fired up after their loss to England

Wales are still to produce their signature performance of the season ahead of the big clash

That Wales pack, led so brilliantly by 35-year-old captain Alun Wyn Jones, has consistently punched well above its weight and continues to surprise those who underestimate it.

And I love watching the Wales back row go to work — Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric. As a unit they mesh brilliantly and all three are strong contenders for the Lions squad.

Coach Wayne Pivac — under pressure just six weeks ago — has stayed cool and made brave decisions. He switched George North to centre and that has gone very well; he has backed the class of Jonathan Davies to overcome injury issues; and he has let Louis Rees-Zammit fly on the wing.

But can Wales finish the job off? It will be difficult as I’m expecting a backlash from France, who looked bitterly disappointed after the defeat at Twickenham on Saturday.

It’s also France’s first home game of the tournament after visits to Rome, Dublin and Twickenham and although there is no home crowd I feel this France side will respond to playing a match on home soil. 

With some recent more volatile and ill-disciplined French sides there would have been a pretty good chance that they would overreact to the setback against England and get too intense and excited.

Wayne Pivac, who was under pressure weeks ago, has stayed cool and made brave decisions

My gut feeling is they will concentrate on producing their best 80-minute performance of the season.

Two bonus-point wins and they can still take the Championship.

I am expecting a feast of rugby, similar to Twickenham on Saturday, because I fancy that Wales still think they are yet to produce their signature performance of the season.

France can still win the championship and will focus on producing their best performance yet

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