Monday 23 February 2015 22:01, UK
Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones believes Warren Gatland's side are 'growing' into this year's Six Nations.
The 2013 champions were beaten 21-16 by England at the Millennium Stadium in their opener but recorded a hard-fought 26-23 win over Scotland at Murrayfield - and British & Irish Lion Jones is confident the squad are heading in the right direction ahead of Saturday's trip to France.
He said: "After the obvious disappointment of the first game, especially the second half, we have grown. We are growing into the tournament. We need to get out of the blocks and stay out there.
"They (France) have the capacity to turn it on, and if they do, they are dangerous. If you get out of the blocks and stay there, you will be in good fettle against them, while if you are in a tussle and they go up a gear, it's hard to match them.
"It's never easy, and French club sides are notorious for driving maul and set-piece dominance. They take great pride in that, and you can see that from the campaign so far.
"We've lost a few lineouts, and there has been a bit of individual error, but we are a pack of eight and have to keep working. But on the whole, we are pretty pleased."
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards added: "They are a massive rugby nation - they have so many talented players. They could put a strong second or third team out, a bit like England.
"The fact is that we are on edge against France, because if we are not, they will punish us.
If we lose next Saturday, we know we are pretty much out of winning it (Six Nations). If we pull it off in France, we are still in with a chance.
"If we lose next Saturday, we know we are pretty much out of winning it (Six Nations). If we pull it off in France, we are still in with a chance. I actually thought they (France) could have won the game against Ireland (nine days ago).
"Ireland dominated the first-half and France didn't have one ruck in the Irish 22 in the first half, but second half - in the last 20 minutes - I thought France played some magnificent rugby."
Reports in France have called in to question the future of influential Wales centre Jamie Roberts, who currently has a year to run on his contract with Racing Metro - but Edwards is urging the 28-year-old to ignore the speculation.
Edwards said: "To be honest, I just want Jamie to concentrate on one thing this week, and that's France, which is one of the reasons why I haven't spoken to him about it.
"He has got to be thinking about (Mathieu) Bastareaud, (Yoann) Huget and his job of leading our defence this week.
"I think his form has been really good. In the autumn, I thought he was pushing to be one of the best centres in the world. It's a big help, there is no doubt about that (having the players based in Wales).
"I remember when Mike Phillips was with Bayonne. He played 30-odd games that season, he was in great form and they wanted him back because he was their best player.
"In those down-weeks where players normally have a rest and get their body back together, they have to go back and play again. In the end, it is very taxing, and there is also the travelling there and back. You have to factor that in as well.
"All in all, from a well-being point of view and playing longer, I always try to explain to players that you have to have longevity in the game of rugby."
