Flanker looking for French thunderbolt in Paris

Flanker Williams is part of the Wales team that will face France in the third game of the RBS Six Nations Championship this Friday. 

And that is sure to evoke memories of the last Welsh win at Stade de France when Williams inspired a remarkable 32-21 victory four years ago that sparked the 2005 Slam. 

After a painful 40 minutes in Paris, Wales felt themselves fortunate to only be trailing 15-6 at half time before catching France off guard with a miraculous comeback that was triggered by Williams scoring two tries before a powerful defensive ensured victory. 

Williams, 33, said: “That game was one of the most surreal I have ever played in. It was a great day and a great side to be a part of. To get the win when everybody had written us off at half-time was very special.” 

That success gave Wales the confidence to go on to claim a historic first Grand Slam in 27 years, in which Williams was crowned player of the tournament. 

Four years on, and with a coincidental third game against the French, with wins over Scotland and England already in the bag, Williams is hoping history will repeat itself. 

Williams said: “People will obviously talk about the Grand Slam if we win against France, but there is a huge task ahead of 
us. We’ve still got to go to Italy and Ireland, who are a great side. 

“It is a cliché and I hate saying it, but we have to just take it one game at a time. That is exactly what we did last year and in 2005, and that is what we will do this time.” 

France have been forced to re-shuffle their team following a string of injuries but Williams knows defeating the passionate French crowd will be key for a Wales victory. 

He said: “You need a good start out there because the French crowd can get on their own side’s back if things are not going too well, 

“Hopefully, we can make it a miserable night for them on Friday and that might hinder them a bit. But when they do get behind the team they can get a real roll on and they can be difficult to beat. Having said that, we went there in 2005 and started poorly, but we still won.” 

Williams, who will win his 87th cap on Friday, is optimistic over Wales’ chances for success and believes the current generation are even better than the history-makers in 2005 given the strength of the squad announced for the game.
He said: “I’ve been fortunate to be a part of some really good Wales squads in the past. The squad in 2005 was great, but this is potentially the strongest, 

“If you look at the players we’ve added, like Andy Powell and Jamie Roberts, this is probably the strongest we have ever been.”