Cory Hill has pinpointed a runners-up spot as a major motivation for Wales as they seek to end a mixed Six Nations campaign on a high.
The second row is likely to retain his place in the team that host France on Saturday, where a win is likely to confirm Wales finish second behind champions Ireland.
Two victories and two defeats so far represents an up-and-down campaign for Warren Gatland’s side, but finishing with a third victory that includes a bonus point would guarantee second place and a fourth top two finishing position in the last seven seasons.
On the other hand, defeat for Wales and wins for England over Ireland, and Scotland against Italy, would leave Wales finishing fifth.
“It will be massive to finish the championship on a high and get that second place,” said Dragons lock Hill, who scored his first Test try during a 38-14 Principality Stadium success against Italy.
Wales have suffered a solitary defeat in their last five home meetings with France, although Les Bleus will head to Cardiff on the back of toppling England.
“We know they will be a big, physical pack, we know France will come at us with a big pack and they do like to throw the ball around,’ Hill added.
“Beating England has added all to play for. It is nice for us to have our last game at home, and hopefully we will get that win.
“We know France will come here with their tails up, but we have spoken about two wins out of two to finish the campaign off. We have got one, and we want the next one against France.
“We need to tighten up our discipline from the first half (against Italy). We got off to a flyer in the first 20 minutes, which we spoke about all week, and then the second 20 of the first half let us down a little bit.
“A few cheap penalties got them back into the game, and that was pretty frustrating, but we had a good talking to at half-time and we managed to come out and get the bonus-point win in the end.”
Hill was one of only five players retained in Wales’ starting XV following a loss to Ireland two weeks previously, and he delivered another assured performance, rounding it off with a second-half touchdown as he continued an impressive run of form.
“We had 10 changes, but there was experience in the pack,’ he said.
“Taulupe (Faletau) came in as captain. He is a British Lion. Justin Tipuric came back in – a British Lion. We had so much strength in depth, and the boys just stuck to their game-plan and played some lovely rugby at times.
“I am enjoying it. It is about taking your opportunities when you get them. They are few and far between, so I am doing that and hopefully I can keep hold of the starting jersey.
“This was my 14th cap, and it is nice to see them going up. It’s nice to have a big role to play in the Six Nations.”
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his team for the France clash on Thursday, with skipper Alun Wyn Jones, full-back Leigh Halfpenny, prop Rob Evans and flanker Aaron Shingler among those likely to be recalled.
