By Paul Jones
Former Wales full-back Lee Byrne says his former side face a “huge task” on Saturday as they head to defending champions France in the Six Nations.
Les Bleus claimed a record 53-10 victory at Twickenham last weekend and can retain their trophy with a bonus-point win at the Stade de France if Ireland fail to claim a point against England in Dublin later in the day.
Wales’ only victory of the tournament in coach Warren Gatland’s second spell came last weekend in Italy.
“A win’s a win, I bet Gatland’s relieved, the players are happy, no wooden spoon,” says Byrne.
“There’s no pressure on us at all.
“The task ahead is huge and the players will know that.”
Dan Biggar set to return as Wales coach looks at new full-back options https://t.co/IDWlGGt0Ni
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) March 14, 2023
The likes of lock Will Rowlands, back-rower Ross Moriarty and winger Josh Adams have been linked with clubs in France for next season.
During Byrne’s final campaign at the Stade Marcel-Michelin, he was one of a joint-record seven Welshmen in the French top flight.
“You have to buy into it with the supporters, the culture and with the players on and off the field,” he adds.
“Once you do that you’ll enjoy yourself so much during your time there.”
This weekend in Paris, Gatland will be without the injured Liam Williams, who wears Byrne’s former number 15 shirt.
“I would put Josh Adams to 15, put Louis Rees-Zammit and Rio Dyer on the wings,” Byrne says.
“There’s some real pace there, out wide.
“We need to move the ball a bit and get the ball into these players’ hands.”
Captaining France in Paris will be former World Rugby player of the year Antoine Dupont, who set up a try and was at his influential best during the England rout.
“Player for player, they’re all good,” adds Byrne.
“Antoine Dupont is on another level. They’re all playing out of their skins at the moment.”
“They could be on for the Six Nations, it’s all to play for them.”
