Legendary Wales and Lions wing Shane Williams has said that France are “sprinkled with stardust” as Wales look to end France’s Grand Slam dreams in Cardiff on Friday night.
Speaking to The Rugby Paper Podcast, Williams said: “They’re sprinkled with stardust and they look like a team that could go on to win a World Cup.”
“They’re a joy to watch, defensively they’re organised, physical and strong and I can’t pick many faults with them at the moment.”
Cardiff has not been a happy hunting ground for France. Les Bleus have not won at the Principality Stadium since 2010.
Williams said: “Beating Wales in Cardiff will be a huge boost for them. It is a difficult place to play and they have had their problems here in the past.
“But I think they are a different animal at the moment.”
Shane Williams said: “They’re far too strong and and far more organised than they have ever been. Their discipline is good and they are strong in all departments.”
Despite being out of contention for the Six Nations prize, stopping France winning a Grand Slam is a top priority for Wales.
Last season, France stopped Wales winning a Grand Slam with a 32-30 Round Five victory in Paris.
Revenge is on the cards for the Welsh team.
Shane Williams said: “We’d love to spoil a party. All the nations don’t want to see another nation win the Grand Slam.”
Victory for Wales would be “fantastic for Welsh rugby, for the players and for Cardiff to see this Welsh team with a couple changes beat potential world champions,” said Williams.
“If you win a Grand Slam you thoroughly deserve it. It is a difficult thing to do. Teams are very evenly matched and it is a very big achievement.
“The way France are playing at the moment you would not begrudge them that (winning a Grand Slam). Wales will want to spoil a party.”
Shane Williams wrote in the latest edition of The Rugby Paper that the arrival of Shaun Edwards as Defence coach has changed the French team and made them better.
On the podcast, he said: “I think Shaun Edwards and Galthie have done an excellent job so far.”
As well as being defensively strong, the France team have a flair that no other Northern Hemisphere team has. Led by scrum-half and play-maker Antoine Dupont, Les Bleus have rugby supporters and writers alike drooling over their attacking performances.
“They have all the talent in the world,” said regular The Rugby Paper columnist Brendan Gallagher.
Shane Williams added: “I think they are better than England. They could put out two teams that would be successful in the Six Nations at the moment!”
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