Six Nations: Leigh Halfpenny rallying call

Leigh Halfpenny has urged Wales to play like champions in Paris on Saturday after their grip on the RBS Six Nations title was loosened by their defeat by Ireland in last weekend’s opener.

Form and history is stacked against Wales, given they have claimed only three away wins at France’s expense since 1975 and have not beaten another Test-playing country for 11 months. The run of eight successive defeats is Wales’ worst sequence in ten years, and their latest French assignment immediately follows Les Bleus’ shock defeat to Italy.

“We still believe in ourselves, we still believe in our ability and the work we put in throughout the week,” Wales full-back Halfpenny said. “We are not in crisis. There is one game down and the tournament is still wide open.

“We are the defending champions, and that means something. We have to go out and play like we are champions.”

Interim head coach Rob Howley will announce his team for the France clash today.