Wales hooker Ken Owens warns his side to beware a wounded France as they head to Paris this weekend bidding to clinch Six Nations glory
- Ken Owens was also part of Welsh sides that won Grand Slams in 2012 and 2019
- Owens believes Wales’ form has given joy to Welsh public during difficult times
- The Welsh hooker said the lack of fans will take away France’s home advantage
- Owens believes France will take confidence from beating the Welsh last October
Wales want to lift the Welsh nation with yet another Six Nations Grand Slam this week – but are wary of the wounded French.
One win from a clean sweep Wayne Pivac’s side go to Paris this Saturday in search of a fifth unbeaten championship in 16 years.
And hooker Ken Owens, who was part of the 2012 and 2019 Slams, is desperate to deliver again for his country.
Ken Owens (right) believes Wales’ form has brought joy to the country during a difficult time
‘I’ve been lucky enough to play in a couple before this,’ he said.
‘For the public it would be a huge uplift after a tough year for the country.
‘After the England game I was driving through the village in Carmarthen.
‘The sun was out and there was a spring in people’s steps. What it makes you realise as players is the effect we can have on people.
Wales will face France this Saturday in search of a fifth unbeaten championship in 16 years
‘In the last month or so we’ve managed to get some good results which has given people something to smile and cheer about and hopefully we can continue to do that over the next week.
‘It would be special if it happens but we’ve got to go and get the job done before we think about lifting the trophy.’
After France lost to England they need two bonus-point wins against Wales and Scotland to win the Six Nations themselves.
And Owens knows despite that Twickenham defeat Les Bleus will be a frightening prospect at home.
The French go into their game against Wales on the back of a 23-20 defeat to England
‘They’ll have been disappointed to lose to England because they’ll have wanted to go there and add to England’s misery a little bit with the tough opening to the Six Nations they’ve had,’ added the hooker who scored twice in the 48-7 Italy win.
‘Maybe not playing for a couple of weeks impacted them a bit.
‘With no fans it almost takes that home advantage away to a certain degree.
‘But for us it’s a slightly different challenge to the ones most of us have experienced before when we’ve been at Cardiff and had a real electric energy from the crowd.
Owens believes France will take confidence from beating the Welsh 38-21 in Paris last October
‘It may take away the home advantage slightly, but it’s still going to be a tough game and every Grand Slam decider or game to win a Championship is full on.
‘I’m expecting exactly the same from France. They still have title ambitions of their own. We’ve been out to Paris and got big wins out there before.
‘They’ll be pretty confident after getting the result against us in the friendly before the Autumn Nations Cup.
‘We’ve got to be ready for whatever they throw at us.’