Wednesday 14 March 2018 15:17, UK
Justin Tipuric expects Wales to face a France team "getting better with every game" when the countries clash in Cardiff on Saturday.
Victory for Wales - who have not lost at home against France since 2010 - is likely to secure second place behind champions Ireland in this season's Six Nations.
But while Les Bleus began the tournament with successive defeats against Ireland and Scotland, they recovered impressively to see off Italy in Marseille before last weekend's eye-catching dismissal of England.
And Wales flanker Tipuric, who looks set to win his 57th cap this weekend, believes they pose a considerable threat.
"When France gel and play well, they are a very difficult side to beat," said Tipuric. "They are getting better with every game.
"France have a lot of big men in the pack and they have big centres as well. You've got to stop them from going forward, whether it is at the set-piece or stopping them from coming around the corner.
"You know what you are going to get with France. They have got big strong men who try and get over the gain line. If we can stop their go-forward, it will make our life a lot easier.
"There are some quality teams in this Six Nations, so to finish second would be a good thing for us.
"Our goal before coming into these last two games [against Italy and France] was to win both of them. If we can do it and end up in second place, that will obviously be a good thing for us."
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his starting line-up on Thursday, with a number of areas set for debate, including his starting back-row combination.
Openside specialist Tipuric wore Wales' number six shirt last Sunday, scoring a try in a 38-14 success against Italy after packing down alongside Test debutant James Davies and fit-again number eight Taulupe Faletau.
Scarlets forward Aaron Shingler and Cardiff Blues' Josh Navidi - they started Wales' opening three games of the tournament - are set to be back in the selection mix, and Tipuric knows that competition for places is fierce.
"There are so many good sevens out there," he added. "Even if you took us two (himself and Davies) out of it, you would have another three or four that could step into the jersey easily.
"I think it has always been hotly-contested, even when I first came in with Martyn (Williams) and Sam (Warburton) and myself. There is so much competition in Wales for that seven jersey.
"It keeps getting stronger and stronger, and that can only be good for the game in Wales. I think it's a big strength of ours, and we are very lucky with the back-row."
Skipper Alun Wyn Jones, full-back Leigh Halfpenny, prop Rob Evans and hooker Ken Owens look set for recalls, but the fly-half position remains unclear, with Rhys Patchell, Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe all featuring during the tournament thus far.
