Wales have point to prove - Francis

By Steve Grace
12/11/20

Tomas Francis says Wales must “put pride back in the jersey” when they kick off the Autumn Nations Cup against Ireland on Friday.

Wales head to Dublin on the back of a five-game losing streak, which represents their worst run of defeats since 2016.

And the Aviva Stadium clash comes after a tame display against Six Nations opponents Scotland last time out, when the Scots claimed a first win on Welsh soil for 18 years, and it was quickly followed by Wales defence coach Byron Hayward departing his job.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has overseen just two victories from seven starts since he succeeded Warren Gatland last November, and prop Francis knows it is time to deliver.

“People can say what they want outside our bubble,” said the Exeter forward, who wins his 50th cap at the Aviva Stadium.

“I don’t really care what people write or say, it’s about what we feel as a squad.

“We know we weren’t good enough against Scotland, and we have a point to prove to ourselves, not to anyone else.

“We have to put pride back in the jersey and back in our performance, and set the standard we want to set. It’s down to us to put it right.

“You never want to be classed as an underdog, you want to be the favourite all the time. We’ve got to earn that respect back, and we have a big opportunity to do it.

“Scotland wasn’t good enough, we know that. If the players know that, that’s all you need – outside influences don’t really matter.”

A sixth successive defeat for Wales would be their worst run of results since 2012, although they quickly turned that around and were crowned 2013 Six Nations champions.

And 28-year-old Francis also has a current winning habit, having helped Exeter achieve a domestic and European title double last month.

“Winning is a habit,” he added. “The two finals we won were probably the two worst games we played all year, but we had that winning mentality.

“Speaking to ‘Foxy’ (Wales centre Jonathan Davies), when they won the 2012 Grand Slam they then went on an eight-game losing streak, started the 2013 Six Nations losing, and then went on to win it, so for us it’s about a momentum shift.

“We’ve finished the last tournament (Six Nations), we’ve put a line in the sand and hopefully it is a fresh start. The work on the training ground has been there. It’s down to us to deliver now.”

Francis made his Test debut the last time Wales won in Dublin five years ago, although a shoulder injury suffered during the 2019 World Cup meant he has had to wait a year to move from 48 to 50 international appearances.

“If you asked me six years ago if I would play 50 Tests for Wales, I would not have dreamt of it,” he said. "It’s a massive achievement. It is a shame family and friends can’t be there, but it’s a new competition and where my first Test cap was as well, so that’s quite fitting.

“Obviously, it has been frustrating to be sat watching for 12 months between my 48th and 49th cap, but I just tried to use that time in lockdown to make myself a better player.

“The game has evolved and adapted – a tighthead cannot just walk from set-piece to set-piece anymore. You have to offer a lot more around the pitch and change with the times. I don’t think if you told me when I was 20 that I would have won 50 caps by this time, I would have believed you.”