Yannick Jauzion says France must remain focused against Wales if they are to avoid a repeat of Scotland's dramatic defeat to Warren Gatland's side in their last Six Nations match.
The veteran Toulouse centre has 65 caps and is two points shy of a century of points in Test rugby but insists his thoughts are concentrated solely on securing victory in Cardiff on Friday.
The 31-year-old scored his 19th try for France in the impressive 33-10 victory over 2009 Grand Slam champions Ireland on the same day that Wales came from 24-14 down with four minutes remaining to beat Scotland 31-24.
And Jauzion -- France's player of the year in 2005 -- is wary of France allowing such a thing to happen and seeing their hopes of a first Grand Slam since coach Marc Lievremont took over in 2007 dashed.
"They (the Welsh) often finish a match really strongly, especially when they are trailing," said Jauzion, who made his test debut in 2001 against South Africa.
"They seem to be energised by their supporters, as they showed this year against Scotland.
"We know that they can come back at any moment. And it is even harder when you play them and they are leading because they have the bit between their teeth."
Jauzion said that Wales would pose an even greater challenge than their first two matches against Ireland and Scotland.
"It will not be maybe the most difficult match of the tournament, but we are conscious that it will be a match packed with quality," said Jauzion, who has won two European Cups and one domestic title with Toulouse.
"Ireland were already a more difficult opponent than Scotland (who France beat 18-9), and Wales will be yet another level above the Irish.
"Every time the French team has gone to Cardiff, it has been really tough.
"When France won the 2002 Grand Slam, the victory (37-33) was a miraculous one. In 2006 (when France won the title but not the Grand Slam), France won by five or six points (21-16).
"It's imperative that we don't allow them to rush at us, that we're vigilant in defence and hold the line, because the moment the Welsh see a chink in our armour, they will take advantage.
"These are players who have a very solid temperament."
Jauzion tasted Grand Slam success in 2004 as well as winning two SixNations titles in 2006 and 2007.
He says that he and his team-mates are eager to display the same qualities they showed with such devastating effect against the Irish and win three successive matches for the first time under Lievremont's helmsmanship.
"We are pretty confident after the way we have performed in our two matches so far," said Jauzion.
"But we know this will be a very difficult match. We really want to play again with the same dynamism, the same ambition and the same enthusiasm so we display the best side of our rugby.
"Everyone is totally involved and focused as we approach the match, as we really want to go as far as possible."
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