WAYNE Pivac has warned France they will face a different side to the one which was hammered in Paris last autumn when Wales bid for a shock Grand Slam on Saturday.
A seven-try, 48-7 thrashing of Italy yesterday means Wales have won four straight tournament games.
Pivac said his team are like “chalk and cheese” compared to last year.
He added: “We are very pleased to be four from four and to have an opportunity for a Grand Slam, but we need to improve for France. We are going to be in for a massive game
“We know the pain we went through in the autumn but this Championship was always going to be a line in the sand for us.
“France are going to be a different proposition. In our previous two games with them we've been on the wrong end of the result and we're in for a massive challenge.”
Try-scorer George North, 28, has already won three Six Nations and two Grand Slams with Wales.
“As a whole the package was pretty good, but to go to that next level we've got to really up our game,” North said. “After the autumn series there certainly wasn't much hype about us which is always good because we like to be underdogs.
“The hard work the boys put in then is bearing fruit now. We are far from the finished article. A Grand Slam would be a decent add on to 2021 after last year for sure. We know what we are playing for on Saturday.
“We know we have to be ready and we know how potent France are.”
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has praised Wales' improvements since a disastrous autumn campaign and insists they will have to draw on all their experience next week.
France's narrow 23-20 defeat by England at Twickenham means their own Grand Slam ambitions are now over. Even if Wales lose at the Stade de France, they would still be in a good position to win the title because of their strong points difference. They will, of course, want a lot more.
“We are not going to shy away from that,” said Wales captain Jones when asked about the prospect of winning what would, remarkably, be his fourth Six Nations Grand Slam.
“We know the significance away games have in this competition. We know it's going to be another week of weeks leading up to the game on Saturday. Ultimately, we're going to not rely on past experiences, but the fact it's another opportunity and challenge to play for Wales in a special week.”
Wales will certainly have to improve to beat France, but they now have priceless confidence and momentum. Crucially, they also have players who have been in his position.
Pivac added: “We scored some good tries, but we were pretty disappointed we actually left a few out there as well. We talked about being ruthless and clinical. We did that at times.
“We travelled out to Paris in the warm-up for the autumn campaign. The absence of fans neutralises things a little bit, but we played there in a late, nine o'clock kick-off last time. It will all be familiar territory for us.
“If you asked this side coming out of the autumn whether they'd take four from four traveling to Paris for a Grand Slam, I think you know the answer.”
