Stunning Welsh come of age in Paris

France 18 Wales 24

Wales had already beaten England and Italy in this year’s Six Nations, but to nail a major scalp away from home indicated to Jones that this side have finally emerged from the shadows of 2003.

Two years ago Wales failed to win a single Six Nations game. In 2002 they had managed only a win over Italy in what was a dark time for Welsh rugby. But amid all the gloom and doom, Steve Hansen, then Wales coach, was working hard to ensure the long-term future of the side was bright. That work, which has been continued by Mike Ruddock, is now bearing fruit.