Six Nations: Quinnell hopes Welsh public keeps faith

Scott Quinnell has pleaded with the Welsh rugby public not to lose faith in the national side.

Wales attempt to restore their battered pride against France in Cardiff on Saturday in the Six Nations Championship.

Steve Hansen takes charge for the first time and Quinnell is determined to bounce back from the 54-10 defeat to Ireland.

He said: "The Irish defeat hurt us more than anything. But I would ask the fans not to lose faith - we are giving it 110 per cent. Maybe this is the time together we need and we will try to get it right.

"We know that we let Graham down. There has been a lot in the press about players not playing for Graham, but that's rubbish.

"He has got family to think about, and the Welsh job can be very lonely with the highs and lows of the nation. He's on a deserved break with some of the family, but I am sure that he will be thinking of us."

Quinnell said the team had gone into the opening Six Nations encounter confident of maintaining their fine record at Lansdowne Road.

"Believe it or not, we went into the Ireland Test feeling confident and upbeat," added Quinnell. "It just didn't go well, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

"The belief is still there among the players and we want to show that we are improving.

"Steve Hansen has brought new, very good methods, and you can see the improvement in training every day."