Thomas plays it cool as Welsh hopes rise

Wales skipper Gareth Thomas has told his side to keep their feet on the ground following their lightning start to the RBS 6 Nations.

Victories over England and Italy have given Welsh fans genuine hope that the 11-year wait for championship glory might finally be over.

France are the next hurdle to overcome if Wales are to continue their march to the Grand Slam – and Thomas revealed his side are relishing the trip to Paris in two weeks.

“We are far from the finished article. We have taken a lot of knocks in our time and I do not think we can call ourselves a great team yet,” he said.

“The players realise we still have a very long way to go. Another step on the ladder is going to Paris and trying to perform like we did against Italy. It is going to be difficult because the Stade de France is not an easy place to go but we must be confident – the boys are chomping at the bit.

“We are excited because we performed well in the autumn and have won two in a row in the Six Nations. We want to play the next game – the winning feeling is indescribable.”

Wales romped to a one-sided 38-8 triumph at the Stadio Flaminio, underlining their title credentials with an emphatic six-try destruction of Italy.