Wales consider work is still to be done against French

A 22-10 quarter-final victory over Ireland in Wellington set up a last-four bout with Les Bleus, 19-12 conquerors of England, at Eden Park on Saturday.

Warren Gatland’s side finished fourth in the RBS Six Nations but have performed exceptionally well in New Zealand so far, losing 17-16 to defending world champions South Africa before victories over Samoa, Namibia, Fiji and the last-eight game with Ireland.

Wales are delighted to reach the last four 24 years on from their previous World Cup semi-final appearance in New Zealand.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley said: “It’s a pretty special place to be. Auckland’s a pretty famous place in rugby terms and who would’ve thought five months ago this Welsh side would be in Auckland?

“We’re savouring the moment but we’re preparing meticulously for the event which occurs on Saturday.

“We’re on a journey or a dream and we want that journey and dream to continue.

“The journey and the dream is based on hard work, some youth talent thrown in, and the players are very much looking forward to an opportunity in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.”

Howley maintains the come-from-behind success over Samoa was key to Wales’ self-belief, but that much work is still to be done.

He added: “A huge psychological hurdle for us was half-time against Samoa, being 10-6 down.

“As we said at the time, many a Welsh side would have lost that game. We had the resilience and the fortitude to come out.

“That was a huge game for us. Saturday was another hurdle and we’ve got another big hurdle on the weekend.

“It’s the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup. The Welsh players have achieved getting to a semi-final of the Rugby World Cup – we don’t think we’re finished yet, we haven’t won anything.

“We felt before the game (against Ireland) it wasn’t time to go home, but actions speak louder than words.

“The actions which you saw were pretty good ones and we have to replicate those to come anywhere near France at the weekend.”

In the last 11 meetings, Wales have won twice – in the Grand Slam seasons of 2005 and 2008.

Howley added: “We’re under no illusions how good this French side is. They’ve got world-class players throughout that team.”