Welsh hopes of successive championship clean sweeps for the first time since 1909 floundered at the Stade de France, where Les Bleus kept themselves in title contention with a 21-16 success.

It was Wales’ first loss in eight RBS 6 Nations games under the direction of head coach Warren Gatland.

But the reigning champions can still retain the silverware if they win their remaining fixtures against Italy, followed by Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in a probable tournament decider.

“It’s still all to play for - the championship is wide open,” said Ospreys wing Williams.

“There are a few teams putting their hands up to win the championship, and we are one of them.”

Wales will arrive at Stadio Flaminio on March 14 knowing they not only need to beat Italy, but win by a considerable margin given their points difference is currently inferior by 23 to Ireland’s.

Gatland had already signalled an intention to make changes for Rome before the France setback, and although he might now prove a little more conservative in selection, a handful of players can realistically expect a chance.

Wing Mark Jones, centre Gavin Henson, fly-half James Hook, scrum-half Dwayne Peel, hooker Huw Bennett and flanker Jonathan Thomas should all be in the frame when Gatland ponders his options.

Williams added: “If you don’t play well, you can certainly lose your spot.

“The boys know that, and the boys will be there to pick their socks up this week and next week, ready for the next game.

“There weren’t that many performances that would cement a place for the next game, but we are going to work hard in training.

“I am sure the training sessions are going to be tough - they are always tough, anyway - and I am sure we will be working on a few areas.

“We are a very proud bunch, and we are as disappointed as anyone, but we will certainly bounce back from this.”

Wales could never impose their trademark free-flowing game on France, finding themselves overpowered at the critical breakdown area and then making numerous mistakes as Les Bleus cranked up the pressure.

“It just wasn’t good enough, really,” acknowledged Williams.

“We started well and scored a nice try by Lee (Byrne). We thought we were in a good position, but it just unfolded from there.

“We were taught a lesson in the breakdown area, which made it very difficult for us to play any rugby at times.

“What you don’t want to do in France is give them hope, and at 13-3 up perhaps we could have played a bit more territory. Unfortunately for us, we conceded a try just before half-time.

“It seemed to change their attitude, they were far more positive in the second-half and we found it difficult to play.

“The contact area is probably the most important part of the game. They targeted that area and stopped us playing rugby. At times, we only had scraps of possession.

“There were a lot of heads down and a lot of disappointed faces, but we have got to pick ourselves up. We know we didn’t play very well.

“We didn’t play many phases or patterns and we didn’t create mis-matches, which was because we struggled in the contact area. It was very frustrating.

“When we did start playing towards the end, it was a little bit too much, too late. That’s the way it goes.

“We tried a few things, which is the way we play rugby, but sometimes it just doesn’t come off.”