The 23-year-old has not shied away from criticising his side despite their dramatic last-gasp 31-24 triumph at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

And with France in fine form following their 33-10 demolition of Ireland, the Lions star is under no illusions about the size of the task that awaits them under the floodlights.

He said: “France were fantastic against Ireland so there is no doubt whatsoever that if we have another first half like we did against Scotland we will lose the game.

“We’ll have a mountain to climb unless we are more settled in defence and we must be more dominant in the collisions which we weren’t winning against Scotland.

“Attack-wise we weren’t up there and against France we can’t be doing that or we will be punished.

"But rugby is about winning and we won against Scotland so we can at least be delighted with that.”