After two barnstorming performances, the latter earning him the official Man of the Match award for his try scoring exploits in the win over Scotland, the 76-times centre has told his team mates to write their own history against a resurgent French side.
“The recent record against France counts for nothing. The fact we beat them last year doesn’t count for anything – what’s gone before has gone before,” said Roberts, who has four wins in seven outings against the French.
“We have a good record which gives us confidence, but we have to deliver for 80 minutes. We know we have another few gears to go through and we’re looking forward to a great test match and the lads are mentally right up for it.”
New head coach Guy Noves is hoping to keep his French side on track for a first Grand Slam, and 6 Nations title, since 2010 by adding the Welsh scalp to those of Italy and Ireland he has already secured in Paris. Only three of his team have played in a winning side against Wales in the past – Maxime Medard, Francois Trinh-Duc and Guilhem Gudirado.
Roberts knows the French rugby scene intimately from his time playing at Racing 92 and has played against Toulouse teams coached by Noves down the years in Europe. Bringing the highly experienced club coach’s international honeymoon period to an end will be tough.
“Guy Noves is a very experienced coach, he’s been around for two decades with Toulouse. He’s got some very talented rugby players at his disposal, they are a fantastic outfit, and I saw how important it is for the players to play for France during my time out there,” said Roberts.
“They’ve had a disappointing couple of years, and now they’re going through a bit of a honeymoon period with a new coach. We experienced it in 2008 with Warren Gatland coming in, and we face two new coaches in Noves and Eddie Jones in our next two games, so we need to be at our best.
“A confident French team is a dangerous French team – I’ve experienced that in the past. They are coming off the back of two good victories and they will be coming to Cardiff with lots of confidence.
“That makes it a huge test match on Friday night. It has all the ingredients for a classic.”
