PONTYPOOL-BORN rugby star Taulupe Faletau knows that it will take a mammoth effort against the beefy French pack if he is to enjoy victory in Paris for the second time this season.

The 24-year-old number eight heads to the Stade de France with Wales on Saturday evening looking for a Six Nations success to go along with Newport Gwent Dragons' shock European Rugby Challenge Cup victory against Stade Francais across town in October.

Les Bleus, like Warren Gatland's men, have little margin for error in their bid for the title after being downed by Ireland in Dublin in round two and Faletau expects a typically forthright welcome from their hosts.

"We accept any challenge that is put out there for us," he said. "We will not back down from anything. That is the character throughout the squad.

"France are going to be dangerous. We have to try to match that and come away with a win. Any game is a tough one in the Six Nations. It is going to be tough but the boys are hoping for another win.

"The French were outstanding in the second half against Ireland. They came flying out of the blocks and were unlucky not to come away with the win.

"France are always dangerous from everywhere and you don't really know what is going to happen until you are on the pitch. The flair is still there and they are as dangerous as ever."

Wales head to Paris on the back of a hard-earned 26-23 success in Scotland, a win that keeps them in the title mix.

"It is kind of out of our hands at the moment," Faletau added. "We can only concentrate on what job we need to do and take each game as it comes. That will keep us in contention if anyone slips up.

"If we win our games, hopefully someone slips up and we sneak in there. The team has been through this before. We can draw from that experience and hopefully push on.

"Winning in France two years ago was the catalyst to us winning the Six Nations. Hopefully, last weekend was that for us again, and we can push on from that and get another good win next weekend. We will find out soon enough."