PROP Tomas Francis admits that the Wales side were “on edge” before being told by boss Rob Howley that they had a chance to put right their Murrayfield wrongs.

The head coach has stuck with the same 23 that lost in Scotland for tomorrow’s Six Nations date with Ireland at Principality Stadium.

Many wanted more drastic change after another underwhelming Welsh performance but the management have given their charges one more chance to show their quality.

Exeter tighthead Francis wants to repay that faith after retaining the 3 jersey ahead of Samson Lee for his 21st cap.

“Everyone knows we owe at least half a game of rugby, hopefully a whole one this time. We owe the second half from Scotland and we want to put that right,” said the 24-year-old.

“You want to keep your place and after a loss like that everyone is on edge. It’s good, we have got a good squad, a good depth and we are fighting for places, especially in my position.

“There’s me, there’s Samson, there’s Rhodri (Jones), there’s ‘Bubba’ (Scott Andrews) and if you don’t have a good game there’s someone ready to take your place.”

Francis went back to the Chiefs last week and came off the bench in their excellent win against Leicester at Welford Road.

The Yorkshireman, who qualifies for Wales through his grandmother from Abercrave, was relieved to have the chance to escape and get the Scotland frustration out of his system.

“It’s a bit like a goldfish bowl when the games don’t go how you want. It’s quite hard not to take that personally,” he said.

“If you stay away from the Press and just focus as a team and get together, it’s better.

“Obviously, we were disappointed with the second half against Scotland. We didn’t reflect ourselves as a squad we felt and we aim to go and put that right.

“I guess I have been quite lucky because in the weeks after the losses I have been back in Exeter because I’ve not been allowed to stay here.

“I’ve managed to get away from that and focus on something else, then come back into it.

“It’s not the same (when Exeter lose), it’s not a nation, it’s a little part of the south-west and there’s only one or two newspapers that will print about it whereas here it’s all over the news.”

Francis will join forces with loosehead Rob Evans and hooker Ken Owens to lock horns with a trio of leading Lions hopefuls in Jack McGrath, Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong.

“They have got a good driving game and scrum, which we have seen so far in the tournament.

“As a pack we are looking forward to it because we want to test ourselves against one of the best in the world. We want to go out and have a go at them.”