Shaun Edwards has revealed details of the presentation he gave his French team about Wales' top players ahead of last week's Six Nations match.
And he's spoken of his refusal to join the on-pitch celebrations out of respect for the Welsh public.
Edwards was full of praise for his former team in the 13-9 defeat in Cardiff, singling out Taulupe Faletau and Dan Biggar for special mention. You can see the marks out of 10 each of the players received here.
Read next: The latest rugby headlines today amid Six Nations TV warning
The defence coach is one game away from yet another coaching Grand Slam as France face England in Paris on Super Saturday for the clean sweep.
That opportunity has only arisen after the narrowest of victories over a Welsh side that dominated possession and territory.
Edwards told the Rugby Pod: "The support I had in Wales over the years was so special. That's one of the reasons I could never go on the pitch to celebrate. The last two times we have been to Cardiff we have managed to win very close games but I have never gone on the pitch to celebrate or anything. I have too much respect for the Welsh public.
"The match was everything we thought it would be. We knew it would be a 12-round fight. I had to do a presentation to our players on why Wales have been so good for the last 10 years, winning more Six Nations than any other team.
"There are a few reasons. One was tactics. They have a great kicking game, good defence and some real tricky players, which nearly caught us out to be honest from set-pieces in particular. The other one is super fitness. They are always a fit team. They have Paul Stridgeon there as head of S&C - a British and Irish Lions legend. It is always a 12-round fight against them and it was once again.
"It was a fighting victory against the current champions. It was a Wales team with Josh Navidi back, with Faletau back and in great form. I thought he was magnificent. Dan Biggar was outstanding with his kicking game. That was one of the things in my presentation - they are a very good tactical team and they came up with some very intelligent trick plays."
Edwards left his role as Wales defence coach in 2019 following Wayne Pivac's appointment as head coach. You can read about the reasons it happened and his public spat with Pivac here.
To get the latest rugby news sent straight to you, sign up for our Welsh rugby newsletter.
