ROB Howley has experienced vital Welsh wins in Paris as a captain and as a coach and he’s looking for more of the same this weekend.

In his playing days Howley was in danger of losing the captaincy when Wales pulled off a remarkable 34-33 victory at the Stade de France in 1999 – their first in the French capital since 1975.

And, with head coach Warren Gatland on British & Irish Lions duty, Howley was in charge in 2013 when his side ended a run of eight successive Test defeats with a 16-16 win to silence the French fans and the critics at home.

That victory two years ago paved the way for Wales to go on and claim the Six Nations title despite an opening defeat to Ireland.

And Howley is hoping that history can repeat itself this year following the defeat to England and the narrow win in Scotland last time out.

“It is no different this weekend,” he said. “What happened then was fantastic going into the last game for the Grand Slam and championship together. “Whether that can happen again this year I don’t know.

“It is about building on Saturday night and putting ourselves in a position if other results go our way. “Saturday is a hugely important game. We have got rhythm and tempo back in our game and training and we have to go to the next level in terms of accuracy and the way we want to play, on our terms.

“If we are able to do that in Paris we have a good chance of winning.”

A win would create history as no Welsh side has beaten France four times in a row since 1957 but Howley is cautious.

“I did not know that,” he said. “You are always on your guard against France, the way they play the game they are fantastic to watch.

“They have that ability on any given day to turn up and play fantastic rugby.

“They have got world-class players in their backline and you do not want to give them time and space on the ball. That's the key for us this weekend.”