Taulupe Faletau believes Wales captain Sam Warburton is only getting better

Taulupe Faletau believes the best is yet to come from his back-row partner Sam Warburton as he prepares to equal a Wales Test match record in Paris next weekend.

Warburton is poised to captain Wales for the 33rd time, matching Ryan Jones' feat, when Wales target a fourth successive RBS 6 Nations victory over France.

Number eight Faletau has been at Warburton's side throughout that period, with Dan Lydiate completing a back-row unit that ranks among the most consistent and destructive in world rugby.

Leading by example

“They chucked him in quite early as captain (Warburton was 22), and he's done well," Faletau said.

"He has led by example. That is what I think he has done best. Every year, he gets better and better as a captain.

"Sam will speak about it himself, saying it was a bit weird and awkward being so young and having so many experienced boys listening to him. He has definitely grown into it, and he will only get better.

"He talks when he needs to and leads by example. On the pitch he does what he needs to, and the boys follow. His trademark is his character. He does his job, and he does it well.

"He has earned that respect from other players from what he has achieved with his home nation. He has got the team to a (World Cup) semi-final, won a (Six Nations) Grand Slam and a championship."

Concentrate on job

France and Wales both enter next Saturday’s with one defeat from their opening two games and know a win is imperative if they are to keep their championship hopes alive.

With the unbeaten duo of England and Ireland set to face off on Sunday, only the winner of that game will have a chance at winning a Grand Slam entering the final two matches.

Faletau is hopeful that Wales will be the in shake-up if they can win out and said the team gained a lot of confidence from their hard-fought 26-23 win over Scotland last week.

"It is kind of out of our hands at the moment," Faletau said. "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 (against Scotland) 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."

Dangerous French

Faletau is acutely aware, however, that France will harbour similar ambitions and he knows Wales will face a very stiff test in Paris.

"France are always dangerous from everywhere, and you don't really know what is going to happen until you are on the pitch,” Faletau said.

"They are going to be dangerous, and we have to try to match that and come away with a win.

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