Age is just a number for Wales as Wayne Pivac prepares to field the most experienced Six Nations team EVER to get campaign back on track against youthful France side in Cardiff

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If at some point on Saturday the tide has turned against Wales, the French are flooding through in attack and causing chaos it will be the old men of the sea who guide those in red to calmer waters.

The two recent Tests between Wales and France have been mad, edge-of-the-seat thrillers. Both have been won by wily Wales when all looked lost.

Last year they were 16-0 down at half-time in Paris, then in the quarter-final of the World Cup in Japan Les Bleus led 12-0; in both Welsh waves eventually swept France - who suffered extraordinary head-explosions - aside.

Wales are to name the most experienced Six Nations team ever to get the better of France

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones is a key part of the old guard and he can guide this side to a win

Those are the only two matches Josh Adams has played against France, and he explained how his senior men can be a steady hand on the tiller amid a storm.

'We have got some great leaders,' said the winger who is fit again having limped off in the Ireland defeat. 'Alun Wyn Jones is fantastic and does really steer us through some tough times on the field with his leadership.

'Biggsy (Dan Biggar) at 10 is another fantastic leader, he really gets the backline going, a fantastic game manager, he understands the game really well. I could reel off Tips (Justin Tipuric), Toby (Taulupe Faletau), Ken (Owens), Halfers (Leigh Halfpenny) at full-back, even George (North) on the wing.

'These boys have got so many caps under their belt, they have played at the highest level, in the biggest matches you can possibly get, Lions deciders and things.

'On some occasions experience like that does help you, a calm head in moments of madness when you are up against it.

'If the game goes down to the wire, the experience on our side will help but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to win us it.' Perhaps more than most other Test teams Wales - at least under Warren Gatland - were masters at clinging on to games.

On Saturday, Wayne Pivac fields the most experienced Six Nations team ever, with 859 caps. Only 14 other XVs in the history of the game - 10 of which have been All Black sides - have had more Test appearances in them.

Wales have produced epic battles against France, coming back from 16-0 down last February

They rallied at half-time and the France team were left with head in hands following the defeat

They will need all that nous against a flying French side who are unbeaten so far, are dreaming of an overdue renaissance and a first win here since 2010.

So in those moments when the French dander is up, how do the wise men lead Wales home?

'It's not about overreacting or worrying,' said skipper Jones. 'The experience we have, it's served us well in those tight games, but it's a new French side.' 

'Usually it's Al (Alun Wyn Jones), Biggs, Leigh, Ken, someone saying the next action is a positive one,' explained Adams. 'You have to build and fight your way back into the game. Over the years, we have been pretty good at doing that.' 

Wales are pretty good here too. At the Principality Stadium they have not lost in the Six Nations since England beat them late on in 2017. It is a record run of seven in a row, and one they are not keen to see end.

'I have never lost in Cardiff,' confirmed Adams on the eve of his eighth home Test.

'That's pretty good. It's my 24th cap on Saturday and I have never lost at home. I definitely don't want to know what that feels like.' 

Captain Jones, though, has less of the exuberance of youth. This will be his 68th Cardiff Test.

'There's more pressure from playing at home because that expectancy is there,' he said.

With Shaun Edwards as their defence coach, France are unlikely to crumble as quickly.

'We have young players, but we believe in them,' said French team manager Raphael Ibanez.

Wales' former defence coach Shaun Edwards is now with France and he will make it difficult

But Wayne Pivac believes experience will be the key as he looks to the veterans to get the win

There will be added bite to this one. Early in the week Wales said the French would 'cheat' in the scrum - that riled up Les Bleus who called the attack 'childish' and that it showed a 'lack of respect' towards French rugby as a whole.

When the packs scrum down for the first time all eyes will be on English referee Matthew Carley then, in just his second Six Nations match. Trying to douse the flames Jones said: 'It's funny, I think the tone, context and language used can sometimes be ill-perceived.

'I think it may have fuelled the fire for some.' Especially Ibanez, who questioned Biggar's presence in the lineup after another concussion in Dublin.

Jones noted with a smile: 'It's interesting he says that because (Wales' doctor) Prav (Mathema) was with Rafa for two years at Wasps so I'm sure they'll have a conversation regarding that after the game.' Biggar has been passed fit to play after taking specialist medical advice. He is one of the old-guard whose steadiness Wales hope will steer them through choppy waters today.

But if the French can turn the tide of recent years their championship challenge will be whipped up, and Wales' will be on the rocks.