Sam Warburton and Warren Gatland in the pre match conference. Credit: WRU

Wales Captain Sam Warburton is relishing in the pressure of Wales’ must win game on the weekend against France.

Warren Gatland’s men will keep their title challenge alive if they can secure their fourth straight win over Les Bleus.

George North’s late try in Paris kickstarted their successful championship assault two seasons ago. And Warburton, who will equal Ryan Jones’ record of 33 caps as captain at the Stade de France, says his troops solely focused on their Stade de France mission.

He said: “I love having pressure to play against, I much rather playing in must-win games like this compared to playing a tier three or four nation at home where you are expected to win by 50 points. It’s much more exciting, there is a lot more tension on the training ground, but it’s a good energy.

“These test weeks are much more enjoyable, it’s really exciting to have a game like this – away to a top team – at the end of the week. It’s a massive challenge but we it’s one we really enjoy playing with.”

France return home after an 18-11 defeat to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium last weekend whereas Wales overcame Scotland 26-23 to claim their first win of the campaign. And Warburton is expecting another physical battle against a France pack with a combined weight of almost 900 kilograms.

He said: “I’m expecting the same as always from France. They have a big pack with a big emphasis on the set-piece. I don’t think France have played a whole lot of rugby yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed all that against us.

They may well go wide and use Bastareud as a decoy runner, and we’ve got to be prepared for a few different game-plans. There is going to be stages where they will go from deep and counter attack and times when they tighten up and use their driving lineout.

“That’s what makes it difficult to play against France, we’re not 100 percent sure what will happen, a lot depends on their half-back pairing and front-five selection. It will be an awesome game.”

Credit: WRU

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Scans done this morning on Sam Burgess have revealed that he played the whole NRL Grand final with a fractured cheek bone and fractured eye socket, which will need corrective surgery to put right.

Burgess sustained the injuries in the first clash of the game, when fellow Englishman James Graham tackled him.

“Scans this morning have confirmed that Rabbitohs lock Sam Burgess requires surgery to repair fractures in his cheekbone and eye socket,” read a statement from the Rabbitohs.

“Burgess will have surgery this afternoon to have a plate inserted into his face to repair the damage.”

Burgess himself revealed that, although he is in considerable discomfort, the excitement of being an NRL champion is helping to keep the pain at bay.

“The cheek is pretty sore, the adrenaline has certainly worn off,” Burgess told 2KY’s Big Sports Breakfast.

“It is worth it for the feeling we got at the end of the game. This year certainly meant a lot to me being my last at the club.

“It is a feeling that will be very hard to replicate. I’m just thankful to be a part of it and given the opportunity at the club.”

Burgess is set to move to rugby union, and join Bath RUFC in England soon. That move has been delayed until his injuries heal.

“It will be a while, but that is the least of my worries right now,” the player added.

“Hopefully this face won’t be damaged for too long. I have to get it fixed and then crack on.”

Meanwhile, Burgess has also confessed that he did feel a little embarrassed when he saw just how overcome with emotion he had been at the end of Sunday’s game.

“There was a time in the game when I looked like a little baby, crying my eyes out,” Burgess told Nova 969’s Fitzy and Wippa today.

“It’s quite embarrassing, looking back at it. I watched the game last night.

“I took the ball in a couple of minutes after I’d cracked my cheekbone for the first time and I thought it would be a good telling sign if I was able to play and thankfully it didn’t really hurt too much.

“My face went numb — I think I did something to the nerves in my face. I (still) can’t feel my teeth or my gums. I might have damaged nerves.”

Due to the injuries, Burgess also had to play it cool when it came to celebrating the Rabbitohs’ victory.

“It’s been pretty quiet. I’ve had to pull up stumps pretty quick, to be honest,” he said.

“It’s dangerous with my face. I had a couple of beers after the game and on Monday but I pulled up pretty quick.

“Benny Te’o’s had a good go. We went back to my apartment on Sunday night and the apartment is a disgrace. I’m going to have to get cleaners in there to fix it up.”

Burgess also had a friendly dig at England team-mate James Graham, whose head had collided with Burgess’s face and caused the injury.

“I think it’s the hair — the ginger hair,” he smiled.

“Growing up I think he must have got bullied so it made the skull a bit thicker.”

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