Skipper Scott Quinnell has pleaded with the Welsh rugby public not to lose faith with his side as they attempt to restore their battered pride against France in Cardiff on Saturday.

Quinnell will lead his troubled troops out at the Millennium Stadium for the first time under new coach Steve Hansen looking to somehow make amends for the record Lloyds TSB Six Nations trouncing by Ireland a fortnight ago.

The British Lions number eight insisted the players were more hurt than anyone by the Dublin debacle and know they let down Hansen's predecessor Graham Henry, who quit in the wake of the 54-10 drubbing.

"It hurt us more than anything - you go out to play well every week, sometimes it comes off and sometimes it doesn't," said Quinnell of the defeat.

"But I would ask the fans not to lose faith - we are giving it 110 per cent. Maybe this is the time together we need and we will try to get it right.

"You go out in a Welsh shirt to play for your country, your coach and one another.

"We know that we let Graham down. There has been a lot in the press about players not playing for Graham, but that's rubbish.

"I first heard about it (Henry going) on the Tuesday night when Graham phoned me to explain his decision. I was very disappointed, but totally understand why he did it.

"It is very difficult under that sort of pressure. He had made up his mind and you've got to respect that.

"He has got family to think about, and the Welsh job can be very lonely with the highs and lows of the nation. He's on a deserved break with some of the family, but I am sure that he will be thinking of us."

Quinnell said the team had gone into the opening Six Nations encounter confident of maintaining their fine record at Lansdowne Road, only to end up on the receiving end of a six-try thrashing.

But the Llanelli powerhouse believes Henry's fellow New Zealander Hansen has already made an impact in his short time in the job, although the caretaker coach faces a baptism of fire even against an injury and suspension-hit French side.

"Believe it or not, we went into the Ireland Test feeling confident and upbeat," added Quinnell. "It just didn't go well, but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

"It was bitterly disappointing in Ireland - we got brought back down to earth - but you have to take the lows with the highs.

"We want the highs more regularly. The belief is still there among the players and we want to show that we are improving.

"It's great to put the shirt back on. France are an incredibly talented side, very strong up front with a great backline.

"But Steve Hansen has brought new, very good methods, and you can see the improvement in training every day."

Hansen has made three changes from the side beaten by Ireland for the clash with a French side who looked lacklustre in their victory over Italy.

Saracens' Tom Shanklin and Newport's Andy Marinos will make an all-new midfield pairing, with £1million rugby league import Iestyn Harris dropped to the bench and Jamie Robinson injured, while Andy Moore replaces the injured Chris Wyatt in the second row.