Rob Howley believes Wales can bounce back from their "thoroughly embarrassing" Dublin debacle and turn the Six Nations form book upside down against France on Saturday.

And scrumhalf Howley has also promised shell-shocked Welsh rugby fans they will never see a repeat of that 54-10 humiliation.

Within 72 hours of Wales collapsing like never before against a rampant Irish side, national coach Graham Henry had left his £250,000-a-year job.

Henry's fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen has now taken the reins in a caretaker capacity for the remaining Six Nations appointments with France, Italy, England and Scotland, but Howley knows that it is the players who must deliver.

France won 36-3 on their last Millennium Stadium visit two years ago and, although Bernard Laporte's team have been by hit by injuries and suspensions, the 1999 World Cup finalists are firm favourites to compound Welsh misery.

Former Wales captain Howley though, insists that Wales should not be written off, despite losing four of their last five Tests.

"We often give our best with our backs to the wall," he said. "We've found ourselves in this situation time and time again.

"I remember us losing to Ireland and Scotland in the first couple of games of a previous championship, and then we went to France and won when nobody gave us a cat in hell's chance.

"If we can win equal possession and play territorial position, then we will have a great opportunity to redeem ourselves.

"There have been a great many highs over the last few years with Graham, and I am sure that there are some on the horizon with Steve. He's been put in a position as head coach after just one game as assistant, but he has taken it all in his stride.

"His man-management skills are awesome and, although he's new to the role, hopefully by the end of the Six Nations he will have made his mark."

Hansen certainly refused to press any panic buttons in the wake of events at Lansdowne Road, or the fall-out caused by Henry's exit.

Injuries sideline centre Jamie Robinson and lock Chris Wyatt - Tom Shanklin and Andy Moore deputise - while Andy Marinos takes over from Iestyn Harris in an otherwise unchanged line-up.

And Howley has vowed the Welsh public can expect a much-improved display just a fortnight on from when Ireland cut loose.

"I've taken many Wales thumpings over the past six years against England or France, but when a Celtic nation beats you by 50 points, then you stand up and ask questions," he added.

"You won't see a Welsh side play like that ever again. It was thoroughly embarrassing, and I felt sorry for the supporters who went over to Dublin.

"The fans expect every time, and they've got a right to. We are all accountable for our positions in Welsh rugby."

France fullback Nicolas Brusque is using the Wales clash to claim a regular first-team place after squandering the opportunity in 1997.

The 25-year-old Biarritz player will be starting only his second international for Les Bleus in five long seasons after coming in for Nicolas Jeanjean.

Great things were expected of Brusque when he won his first cap in October 1997 against Romania but he has so far failed to fulfil his potential.

"At the time people talked a lot about me and had high expectations for me," Brusque told Le Parisien.

"I did not realise the great chance I had, I was young and when my friends would go out I would follow. I missed the France training session."

Brusque decided last summer to make the switch to Biarritz, currently top of Pool 1, having been at Pau since 1994.

"I was bored with Pau and at some point I realised I had to cut the umbilical cord," he added.

"I opted for Biarritz and I was nicely surprised how well things went and how fast I manage to adapt to my new environment."

Brusque however admits he was surprised when coach Bernard Laporte called him up to face Wales in Cardiff.

"Even if France remained my objective I was not expecting much. he World Cup is approaching, (Clement) Poitrenaud and (Nicolas) Jeanjean are injured.

"Even if I am 25 I do consider myself as an old player and I truly believe this game against Wales is my last chance. It is my duty not to let it go this time."