Rob Howley lauds 'exceptional' George North ahead of world record

At 22, North will become the youngest player in international rugby union history to make 50 Test match appearances - 47 for Wales and three as a British and Irish Lion.

Saturday's Paris clash also marks a return to action three weeks after taking two heavy blows to his head during the 21-16 home defeat against England.

Although Northampton wing North was not concussed, he still followed graduated return-to-play protocols and Wales decided to rest him for their Murrayfield appointment with Scotland 11 days ago.

North's comeback is among four changes from the side that saw off Scotland, with Wales heading to Stade de France knowing that a fourth successive victory over Les Bleus would keep them in Six Nations title contention.

"He is an exceptional player," Wales assistant coach Howley said.

"George scored the last time we were out there (Paris) in 2013 and last year in Cardiff when they messed up at the back in defence. So he has a pretty good try-scoring record, and hopefully it will continue on the weekend.

"It is a phenomenal record (50 Tests).

"If you think when we gave George his first cap back in 2010 against South Africa when he was just 18, and you look back at that performance at such a young age, he showed a maturity on the wing and the number of touches he had, scoring two great tries.

"That's the question we want to keep asking of George.

"Over the last six months, he has been playing particularly well for Northampton but has not hit the straps he, and we, would have liked on the international stage.

"That is the challenge for every player wearing the national jersey."

Wales flew to the French capital on Thursday armed with an inside dossier on some of Les Bleus' line-up.

Five of the Wales match-day 23 - Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Luke Charteris and Mike Phillips - play club rugby in France and they have addressed their squad colleagues about the opposition.

"It is obviously a very useful tool to have when players are able to give you an insight," Howley added.

"As much as the analysis from a coach's perception, for players to play and train alongside other players week in, week out - Jon Davies with (Wesley) Fofana, and Jamie with (Brice) Dulin - and to give an insight of the French mindset throughout the year, is really important.

"It was good this morning when all our French-based players spoke in front of the whole squad and gave us an insight, maybe as well as the physical strengths and weaknesses, technical and tactical ability, but also a psychological mindset of French players.

"You can only use that, hopefully ,as a tool for motivation for the players and go out and use that additional information hopefully in the right way and make it a benefit."

Like Wales, France need victory this weekend to stay in title contention after losing against Ireland last time out.

But recent history shows they have found it difficult to score tries against Wales, having gone four Tests - three Six Nations games and a World Cup semi-final - without breaching the Welsh defence.

"It's important we defend the same away we have over the last three years," Howley said.

"The two centres they have got are effective with and without the ball and they have the ability to beat a defender. It's red alert time for defence.

"The first 20 minutes are critical in France. The French crowd have a huge influence. If you are able to start well and make sure the crowd don't have the influence in the game, the pressure tells.

"You are always on your guard against France. They are fantastic to watch and they have the ability to play fantastic rugby.

"They have world-class players and runners in their back-line, and what you don't want to give France is time or space on the ball.

"In terms of the rhythm and tempo we've got back in our game since Scotland, and the way we've trained, we just have to go to the next level and we will need to go to the next level in terms of accuracy.

"If we are able to play the game on our terms, we have got a good chance of winning."