Wales can't forget the fundamentals in search for expansive game - Davies

Wales centre Jonathan Davies says the side are enjoying playing at a higher tempo under coach Wayne Pivac, but they still need to do the fundamentals right and expansive rugby counts for nothing if you don’t win games.

The Welsh outscored England three tries to one at Twickenham on Saturday, with a particularly impressive second-half display, but ultimately lost the Six Nations Championship clash 23-19.

Davies believes the team want to play at a higher tempo, but it only works if there is speed to the breakdown and they put in the hard yards to protect the ball.

"It is something we have always wanted to have (in the team), players with the ability we now have on the ball," Davies told reporters on Thursday.

"We want to improve and play at a higher level, it is enjoyable for us and we feel it can help us win games. But there is a lot that goes into making sure you can play like that and sometimes it is the stuff that people don’t want to do.

"The ball is the most important thing, that is what we wanted since we were kids, no-one wanted to defend. But it is about accuracy, and we can’t go running up blind alleys. We have to make sure we execute how we need to."

Their style of play will face a massive test against unbeaten France in Wales’ next Six Nations clash in Cardiff on March 11. The French have a huge forward back and are skilled at disrupting opposition ball.

"They are big, heavy men and for us it is making sure we have speed to the breakdown and not giving them opportunities to get over the ball," Davies said.

"When there is separation with the carrier, they are very quick to get their hands on the ball and because they are such big men, it is very hard to move them off it.

"So for us it is about not giving them the