Kelsey Jones, celebrating her 50th cap for Wales, feels a positive change in the team's dynamics this year under coach Sean Lynn. Despite a loss to Scotland in their Six Nations opener, improvements were evident compared to last summer's World Cup performance.
Kelsey Jones won her 50th Wales cap during last summer's tour of Australia [Huw Evans Agency]
Kelsey Jones has been in the Wales set-up for the best part of 10 years, but admits "something feels different" this year.
Sean Lynn has freshened up the coaching staff and playing squad as he enters his second year in charge.
And while Wales fell short in their Six Nations opener against Scotland on Saturday, there were notable improvements from last summer's World Cup.
"Personally on the weekend that was the most confident I have felt in a Welsh jersey, probably since 2023 where we came third in that Six Nations," said Jones, who scored Wales' opening try at the Principality Stadium.
"It's nice to have that feeling and now that belief is there. I'm excited to see where we go as a squad, I really do believe we're going to do well."
Jones has witnessed first-hand Wales' transition into professionalism and was part of the 2023 squad which rocketed up to all-time high of sixth in the world rankings.
But since then Wales have been on a worrying downward trajectory, with Lynn failing to make an impact on results since he came in from Gloucester-Hartpury.
"Winning becomes a habit, but I also think losing becomes a habit, and we sort of fell into that habit of losing - not that we were ever happy or accepted it - but that belief just disappeared," said Jones.
"We've obviously had our struggles, as probably other nations have, but something feels different.
"Our attack is completely new, our defence is completely new, everything is new, but it's given us that kick of excitement.
"I truly believe this campaign is going to set us up to become a winning team.
"That belief is there, it's such a feel good factor. I can't stop smiling - I know that's not new because I can't stop smiling anyway - but the cohesion is probably the best it's been in a long time."
Wales will need plenty of belief when they take on France, a side ranked eight places above them at fourth in the world.
Les Bleues head to Cardiff Arms Park after a convincing six-try victory over Italy in round one, and while Jones accepts they are underdogs, she is not writing off their chances.
"We've got nothing to lose. The big focus has got to be on us going into these games. We're learning so much as a squad, learning from each other, learning from the coaches, learning what we can be and that's the really exciting part," she said.
"I truly believe 'why not?'. We've got to start competing at some point, why wait to tick France and England off and then try to compete in the last few games?
"It starts from the game that we finished on the weekend and we keep building on that performance now."
Sean Lynn has refreshed the coaching staff and playing squad as he begins his second year in charge.
Kelsey Jones has achieved 50 caps for the Wales rugby team.
Wales lost their Six Nations opener against Scotland, but showed notable improvements from their previous World Cup performance.
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