FRANCE have called for the big guns for their trip to Cardiff – meaning flanker Dan Lydiate will once again have to prove he is top of the chops.

The 24-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons blindside has become an expert at the chop tackle – where the target is low, below the ball carrier’s knee.

The aim is to get powerful runners on the floor to allow the likes of Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins to earn turnovers.

The French side is packed full of strong ball carriers and the back row battle is an intriguing one.

Lydiate, Warburton and Toby Faletau will be up against Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir and Imanol Harinordoquy.

"It is a massive challenge for us because we are a relatively young back row in international rugby," said Lydiate.

"They are an awesome combination. Harinordoquy was man of the match against England, Dusautoir is the IRB world player of the year and Bonnaire is a class act and a seasoned veteran.

"They are bringing the bruisers and I expect to be pretty sore afterwards.

"The England game was the most physical game that I have played in and I expect this to be another notch up.

"But I pride myself on being a physical player so I look forward to it. We have got to make our tackles and dominate up front."

One of the tedious questions that gets asked of current members of the Wales that were not involved four years ago is ‘Where were you when the Grand Slam was won in 2008?’ Usually it’s at home or a pub but Lydiate’s case the answer is actually an interesting one – he was battling back from the career-threatening neck injury that he suffered in November 2007 against Perpignan.

That nightmare moment in the south of France has been joined by a series of disappointments, in the jerseys of both Wales and the Dragons.

"I have never beaten the French so to finally get the result would be awesome," he said. "It will be a massive occasion, a great atmosphere and a full house, so I am really looking forward to it."