Wales have endured a miserable start to the Six Nations but are hopeful they can breathe life into their campaign by reproducing old glories at the Stade de France next weekend.
Admittedly the statistics going into the match against France suggest that only the wildest optimist would punt on a Wales victory as Gareth Jenkins's side have no points and no tries from two matches.
France have a maximum haul of four points from two matches and a bucketful of tries.
However, should the Welsh revert back to the passion with which they played against Ireland, rather than the limp display against Scotland, then their luck might change.
The French have yet to hit top gear and although they defeated Ireland 20-17, their shaky second-half performance has given Wales some hope.
The other match sees the Scots play Italy, who showed more spirit in their last defeat to England than in the lame display on the opening day against France.
Wales have not been spared the rod by former players and given their past two displays it is hard not to disagree with their accusations.
"It is enough to drive you to drink," wrote former Wales wing Ieuan Evans in his column in the Sunday Telegraph.
However, with two memorable victories at the Stade -- the Robert Howley inspired win in 2001 and then two years ago on their way to the Grand Slam -- Wales can dream of victory.
Certainly France coach Bernard Laporte is taking nothing for granted.
"Don't forget they beat us at Stade de France two years ago," said Laporte, who has once again rung the changes bringing in five fresh pairs of legs to his squad of 22.
"Anyway we have a tough road ahead of us and I do not even want to contemplate the Grand Slam. I couldn't give a damn about it!" he said.
The Irish were left seriously deflated with the last gasp winning try of Vincent Clerc at Croke Park and it will be a measure of how far they have really come under Eddie O'Sullivan in how they react against the English, who looked far from restored to full throttle against the Italians.
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