ROB Howley says the tussle for top-seed status at the World Cup is “a large incentive” as Wales attempt to pile the pressure on Ireland by continuing their winning streak against France.

Victory in their Six Nations finale in Paris would leave Wales waiting on the result from Dublin, where the Irish will attempt to deny champions England back-to-back Grand Slams.

If both games go the way of the away countries then Wales will be fourth in the world rankings for May’s draw for Japan 2019, joining New Zealand, England and Australia as top seeds.

Howley’s men have travelled to France on the back of a superb 22-9 win against the Irish and the head coach insists backing up that display is their prime concern.

“We feel in good shape like we did for the Ireland game and we are looking for a similar result,”said the former scrum-half.

“We have talked about the opportunity to go fourth in the world, and we are relying on other results to go second in the championship. We are aware of that.

“We have the opportunity to go into the next World Cup ranked fourth in the world. That is a large incentive for players and the coaches.”

Wales haven’t lost to France since the 2011 World Cup semi-final but Howley, who has selected an unchanged 23-man squad, knows they will have to be on top form to keep the streak going.

“I think that we will go in against a very good France side,” he said. “They were potentially - having watched the England and Ireland games - unlucky not to come away with more wins.

“One game can be far different to the next, so we need to go out to Paris and perform to the level we have in training.

“I was really pleased with the impact off the bench (against Ireland). In the course of the championship, it hasn’t been good enough, but against Ireland the bench came on and did their job.

“I keep mentioning about the 23 players - not about the 15 - and consistently saying the same to the players.

“The bench made the difference, and ultimately in international games that is the difference between winning and losing, and thankfully last weekend we were on the right side of that.”

Howley also defended Wales’ decision to stick with the tried and tested for their tournament finale rather than blooding the likes of fly-half Sam Davies and wing Steff Evans.

Just three players – flanker Ellis Jenkins, lock Cory Hill and Davies – have been capped since the World Cup.

“I believe giving players the exposure to international rugby is pretty important,” said Howley.

“Where we have been over the last eight or nine years, a lot of youngsters have been blooded at a young age and they have taken the opportunity in a red jersey – and they are still young.

“From an international coach’s perspective, you blood players through talent and being forced to through injury. Ultimately, you pick the best players to play in a competition.

“A lot of players had exposure and have had it in training alongside side the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Jamie Roberts or Scott Williams.

“We have got two years where we are going to be in a really good position going into the next World Cup.”

Wales will turn to those on the fringes this summer when they face Samoa and Tonga while the Lions are in New Zealand.