TOULON star Leigh Halfpenny is aiming to turn the passionate Stade de France crowd against their own team on Saturday night.

Halfpenny, who left Cardiff Blues for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur last year, says Wales must use the power of the fans inside the 81,000 stadium to their advantage.

Warren Gatland’s men were 16-6 winners on their last visit to in Paris in 2013 but went down 28-9 in 2011 and 21-16 in 2009.

“We know when we go to Paris it will be a huge atmosphere and very loud,” said Halfpenny.

“It’s great to play in front of and a huge challenge. We are going to have to be at our best to come away with what we are going there for and that’s a win.

“It’s just that passion for rugby and wanting their team to win,” he said of the home fans.

“We know it’s going to be a huge challenge as it’s a tough place to go. It’s one we’ve done two years ago. “We had a good win against Scotland away and have to take that confidence and belief into Paris this weekend.”

Halfpenny says that playing and living over the Channel has given him a good insight into the similarities between French and Welsh rugby communities.

“Toulon reminds me of Wales in terms of their passion for rugby,” said the 26-year-old.

“The sport in Wales is huge like it is in Toulon. Both sets of fans are hugely passionate.

“Before the game when you get off the bus you walk through a tunnel of fans into the changing room.

“It’s incredible and I have not seen anything like that at club level.

“It reminds me of coming on the bus for Wales outside the Millennium Stadium with the fans cheering you in,” he added.

“It gives you a huge buzz going into the changing room.”

On the pitch Halfpenny feels that the experience has improved his game.

“It’s very attacking minded there and with the pack we have there, there’s a lot of front foot ball which goes out wide,” he said.

“That’s been great and gives us space to attack with and I am enjoying that.”

And off the pitch he’s also using the natural resources for recovery sessions.

“Rather than have an ice bath, I stop off at the port and go in the sea up to my waist with my top on and get the recovery in the legs,” he explained.

“It’s not a bad view. It’s nice to do that – I quite enjoy it. There’s a car park right on the beach and you get the locals driving past and thinking ‘what on earth is he doing there?’”