JUSTIN Tipuric has underlined just how much Wales do not want to feel the pain of a second successive World Cup quarter-final exit.

Wales face France in Oita on Sunday, four years after an injury-ravaged squad bowed out of global contention against South Africa at Twickenham.

Flanker Tipuric was on the bench that day, with only four starting-XV survivors back for more this weekend: wing George North, fly-half Dan Biggar, scrum-half Gareth Davies and captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Wales were edged out 23-19 after Springboks scrum-half Fourie Du Preez scored a 75th-minute try.

"You don't want to lose any game, but unfortunately in rugby there are lots of ups and downs in your career," Tipuric said.

"Two-thousand-and-fifteen was one of those frustrating times when we lost that quarter-final with South Africa.

"The boys have learnt from that, and we don't want to feel disappointment like that again. Fingers crossed, it won't happen again.

"It has been quite relaxed in camp, to be honest. Everyone is excited and looking forward to playing in a quarter-final of the World Cup, and we just want to get out there and perform on the big stage.

"Experience is quite a big thing in rugby.

"If you have been there before and you've learnt from those experiences, it is going to help in big games, and big players normally make a difference in those games."

Wales have only lost three of their last 22 Tests against all opponents, with just one defeat from the last eight starts against France.

But while they will be made favourites in many quarters on Sunday, Tipuric added: "We are still coming under the radar a bit.

"We probably are favourites for this game, but for us all week it's never been spoken of, being favourites.

"We are just concentrating on our roles in the game at the weekend and what we've got to do to beat France.

"France are a team that can turn up on the day and beat anyone, and we have to make sure we turn up and perform."

Tipuric will pack down in the back row on Sunday with Aaron Wainwright and Josh Navidi.

At just 22, Dragons flanker Wainwright has made a major impact in the Test arena, and Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde has even compared him to a young Sam Warburton.

"I think when he first came in he was quiet as a personality," Tipuric said.

"He has just got better and better, and he is a good guy as well.

"He gets on well with the boys in the squad, and people don't realise how much of an athlete he is.

"He's only going to keep on getting better and better, with how young he is. The future he has is to be a world-class player.

"I got asked this question a couple of weeks ago, and there is a little bit there (comparison with Warburton).

"They are different in their ways as well, but they are both powerful men in terms of their ball-carrying. There are similarities there."