Six Nations Championship/ Wales 16 France 21: Scott Johnson issued a warning today that whoever fills the vacant position of Wales head coach will need to be tougher than Braveheart.
The Welsh Rugby Union have launched a worldwide search for Mike Ruddock's permanent replacement and Johnson's comments are the latest indication he will not feature on the final shortlist.
Johnson guided Wales through their last three RBS Six Nations Championship games in a caretaker capacity but he has pressing family issues back in Australia, where he has also been offered a coaching role with the Wallabies.
Johnson informed the players of his plans after the rousing display in defeat to France and a public announcement is expected this week, possibly as early as tomorrow.
The final decision on a new head coach will be made by a five-man WRU panel who hope to have their man in place by the end of April, allowing him two months to prepare for the summer tour of Argentina.
The advertisement demands a candidate who "thrives on pressure" and has "demonstrable experience in improving both individual and collective skill and performance levels".
But after spending four years working as Wales skills coach, Johnson offered further words of advice to any of those who want to lead the side into the 2007 World Cup.
"Wales is a different place to work and everyone knows their rugby - supposedly. There are more coaches and selectors per head of population than anywhere else in the world," said Johnson.
"Whoever comes in will have to wear a heavy coat of armour on their back and make sure they don't let the knives stick in. Look at my back - it's so bloodstained. Even Braveheart didn't have as many bloodstains as I've got."
Without 11 key players, including eight British and Irish Lions, Wales outplayed France and were only undone eight minutes from time by a flash of brilliance from maverick outhalf Frederic Michalak whose chip created the crucial try for Florian Fritz.
But it was a positive end to a miserable title defence, which was ravaged by injuries and controversy.
Wales ended up with just one win and one draw from five games. Only Scotland's late victory over Italy in Rome ensured Wales did not become the first team in Six Nations history to slide from Grand Slam champs to wooden spoon chumps.
France came out stronger after the interval and although Dimitri Szarzewski burrowed over in the corner Wales retained their lead until the 72nd minute.
But Fritz's converted try finally edged France in front and Jean-Baptise Elissalde sealed the win with a late penalty.
SCORERS - Wales: Tries: Luscombe. Cons: S Jones. Pens: S Jones 2, Henson. France: Tries: Szarzewski, Fritz. Cons: Elissalde. Pens: Yachvili 2, Elissalde.
WALES: Byrne, James, Luscombe, Watkins, S Williams, S Jones, Phillips, D. Jones, R. Thomas, A Jones, Gough, Sidoli, Owen, M Williams, Popham. Replacements: Henson for Byrne (40), Jenkins for D. Jones (52), Davies for R Thomas (43), J Thomas for Sidoli (75), D Jones for Popham (69).
FRANCE: Castaignede, Rougerie, Fritz, Traille, Dominici, Michalak, Yachvili, Marconnet, Ibanez, De Villiers, Pelous, Thion, Nyanga, Bonnaire, Lievremont. Replacements: Heymans for Castaignede (40), Elissalde for Yachvili (43), Milloud for Marconnet (76), Szarzewski for Ibanez (44), Nallet for Bonnaire (56), Magne for Lievremont (59). Sin Bin: Ibanez (25).
Referee: C White (RFU).
