Tomas Francis made his Wales debut against Ireland in August 2015
Wales prop Tomas Francis says the prospect of playing in a fourth World Cup drives him on.
Francis, 34, could become part of an exclusive Welsh group next year if he is named for a fourth global tournament in Australia.
Only Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones and George North have achieved that accolade for Wales.
Francis says he would have laughed if somebody had told him during his first World Cup in 2015 that 12 years later he might complete a quartet of competitions.
"You never think far ahead and I was happy to get one cap then," said Francis.
"You just keep trying to improve and stay in that competition for the jersey.
"So now a [fourth World Cup], is a great carrot to have."
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"I think for about two-and-a half years I was away for eight nights and I had two young girls," said Francis.
"As a father you can't get that time back. I'd given my all for two World Cup cycles, so for Welsh rugby and me, it was right to have a little time away.
"It gave time [for Wales] to find other options and give others games."
Francis never closed the door on returning.
"I told Gats [former Wales head coach Warren Gatland] if you need me I am around and he passed that onto Steve [Tandy]," said Francis.
"You always want that chance to put that jersey on and it's been amazing to get back out there."
And Francis says still gets the pre-match butterflies.
"I still want to run away on game day and not go and play and those are the nerves that drive me," said Francis.
"I live on those nerves on game day. The day I lose that, I'll know it's time not to be here."
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Francis was not part of the Wales squad that lost a record 18 Tests in a row or suffered 21 losses in 23 internationals between October 2023 and February 2026.
Wales never really replaced him and he returned for this year's Six Nations after a Test break of 26 months.
He was a replacement in the opening defeats against England in February with Archie Griffin starting, before Francis was handed the number three shirt for the next four matches, including the final win against Italy.
Francis was given the summer off by Wales as he moved from France to Manchester where he linked up with English side Sale.
"The rugby's been good, there's some world-class players there," said Francis.
"The environment's a bit different to the second division in France in that respect, but I've enjoyed it.
"The results haven't gone for us yet, but it's a new team.
"There are exciting youngsters there and they've also brought in some old heads. Hopefully we can kick on when we click."
Saturday, 14 November (14:10 GMT)
Francis returned to Wales for this November campaign after being named in the squad alongside fellow tight-head props Griffin and Dillon Lewis, who started the first three Nations Championship matches in July.
With Griffin starting the 28-21 win against Japan in Cardiff last weekend, Francis, who is the oldest member of the squad, came off the replacements bench to win his 83rd cap.
Wales emulated their victory against Japan in Cardiff in November 2025 but Francis states the post-match reaction was different.
"In the changing room afterwards, we weren't celebrating like the last time we beat Japan," said Francis.
"It was quite sombre because we knew we hadn't hit the heights we wanted to.
"We'd left points out there and hadn't put in the performance we wanted so we're now not celebrating just scraping a win.
"We're looking at what's next and asking how we get better."
The New Zealand challenge is next as Wales look to break a 34-match losing sequence against the All Blacks that stretches back to 1953.