Thomas (with ball) - hopeful (Getty Images).

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

Wales winger Gareth Thomas believes his side can look to the future with confidence, despite finishing the 2003 RBS 6 Nations at the foot of the championship table.

Saturday's 33-5 mauling by France saw the Welsh crash to their first tournament whitewash since 1995, completing a miserable campaign for Steve Hansen's men.

They never recovered from the opening-day defeat by Italy as encouraging performances against England and Ireland were tempered by sub-standard displays against Scotland and France.

Wales have been a model of inconsistency this season, an ominous sign given that they are due to tour Australia and New Zealand in the summer before competing in the World Cup in little over six months from now.

But while Thomas believes a change in Welsh fortunes may come too late for rugby's showpiece Down Under, he feels there is enough talent in the side to suggest they could blossom into something special.

"We have definitely made progress this season. It's been a tough Six Nations for the boys and there's been a lot of criticism, but that's just brought us closer together," said the powerful Bridgend back.

"In a year or two the team we have now will be a fantastic side. We just have to work away at securing a victory - that's all this team needs.

"There is fantastic talent in the squad - the likes of Rhys Williams, Craig Morgan, Tom Shanklin and Martyn Williams are, in my book, world-class players."

In the opening 20 minutes against France, a young Wales team showed glimpses of the ability which they hope can be nurtured into a force that will halt the recent decline of Welsh rugby.

They made a magnificent start, tearing into the French and sweeping deep into their opponents' half as Iestyn Harris made the initial break which set up Thomas' third-minute try.

Further chances were created - most notably Craig Morgan's 'try' which was disallowed by the video referee - but after their initial surge they fell away as France's superiority began to tell.

Thomas Castaignede, Vincent Clerc and Frederic Michalak all crossed as French pressure began to tell and with Dimitri Yachvili completing all but one of his shots at goal, Wales' hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon quickly evaporated.

"It was a great start. We went at them because we knew they were going to chuck everything at us in the first 20 minutes and we thought that if me met them head-on, it would be easier," said Thomas, who had to leave the pitch for 10 minutes in the second half with a broken nose.

"But all credit to the French, they played with a lot of flair. They didn't let us touch the ball much and they opened us up with some great skills.

"The second half didn't pan out as we'd hoped. We planned to kick the ball and then play in their half but that didn't happen as we struggled to get hold of the ball. It was certainly frustrating to be standing out on the wing."

Thomas refused to take the credit for his try, despite showing his finishing skills as he raced in at the right corner, and admitted that on a personal level he had enjoyed this year's championship.

"Robert Sidoli gave me the final pass - it was a great move upfield. But there were several players involved so it was a team try," he said.

"I'm pleased with the way the Six Nations has gone for me. I've had a lot of support from the players and from my family. I've just gone out to enjoy myself.

"Although results haven't gone our way, I've had a great seven weeks with the boys. We've played hard and for each other and we're all looking forward to the summer tour and the World Cup."

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