Wales vs France, Friday 26 Feb 8pm, Pre/During/Post Match Thread.

thomond2006

RBS SIX NATIONS
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Friday, 26 February Kick-off: 2000 GMT

VS

Wales:
Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Richie Rees (Blues);
Paul James, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones (Ospreys), Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt)

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys) , Tom Shanklin (Blues).

France:
Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse); Julien Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne). , Mathieu Bastareaud (Stade Francais), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Alexis Palisson (Brive); Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Morgan Parra (Clermont Auvergne);
Thomas Domingo (Clermont Auvergne), William Servat (Toulouse), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Lionel Nallet (Racing-Metro), Julien Pierre (Clermont Auvergne), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), Julien Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz).

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais), Jean-Baptiste Poux (Toulouse), Sebastian Chabal (Racing-Metro), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont Auvergne), Frederic Michalak (Toulouse), David Marty (Perpignan), Marc Andreu (Castres)

Recent Six Nations Meetings:
2009: France 21 - 16 Wales
2008: Wales 29 - 12 France
2007: France 32 - 21 Wales
2006: Wales 16 - 21 France

When they met in the final game of the championship in Cardiff two years ago, these two sides stood in very different positions.

Unleashing strong displays week after week, Wales were marching towards a second Grand Slam in four years. Its supporters had long since forgotten about their ills at the World Cup. New coach Warren Gatland was hailed as a miracle worker, along with his hard-nosed assistant coach Shaun Edwards.

France, under a new coaching regime headed by the relatively inexperienced Marc Lievremont, had begun a four year preparation for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The shackles of the Laporte era disappeared as France adopted an attacking style of rugby that had world rugby on the edge of its seat. After stellar performances against Scotland and Ireland, everyone believed that this French side was unstoppable. Then it began to fall apart. France lost to bitter rivals England and scraped through against a poor Italian outfit. Nobody knew what France side would turn up in Cardiff.

On the day, it was a case of Wales turning up and France doing the opposite. A fly-half that is on his game does not slice a restart backwards (http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2008/04/friday-funnies-david-skrelas-crazy.html), prompting an indignant Brian Moore to comment: "Give that man a chocolate egg". Wales claimed a Grand Slam while the French management and squad were left pondering about the uncertain future.

How times have changed in two years. Wales couldn't repeat their heroics at Twickenham and they will admit that Scotland were desperately unlucky not to win at Cardiff. That comeback earned the coaching staff a precious staff yet questions still remain. However, there are positive signs. In the last quarter, Wales displayed what they are capable of producing, inspiring attacking rugby. Their challenge is to repeat this form for a full 80 minutes against the French.

France have finally settled on a team, after nearly 2 years of chopping and changing. To his credit, Lievremont looks to have finally produced the right squad for the job. For the second straight game, Lievremont has made no unforced switches in the starting line-up. They come into this game with wins over Scotland and Ireland under their belt. They look motivated and have solved the problem position of fly-half with young Francois Trinh-Duc.

And now, to the match.

Wales make five changes to the side that defeated Scotland. Richie Rees replaces Gareth Cooper at scrum-half, Huw Bennett comes in at hooker, Jonathan Thomas moves to the blindside flanker after Andy Powell was suspended from the squad for "buggygate". The biggest surprise comes in the second row, where Deiniol Jones comes in to partner Cardiff Blues teammate Bradley Davies, ahead of Luke Charteris and Ian Gough.

France make just two changes, both enforced through injuries, Benjamin Fall replaces Vincent Clerc on the right wing, while Julien Bonnaire comes in for Fulgence Ouedraogo at openside.

EDIT: Benjamin Fall drops out, replaced by Malzieu.
EDIT II: Pape out, replaced by Pierre.
Key Players:

Imanol Harinordoquy: The Biarritz number eight has become the heartbeat of the French side. Supreme against both Ireland and Scotland, he will carry the French into battle. He is a quick and very strong and is (imo) France's most important player.

Shane Williams: Against Scotland, Williams proved that on form, he is still a top class winger. His take inside his own 22 when two taller Scots were chasing a cross field kick turned the match on his head. He then played a leading part in the two tries that salvaged the game for Wales. If Wales can get on the front foot, Williams can score/create the tries to bring Wales the victory.

Prediction: Wales have the potential to cause an upset, but I think France will just have too much, if they turn up of course. France by less than 7.

Colm_OReilly

Heart wants Wales to win, Head says French grand slam this year.

Judgement Day

Great post Thomond - I'm really looking forward to this one. I just hope it's a cracking match and the Les Bleus go home with tails between legs but I suspect, as you say, that they are just too strong.

Just noticed on that same rugbydump page is a link to the 2007 Croke Park Ireland v England match (including and 'interesting' half time visit to the changing room) http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2007/03/ireland-thrash-england-6-nations-2007.html

Well worth a look!

PhatPiggins

Judgement Day wrote: »

Great post Thomond - I'm really looking forward to this one. I just hope it's a cracking match and the Les Bleus go home with tails between legs but I suspect, as you say, that they are just too strong.

Just noticed on that same rugbydump page is a link to the 2007 Croke Park Ireland v England match (including and 'interesting' half time visit to the changing room) http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2007/03/ireland-thrash-england-6-nations-2007.html

Well worth a look!

There are no losers in this one for me as its two teams I equally like to watch. If pushed I'd prefer France to win it and the Grand Slam and get some serious momentum for the World Cup. I think they'll win comfortably enough tbh with a similar scoreline to their game against Scotland.

PhatPiggins

Adam Jones aside thats a decidedly Magners League standard tight five the Welsh have.

Podge_irl

Judgement Day wrote: »

Great post Thomond

Pft, he's no Juvenal :P

I can't see Wales winning this one. I know its only two games in but France seem to be taking it more seriously this year and their selection alone will give them more continuity. Wales were also decidedly unimpressive against Scotland and England and their injuries certainly won't help. One imagines it will be another high scoring affair, but I think France will edge it, and I don't think it will be that close.

chupacabra

Podge_irl wrote: »

Pft, he's no Juvenal :P

He is a more than able replacement.

Also Wales will win this one. I can feel it in my bones.

corny

If the French turn up with their game faces on surely there can be only one result. However i don't think they will turn up so Wales by 2!

SomeFool

I have a feeling that Wales will scrape it, hope I'm right!

BoarHunter

It can sometimes give a flowing score... The welsh will close the roof no matter what the weather will be. I think the red devils will try to put some speed in the game, especially in the centre where they could well launch Shane Williams and Halfpenny at full speed in the gaps chasing some chip and run.

Last year Bastareaud and mermoz won the battle of the centre and the welsh had little ball. Only Lee Byrne managed to breach the defensive line.

Spud83

Hoping this effects the French travel plans.

Link

anything that upsets them before travelling can only be good news.



*yes I know it's clutching at straws a bit*

Noffles

Surprised at a couple of the starting 15 but overall I'm not going to complain as to what we have to offer...

For some reason I've got a positive feeling about this one, I feel at home, roof closed and the deafening sound that we get when it is closed I think we can turn them over...

Looking forward to sittingin, BBC HD and the volume cranked up....!!!!!!

Aidric

OP, where did you paste that analysis from if you don't mind me asking?

thomond2006

Aidric wrote: »

OP, where did you paste that analysis from if you don't mind me asking?

Cheeky.

I wrote the analysis myself.

BoarHunter

Fall is out. He twisted an ankle. Malzieu will start and Andreu ( 0 cap ) will come on the bench.

Another injury ...

SomeFool

BoarHunter wrote: »

Fall is out. He twisted an ankle. Malzieu will start and Andreu ( 0 cap ) will come on the bench.

Another injury ...

Are Heymans and Meddard ever going to get a look in again?

anonymous_joe

BoarHunter wrote: »

Fall is out. He twisted an ankle. Malzieu will start and Andreu ( 0 cap ) will come on the bench.

Another injury ...

So he got injured... Had a great game in the Top 14, and then got injured again? Talk about bad luck...

BoarHunter

Papé is out Injured .... Chabal comes on the bench and julien Pierre will start ...

This is pretty much a second team now... but we can do it !

stephen_n

BoarHunter wrote: »

Papé is out Injured .... Chabal comes on the bench and julien Pierre will start ...

This is pretty much a second team now... but we can do it !

Nice to have a second team like that one lol

B0X

Cmon Wales, with your silly accents!

LilOc

Julien Pierre and Imanol Harinordoquy had to have stitches to their foreheads after colliding in training.

Alexandre Lapandry hurt his ankle in training too.

Any Welshies in the sparring partners?

Steffano2002

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!

I hope we win but with all the injuries I'm worried...

Last time we played in the Millenium Stadium we beat the All Blacks (and I was there!) so it's a "lucky stadium" for us!

Not feeling it though...

Judgement Day

I just came across this site http://abeshirts.com/ who are selling rather fetching T-shirts for the 2010 footie World Cup but I rather fancy wearing one for the 6 Nations too. There is another one featuring 'Anyone But England' but you won't find me wearing that - at least as long as JW can draw breath!

fryup

whats with the friday evening kick off?

is this a new trend for the 6 nations?

Mr.Applepie

I think this is going to be a real test of France's state of mind. Over the past few years after they have put in a big performance they have noticebly slumped for the next game or two.

They haven't won 3 games in a row in a long time. We'll soon find out if a more settled side will give them a better mental toughness.

pat_mas

France to win by 20 at least. Wales's got no scrum (at all) : against our pack they don't stand a chance. People are hopping France sabotage itself but this ain't gonna happen this time.

Stev_o

Andreu is a great little winger in the Shane Williams mold. Good luck to him.

BoarHunter

Judgement Day wrote: »

I just came across this site http://abeshirts.com/ who are selling rather fetching T-shirts for the 2010 footie World Cup but I rather fancy wearing one for the 6 Nations too. There is another one featuring 'Anyone But England' but you won't find me wearing that - at least as long as JW can draw breath!

What's the problem with the french ? :rolleyes:

Dave_The_Sheep

fryup wrote: »

whats with the friday evening kick off?

is this a new trend for the 6 nations?

I actually quite like it to be honest. Its better than a lone game on a Sunday afternoon I feel.

anonymous_joe

BoarHunter wrote: »

What's the problem with the french ? :rolleyes:

We lost to you.

FFS, it's not that hard to understand unreasonable pettiness and bitterness.

Podge_irl

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

I actually quite like it to be honest. Its better than a lone game on a Sunday afternoon I feel.

Makes life difficult for travelling fans, though I guess Sunday isn't much better in that respect.

LilOc

Judgement Day wrote: »

I just came across this site http://abeshirts.com/ who are selling rather fetching T-shirts for the 2010 footie World Cup

I have an Anyone But England 6 Nations t-shirt since last year!

May get a chavball WC one.

Anyone heard about this? Hilarious.

Police Fears over Anyone but England t-shirts :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8533791.stm

QDog10

They played last year on Friday night also. Good idea if you ask me..
Prediction: France to win by 10 or more...

shrapnel222

I think France will win this comfortably to be honest. Wales have been poor so far, and apart from a morale boost last week, they have very little going for them. They'll be defending for most of the game and will crumble under the pressure. The only interesting battle will be in the centre, but if they're going backwards, they'll be struggling to exploit bastareaud's defensive weakness.

thomond2006

I've put money on Wales. Gotta take risks sometimes!

I am really looking forward to this.

If Richie Rees can replicate his Cardiff form, Wales could put France under a lot of pressure.

BoarHunter

thomond2006 wrote: »

Wales could put France under a lot of pressure.

You wish !

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

I've put money on Wales. Gotta take risks sometimes!

I am really looking forward to this.

If Richie Rees can replicate his Cardiff form, Wales could put France under a lot of pressure.

You really rate Ritchie Rees dont you?

I think he's fairly average myself but anything is an improvement on Cooper

twinytwo

BoarHunter wrote: »

You wish !

Exactly... just look at what the scots did to wales and that was with an average back row and 2 backs ... if france turn up which hopefully they will. even with the injuries wales should bite the bullet worse than we did.

the immortals

france to win by 15 points, come on wales!!

twinytwo

im going to stick my neck out and say ....

France by at least 20

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

You really rate Ritchie Rees dont you?

I think he's fairly average myself but anything is an improvement on Cooper

I do rate him, he (imo) was the catalyst for Wales comeback in the second half.

Obviously when fit, Phillips is a way better option.

twinytwo

thomond2006 wrote: »

I do rate him, he (imo) was the catalyst for Wales comeback in the second half.

Obviously when fit, Phillips is a way better option.

I would have thought the catalyst was paterson and evans going off and scotland stuck with a scrum half on the wing....

thomond2006

twinytwo wrote: »

I would have thought the catalyst was paterson and evans going off and scotland stuck with a scrum half on the wing....

Fair points but Rees made such a difference to the Welsh attack when he came on for Cooper.

pappyodaniel

Finally Lievremont is going for a settled French team, France to win by at least ten. The only thing that can ultimately change the result to a Welsh win is IF the French go into 'arrogant mode' and take the opposition for granted.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Fair points but Rees made such a difference to the Welsh attack when he came on for Cooper.

I think Scotland having 13 players on the pitch was the real difference. All I've seen from Rees is a decent pass, which is a good start I guess.

Stev_o

What idiots decided to break the minutes silence for Davies mum, there's always a group of twats at rugby matches that just go out of their way to give their side a bad name.

jd007

Stev_o wrote: »

What idiots decided to break the minutes silence for Davies mum, there's always a group of twats at rugby matches that just go out of their way to give their side a bad name.

There's always a group of twats everywhere in life.

jd007

Ah fuck! Way too easy ffs!

Micky Dolenz

soft try

dreamer_ire

Silly by Hook.... James rather than George this time!

pappyodaniel

The Millenium is eerily quiet :eek:

Wales need a spark to get the crowd behind them.

Looks like R Jones took a bang...could do with Powell on the bench.