France v Wales: Build-up and match thread

[Ospreydragon]

First topic message reminder :

A very interesting opening weekend in the 6N. Good wins for Ireland and England, and a great one for Italy, who showed some nice touches and are devloping their play (unlike Wales).

Here's a typically hyperbolic journalist (or sub-editor's headline) in today's Express:

"Rob Howley Planning to Dump Failures"

http://www.sundayexpress.co.uk/posts/view/375256/Rob-Howley-planning-to-dump-failures

Nothing in the article to state who is going to be dumped, and no surprise there.

Will Howley have the cojones to drop some players? Jenkins, Shingler, and one of the centres? We'll see!

[whocares]

Off to central Paris for some cheeky drinks before heading to stade de france. Enjoy the game fellas.

[westisbest]

Wales win and France bottom after 2 rounds.

First time in a long time.

[nathan]

Wales win and France bottom after 2 rounds.

First time in a long time.

Nah, France to turn it on and Wales at the bottom.

[tatterd]

uhhhm, as I wrote on another thread, I think its much more likely that Wales will be bottom come 7.00 westisbest. only team on 0 points..........can't see any other outcome for a team so low on confidence

[tatterd]

First time I've ever agreed with you Nathan. I'll look forward to the Micks "turning it on" tomorrow though to bring you lot back down to earth......

[westisbest]

I'm not fussed who wins, just saying if Wales were to win, would be interesting to see the french bottom.

[westisbest]

oh yeah, dont call us micks

[nathan]

I have no idea who is going to win this, good luck welshys!

[Cari]

Dere 'mlaen Cymru!!!!

[wales606]

That's the problem

The welsh players have been playing in the Super 14! I thought it was the Top14, isn't the super14 the Italian league...no wonder.

[Cari]

Why have the BBC put "Sir" Wooden there? Wasn't there a French person available anywhere?

[tatterd]

oh yeah, dont call us micks

sorry westis

[wales606]

Wow, that clip of Michalak is embarrassing.

[thebluesmancometh]

I just can't see where we will get a platform to beat the french.

I really hope I'm wrong, but I doubt I will be.

[Cari]

Christ! Look at that table...this is The Battle of the Bottom!

[tatterd]

no its not an omen - we won the bloody coin toss last week

[wales606]

Wales won the coin toss last week aswell!

We are 2 from 2!

[thebluesmancometh]

Ryan Jones hardly looks like he's in his best shape at coin toss!!!

[westisbest]

I hope its a good game for the neutral.

[wales606]

Odd of 3/100 for Wales to win the grandslam of coin tosses.

We are 2/5th of the way there!

[Cari]

no its not an omen - we won the bloody coin toss last week

They don't have talk some schitt...and just to make matters worse they've sent Jason Mohammed over there too. HE LOVES TO SHOUT at people and he's a kn*b.

[Cari]

Fat Bastareaud looks like a fat Mr T.

[thebluesmancometh]

PSA is talking garbage, and is focusing on the wrong things, the smallest glimmer of hope, that and selection is as bad as wales, Michalak, Basteraud and Fofana are poor calls!

[tatterd]

Fat Bastareaud looks like a fat Mr T.

I pity da fool who has to tackle me!!

[wales606]

Fat Bastareaud looks like a fat Mr T.

I pity da fool who has to tackle me!!

Jamie isn't a fool...he's a doctor i'll have you know :P

[Cari]

Yeah if anyone knows how to do a medically crippling tackle it should be Dr J-Ro...

[Cari]

Captain R-Jo isn't wearing his Merv headband...that's it we're bugggered.

[thebluesmancometh]

For the first time I like what Howler has said pre match, talking about line speed, pressure and decision making, not passing the buck to the players (much) and highlighting Wales game instead of trouting off the cliches!!!

Not saying we are going to win, but from the pre match interviews I think Howler is talking smarter.

I really am grasping at straws aren't I?

[Cari]

J-Ro's 50th cap today so he's leading them out.

GWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON BOYS!!!

[Cari]

It should be noted here that these pictures are coming from French TV...expect rubbish views and a lot of random shots of French people...

[thebluesmancometh]

Wales...

We need the restart to be solid, and put them under pressure on ours, safe lineout, solid scrum and the breakdown has to be competitive, if we do that we are in the game, but I doubt we can.

[tatterd]

yeah shut up serge - we're singing now

[Cari]

Oh well interrupted Jason...not you kn*b.

ooh some lovely singing from the boys... Shame Alywyn's not there today.

[thebluesmancometh]

Biggar doesn't look focused at all, lots of head turning, looking around, he looks nervous!!!

[Cari]

J-Ro's a bit emotional there

Isn't Szarsewski looking rough these days...?

[Cari]

Biggar doesn't look focused at all, lots of head turning, looking around, he looks nervous!!!

It's his first time there, maybe he's just soaking up the atmosphere...having a squiz round before he gets flattened...

[Cari]

Good start from Wales...I know I know it's been 48 seconds...

[wales606]

Not a good start for the scrum

[nobbled]

Good start from Wales...I know I know it's been 48 seconds...

and Jiffy has already got on my nerves...

[Cari]

Jebus that pitch is cutting up very very badly.

[thebluesmancometh]

penalty for that?????

[wales606]

Better work from Gethin Jenkins

[Cari]

penalty for that?????

Oh good, it wasn't just me who thought that an odd decision, then...

Good kick Danny Boy...

[wales606]

Good power from Phillips, but another knock on!

[Cari]

Argh! Knocked on!

[thebluesmancometh]

Jenkins has been pocketed already!!!

And there goes our lineout

[wales606]

Scrum could be a big problem

And the lineout now...

Arggg, too many mistake in the first 5

[wales606]

Phillips looks up for it

Pointless DG attempt

[Cari]

Yeah Wales are making teeny little mistakes...that will cost us dearly if we don't tidy up.

Oh Dan that was way out! Good intent, but badly judged I think.

[thebluesmancometh]

Cari Jones and co slipped that was all!!!

And there was no knock on, Jones plced and it was kicked forward!

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