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!

[wales606]

France showing Wales how to maul

[Barney McGrew did it]

Is the team in blue Italy or France?

[Cari]

Looks like Szarsewski got a smack in the knackers.

[thebluesmancometh]

two catch and drives in their 22 and they had us on toast, watch thier catch and drive now...

[wales606]

French lineout on the 22, a maul will put them a lot closer

Wales need to hold out here

[George Carlin]

Michelak's kicking has been Wales' secret weapon. Completely pish.

[t1000advancedprototype]

Both as bad as each other!

[Cari]

Being Devil's Advocate, Michalak is playing out of position. No wonder he's schitt. Not that I'm complaining, mind...

[wales606]

Gethin Jenkins does have some uses

Looking to prove his critics wrong, good work

[thebluesmancometh]

Credit to Jenkins, his breakdown work has been excellent

[George Carlin]

Gethin Jenkins does have some uses

Looking to prove his critics wrong, good work

I am not familiar with this player. Is anyone able to comment about his work around the park?

[wales606]

Almost through on the inside ball

[HammerofThunor]

Roberts' surprise tactic of passing almost paid off

[Cari]

Bum! I thought Georgie was going to break through there.

[tatterd]

we are masters of turning attack into defence

[wales606]

Poor phases by Wales

[HammerofThunor]

No full back is the new numbers

[Cari]

Was Picamoles offside there?

Jiffy going spare saying "No fullback! No fullback!"

[t1000advancedprototype]

The decision making is bizzare.

[wales606]

Roberts' surprise tactic of passing almost paid off

[tatterd]

How many times must I say it. Wales attack = Poopie

[wales606]

Paul James on as a blood replacement

[Cari]

Melon blood subbed. That means PJ must be on?

[bsando]

wish jiffy would put a sock in it. let the players get on with it!!

[wales606]

Long range shot?

There is only 40 seconds left

[Cari]

BBC pundit before the match "Wales must target Bastereaud..."

Jiffy just now "Why are they running at Bastereaud...?"

Can't blydi win can they?!

[wales606]

Up and under tactic has worked

The drop goal tactic hasn't so far

[t1000advancedprototype]

I actually predicted 12-9 to France. I didn't expect it to be THIS bad.

[wales606]

Phillips has been aggressive and kicked well, but also slow, ponderous and passing terribly.

[Cari]

You can always rely on the French crowd to let you know when the game's poor...

HT 3-3. Here's hoping for an improved second half. Hook on?

[tatterd]

sums it up- Mark Jones take a bow (triple facepalm)

[wales606]

Wales will be happy with 3 - 3

Wales need to improve, but tend to finish stronger, so will have been happy to tire out some of the big french forwards making them defend in their own half a lot.

[t1000advancedprototype]

Mike Phillips been excellent
Biggar been very good

Still not enough ball getting to the wings

Jamie Roberts is ineffective

[Guest]

BBC pundit before the match "Wales must target Bastereaud..."

Jiffy just now "Why are they running at Bastereaud...?"

Can't blydi win can they?!

Not running at him though, around him!

[wales606]

You can always rely on the French crowd to let you know when the game's poor...

HT 3-3. Here's hoping for an improved second half. Hook on?

Lloyd Williams would make more of an impact, Biggar has been the one making ground in the backs!

[asoreleftshoulder]

Weird game,both teams will be very disappointed to have only 3 points as there were numerous chances for more.

[HammerofThunor]

Given that Wales' deal with Satan doesn't let them play well in two halves, what's going to happen in the second half?

[George Carlin]

Defences have been so tight - it will open up in the second half.

Getting set piece parity with France at home is encouraging - lots of people here perhaps being a bit harsh? Cuthbert and North have been busy, 1/2p has been solid, Tipuric has been hammered in the tackles but is still trying.

[tatterd]

coombs looks one for the future tho

[thebluesmancometh]

Strange tactics, Wales seem to be hitting the 13 channell and allowing Bast to do what he does, and why Wales are so SO structured going forward I don't know!!!

If a Welshman offloads the ball in contact I think I will schitt my pants.

Tipuric has been absolutely wonderfull, he is single handedly murdering France at the breakdown.

Plus side is Bast will only get weaker, he'll tire, and so does Picamoles and Oudrago in recent times!! I just get the feeling if Wales are looking to tire the France pack we might stand the slightest chance!!

[wales606]

coombs looks one for the future tho

Coombs looking better than last week, but I can't help thinking that having a makeshift lock isn't helping our scrum

[Barney McGrew did it]

Well, one of these teams went into this competition as favourites to win it. Just can't tell which one.

[Guest]

I think before the game we would have taken a draw at half time. We were predicted to be pasted so, as we're still in it and tend to be better in the 2nd half (famous last words!), then we must be fairly happy. Rubbish skills all round though.

[majesticimperialman]

close game so far both teams playing better than they did last week.
Will be interesting to see who scores first in the second half.

[Cari]

I think it will open up second half because players will start to tire...

More pundit clichés... I've heard the sentence "The game's there for the [both sides] taking..." three times now.

[wales606]

Tipuric proving a point, he should have been first choice for the last year. Him and Ryan Jones have been the difference from the first half last week.

[t1000advancedprototype]

I think Stephen Jones is the only welsh 10 that would chip over the top!

[Cari]

Tipuric proving a point, he should have been first choice for the last year. Him and Ryan Jones have been the difference from the first half last week.

+1

[wales606]

Roberts and Davies isn't working again. Cuthbert and North are actually making ground when they get the ball, but neither Roberts or Davies are really are the top of their game. Roberts has shown glimpses over the last 2 weeks though, Davies defence has been poor this half.

Perhaps we should have Roberts at 13 running the blitz?

[tatterd]

An offload, an offload, my kingdom for an offload...................I'd like to see the stats - Wales must offload the least out of all international sides. 2005 seems a very long time ago

[Sponsored content]