Wales vs France - Friday 21st Feb 8pm KO.

First topic message reminder :

Wales vs France - Friday 21st Feb 8pm KO.
 
Thought I'd start a thread seeing as our Welsh posters are few and far between this week.
 
 
Big, Massive, Huge game for both teams, how do you see it going?

1. Jenkins
2. Hibbard
3. Rhodri Jones
4. AWJ (c)
5. Coombes
6. Warburton
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau
9. Webb
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Hook
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. James
17. Owens
18. A.Jones
19. Ball
20. Lydiate
21. Priestland
22. Phillips
23. Li Williams

 
 
News
 
- Wales centre Scott Williams has been ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations after injuring his shoulder in the 26-3 defeat by Ireland. (lesson to be learnt there for Mr Williams)
 
- Warburton and Gethin released to play for the Blues this weekend (Please note I used Warburton not WRUburton!)
 
- Guscott - "Wales should 'think about dropping Mike Phillips"
 
- "It's probably one of the worst performances that we've had since I've been involved," said Gatland.
 
- Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips has challenged One Direction's Niall Horan to train with the Welsh squad after the singer criticised him on Twitter.
 
- Ospreys duo Ashley Beck and Dan Baker called up for Wales training.
 
- Centre Jonathan Davies has been ruled out of Wales' Six Nations clash against France on Friday after failing to recover from a pectoral injury.  Osprey Ashley Beck, has also been ruled out.

France all over the shop - and Wales really piling on the pressure and not letting them gain any initiative.

Wales 34 France 9

Feel sorry for Priestland. He has all the skills but seems rattled a lit of the time. Come on Priestland.

Wales giving away penalties again...the French will wecome the chances I'm sure. So, the flyhalf is actually going to kick then?

GunsGerms wrote:Feel sorry for Priestland. He has all the skills but seems rattled a lit of the time. Come on Priestland.

He massively lacks confidence I think.

Evening Campers

Hope you are all enjoying what hopefully will be a fun packed weekend   

Sounds like its been a good start by the Welsh..... good stuff

BamBam wrote:There is no way Doussain is even close to Parra

Agreed, horribly ponderous, he's killing France

Is the French scrum half pished?

French scrumhalf having an attack of lacking confidence too.

Really stupid Fofana. France all over the place.

It seems France is back to their worst?

France are shocking, as is Jenkins scrummaging!  

North very wise then just rams the point of the ball deep into Fofana's shoulder blade..... easy pen and a bit of a bruise into the Frenchmans back

That was very careless of Fofana...and right in front of the posts too.

Biltong wrote:It seems France is back to their worst?

They look rudderless with Doussain. Such a shame to see them look so poor.

Cuthberts ankle looks like it went over then

It seems the new Halfback of Wales is much sharper and accurate with his clearing of the ruck.

Good scrum from Wales!

Webb's service is so much quicker, it's definitely making a difference to our centres.

Definitely Biltong, it's what we've been calling for for a long time. And it seems to be bearing fruit. We're seeing roberts coming onto the ball at pace, and now North at centre too, whereas in the past with Phillips and slow ball Roberts would take it standing still. A man his size is no good from a standing start.

Sing when you're winning eh...?

That scrum could be a big moment in this game

Scrumpy wrote:France are shocking, as is Jenkins scrummaging!  

At times it seems shocking. At times it seems good, a la that scrum against the head.

I was just about to say that Webb is looking no sharper than Phillips but its amazing when your front five is operating and your back row is competing at the breakdown.

HT 20-6

Now I hope Wales can maintain the lead!!

Notch wrote:France would be an awesome side if they had a game plan or something. They look clueless but have so many brilliant individuals.

It's a shame they are so much less than the sum of those individuals.

Reminds me of Ireland the last 3 years.

Wales put a score on the board straight after half time and it's all over.
Well played Wales!

I'm glad Webb's having a good game so far.  He's still a little hesitant at times, but he's doing OK.  Hopefully he will get more starts in future.  Wales need a changing of the guard at scrumhalf.

Guscott does NOT like to say anything positive about Wales does he?   

flyhalffactory wrote:I was just about to say that Webb is looking no sharper than Phillips but its amazing when your front five is operating and your back row is competing at the breakdown.

I think he has looked sharper. It's not just the speed at getting it out, it's also the speed of the pass itself. He seems to be able to zip it quicker than Phillips. Phillips and his slow looping passes, often down low or behind the man, often takes the sting out of our attacks. Webb isn't perfect, but so far I'm impressed.

flyhalffactory wrote:I was just about to say that Webb is looking no sharper than Phillips but its amazing when your front five is operating and your back row is competing at the breakdown.

Seriously? He looks a hell of a lot sharper to me!

Guscott trying not to look disappointed that Wales are well ahead.

France are pi$$ pi$$ poor. Wales havent been amazing either. Very good as usual but France are soooooooooo weak. Wales by a record score tonight I reckon.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Guscott trying not to look disappointed that Wales are well ahead.

Why would he be? England and Ireland benefit from a Wales win.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Guscott trying not to look disappointed that Wales are well ahead.

Well he's had to eat a fair bit of Welsh humble pie in the 6Ns...he must be gagging on it by now.   

Is PSA dumber than mad Marc..France look clueless...Wales should walk this

GloriousEmpire wrote:Guscott trying not to look disappointed that Wales are well ahead.

He is a hard guy to like isnt he.

Lo and behold, the hateful Inverdale has shoe-horned England into the conversation. In no way relevant.

This is going to sound ridiculous, but John Inverdale's hair really gets on my nerves.

The French 9!

Has he played scrum half before or did they pick him out of the crowd before the game

What a difference 2 weeks rest makes. Wales looking very sharp in the first half. A lot of players slipping on the grass at the moment.

France playing one of the worst first half games i have seen for along time. The scrum half for France seems a little uncertain of what to do at the brake down.

Looking forward to the second half thats for sure.

Griff wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:I was just about to say that Webb is looking no sharper than Phillips but its amazing when your front five is operating and your back row is competing at the breakdown.

I think he has looked sharper. It's not just the speed at getting it out, it's also the speed of the pass itself. He seems to be able to zip it quicker than Phillips. Phillips and his slow looping passes, often down low or behind the man, often takes the sting out of our attacks. Webb isn't perfect, but so far I'm impressed.

Evening Griff

I have only managed to see the last 12 minutes (so perhaps he was different before that) and to me he has looked hesitant and unsure whether to run or pass. The difference is the forwards have given him a platform to get on the front foot whilst last week Phillips not once had that luxury

Hood83 wrote:Lo and behold, the hateful Inverdale has shoe-horned England into the conversation. In no way relevant.

Yep. Why on earth mention England at that stage?

ME-109 wrote:Is PSA dumber than mad Marc..France look clueless...Wales should walk this

Yes. Id prefer Lievremont. PSA hasnt a clue.

Wales doing England a favour here

Still expect France to beat Ireland. They're so much stronger at home and know how to get under Ireland's skin.

Looks like the England/Wales game is really shaping up!

Exciting stuff.

This French team are playing like it's 2013... their scrumhalf looks startled whenever he's got the ball. Has he been chucked in at the deep end?

Wales must get Prickland off ASAP/

Griff wrote:This is going to sound ridiculous, but John Inverdale's hair really gets on my nerves.

  
Probably because of what's under it!

I think inverdale is the best bbc presenter there is why isn't he out in USSR?

nobbled wrote:

Griff wrote:This is going to sound ridiculous, but John Inverdale's hair really gets on my nerves.

  
Probably because of what's under it!

  

Wales really need to really maintain this score. They need a good win. It'll do wonders for their confidence going forward.

Not surprisingly, the French scrumhalf has been replaced...and already the French are on the attack...