SIX NATIONS OPENING MATCH - France vs Wales Stade de France - 1st February 2019

First topic message reminder :

France: Maxime Medard; Damian Penaud, Wesley Fofana, Romain Ntamack, Yohann Huget; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado, Uini Atonio; Sébastien Vahaamahina, Paul Willemse, Wenceslas Lauret, Arthur Itturia, Louis Picamoles.

Reps: Julien Marchand, Dany Priso, Demba Bamba, Felix Lambey, Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Gael Fickou, Geoffrey Doumayrou.



Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.

Wales name team to face France
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin

Fluxy wrote:Demba Bamba isn't it?

Yeah, I was being silly really as I know Sol is a Cardiff City player.

munkian wrote:Wales name team to face France
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin

Not too shabby. Some good impact off the bench too.

Hope our front five goes well against their monsters.

RiscaGame wrote:

munkian wrote:Wales name team to face France
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin

Not too shabby. Some good impact off the bench too.

Hope our front five goes well against their monsters.

Huge French pack is ALWAYS bigged up

If Wales win this game will they become favorites for the slam? 9 game win streak, have only lost 1 of the last 5 or so games against France. Looks nicely set up for a Wales run on the title.

Collapse2005 wrote:If Wales win this game will they become favorites for the slam? 9 game win streak, have only lost 1 of the last 5 or so games against France. Looks nicely set up for a Wales run on the title.

I don't think anyone will get a slam this year but it will be fantastic momentum for us.

Well you've jinxed it now, Collapse!

RiscaGame wrote:

Fluxy wrote:Demba Bamba isn't it?

Yeah, I was being silly really as I know Sol is a Cardiff City player.

Now that would be a battle to watch them two go at it 

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Well you've jinxed it now, Collapse!

What's Wales win streak record? Good chance of breaking it on this run. A quick google search says 11 wins in 1907, followed by 10 in 99.

Collapse2005 wrote:If Wales win this game will they become favorites for the slam? 9 game win streak, have only lost 1 of the last 5 or so games against France. Looks nicely set up for a Wales run on the title.

I agree. With Both Ireland and England in Cardiff you'd have to fancy them if the win on Friday.

Fluxy wrote:

Now that would be a battle to watch them two go at it 

Haha. It would.

Ireland's Championship to lose Collapse. Us Welsh will just be happy to be in contention for the title .

I don't think anyone will go unbeaten this year. Even if we lose on Friday we're not out of the running.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I don't think anyone will go unbeaten this year. Even if we lose on Friday we're not out of the running.

Didn't Wales once win the championship after losing the first match? From memory in 2013?

Wales by 10 points.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I don't think anyone will go unbeaten this year. Even if we lose on Friday we're not out of the running.

Didn't Wales once win the championship after losing the first match? From memory in 2013?

That rings a bell. Did we lose in Dublin first up?

EDIT: No, we lost to Ireland in Cardiff. That was the match of Zebo's back-heel.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I don't think anyone will go unbeaten this year. Even if we lose on Friday we're not out of the running.

Didn't Wales once win the championship after losing the first match? From memory in 2013?

That rings a bell. Did we lose in Dublin first up?

EDIT: No, we lost to Ireland in Cardiff. That was the match of Zebo's back-heel.

I remember it well I was there, sitting with most of County Cork..! Came back into it second half and it was a close finish

Firk the French pack is 971kgs !!

Team announced

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.

maestegmafia wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I don't think anyone will go unbeaten this year. Even if we lose on Friday we're not out of the running.

Didn't Wales once win the championship after losing the first match? From memory in 2013?

That rings a bell. Did we lose in Dublin first up?

EDIT: No, we lost to Ireland in Cardiff. That was the match of Zebo's back-heel.

I remember it well I was there, sitting with most of County Cork..! Came back into it second half and it was a close finish

I watched it in a pub in Dublin, the Irish fans started getting quieter in the second half

It was a painful second half alright. Ireland were shoite that year. Good start but went on to lose to Italy and also a rare loss to England at home in the worst game in six nations memory.

Collapse2005 wrote:It was a painful second half alright. Ireland were shoite that year. Good start but went on to lose to Italy and also a rare loss to England at home in the worst game in six nations memory.

These things only make you stronger for the future and certainly seems the case with Ireland.

alive555 wrote:Firk the French pack is 971kgs !!

Closest  I've ever seen to the 1 tonne pack. Surely we'll see it some day...

miaow wrote:

alive555 wrote:Firk the French pack is 971kgs !!

Closest  I've ever seen to the 1 tonne pack. Surely we'll see it some day...

Not many of them running to the breakdown then

I think we have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?  

Us

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?  

Us

Its certainly a well balanced backrow with some decent jacklers in the front row too.

I don't see the French midfield hitting any rucks.

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?  

Us

Its certainly a well balanced backrow with some decent jacklers in the front row too.

I don't see the French midfield hitting any rucks.

Midfield is probably the only area we have a size advantage over the french. I would imagine that young Romain is going to get a few lads down his channel early on.

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?  

Us

Its certainly a well balanced backrow with some decent jacklers in the front row too.

I don't see the French midfield hitting any rucks.

Midfield is probably the only area we have a size advantage over the french. I would imagine that young Romain is going to get a few lads down his channel early on.

What he chooses to do as a pre game ritual is his own private business

Rob Evans and AWJ have played the last three internationals against France

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-v-france-live-six-15746109

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?  

Us

Its certainly a well balanced backrow with some decent jacklers in the front row too.

I don't see the French midfield hitting any rucks.

Midfield is probably the only area we have a size advantage over the french. I would imagine that young Romain is going to get a few lads down his channel early on.

What he chooses to do as a pre game ritual is his own private business

Ha ha ha

It takes all sorts

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I think he have quite a fast and good ball handling pack. Quite a lot of good turnover ball stealers in there too.

Us or them ?  

Us

Its certainly a well balanced backrow with some decent jacklers in the front row too.

I don't see the French midfield hitting any rucks.

Midfield is probably the only area we have a size advantage over the french. I would imagine that young Romain is going to get a few lads down his channel early on.

What he chooses to do as a pre game ritual is his own private business

Ha ha ha

It takes all sorts

Indeed

I've seen people 'Warren ball' but it won't be needed with intelligent running and targeting of defenders.

I do wonder if France are putting out the heaviest tight 5 ever in international rugby. If the Welsh can keep them moving it should pay dividends later in the game, even with a flood of replacements expected.

LondonTiger wrote:I do wonder if France are putting out the heaviest tight 5 ever in international rugby. If the Welsh can keep them moving it should pay dividends later in the game, even with a flood of replacements expected.

Agreed. All Wales have to do is keep the tempo high and stay in the game until the 60th minute and then France will be completely gassed and Wales can blitz them out wide.

2004 Springboks vs Wales I remember reading that their pack weighed in at 992 Kgs

Du Randt, Smit (capt), Rautenbach, Davids, Matfield, Burger, Wannenburg, J Cronje.

Lightest player in the Bok pack was Burger at 118Kgs

maestegmafia wrote:2004 Springboks vs Wales I remember reading that their pack weighed in at 992 Kgs

Du Preez; Du Randt, Smit (capt), Rautenbach, Davids, Matfield, Burger, Wannenburg, J Cronje.

Lightest player in the Bok pack was Burger at 118Kgs

That is big.

Frances Tight 5 is 631kg, but the flankers are light with Lauret listed at just 92kg on the 6Ns website.

LondonTiger wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:2004 Springboks vs Wales I remember reading that their pack weighed in at 992 Kgs

Du Preez; Du Randt, Smit (capt), Rautenbach, Davids, Matfield, Burger, Wannenburg, J Cronje.

Lightest player in the Bok pack was Burger at 118Kgs

That is big.

Frances Tight 5 is 631kg, but the flankers are light with Lauret listed at just 92kg on the 6Ns website.

Letting the side down!

maestegmafia wrote:2004 Springboks vs Wales I remember reading that their pack weighed in at 992 Kgs

Du Randt, Smit (capt), Rautenbach, Davids, Matfield, Burger, Wannenburg, J Cronje.

Lightest player in the Bok pack was Burger at 118Kgs

Am I missing something here...or is that a 9 man pack...? In which case no wonder they're heavy!

Collapse2005 wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:I do wonder if France are putting out the heaviest tight 5 ever in international rugby. If the Welsh can keep them moving it should pay dividends later in the game, even with a flood of replacements expected.

Agreed. All Wales have to do is keep the tempo high and stay in the game until the 60th minute and then France will be completely gassed and Wales can blitz them out wide.

Wales like doing that as much as they can anyway, don't they? They tend to back their fitness and I would expect them to have looked at that. Guess it depends on how leggy Gatland has made them, the past two weeks.

Weight of pack is about as usual a marker as length of .....anyway you get the drift. A large pack means half of it is tired after 55 minutes and played out after 70. Suits Wales who do indeed back last quarter fitness. A large skilled pack might be dangerous in scrum or maul but lets face it France have never been outstanding scrummagers and seem to be clueless in the maul

Pie wrote:Weight of pack is about as usual a marker as length of .....anyway you get the drift. A large pack means half of it is tired after 55 minutes and played out after 70. Suits Wales who do indeed back last quarter fitness. A large skilled pack might be dangerous in scrum or maul but lets face it France have never been outstanding scrummagers and seem to be clueless in the maul

But they have a 30st prop who plays in the D2 on the bench !

miaow wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:2004 Springboks vs Wales I remember reading that their pack weighed in at 992 Kgs

Du Randt, Smit (capt), Rautenbach, Davids, Matfield, Burger, Wannenburg, J Cronje.

Lightest player in the Bok pack was Burger at 118Kgs

Am I missing something here...or is that a 9 man pack...? In which case no wonder they're heavy!

Apologies I copied in du Preez who was at nine

I do agree that it's fairly meaningless in the grand scale of things. If anything, France are playing a fairly 'traditional' team in that the tight 5 is large and heavy, the back row is fairly mobile although appears to be lacking a 'fetching' 7, and the backs are all nimble runners by and large.

Wales will play high ball in play time, long phase-play moves - irrespective of pack weight. But I'd say general French conditioning will play as much a part as the intrinsic weight of the players in terms of fitness. They'll want to play in fits and bursts, perhaps with a 50:50 kick game between touch and territory. Wales obviously will favour keeping it on the field.

I honestly think Wales will botch this one. They'll probably have 'control' of the game for a lot of it, but that French team looks like it has a few tries in it. Scramble defence might be key here.

And looking forward to what Josh Adams does. Has looked great for Wales so far - could shine against the French. Expect him to go well - if I were a betting man I'd put money on him getting a try.

Glad Wales don't have to face Grosso, think he's been a shining light for France for the last few years. Also suffered that horror injury in the summer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9WmvhU-ttg

Wonder what Penaud will offer. Honestly, France change their team so often - and because I don't follow the Top 14 with any regularity - I don't really know what Wales will be facing in terms of form from some of the players. Youtube compilations don't really give you the full picture.

That makes sense maesteg.

Squidge Rugby actually took an interesting look at France's constant chopping and changing a few months ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utFsxZu0Q8Q

Worth a watch before Friday. When they get parts of their game right, they can be as dangerous as England and Ireland. They just don't string together 'complete' gameplans; and they definitely don't stick to anything for more than a few games in a row.

I did consider going for Penaud for my fantasy team, as somebody others wouldn't. I didn't see him listed as a winger at the time. In the end I have gone for Adams, as I am expecting him to play pretty well and maybe do more over the tournament as a whole than North.

miaow wrote:That makes sense maesteg.

Squidge Rugby actually took an interesting look at France's constant chopping and changing a few months ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utFsxZu0Q8Q

Worth a watch before Friday. When they get parts of their game right, they can be as dangerous as England and Ireland. They just don't string together 'complete' gameplans; and they definitely don't stick to anything for more than a few games in a row.

That was an amusing synopsis of the last few years demise of french rugby.

Penaud has played more times on the wing than in the centre this season for Clermont ( at the request of Jacques Brunel)and has looked really comfortable. he has the same kind of stride pattern as the Argentinian international Juan Imhoff: looks like a 400 m runner where everyone else looks like they are standing still.
He scored against Montpellier from just outside his try line when their ten put over a bad cross field kick. Penaud caught it with three Montpellier backs closing in on him, stepped the nearest guy and put on the after burners. Not one of the chasing backs got anywhere near him and he dotted down between the sticks, leaving Aaron Cruden lying on the ground grasping a torn hamstring in his attempt to close Penaud down.
He looks stronger and slightly bigger than last year but certainly hasn't lost any of his pace.
If the midfield get ball to him quickly i think he will cause damage.

Penaud looks very useful in attack and defence.


https://youtu.be/tLIiX9s-EjU

Looks a handful. See what you meant about the runner's gait. Steff Evans not up to that sort of opponent yet. Good choice to go for Adams.

miaow wrote:Looks a handful. See what you meant about the runner's gait. Steff Evans not up to that sort of opponent yet. Good choice to go for Adams.

I agree I coul see him making trouble for us with even a glimmer of a chance