Wales v France Match Thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Guinness Six Nations: Wales v France

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Friday, 11 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT


Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, J Davies, Adams; Biggar (capt), T Williams; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, S Davies, Navidi, Faletau.

Replacements: Lake, W Jones, D Lewis, Moriarty, J Morgan, Hardy, Anscombe, Rees-Zammit.


France: Jaminet; Moefana, Fickou, Danty, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Haouas, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos, Lebel.

[RiscaGame]

Well, I am struggling to be positive for this game, as I’ve said. I am going to it (against by better judgement, despite it being free), but with all considered (Friday travel etc), I wish I wasn’t.

It’ll be nice to watch a decent French side though.

[majesticimperialman]

I cannot see any thing other than a France win here.

Wales of course could upset the French, but i going for France by 20. Would love to be proved wrong though.

[majesticimperialman]

Pivac says that Tomas Francis is fit to play against France this week end.

I am no expert in head injuries i just hope after it bean in the paper saying it would be a mistake to select Francis this week end....that nothing happens to him to prove Pivac was wrong to select him.

[Gooseberry]

Things in Wales' favour:

They have passion and can do well against supposedly better opposition. Its only Ireland that really outplayed them, and they don't fold and give up under pressure.

Wales can disrupt and slow the opposition down as shown in the Scotland game, and turn chances into tries as seen against England

F
France have a shoddy defence and give opportunities even when apparently dominating a game


Things in Frances favour:

They are just a hell of a lot better than Wales and honestly should win easily.

[Guest]

I’d love to argue against you, Gooseberry. But you’re probably right!

We’ve had some great ding dongs with France over the last few years. Under Gatland we seemed to have their number and won a lot. Even under Pivac they’ve been close (in the 6N). Just a couple of points in them. Nearly pulled off a win last year in Paris. But France seem to have gone up a gear again, while Wales do not really know what they are and how they want to play, and do not have a settled side. As evidenced by the tinkering. I’m not sure if Pivac is a ‘horses for courses’ type of coach or if he’s making changes as he genuinely doesn’t know who best to pick. For me, we need to go with form but also with tried and tested combinations where possible. We’ve now got a brand new back row tomorrow. Don’t think they’ve ever played as a trio together. Our LH prop gets his first international start ever (I think) and straight into the jaws of a fierce French pack. It doesn’t bode well. To make things worse we have Shaun Edwards in the opposition team coaching staff. I’m not sure how far we’ve moved away from his defensive systems. Even if we have he will know most of our players inside out, strengths and weaknesses in defence, etc. Plus our defence coach was a stalwart as a player under Edwards so is bound to employ some of the methods he learnt from the master. So lots of insider information that won’t help us. Therefore I just can’t see a win but I’m hoping home passion and the PS factor will keep it close.

[chris_501]

I don't think Pivac knows his best XV yet, but he's come into the job at a time where those previously untouchable players (Owens, AWJ, Tipuric, Faletau, JD2) are either unfit or out of form.

Seb Davies is under pressure to prove that he can perform up to the potential seen by a few coaches, if he can, then his sheer size as a back row could be a real asset. Navidi isn't too much of an issue for me, as if he was fit from the start of the tournament, there wouldn't be too many people who wouldn't pick him in a first choice backrow.

Thomas has been good at scrum time for Ospreys this season, as well as performing when he's come off the bench. We require 4 good props, so I'm not overly fussed who was starting or finishing at LH. I am surprised no Brown on the bench, but Lewis has been improved coming off the bench this campaign.

[RiscaGame]

Seems like ticket sales are pretty low for tomorrow, so the hope of the crowd helping Wales may not come to fruition. Be interesting to see the gate for tomorrow, as I think the WRU really need to balance a Friday game v a Sunday one.

As I said on the other thread, I don't mind Lewis being on the bench. I didn't think he deserved to be swapped for Brown for the England game. One issue I do have, is Brown needs to play. Pivac must've had an idea he wasn't going to play Brown this week, so probably should've released him for Dragons' successful Munster trip. I guess he's a travelling reserve, which may have affected it, but I would rather Brown get some live scrummaging in and also build up his minutes this season.

[Oakdene]

I'd imagine it will be around the 64-65,000 mark tomorrow. Yeah Props & Hookers tend to be a travelling reserve due to the specialist nature of their position, hence why the Scarlets hardly every got Elias back when he was 3rd choice with Wales.

[RiscaGame]

That wouldn't be too bad a gate, if it was that.

[majesticimperialman]

What is the capacity for the principality?

[Oakdene]

What is the capacity for the principality?

A smidge over 79,000.

[Guest]

Our local club was originally offering tickets at £100 each but is now trying to sell them for £75. They’ve put out a few reminders so I don’t think anyone is taking them at £75 either!

[RiscaGame]

I think a few clubs seem to be doing that. This is why I thought we may get around 50k actual attendance. We shall see.

[majesticimperialman]

Just been watching the Wales under 20s v France under 20s. Only seen the second half mind. Wales playing with 15 France with 13 players on the pitch.

France  end up winning 47 Wales 15.
Is this a sign for tomorrow night i wander.

[RiscaGame]

Wish you would wander off somewhere.

[Guest]

I think a few clubs seem to be doing that. This is why I thought we may get around 50k actual attendance. We shall see.

I think we’d all agree that a full stadium would be the ideal situation. But I’m reading that they predict 10,000 empty seats. However, crunching the numbers: Wiki states a capacity of around 75,000 at the PS. If we dropped the price to £75 per ticket (average) and got a full house then we’d get £5.625 million. But at £100 per ticket (the figure everyone is quoting as the price) and 10k empty seats we still get £6.5 million, so more money made than if we filled it and reduced the cost. I know I’m oversimplifying it somewhat but I think from the WRU point of view if they have to take a hit on seats then attendance has to drop a lot more to actually make it viable to drop the ticket price, sadly. Will have to wait and see what the attendance actually is. 50,000 would be really poor.

[majesticimperialman]

Wish you would wander off somewhere.

NOW,NOW.

It is not my fault France under 20s thrashed Wales under 20s.

Also it is not my fault France have some cracking players coming through the ranks.
And Wales ...err don't . ok.

[No 7&1/2]

Who gives a flying toss about u20s results? It's just a fun set of games to integrate players into systems. You can have a rubbish u20s team that produces 2 world class players for the senior side.

[miltonkeynesengland]

I'd love for Wales to get an upset win but just don't see it happening. This French team really are building and have the players and abilities to strike when the moment is right. Big gnarly pack of forwards with skills giving quick ball to lightning backs. I am really looking forward to a watching this with a few beers

[mountain man]

Who gives a flying toss about u20s results? It's just a fun set of games to integrate players into systems. You can have a rubbish u20s team that produces 2 world class players for the senior side.

I think they are a good indication of future senior talent. Lot of current French senior side came through U20s, and as we know likes of itoje won U20 RWC. Actual results maybe for bragging right(although obviously mean a lot to the teams) but a strong U20 side I think bodes well.

[No 7&1/2]

I mean the majority of senior sides come through the u20s. very rarely do you get wholes sides coming through. Even the ones that win WCs.

[Collapse2005]

There will be a lot of Wales fans on here today. You can do it.

[mikey_dragon]

Still not sold all the tickets... I wonder if I can get one - I probably won't finish until after 5 so leaves less drinking time .

[Oakdene]

Still not sold all the tickets... I wonder if I can get one - I probably won't finish until after 5 so leaves less drinking time .

I'd have to leave at half time to get the last train to West Wales....

[doctor_grey]

Still not sold all the tickets... I wonder if I can get one - I probably won't finish until after 5 so leaves less drinking time .

It's probably better for your liver. On the other hand, if the game does not go well, then screw the liver....

[mikey_dragon]

Still not sold all the tickets... I wonder if I can get one - I probably won't finish until after 5 so leaves less drinking time .

It's probably better for your liver.  On the other hand, if the game does not go well, then screw the liver....

And if the game does go well, screw the liver .

[RiscaGame]

Madge,

You aren’t clever enough to try to be a WUM, so don’t bother. Take this as your first and last warning, or else there’ll be further action

[mikey_dragon]

Still not sold all the tickets... I wonder if I can get one - I probably won't finish until after 5 so leaves less drinking time .

I'd have to leave at half time to get the last train to West Wales....

It's a shocker to be fair, Friday night games and Wales' poor transport system.

[Oakdene]

Still not sold all the tickets... I wonder if I can get one - I probably won't finish until after 5 so leaves less drinking time .

I'd have to leave at half time to get the last train to West Wales....

It's a shocker to be fair, Friday night games and Wales' poor transport system.

True story. Mind I went up to one in the Autumn which was a 5pm kick off & the last train west was something like 7:15pm which doesn't allow much time for the massive scramble for the 3 carriages they give us.

[RiscaGame]

My wife is adamant we will comfortably get on the Risca to Cardiff train at 3. I can’t wait to be proven right on that. For the return, I have already resigned myself to the likelihood of a £60 taxi, rather than face the queues.

[majesticimperialman]

Madge,

You aren’t clever enough to try to be a WUM, so don’t bother. Take this as your first and last warning, or else there’ll be further action

I was not trying to WUM any one just asking a question that is all.

[majesticimperialman]

Just a thought if transport on a friday night is so poor.

What is accommodation like hotels bed and breakfast
are they cheap or expensive?

[Guest]

Just a thought if transport on a friday night is so poor.

What is accommodation like hotels bed and breakfast
are they cheap or expensive?

A full range, like in most places!

[Irish Londoner]

Just a thought if transport on a friday night is so poor.
What is accommodation like hotels bed and breakfast are they cheap or expensive?

Per Booking.com the cheapest hotel room in "Cardiff" tonight is £265 in the centre the cheapest room is £399 in Jury's hotel. That £60 cab fare suddenly looks very reasonable!

Match tickets on the WRU website start at £100 so that's a hotel room and two tickets for £500!

[doctor_grey]

I always wondered about the trains going through Cardiff.  To me, it always seems the frequency of the trains is too low.  On weekend evenings when there are no games, there are still a lot of people.  Is there some kind of track loading issue?  To me, more and later trains could only help the downtown businesses.

[RiscaGame]

Just a thought if transport on a friday night is so poor.
What is accommodation like hotels bed and breakfast are they cheap or expensive?

Per Booking.com the cheapest hotel room in "Cardiff" tonight is £265 in the centre the cheapest room is £399 in Jury's hotel. That £60 cab fare suddenly looks very reasonable!

Match tickets on the WRU website start at £100 so that's a hotel room and two tickets for £500!

It’s pretty reasonable in that sense. It isn’t when I can normally get a train home and won’t be able to tonight. My best hope is train to Newport and taxi from there, but I don’t hold out too much hope for that either.

I note Ospreys are doing buy one get one free on tickets for tonight now. It’s disappointing that clubs are having to take a hit, especially when it’s that drastic.

[RiscaGame]

The wife was right. We waltzed on the train. That has put a dampener on my day already.

Feel for those getting on the 4pm mind, as TFW have only allocated two carriages to that one.

[doctor_grey]

How did the President of France arrange to have his name up with all the digital advertising all the way around the stadium? Every so often all I see in the stadium is Macron, Macron, Macron.

[No 7&1/2]

Good first half. Wales really all over that French lineout.

[king_carlos]

An odd game so far. Wales are well in this if it stays so scrappy.

The Welsh kicking, defence and lineout work have been good.

France seem to be forcing it when it isn't on.

It should be a really interesting second half. It wouldn't surprise me if France came out with fairly different tactics after the break.

[majesticimperialman]

Well that was a very different game to what i was expecting. France 10- Wales 9.

I did think at this stage France would be 10 points up.

Looking forward to the second half. at this stage Wales could be in line to cause an upset.

[tigertattie]

Dan Biggar is more often than not a petulant child, but he’s one of those players that can really swing something for wales when they need a momentum change.

[doctor_grey]

I think if Wales didn't get so kick happy for a few minutes including that up and under on the try line, they would be ahead right now.

[king_carlos]

Marchand is such an improved player in the last year. He was already a very good hooker but his defensive work attacking breakdowns since working with Edwards is fantastic. He always seems to be at every other ruck slowing the ball.

[king_carlos]

Brilliant kick from Biggar. That lineout needs to take advantage now.

[king_carlos]

Really smart maul defence from France to be fair. I expect we will see more and more sides do that.

[No 7&1/2]

Of all the rule changes I really don't like the held up goal line drop out.

[king_carlos]

In scrappy games like these Sanjay's highball work are so valuable. He's truly brilliant under the high ball.

[king_carlos]

That's an extremely silly penalty from Aldritt. That good clear out had taking a poor kick to Wales being under pressure too. Zander levels of silly penalty there!

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