Saturday, 15 October 2011

Wales Believe They Can Reach Final


Wales approach arguably the biggest match in their history confident they can reach their first World Cup final.

The semi-final with France is their first since the inaugural event in 1987, while Les Bleusare in their fifth straight last-four clash.

About 65,000 fans are expected to watch the match on a giant screen at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"We know the whole nation is behind us. We have to deliver for them," assistant coach Shaun Edwards told BBC 5 live.

France have won nine of the countries' last 11 meetings over the last decade, Wales' only victories coming in their Six Nations Grand Slam years of 2005 and 2008.

But Edwards insists France's greater World Cup pedigree means little to a well-drilled 22 featuring eight players under 23, eight British and Irish Lions and 10 Grand Slam winners, all bursting with energy and confidence.

"They really couldn't care less if France have been in five straight semi-finals or whatever," the defence guru said. "They are in front of us, so they need sorting out tomorrow."

Edwards remains wary of the threats in the French backline, in particular the "exceptional" full-back Maxime Medard - "one of the best broken-field runners in world rugby" - and the support play of wing Vincent Clerc. "He often scores tries on the opposite side of the field to where he plays," Edwards noted.

He also believes Wales will have to counter the combined threat of number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, scrum-half Dimitri Yachivili and converted fly-half Morgan Parra. "They will have a big say in the tactics. That is a link we have to try to disrupt as much as we can."

Wales will also need to maintain their improved work at the set-pieces, but if they can match France there, their superb fitness levels may prevail.

"[France tight-head prop] Nicolas Mas likes to bore in a bit on the hooker, so it is up to us to hold our scrum strong, and to stop their driven line-out," Edwards added.

"If we can do that, keep the ball in play and make it a really testing game fitness-wise, then we will have a chance."

Wales have been forced into one change to their starting line-up, after fly-half Rhys Priestland - a stand-out performer in their run to the semis - was forced out with a shoulder injury.

But with James Hook, who will be winning his 58th cap, coming in to replace him, France coach Marc Lievremont believes Wales will be even stronger.

"It's not great news for us," said the Tricolores coach. "Priestland is a good player, but James Hook is an experienced player and Wales will undoubtedly be stronger with him.

"He is more of an all-round player, more experienced, and experience at this level is very important when you see the youth in the Wales team."

Lievremont admits the increasing potency of the Welsh at this World Cup has given him sleepless nights about the outcome. "Yes, I am afraid," he shrugged. "Above all I am afraid of the Welsh.

"Right now we are running on adrenaline. I keep telling myself I can sleep in 10 days' time. I don't need much sleep generally, but it is true, I am more stressed right now.

"What we need to remember is that we had never beaten England at such a high level. That's something we can take strength from."

With Yachvili recovering from a thigh injury to take his place at scrum-half, France field an unchanged starting side, but another number nine - Jean-Marc Doussain - and flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo come onto the bench.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), Toby Faletau.

Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Paul James, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Scott Williams.

France: Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson; Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili; Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy.

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Barcella, Julien Pierre, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Francois Trinh-Duc, Jean-Marc Doussain, Cedric Heymans.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)