Saturday, 17 March 2012

Wales v France - Preview


Roughly a 12th of Wales's population (a quarter of a million people) are expected to throng the streets of Cardiff on Saturday as their heroes aim to win the Grand Slam against France.

And therein lies the danger for Warren Gatland's side, who are hoping to seal a third Grand Slam in the space of eight seasons. Will the expectation prove too much to bear?

It's unlikely to, as Wales have class to burn - a team packed with young stars who are growing together with every match.

The back three of George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert strike fear into the heart of any side and the squad have come through scrapes along the way to secure their four victories so far, with critical late surges against Ireland and England testifying to their class.

France, though, are unpredictable.

Les Bleus beat Wales 9-8 to reach the 2011 World Cup final in New Zealand, and the sense of injustice from Sam Warburton's sending off in that game still burns within the Principality. The captain returns from injury and will be sure to lead from the front as Gatland's side seek sweet revenge, and set about proving they should have contested the October final against hosts New Zealand.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has shuffled his cards for this final match but one man is irreplaceable: new boy Wesley Fofona has scored a try in all four of France's Six Nations games so far this season.

Les Bleus have history on their side, losing only once from six visits to the Millennium Stadium in the Six Nations - but that was the 29-12 defeat when Wales clinched the 2008 Grand Slam. Should Wales lose, England would still need a points-laden win over Ireland (at present it's a 38-point swing) to deny Warren Gatland the consolation of winning the tournament.

But Grand Slam is the only refrain in Cardiff bars.

Wales : 15- Halfpenny, 14- Cuthbert, 13-Davies, 12-Roberts, 11-North, 10-Priestland, 9-Phillips; 1-Jenkins, 2-Rees, 3-Adam Jones, 4-Alan Wyn Jones, 5-Evans, 6-Lydiate, 7-Warburton (c), 8-Faletau.
Replacements: 16-Owens, 17-James, 18-Charteris, 19-Ryan Jones, 20-Lloyd Williams, 21-James Hook, 22-Scott Williams.

France : 15-Poitrenaud, 14-Fofana, 13-Rougerie, 12-Fritz, 11-Palisson, 10-Beauxis, 9-Yachvili; 1-Poux, 2-Servat, 3-Attoub, 4-Pape, 5-Maestri, 6-Dusautoir (c), 7-Bonnaire, 8-Harinordoquy.
Replacements: 16-Szarzewski, 17-Debaty, 18-Pierre, 19-Picamoles, 20-Parra, 21-Trinh-Duc, 22-Buttin.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee : Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges : Wayne Barnes and Stuart Terheege (both England)
TV : Iain Ramage (Scotland)