France Shaken But Not Disturbed

We can all have an opinion on the team selection and the tactics employed by Wales but surely one thing that we can agree on is that Wales put everything into a narrow defeat against France at the Principality. That they came up just short at 9-13, is testimony to a really gutsy display against their highly fancied Gallic opponents who took another step towards a grand slam.

The way that the French played in the first fifteen minutes made things look extremely ominous for the home team as they created gaps with their high paced off-loading game. To make matters worse, Wales lost influential scrum half, Tomos Williams, with a head injury in the build up to a majestic French try by Jelonch. Wales did extremely well to hang in there by their fingernails and restrict the French to just ten points.

As time went on, Wales grew into the game and the French rather went into their shells as the Welsh defence got their measure. Wales attacked themselves with some good kicking from Biggar giving them field position. Their reward was three penalties and a 9-10 halftime score.

The French increased their lead to 9-13 early in the second half and then went back into their shells with little evidence of the attacking flair that we have seen over the last couple of seasons. They seemed content to boot the ball down the field and challenge Wales to try and crack their impressive defence. This of course was what Wales used to do to other teams when Sean Edwards was in their camp. For the most part, this tactic was successful as the Welsh never really managed to build enough concerted attacking power to cross the whitewash. In fairness, Wales did throw the ball about searching for a gap but too often fell prey to the hungry French jackals. Wales did create one gilt-edged chance when Faletau caught a well-judged kick from Biggar and fed inside to Davies with the try line at his mercy. Sadly, the ball went loose and the French escaped.

The last quarter saw ever more frantic Welsh attacking as they emptied the replacements’ bench but the resolute French defence was not about to crack. There was no further scoring and Wales had to be content with a losing bonus point while the French march on to the final leg of a prospective grand slam against England.

Full marks to the Welsh for effort and commitment but we still don’t seem to be able to penetrate well-organised modern defensive systems. The loss of Tomos Williams so early on was a massive blow. We seem to lack a gamechanger - someone capable of doing something extraordinary. This is not something that you can create it needs special talent. Rees Zammit is the nearest thing to this and we surely must find room for him in the team.

The other thing that needs to be looked at is the back row where we have chopped and changed in search of the right combination. It is good that Faletau is back but who should flank him? Have we discarded Basham and Jenkins after man of the match performances? Yesterday the French were on top at the breakdown and I felt fearful every time that Wales took the ball into contact that there would be a turnover. Maybe that is just my natural pessimism! I did think that, well as Navidi and Davies played, we should have brought on our back row substitutes much earlier yesterday.

Next for Wales is a home game against Italy and it will be fascinating to see who is selected for the final game of the Championship. Wales really do need a dominant performance to see if they can move up the table.

The size of the crowd yesterday was a bit worrying with vast areas of unoccupied seats. High prices and the unpopular Friday evening kick-off will have contributed to this for sure. It would have been even worse it it had not been for the large and vociferous French contingent. It does not bode well for the Italy game next weekend.

On a positive note, this afternoon there is a real treat! I can go and watch Pontypool play for the first time in six weeks. Pooler entertain Trebanos and let us hope they are not too rusty after the layoff.

After the main course, it will be back to the TV and England v Ireland. Ireland go into the match as favourites but I am sure it will be a tough encounter.

Come on Pooler!