France-Wales: Six Nations Review and Match Report

A ninth consecutive Six Nations victory and back-to-back Grand Slams will not occur, after the Welsh failed to storm Paris.  An abrasive and traditionally passionate Les Bleus put together a performance typical of the French when under such pressure.

No doubt, it was their finest performance since defeating the All Blacks and depressing a nation at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Despite the Wales being the darling of the northern hemisphere in the last year, two small concerns had arisen from their performances of late.

A very good team always has a brilliant match policy, but cannot be counted as great without the ability to adjust when it matters. Equally when the wolves wait at the door—as they were for the French—a great team will lift to oppose the physicality a desperate Les Bleus brings to the park.

So it is there for all to see, this is a very good Welsh side, but far from a great one.

In Marc Lievremont’s first year it was thought that here was a coach working on the sum of all parts. In the 2008 Six Nations, the tricolours seemed to be perfecting the offensive stratagem. 

Similarly in the autumn internationals, the French seemed to be focusing on set piece and defensive patterns.

Irrespective of this, there was no doubt a capable Les Bleus team was lurking. But we had not seen the culmination of this—until now.

To avoid a cliché, winning is the ultimate eradicator of all rugby problems. No one could quite work out what was happening with Lievremont and his team coming into the match. Eighty minutes later it now seems that Wales have a problem.

As Lievremont said before the game “If we win we will be alright, if we lose you can say we are incompetent and pass us off as idiots”. 

To select a centre at standoff and leave an untried halfback as your kicker appeared madness. Now it appears that France has worked genius. While Morgan Parra is no Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, his missed kicks at goal only served to keep Wales with a faint chance at the death.

Still, one game does not make Wales a bad team, nor does it lose them a Six Nations championship.  Mighty All Black and imposing Springbok sides have come to Paris and lost.  When the Jekyll and Hyde French becomes a monster, history shows they will beat any team.

The defending champions started the match the same way they had against the English.  The game was being played as they desired.  They received quick ball, and some elegant and deep running had the French down 13-3 after 24 minutes. 

It was here that Les Bleus showed aggressive street smarts, showing belligerence and upsetting the stylish Welsh.  A factor of this was within the Les Bleus midfield, effectively operating with three French dreadnoughts—an effective benefit of having a converted centre playing at first five.

It was here that Wales showed their lack of contingent thinking.

The French from the second quarter gained significant control in the tackle, and their intensity was beyond what Wales could wield.  The home team, backed by a ferocious Parisian crowd, outthought the Welsh and showed their lack of an emergency exit. 

For 48 minutes, Wales scored no points and conceded nine penalties, most at the ruck.

For the same period, France scored 18 unanswered points and conceded no penalties.

This was what won Les Bleus the game.  Led by man of the match Imanol Harinordoquy, the French goliath epitomised the home team’s effort, able to amend tactics to contain the Welsh.

This was a test match that embodies why we watch rugby.  From the moment the teams walked out to the cacophony of the crowd, one sensed we were to bear witness to a bit of magic.

The French walk away with critics repelled, knowing that despite having two away games left, they could win the championship as long as they maintain this stunning transformation.

For Wales, this loss, no matter how disheartening, could be in reflection the game they need to show them that they are indeed fallible.  There is no shame in losing a contest like this, but Warren Gatland and co will want to address the cracks that appeared in the canvas at Paris.

France 21 Wales 16 @ Stade de France (half time) 13-13

For France

Tries:Dusautoir (39) , Heymans (53)
Con:Parra 1/2
Pens:Parra 3/5 (5, 34, 70)

For Wales

Tries:Byrne (24)
Con: Jones 1/1
Pens: Jones 2/2 (2, 8), Hook 1/1 (72)

Next matches

France V England @ Twickenham, V Italy @ Stade Flaminio

Wales V Italy @ Stade Flaminio, V Ireland @ Millennium Stadium