RBS 6 Nations - Wales vs France 17/03/2012 - 14:45

[Big Ewis]

I just realized I know the welsh so little, I'm not sure whether this thread is about to explode like the English would make it...

 

[taffyjason]

im still confused as to why Priestland keeps making first choice fly half, he's been awful, iknow they are probably aiming for the future with him, but if we are going to challenge the southern hemisphere, we have to pick the players on form, not giving bad players so many chances

 

[big ginger 8]

im still confused as to why Priestland keeps making first choice fly half, he's been awful, iknow they are probably aiming for the future with him, but if we are going to challenge the southern hemisphere, we have to pick the players on form, not giving bad players so many chances

Priestland played his best rugby of the tournament today.

 

[barthelemy]

Fritz was hardly useless.

We did not win so I guess it was useless to select him finally, that is what i wanted to say. Despite, this, he has made a very good match, tackling very well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

im still confused as to why Priestland keeps making first choice fly half, he's been awful, iknow they are probably aiming for the future with him, but if we are going to challenge the southern hemisphere, we have to pick the players on form, not giving bad players so many chances

Who would you rather have? Hook?
"lol"

 

[taffyjason]

i'd rather have OAP Jones back, Priestland was only any good with the garry-owens, which i dont think we won once, Priestland has had too many chances, and cos we won today, i'm afraid he'll stay on

 

[welshglory]

i'd rather have OAP Jones back, Priestland was only any good with the garry-owens, which i dont think we won once, Priestland has had too many chances, and cos we won today, i'm afraid he'll stay on

You'd rather have S Jones back? His tactical kicking is worse than both Priestland and Hook.

I thought Priestland had a good game today, as Ginger8 said his best of the tournament. His distribution as usual was excellent and his grubber kicks kept France under pressure especially towards the end of the game.

 

[racingmetrofan]

Big respect for Wales for getting the slam, England playing for 2nd place now!

Wales definitely the best and form team in the Northern Hemisphere now, this summer is going to very very interesting with them touring Auz!

 

[dynamicdave]

So proud of this bunch, they have finally allowed the Golden Age boys to find their own shadow.

 

[SelimNiai]

Will comment tomorrow seriously but I would just like to say how proud I am. I'm drained after that, emotionally, mentally and vocally.

The team were utter heroes and I will not be saying any of them played poorly. They don't deserve it after today.

As for the inevitable claims of arrogance. I reply with; we are not cocky, we are champions.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I will not be saying any of them played poorly. They don't deserve it after today.

Bit silly, if they played crap they played crap, regardless of whether the rest of the squad made up for them.

Not saying anyone did, "#justsaying"

 

[Me 1]

Can't comment my thoughts on the game yet.

Just.So.Happy!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rugby09]

Congratulations Wales, well deserved! Played well again today, Lydiate was everywhere!

France played quite badly I thought, why they kicked that penalty towards the end rather than try and go for the try I dont know! Is a shame for Servat, Nallet and Bonnaire their last 6 nations was a fairly disappointing one. Beauxis and Trinh-Duc have been poor again, does France have any more fly-halfs? Buttin looks one for the future!

 

[Saintjay]

Sad to hear Warburton might not be fit for June tests. Begs the question why risk him today. Hope he is ok bad news when he should be getting smashed tonight.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Why is Davies back on for Wales?
He got subbed off. This isn't Rugby League with interchanges...

Blood.

Sad to hear Warburton might not be fit for June tests. Begs the question why risk him today. Hope he is ok bad news when he should be getting smashed tonight.

Raises a lot of questions. I raised it at H/T as soon as I knew Warburton was off. I know it was hard to drop one off the bench but one should have made way for Tipuric. Lydiate was everywhere as was Gethin but you needed a fetcher there also.

Will make a comment tomorrow at some point. France came and tried to tackle and kill center field play today. Hat's off to them. Was disappointed on how early they subbed Servat.

 

[Macsen]

I didn't see us win the match or the celebrations because five minutes before time my daughter threw up over her mother and the sofa. But I suppose it'll be a good anecdote when my kids ask me where I was when Wales won the 2012 Grand Slam. 2005 - at the Millenium Stadium. 2008 - at the pub. 2012 - cleaning up sick with a wet whipe. At this rate God knows where I'll be next time.

Anyway congrats to the team. I just hope we kick off from here and don't slump back to mediocrity as we have after every other Grand Slam. Despite 3 GS' in 8 years I don't agree this Wales team is up there with the 70s, they won or were very close to winning the championship in the in-between years as well.

 

[bushytop]

i'd rather have OAP Jones back, Priestland was only any good with the garry-owens, which i dont think we won once, Priestland has had too many chances, and cos we won today, i'm afraid he'll stay on

Thought Priestland was excellent today, his kicking variety both defensively and on the offensive was effective and his passing as always was slick. The only other thing you could want is line breaks but that's becoming more of a rarity from 10.

Priestland will be the Welsh ten for a while if his first nine months of international rugby are anything to go by.

 

[Robert Prosser]

Right I will be honest now this post is much from the a Welshmans point of view.

First half:

Tight affair I though Yashvili had a nightmare game in the first half to be honest, Harinordoquy dropped a high ball and missed a good good chance with a mis placed pass mid way through the half very much unlike him, in defence the French were blitz mode big time some cracking defending by them which was shown in the tackles made overall in the first half close to 50 fair play, Wales I felt Lydiate and Warburton were very good in defnce especially Lydiate, some massive hits going in from both teams all half all game in fact, felt Jonathan Davies had a good first half with some great runs breaking the game line, some great work by Alun Wyn Jones at the breakdown as well also a lovely worked try finished off extremely well by Alex Cuthbert. I felt the Welsh lineout was much more assured with matthew Rees back in the team seemed more confident today as a whole the lineout did, found the French play a little monotonous with the kick kick kick not that I am going to complain to much as they kept giving the ball back to Wales and we looked good with the ball in hand today.

10-3 half time pretty fair reflection of the game although I felt Wales could of been more infront.

On a sour note a shame to see Warburton go off with a shoulder injury at half time which looks a serious one.

Second Half:

A cracking start by France but again why Beauxis was trying a drop goal instead of going through the phases i never know just give Wales the ball back, all momentum was very much with France in the early stages of the second half but for some great work at the breakdown and tackling by Ryan Jones and Dan Lydiate with a great tackle on Fofana, also about the tackle by Dusautoir what a great example to any young player on how to tackle safely and hard, possibly the two best number 6s in world rugby today all this is followed by the ever improving Leigh Halfpenny with a monster of a kick from inside his own half for another three points.

The French defence again this half was very strong slowing the game down causing Wales to try and create something forcing the mis placed pass which again if it wasn't for another cracking tackle by Lydiate on Buttin who was sure to get the try, yet again another huge huge tackle by that man Lydiate nearly took everyone out with that tackle on 62 mins, some great place kicking by Rhys Priestland today who I felt had his best game for us today of the six nations, Wales again great in defence with some more good work by Jonathan Daives this time in our own 22 saving another try scoring chanc for France who had another chance a few minuted later but for some great work by Jamie Roberts, Ryan Jones and again Dan Lydiate. Wales again then on the attack with a nice little run from Halfpenny who ended up with the 3 points from the resulting pen following from the off side by France.

Full time 16-9 Wales win fully deserved.

final thoughts before I sign off:

Ryan Jones had a fine game at no.8 after cvoming on and Faletau had a fine game at seven , Alex Cuthbert today showed exactly why he is in the Welsh side, cant fault any of the players today in what was a tough tough game against the French, a little mention to Halfpenny today felt he was one of Wales best players all tournament and finished it top scorer with 69 points I think.

Now on to the big test in the summer againt the Aussies which I think we have a very good chance of beating .

Not mentioned the ref today Craig Joubert, felt he had a decent game left it flow and was consistent in his decisions against both teams.

I feel we could be seeing what at the moment is a very good Wales team which I feel has room for improvement and what could be a world class team in a few years especially if we keep improving the way we have been since the world cup.

Congratulations to all the lads today especially man of the match and in my opinion the player of the tournament Dan Lydiate, also to Adam Jones, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins who became triple grand slam winners joining the elite list of Welshmen to do it alongside JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards and Gerald Davies.

Last note a great way to remember the memory of a great player and legend that was the swerve Mervyn Davies no better way than doing what the team did today in winning the grand slam.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Ryan Jones had a fine game at no.8 after cvoming on and Faletau had a fine game at seven , Alex Cuthbert today showed exactly why he is in the Welsh side, cant fault any of the players today in what was a tough tough game against the French, a little mention to Halfpenny today felt he was one of Wales best players all tournament and finished it top scorer with 69 points I think.

Jones was packing down at 7. Faletau cost Wales a potential try with not showing the awareness to pass, instead he decided to take it into contact.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Jones was packing down at 7. Faletau cost Wales a potential try with not showing the awareness to pass, instead he decided to take it into contact.

Deja vu or what