Onto France!

[normanski]

The majority of our first team will have had a ten day rest while France have had two weeks.

It remains to be seen if that is a help or a hindrance.

I’d rather our 23 going into the game battle hardened than undercooked. France have not really been tested yet and I would really fancy Wales to win by a couple of scores.

It won’t be easy but February 2019 in Paris wasn’t either and we found a way in the downpour.

Gatland has got the squad starting to peak at the right time.

[Sandydragon]

I think we have to be favourites for this one, although France are very capable of pulling a great performance out of the bag, especially at world cups. It also only needs a badly timed red card to bugger us up.

Assuming everyone is fit, there aren’t many selection issues, perhaps who starts at loosehead and number 8 and which out of halfpenny and Watkin is on the bench. Also, do we put Beard on the bench, I’m not sure he is fully back to fitness yet.

[Numbers]

I think we have to be favourites for this one, although France are very capable of pulling a great performance out of the bag, especially at world cups. It also only needs a badly timed red card to bugger us up.

Assuming everyone is fit, there aren’t many selection issues, perhaps who starts at loosehead and number 8 and which out of halfpenny and Watkin is on the bench. Also, do we put Beard on the bench, I’m not sure he is fully back to fitness yet.

He did look a bit off the pace, perhaps we'll stick with Shingler for this one.

[normanski]

I think we have to be favourites for this one, although France are very capable of pulling a great performance out of the bag, especially at world cups. It also only needs a badly timed red card to bugger us up.

Assuming everyone is fit, there aren’t many selection issues, perhaps who starts at loosehead and number 8 and which out of halfpenny and Watkin is on the bench. Also, do we put Beard on the bench, I’m not sure he is fully back to fitness yet.

He did look a bit off the pace, perhaps we'll stick with Shingler for this one.

It was asking a bit much for Beard to be up to speed without any real game time in about 6/7 weeks. Also Bradley Davies was probably still suffering the effects of travelling.

If Beard had AWJ or Ball alongside he might have found yesterday easier. I’d still put him on the bench instead of Shingler to cover lock. We need his skills to defuse rolling mauls and secure clean line out ball.

What could be interesting is who covers loosehead on the bench? The safe option is Smith but might Gatland be tempted to put
Carre there after the enterprise he showed in his cameo against Uruguay. His 20 stone bulk could be useful against a tiring French front row.

[normanski]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

[francoisfou]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

[Sandydragon]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

[francoisfou]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

[normanski]

I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

You’ve made me quite nervous now and I’ve been sailing through the RWC in a state of calm!

I’ve not seen any reports in the Guardian or Times about the injuries so I assume it’s a bit of disinformation leaked to play a mind game or two.

Great game in prospect.

[Sandydragon]

That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

You’ve made me quite nervous now and I’ve been sailing through the RWC in a state of calm!

I’ve not seen any reports in the Guardian or Times about the injuries so I assume it’s a bit of disinformation leaked to play a mind game or two.

Great game in prospect.

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

[francoisfou]

You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

You’ve made me quite nervous now and I’ve been sailing through the RWC in a state of calm!

I’ve not seen any reports in the Guardian or Times about the injuries so I assume it’s a bit of disinformation leaked to play a mind game or two.

Great game in prospect.

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

So true, and you boys will need to have some Kleenex ready for Sunday!

[normanski]

[quote="

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

So true, and you boys will need to have some Kleenex ready for Sunday!

My ‘mouchoir’ is cotton; far more sustainable than paper hankies and far more green. And that’s not because of my cold!

The danger for France is that Wales will play flat out for 80 minutes while Les Bleus seem only to concentrate for 35/40 minutes.

Really looking forward to this game.

[francoisfou]

[quote="

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

So true, and you boys will need to have some Kleenex ready for Sunday!

My ‘mouchoir’ is cotton; far more sustainable than paper hankies and far more green. And that’s not because of my cold!

The danger for France is that Wales will play flat out for 80 minutes while Les Bleus seem only to concentrate for 35/40 minutes.

Really looking forward to this game.

No, the French never seem to last the course but this is a sh.. or bust game so they may well surprise you!

[francoisfou]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

The Midi Olympique/ Rugbyrama website is now saying that there are doubts about wether these two will be available. Not good news.

[Mellsblue]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

The Midi Olympique/ Rugbyrama website is now saying that there are doubts about wether these two will be available. Not good news.

Gutted, if true. Probably my two favourite French players, especially Penaud.

[francoisfou]

WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

The Midi Olympique/ Rugbyrama website is now saying that there are doubts about whether (edit spelling!)these two will be available. Not good news.

[francoisfou]

This morning’s news is a bit more positive inasmuch as Dupont is back training with the squad but not so for Penaud. There are still, however, a couple of days left for him to be considered for the game on Sunday. Fingers crossed.

[normanski]

Yes it would be a shame to lose two key players and then lose heavily!

[normanski]

The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

[Sandydragon]

The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

All of the games are very watchable. Ireland have beaten the All Blacks twice recently and if they can up their game then they could do so again. Japan vs South Africa is a must see. I think the Bokke will win but I predict some nervous South Africans.

Australia England should be an English win, but I do think they have just played into opposition hands a bit by dropping one of their best players from the pool stages.

We should beat France but if they turn up in style then we may not.

Can't wait!

[normanski]

The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

All of the games are very watchable. Ireland have beaten the All Blacks twice recently and if they can up their game then they could do so again. Japan vs South Africa is a must see. I think the Bokke will win but I predict some nervous South Africans.

Australia England should be an English win, but I do think they have just played into opposition hands a bit by dropping one of their best players from the pool stages.

We should beat France but if they turn up in style then we may not.

Can't wait!

Yes it’s strange putting Ford on the bench with Slade at inside centre having only 40 minutes game time before this match.

That could be a big mistake because they’re up against two really big Australian centres. Tuilagi can quite often go missing in action so perhaps the computer is right in forecasting an eighty minute draw.

While I have a few niggling thoughts about Sunday my Zen calm has returned. Only 69 hours to go!

[Numbers]

The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

All of the games are very watchable. Ireland have beaten the All Blacks twice recently and if they can up their game then they could do so again. Japan vs South Africa is a must see. I think the Bokke will win but I predict some nervous South Africans.

Australia England should be an English win, but I do think they have just played into opposition hands a bit by dropping one of their best players from the pool stages.

We should beat France but if they turn up in style then we may not.

Can't wait!

Yes it’s strange putting Ford on the bench with Slade at inside centre having only 40 minutes game time before this match.

That could be a big mistake because they’re up against two really big Australian centres. Tuilagi can quite often go missing in action so perhaps the computer is right in forecasting an eighty minute draw.

While I have a few niggling thoughts about Sunday my Zen calm has returned. Only 69 hours to go!

Slades playing 13, Tuilagi is playing 12.

[normanski]

I know! I meant outside centre but typed too quickly.

[francoisfou]

Damien Penaud “should” be available for selection, according to Midi Olympique!! Still reckon France’ll come good!

[Hooky]

If both teams play well who wins?