It’s Friday night and it’s France!

[Numbers]

I think Pivac has taken a realistic view and accepted we are not going to win anything, or even compete for second this year. He realises nothing would be learned from putting out a similar side to last game so has experimented a bit. The heavy back row will be tested against the best opposition - good.

Like others, I like the two back rows on the bench. I am also pleased to see Anscombe on the bench (maybe Patchell for the Italy game?).

I am a bit worried about Gareth Thomas starting, I hope I am wrong, I don't want to see our scrum being dismantled from the start.

.

He's a very good scrummager so no need for concern I think, the reason our scrum has struggled when the subs have come on is because of our replacement tightheads as far as I can make out as they are a step down from Francis's abilty in that area.

[normanski]

I think Pivac has taken a realistic view and accepted we are not going to win anything, or even compete for second this year. He realises nothing would be learned from putting out a similar side to last game so has experimented a bit. The heavy back row will be tested against the best opposition - good.

Like others, I like the two back rows on the bench. I am also pleased to see Anscombe on the bench (maybe Patchell for the Italy game?).

I am a bit worried about Gareth Thomas starting, I hope I am wrong, I don't want to see our scrum being dismantled from the start.

.

He's a very good scrummager so no need for concern I think, the reason our scrum has struggled when the subs have come on is because of our replacement tightheads as far as I can make out as they are a step down from Francis's abilty in that area.

Well let’s hope Francis can stay on for 60 to 65 minutes. Lewis is an impact sub and should hold his own in the dying minutes.

[francoisfou]

This is disappointing. According to this report, the stadium is far from sold out.
I had always thought Cardiff matches were guaranteed sell-outs?
Are tickets too expensive?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60696569

[normanski]

This is disappointing. According to this report, the stadium is far from sold out.
I had always thought Cardiff matches were guaranteed sell-outs?
Are tickets too expensive?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60696569

No. It’s a Friday night kick off at 8.00pm. Buses and trains are few and far between after 10.00. Hotel prices are exorbitant and very few French supporters travelling to Cardiff because of covid.

Only France and Wales seem bothered to play on Fridays.

[francoisfou]

This is disappointing. According to this report, the stadium is far from sold out.
I had always thought Cardiff matches were guaranteed sell-outs?
Are tickets too expensive?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60696569

No. It’s a Friday night kick off at 8.00pm. Buses and trains are few and far between after 10.00. Hotel prices are exorbitant and very few French supporters travelling to Cardiff because of covid.

Only France and Wales seem bothered to play on Fridays.

You'd have thought that on a special matchday additional trains and buses would've been organised to get the fans home, unless they want to be out all night in Cardiff!

[Sourdust]

Even in the midst of the Hope Phase, I can't find much solace for this one.

Home advantage and our usual whoops-too-late act to save us from an epic hiding.

Wales 26 - 38 France.

[Sandydragon]

This is disappointing. According to this report, the stadium is far from sold out.
I had always thought Cardiff matches were guaranteed sell-outs?
Are tickets too expensive?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60696569

The transport out of Cardiff on a Friday night after the game is a special level of misery.

[normanski]

This is disappointing. According to this report, the stadium is far from sold out.
I had always thought Cardiff matches were guaranteed sell-outs?
Are tickets too expensive?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60696569

The transport out of Cardiff on a Friday night after the game is a special level of misery.

Let’s hope it’s misery for the France supporters going home!

[francoisfou]

This is disappointing. According to this report, the stadium is far from sold out.
I had always thought Cardiff matches were guaranteed sell-outs?
Are tickets too expensive?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/60696569

The transport out of Cardiff on a Friday night after the game is a special level of misery.

Let’s hope it’s misery for the France supporters going home!

In the rain with a bellyful of Brains!

[normanski]

Oh shite!

[Mikey Brown]

They're just ridiculous.

[normanski]

Oh shite, shite!

[Sandydragon]

Oh well. We’ve given up a try from a white kick and Tomos Williams is probably off.

And our scrum doesn’t look happy

[Sandydragon]

Christ.

[Sandydragon]

197 meters made already. God help us

[Sandydragon]

Well done Cuthbert and Faletau.

[normanski]

Oh shite, shite!

Slightly less shite!

[Buggaluggs]

We were doing worse against England at this point in that game.

[Sandydragon]

Lineout is more even than I expected

[francoisfou]

A bit too close for comfort! Was hoping for a better lead.

[Sandydragon]

We need to cut out these mistakes. Just little errors that ruin our momentum. It’s been a feature of our campaign.

[Sandydragon]

Pub rugby for a moment there but great awareness biggar

[Sandydragon]

It still feels a little desperate but only one point down at half time I’ll definitely take

[normanski]

Francois - are you feeling nervous?

[normanski]

We need to cut out these mistakes. Just little errors that ruin our momentum. It’s been a feature of our campaign.

We seem to improve on discipline in the second half.