Match thread: Wales vs France

[Sourdust]

Bloody Nora, we just beat France by two scores, and I feel flatter than yesterday's lager.

What a shower of shyte. France were unbelievably bad, and we just strolled over the line. Yet again we let a convincing margin slip in the last minute, which could still cost us the whole thing. It's ridiculous to feel so negative after a good win but if ever there was a case of the win being everything, that was it.

[tigran]

Does it even matter? It's not like spending a decent amount of time is going to do France much good anyway. Or does spending an equivalent amount of time together as a squad just make the team shittier, judging from their quarterfinal performance last year?

Bah, even in english you don't understand when you are reading..

If you believe that the All Blacks spend 10 months of the year together, you're out of your fucking mind.

Bah, chating with you is like chating with a bowl of couscous...

[WaspInWales]

That is bound to happen! Was Plisson confused for Norths try or was he helping Wales out to get confidence ready for when they play england?!

Plisson was Wales' best player till he went off.

I don't get Jiffy's praise for North's ability to pick up a ball with two hands and plonk it over the line. It was a bloody gift. It was hardly a great pick up and the finish was the act of diving over the line.

Was it Moore who questioned why Plisson didn't just drop on the ball?

Bizarre try from a bizarre game.

To be honest I don't get a lot of Jiffy's praise! I'm sure wales are better than they have shown, some superb players but no creativity in attack.

Tbf, they don't need to be better when playing against teams like that. They won a banana skin game without having to do much.

They can play better and they have played better. The only negative point from a Wales perspective tonight would be that they probably should've won by quite a few more points, but that may not matter if they win their remaining matches.

[Renniks]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

[Sandydragon]

Blydi hell, that was a new level of mediocrity.

I don't get this concern with neck rolls if a clear lif off the legs and drop is only a penalty. One season, the momentum of players doesn't count, now it does. Any chance of some consistency?

Poor game with little to cheer. Liam Williams was brilliant in the air. Gareth Davies shows some pace, but he would have been better passing that ball.

I still think we need to improve. A lot. We didn't create much and when we had an opportunity, poor handling and poor decision making undermined it. Defences have a real upper hand. This has to improve, pure emotion can only get you so far in terms of entertainment. And as much why would supporters keep paying t watch that shyte?

Our game plan of relying on defence and hoping to counterattack is never going to beat the best teams. I'm glad that we are trying to playa wider game,can you imagine how much more shyte it would be if we were playing ten man rugby?

[UKHamlet]

Bloody Nora, we just beat France by two scores, and I feel flatter than yesterday's lager.

What a shower of shyte. France were unbelievably bad, and we just strolled over the line. Yet again we let a convincing margin slip in the last minute, which could still cost us the whole thing. It's ridiculous to feel so negative after a good win but if ever there was a case of the win being everything, that was it.

It's a long time since I felt jubilant after a Wales win. It's usually relieved.

Here you go. This is our best performance in a decade. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21778425

[WaspInWales]

Blydi hell, that was a new level of mediocrity.

I don't get this concern with neck rolls if a clear lif off the legs and drop is only a penalty. One season, the momentum of players doesn't count, now it does. Any chance of some consistency?

Poor game with little to cheer. Liam Williams was brilliant in the air. Gareth Davies shows some pace, but he would have been better passing that ball.

I still think we need to improve. A lot. We didn't create much and when we had an opportunity, poor handling and poor decision making undermined it. Defences have a real upper hand. This has to improve, pure emotion can only get you so far in terms of entertainment. And as much why would supporters keep paying t watch that shyte?

Our game plan of relying on defence and hoping to counterattack is never going to beat the best teams. I'm glad that we are trying to playa wider game,can you imagine how much more shyte it would be if we were playing ten man rugby?

Fwck, was that 15 man rugby?

[UKHamlet]

Blydi hell, that was a new level of mediocrity.

I don't get this concern with neck rolls if a clear lif off the legs and drop is only a penalty. One season, the momentum of players doesn't count, now it does. Any chance of some consistency?

Poor game with little to cheer. Liam Williams was brilliant in the air. Gareth Davies shows some pace, but he would have been better passing that ball.

I still think we need to improve. A lot. We didn't create much and when we had an opportunity, poor handling and poor decision making undermined it. Defences have a real upper hand. This has to improve, pure emotion can only get you so far in terms of entertainment. And as much why would supporters keep paying t watch that shyte?

Our game plan of relying on defence and hoping to counterattack is never going to beat the best teams. I'm glad that we are trying to playa wider game,can you imagine how much more shyte it would be if we were playing ten man rugby?

Fwck, was that 15 man rugby?

I love it when the Saes get cocky. It makes shitting on their party table so much more fun.

[cashead]

Bah, even in english you don't understand when you are reading..

If you believe that the All Blacks spend 10 months of the year together, you're out of your fucking mind.

Bah, chating with you is like chating with a bowl of couscous...

Oh diddums, did you run out of pages in your patented tigran playbook of excuses for French rugby shittiness?

[WaspInWales]

Blydi hell, that was a new level of mediocrity.

I don't get this concern with neck rolls if a clear lif off the legs and drop is only a penalty. One season, the momentum of players doesn't count, now it does. Any chance of some consistency?

Poor game with little to cheer. Liam Williams was brilliant in the air. Gareth Davies shows some pace, but he would have been better passing that ball.

I still think we need to improve. A lot. We didn't create much and when we had an opportunity, poor handling and poor decision making undermined it. Defences have a real upper hand. This has to improve, pure emotion can only get you so far in terms of entertainment. And as much why would supporters keep paying t watch that shyte?

Our game plan of relying on defence and hoping to counterattack is never going to beat the best teams. I'm glad that we are trying to playa wider game,can you imagine how much more shyte it would be if we were playing ten man rugby?

Fwck, was that 15 man rugby?

I love it when the Saes get cocky. It makes shitting on their party table so much more fun.

Lol, we have the same boisterous responses every year. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't but you may as well get 'em in early.

[Sourdust]

Bloody Nora, we just beat France by two scores, and I feel flatter than yesterday's lager.

What a shower of shyte. France were unbelievably bad, and we just strolled over the line. Yet again we let a convincing margin slip in the last minute, which could still cost us the whole thing. It's ridiculous to feel so negative after a good win but if ever there was a case of the win being everything, that was it.

It's a long time since I felt jubilant after a Wales win. It's usually relieved.

Here you go. This is our best performance in a decade. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21778425

Gawd, that feels like a long time ago. And even that was more bludgeon than rapier. It did feel good to finally bully England the way they had always done to us, though.

I know there's no space any more. I know the game favours defence. And above all, I know that scoring more points than the other guy, is success. But let's be honest, it's not much fun, is it? 19-3 up against France; I should be waving my beer and singing. Instead, I'm the miserable old fucker in the corner of the pub droning on about Phil Fucking Bennett, and I really don't want to be him.

[Spiffy]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

Wales really need a playmaker somewhere in the 10/12/13 triangle. The current three are big, powerful, comitted etc. but limited in invention and nobody is pulling the strings. Is there such a player in Wales at present?

[UKHamlet]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

Wales really need a playmaker somewhere in the 10/12/13 triangle. The current three are big, powerful, comitted etc. but limited in invention and nobody is pulling the strings. Is there such a player in Wales at present?

There are a few, but they're nowhere near the Welsh squad. Still, we're winning, or more to the point, not losing. England are the only other team who can say that this year, and you have them tomorrow evening. Good luck.

[Hooky]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

Wales really need a playmaker somewhere in the 10/12/13 triangle. The current three are big, powerful, comitted etc. but limited in invention and nobody is pulling the strings. Is there such a player in Wales at present?

Well, whisper it but potentially that man is Priestland. Problem is he has no bottle.

[glamorganmorgan]

we won, but ......did we really? i did feel like falling asleep. I do want creativity, but the game was so defensive.yes i am pleased but we are still underperforming

[Spiffy]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

Wales really need a playmaker somewhere in the 10/12/13 triangle. The current three are big, powerful, comitted etc. but limited in invention and nobody is pulling the strings. Is there such a player in Wales at present?

There are a few, but they're nowhere near the Welsh squad. Still, we're winning, or more to the point, not losing. England are the only other team who can say that this year, and you have them tomorrow evening. Good luck.

We will have them!

[Sandydragon]

Bloody Nora, we just beat France by two scores, and I feel flatter than yesterday's lager.

What a shower of shyte. France were unbelievably bad, and we just strolled over the line. Yet again we let a convincing margin slip in the last minute, which could still cost us the whole thing. It's ridiculous to feel so negative after a good win but if ever there was a case of the win being everything, that was it.

It's a long time since I felt jubilant after a Wales win. It's usually relieved.

Here you go. This is our best performance in a decade. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21778425

Gawd, that feels like a long time ago. And even that was more bludgeon than rapier. It did feel good to finally bully England the way they had always done to us, though.

I know there's no space any more. I know the game favours defence. And above all, I know that scoring more points than the other guy, is success. But let's be honest, it's not much fun, is it? 19-3 up against France; I should be waving my beer and singing. Instead, I'm the miserable old fucker in the corner of the pub droning on about Phil Fucking Bennett, and I really don't want to be him.

But then I look at SH teams, or even Llanelli, and think, why can't our national team be a bit more expansive. Fear of failure seems to be crippling the game.

[Sandydragon]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

Wales really need a playmaker somewhere in the 10/12/13 triangle. The current three are big, powerful, comitted etc. but limited in invention and nobody is pulling the strings. Is there such a player in Wales at present?

Well, whisper it but potentially that man is Priestland. Problem is he has no bottle.

Yup. And yup.

[oldbackrow]

I love it when the Saes get cocky. It makes shitting on their party table so much more fun.

Ermmmm talking of cocky!
https://www.facebook.com/BBCWalesSport/?fref=nf

Love the reference to George Norths "fancy footwork"!

[Len]

Glad I didn't waste my time with that.

[Son of Mathonwy]

It's a long time since I felt jubilant after a Wales win. It's usually relieved.

Here you go. This is our best performance in a decade. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21778425

Gawd, that feels like a long time ago. And even that was more bludgeon than rapier. It did feel good to finally bully England the way they had always done to us, though.

I know there's no space any more. I know the game favours defence. And above all, I know that scoring more points than the other guy, is success. But let's be honest, it's not much fun, is it? 19-3 up against France; I should be waving my beer and singing. Instead, I'm the miserable old fucker in the corner of the pub droning on about Phil Fucking Bennett, and I really don't want to be him.

But then I look at SH teams, or even Llanelli, and think, why can't our national team be a bit more expansive. Fear of failure seems to be crippling the game.

One man is responsible for this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35674371

Gatland said: "I thought it was brilliant. It's what Test rugby is all about.

Thank you, Warren Gatland.

Why can't we beat SH teams? See tonight's match for a comprehensive explanation.....

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales defence is quite amazing, but they've not kicked on in their ability to attack… They don't look like a side who would have scored against 13 Australians in the RWC.

That doesn't mean they won't spank us mind. Just unsure what Gatland & co are spending time doing

Wales really need a playmaker somewhere in the 10/12/13 triangle. The current three are big, powerful, comitted etc. but limited in invention and nobody is pulling the strings. Is there such a player in Wales at present?

There are a few, but they're nowhere near the Welsh squad. Still, we're winning, or more to the point, not losing. England are the only other team who can say that this year, and you have them tomorrow evening. Good luck.

And they're not going to get near it under Gatland. Hopefully they'll still be youngish when we finally get shot of him.

[Billyfish]

France made mistakes, we seemed unable to take advantage

France Ireland was virtually unwatchable too, I wonder if France are the common denominator. Plus Barnes getting back to his pernikity best.

Seem to lack confidence in attack more than anything else, even when we do spot the opportunity. Gareth Davies was praps our best attacking back but also worst at having brain freeze and kicking away attacking ball uselessly.

Still, we're winning whilst playing shit. Which is good.

[Banquo]

well I reckon you have a very solid platform to build on, tbh. The basics are well in place- scrum was excellent, lineout solid, excellent kick chase, excellent fielding the kicks, and an outstanding defence. Yes France were desperately bad (and badly organised), but a big chunk was linespeed of the defence.

The question is how does Gatland move it on a bit; you could see signs of using offloads and pick and go in the forwards to get behind the defence, and that generally created some space and got yards and quick ball....it was what happened next that was less than inspired, unless the 9 was in a bit of space. I really liked the way your front row went in the loose too.

For all the talk of 'creativity' in the midfield- define that, btw- they are a very good trio- think if Davies used his boot a bit less, and the back three were used more intelligently, that'd do the job. I think Halfpenny's rugby brain would help a lot, and a more rounded player to compliment North on the opposite wing would make the back three more of a threat, and that in turn would help Roberts and Davies who are both top notch. The 'screen' plays looked effective to me, and when Roberts did pass, there was a lot of space- and that's what needs to be used.

(looking at the stats, both sides kicked a awful lot)

[Donny osmond]

well I reckon you have a very solid platform to build on, tbh. The basics are well in place- scrum was excellent, lineout solid, excellent kick chase, excellent fielding the kicks, and an outstanding defence. Yes France were desperately bad (and badly organised), but a big chunk was linespeed of the defence.

The question is how does Gatland move it on a bit; you could see signs of using offloads and pick and go in the forwards to get behind the defence, and that generally created some space and got yards and quick ball....it was what happened next that was less than inspired, unless the 9 was in a bit of space. I really liked the way your front row went in the loose too.

For all the talk of 'creativity' in the midfield- define that, btw- they are a very good trio- think if Davies used his boot a bit less, and the back three were used more intelligently, that'd do the job. I think Halfpenny's rugby brain would help a lot, and a more rounded player to compliment North on the opposite wing would make the back three more of a threat, and that in turn would help Roberts and Davies who are both top notch. The 'screen' plays looked effective to me, and when Roberts did pass, there was a lot of space- and that's what needs to be used.

(looking at the stats, both sides kicked a awful lot)

Pretty much this. Your players are hugely talented, it just seems to me to be a question of getting a game plan in place that allows them to shine. Whether that comes from 9-10-12 axis or what I don't know.

I can appreciate the frustration with garlands game plan, but the flip side is that his players are coached into the right mental space well enough that they bring their "a" games 9 times out of 10. It wasn't that long ago that Wales was known as being mentally flaky, but gatland certainly seems to have put a stop to that. Maybe he need to recognize that now he's got their confidence high he needs to loosen the reins a bit to give them some freedom on the pitch?

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