Al's Blog from the Bog

Wales were strong favourites for a win in Paris last night, the first ever ‘Friday Night’ 6 nations fixture. Over the last couple of years the French seem to have radically changed their thinking about how to play test rugby; coach Marc Lievrement was under considerable pressure to conjure up a win and, perhaps more importantly, demonstrate what his strategy actually is.

Although Wales have yet to reach the heights of last year’s performances, their matches this year have demonstrated both a good deal of control in the forwards and a rapier-like cutting edge in the backs. Any team coming up against them would have good reason to be nervous.

From the start it was obvious that France were focussed and would not roll over easily. Early tit-for-tat exchanges favoured the Welsh but only by a whisker. A (rightly) disallowed try prevented the French going ahead but the pace and power of their forwards and backs was clearly in evidence and it became apparent that their ‘new strategy’ owes a lot to England circa 2003. Big, strong forwards with surprising speed hammered at the Welsh defences, while the backline employed a powerful and aggressive defence, largely snuffing out the threat of the Welsh centres.

Wales went 13-3 up after a sublimely simple attack which sliced open their opponent’s defence, and it was at this point that one imagined French heads would drop, discipline would desert them and Wales would be free to work their magic. Not so. France came back with more power and by half time the score was level.

The third quarter was the most impressive, at least from a neutral standpoint. Wales did little wrong – a few mistakes here and there, but the best team in the world will not be 100% accurate. No, the shock was the way the French dominated the ball through their ferocious forwards. They should have been getting tired, weakening a bit, but it looked more like someone had lit the blue touch paper. The hits were hard – from both sides – and bodies seemed to be strewn all over the pitch.

By the time the fury had begun to abate we were deep into the final quarter and the Welsh were 8 points down. A final push from the men in red saw them camped in the French 22 for the last 10 minutes, but ‘les bleues’ held firm for a well-deserved victory.

A great match, some wonderful rugby with fire, passion, aggression and skill, and good discipline from both sides – although Tom Shanklin was lucky not receive a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. It is rare for me to feel my heart pounding towards the end of a game, unless England are playing in a close contest, but I was genuinely excited by this match.

rugby rugby, Six Nations