Okay so before I get into previewing tomorrow's game, I have to start with two side notes. My first, I'd like to apologise for not having a review of last weeks Italy game up. I didn't actually get the chance to see the game, as I was helping a friend move house, and only got a chance to see the highlights. Therefore I felt like it would be an injustice to have a review purely based on twenty minutes of action! Also, I would like to offer my condolences to Mervyn "Merv the Swerve" Davies' family and friends, after his passing today. Davies was a truly inspirational captain and player, and also would have been a remarkable Lions captain in 1977 had his playing career not been cut short, much like his life. A minutes silence will be held tomorrow in the Millennium Stadium before the match to commemorate his life, and hopefully everyone will be thinking of fond memories during the time.
However, we must press on to the matter in hand: Wales' potential Grand-Slam clinching game against France. Before the tournament began, this was possibly the most eagerly anticipated clash in the schedule. Wales' narrow 9-8 defeat in last year's World Cup semi-final is still ingrained in both set's of supporters memories for differing reasons. For the French, it set them up to have their best game of the tournament in the final against hosts, and eventual winners, New Zealand. For the Welsh, their was a bitter sense of injustice, and led to them leaving the tournament with somewhat of a whimper in 4th place. This tournament has only gone on to fuel the fire of that injustice, with Wales picking up where they left off, and France again be unpredictable and inconsistent. You can guarantee though, that France will be on the money for this game, and Wales will have to play 50% above what they have done previously in the tournament if they want to win.
Wales have made only one change from the squad that played Italy last weekend, with captain Sam Warburton reclaiming his place at 7 from Justin Tipuric. Through all 6 games, the Welsh back line has been unchanged, and this consistency has been key to Wales' impressive attacking displays. North, Roberts and Cuthbert will be looking to power through a French underbelly that looked decidedly vulnerable against England and Ireland in their previous games. France have only lost once in six visits to the Millennium Stadium, that coming in 2008, but Wales would still need to be thumped to lose the title to England. However, that would provide little consolation if the Slam dreams were dashed at the final hurdle.
Philippe Saint-Andre has made several changes to his French side. Veteran lock Lionel Nallet's days as a French international look to be over, with him being omitted from the squad, being replaced by Julien Pierre on the bench. Dmitri Yachvili plays his first game of the tournament, coming in for Julian Dupuy, who drops out of the squad altogether, and Morgan Parra is benched, with Lionel Beauxis retaining his place at fly-half. Florian Fritz comes in for the injured Vincent Clerc, who will be thankful he doesn't have to come up against Warburton again. Star man Wesley Fofana moves to the wing as a result. On the other wing, Alexis Pallison is favoured to Julien Malzieu. In the pack, Dimitri Szarzewski is replaced at hooker by William Servat, and David Attoub replaces Nicolas Mas. France will not only be looking to beat Wales, but also aiming to avoid their worst performance at a 6 Nations since 2001, where they only notched up two wins during the duration of the tournament.
So the question is, will Wales fulfil their potential, in turn laying to rest the demons of the World Cup defeat last year, by beating France and claiming the Grand-Slam? Or, will the pressure be too much, and will they slump to defeat, still being denied the chance of glory that the team so thoroughly craves? For once, being at home may not be the key difference. Yes, support is always good to have, but as mentioned earlier, France have a near impeccable record in Cardiff. Wales have to stay focused, and forget the hype and occasion that is surrounding the game, in order to win. The backs have to be patient, and concentrate on getting over the gain line. The forwards have to dominate at the set plays, and be careful at the breakdown, or penalties could be the key game breaker. If Wales play to their potential, then they should win. But that is a big if. France will be fired up for this, and it will be a game of the ages, that is for certain.
Wales:
Backs: Halfpenny; Cuthbert, J Davies, Roberts, North; Priestland, Phillips.
Forwards: Jenkins, Rees, A Jones, A-W Jones, Evans, Lydiate, Warburton (c), Faletau.
Replacements: James, Owens, Charteris, R Jones, L Williams, Hook, S Williams.
France:
Backs: Poitrenaud; Fofana, Rougerie, Fritz, Palisson; Beauxis, Yachvili.
Forwards: Poux, Servat, Attoub, Pape, Maestri, Dusautoir (c), Bonnaire, Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Szarzewski, Debaty, Pierre, Picamoles, Parra, Trinh-Duc, Buttin.
Dewch ar Cymru!
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