Semi Final Preview: Wales v France

14 October 2011

Both of these teams created upsets when they qualified for the 2011 RWC semi-final. All eyes and money were on

Ireland

to go the distance after they had beaten favourites Australian in the pool stages. Wales however showed that nothing can beat good consistent defence.

France

were down and out for the count after losing two games in the pool stages. After the Tonga loss, few people would have given them a chance against England. But the French team pitched up for the game and out played England in all areas of the game.

Wales

will be hoping that the same French team that played Tonga shows up for their clash. That way they will definitely win the game. If not Wales will have to stand strong in the scrums, which they can do. And their defence will have to be diligent on the day. If they think the Irish attack was good, the French with their flair will be even better. Priestland and Hook will need to kick ever attempt at goal they get. At this stage tries don't count, but points on the board does.

The French will want to have the same team that played England. If they do show up it will be a difficult game for Wales to win. With their strong scrum and outside backs' flair this is a difficult team to beat. If they play the same type of game as against Tonga it will be a long and I mean very long 80 minutes for them. Yachvili holds the key that can unlock the Welsh defence. And the front row can help him open that lock.

I hope both teams put the performance of the quarter-finals up again. If they do this will be a semi-final of note. Alan Roland will referee the match. This is not a bad choice at all. Both teams know him well and there can be no misunderstanding as to the interpretation of the laws.

My pick for this game will be shock to most, but I believe France will take this one by 5-10 points.

Squads:

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); George North (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Perpignan), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons) Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons).

Replacements: Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Paul James (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

France: Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson; Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili; Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy.

Replacements (from): Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Barcella, Julien Pierre, Louis Picamoles, Francois Trinh-Duc, David Marty, Cedric Heymans, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Jean-Marc Doussain.

Semi Final Preview: Wales v France

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