[2021 Six Nations] France vs Wales (20/03/2021)

[TW27BA]

If France bring their A game on Saturday, they will win with ease. Man for man they are the better side. They don't appear to have a weak link in any position.
But if Wales get a few points in front and get parity in the scrums. they can unsettle the French, and everyone knows they can implode.
Wales shouldn't be written off as they have the capacity to win games that on paper look a lost cause.

 

[ForumWhore]

They've won 1 ***le in the last 7 tournaments. Not much of a specialism...

That's a good reality check actually. As an Englishman living in deepest darkest South Wales maybe even I get washed aliong with the hype. There is a perception that Wales win a lot of 6Ns but as you say, they don't really. That said, they will not blow this chance IMO. Wales will find a way to win. The play may be that unethical that they have to change a few laws to stop it happening again, but Wales will prevail.

 

[MattGaff]

That's a good reality check actually. As an Englishman living in deepest darkest South Wales maybe even I get washed aliong with the hype. There is a perception that Wales win a lot of 6Ns but as you say, they don't really. That said, they will not blow this chance IMO. Wales will find a way to win. The play may be that unethical that they have to change a few laws to stop it happening again, but Wales will prevail.

Which incident(s) in particular? Or are you speculating we are going to find a way to win by exploiting loopholes?
FWIW, I don't think we will win on the weekend. Much to the pleasure of everyone non-Welsh. Hoping we do of course.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

FWIW, I don't think we will win on the weekend. Much to the pleasure of everyone non-[...]. Hoping we do of course.

Hey, that's our line

 

[MattGaff]

Hey, that's our line

I doff my cap in gratitude. Us lot have a habit of stealing things lately. Especially games we have no right of winning...

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

(Moderately) interesting that this will be Wales's first away Grand Slam decider in 6N era. Obviously it's down to scheduling, but I think the most impressive Slams are sealed away.

This is actually a really interesting point and got me to do some digging. As you say, all 4 of Wales' previous Grand Slam sealing wins have been at home and this is the first time they've been on for a Slam when the final game is away. Compare that to England, say, who have have had a GS decider on the final day 7 times in 21 previous tournaments, and all 7 of their deciders has been away from home (2 wins). Coincidence? Not exactly. In 22 6-Nations tournaments to date (including this one), England's final match has been away from home on no less than 14 occasions (8 home). Wales' final match has been away from home on 7 occasions (15 home). I don't know how 6N scheduling works, but given how important home advantage has proven to be in the tournament, that doesn't exactly seem like balance to me.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

I was going to bring this up and then saw your post - had to trawl through 5 pages of mostly dross first!

I think it will benefit us. He was with us such a long time the players will know his mindset very well. We might find the odd weakness at times but other than that, I think its better for us than France!

Or... Edwards knows most of the Welsh players' strengths and weaknesses as attackers and can concoct a plan to negate them.

I really don't know what impact it will have, if any, given that Pivac is running different attacking systems to when Edwards was there. It'll be an interesting one to watch unfold.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Mate, don't take this the wrong way but I'm really not interested in debating with you if all you can say is what about...........

You might be right, you might be wrong. I don't know. I personally don't really care.

I think it's clear there is a massive anti Welsh vibe in here.

I thought debate was the point of a forum? If you want to dismiss every criticism of Welsh rugby as being the result of nothing but mindless anti-Welsh bias, you are of course free to do so, but it does beg the question of why you're on a forum in the first place. If all your expecting is heaps of uncritical praise of Welsh rugby, you're not gonna be a very happy bunny here.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I do think some of the English do underrate some of the Wales players. I don't necessarily blame them either as often they only see them play outside test level in European competitions which far too often is Welsh regions getting pumped.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I thought debate was the point of a forum? If you want to dismiss every criticism of Welsh rugby as being the result of nothing but mindless anti-Welsh bias, you are of course free to do so, but it does beg the question of why you're on a forum in the first place. If all your expecting is heaps of uncritical praise of Welsh rugby, you're not gonna be a very happy bunny here.

Now we're resorting to strawman after your whataboutism. Not interested.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Just following up on my previous post about home-field advantage in the 6N Slam decider: France have been on for the Slam 3 times and each time have been at home (3 wins), while Ireland have been on for the Slam twice and both times have been away from home (2 wins). So overall, that's 16 times a team has gone into the final game with the Slam on the line (not including this year's decider), 7 times at home (7 wins (4 Wales, 3 France)) and 9 times away (4 wins (2 England, 2 Ireland) 5 losses (all England). Home advantage is huge!

So Wales always seal the deal when the Slam is on and so do France. And they both always had home advantage. And France are at home this time. Make of that what you will.

 

[Not Eddie Jones]

Now we're resorting to strawman after your whataboutism. Not interested.

That's fine, I won't bother justifying my criticism of Wales with a reasoned argument in future.

 

[Welsh Exile]

That's fine, I won't bother justifying my criticism of Wales with a reasoned argument in future.

No, by all means. Just don't deliberately misinterpret what my position is. Or, do what you want and leave me out of it. If you want to debate in good faith then cool.

 

[Welsh Exile]

 

[MikeTheNative]

Still not convinced that Jon Davies is the correct choice for 12 but I can see why he hasn't changed the team too much. Despite being a massive critic of Beard in the past he has played well so far and probably deserves the start, it also helps he is massive to counter the massive French pack. Tomos Williams is my first choice 9 but him getting last 30 from the bench is probably the right decision considering his injury. Good to see Nicky Smith back on the bench, that does make the replacement front row a lot stronger.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Botham instead of Wainwright is the only mild surprise there but I guess Faletau will play the full 80.

 

[ncurd]

Just following up on my previous post about home-field advantage in the 6N Slam decider: France have been on for the Slam 3 times and each time have been at home (3 wins), while Ireland have been on for the Slam twice and both times have been away from home (2 wins). So overall, that's 16 times a team has gone into the final game with the Slam on the line (not including this year's decider), 7 times at home (7 wins (4 Wales, 3 France)) and 9 times away (4 wins (2 England, 2 Ireland) 5 losses (all England). Home advantage is huge!

So Wales always seal the deal when the Slam is on and so do France. And they both always had home advantage. And France are at home this time. Make of that what you will.

Questions,

How often does a team win a GS on a 3 away game season as opposed to a 3 home game season?
Interestingly that may not be the factor I once considered in a season where any of the original 5 nations play 3 away game it always includes Italy.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Questions,

How often does a team win a GS on a 3 away game season as opposed to a 3 home game season?
Interestingly that may not be the factor I once considered in a season where any of the original 5 nations play 3 away game it always includes Italy.

Wales did it in 2005 and 2019. But as you said that one away game is Italy so it's practically a bye anyways.

 

[Jimcardiff]

with regards to the poster who said it is better to win a Grand Slam away , I beg to differ , in you own stadium watching that is absolutely fantastic , for me the night in Cardiff cannot last long enough after a slam , I have woken up in the wrong town by the way . more than once

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Just following up on my previous post about home-field advantage in the 6N Slam decider: France have been on for the Slam 3 times and each time have been at home (3 wins), while Ireland have been on for the Slam twice and both times have been away from home (2 wins). So overall, that's 16 times a team has gone into the final game with the Slam on the line (not including this year's decider), 7 times at home (7 wins (4 Wales, 3 France)) and 9 times away (4 wins (2 England, 2 Ireland) 5 losses (all England). Home advantage is huge!

So Wales always seal the deal when the Slam is on and so do France. And they both always had home advantage. And France are at home this time. Make of that what you will.

Ireland were going for the slam in 2003 also and lost at home. Shite match, opposition were ***** to our president, **** you for being inaccurate and making me bring it up...