France and Wales poised for Six-Nations rugby showdown on Saturday
March 15, 2008
A Wales win against underdog France in Saturday’s Cardiff rugby match would mean Grand Slam for Wales.
France and Wales will face each other on Saturday in Cardiff in the final, deciding match in the Six-Nations rugby tournament. France is far behind in points, making them the underdog, but still has hope as the only team left standing to compete against Wales for the six-nation rugby title. But Wales may have extra motivation to win–their tenth Grand Slam.
Wales helmer Warren Gatland is telling his team they have an historic chance to win the rubgy Grand Slam on Saturday against France in Cardiff, but he warns against underestimating the strength of the France team.
The players of the XV of France took their marks Friday afternoon in the Millennium Stage of Cardiff. The French team arrived in Cardiff late morning on Friday. After checking into their downtown hotel, they headed for the Millennium for the traditional training which lasted approximately an hour and half. After warmup of approximately twenty minutes and some practice plays, the twenty-two French players did twenty-five minutes of drills.
The roof of the Cardiff arena will be closed for the match, says the Welsh Federation. France had the right to require an open roof, but did not exercise this right. “When we are invited to play a match, we will not lay down our conditions. We’re civilized, ” winked trainer Emile Ntamack.
Heavy rain is expected on Saturday on the Welsh capital, which is a handicap for teams that rely on lots of movement on the field, like Wales and France.
Twenty points is what the French need to keep their crown and deprive the Welsh of their tenth Grand Slam in the team’s history. But everyone on the side of France say it would be a mistake to focus on the points deficit. Trainer Marc Lièvremont says he has some regrets about the way the season has gone but that his team would focus exclusively on Saturday’s match, not the past.
Wales has not beaten France since 2005 when the teams met at the Stade de France, losing their last four championship encounters with Les Bleus in the Welsh capital. But the Wales team has been given a shot in the arm with their New Zealand trainer Warren Gatland.
Should France win by exactly 19 points the title will be decided on try count. Both teams are currently on 11 tries, and if that remains equal the championship could be shared. 20 points for France would mean a French victory.
Whether France can be spoilers for Wales’ Grand Slam hopes will be decided on the pitch tomorrow in rainy Cardiff.
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