WALES v FRANCE

Oita Stadium – Sunday, 8.15am

WALES, other than a clunky first half against Uruguay yesterday, have been very impressive and this is probably their dream quarter-final against a side they have defeated in seven of their last eight meetings. They will also be hugely motivated, still, by their World Cup semifinal defeat by France in 2011. Wales have been firing in all the important areas — scrum, lineout, restarts — and Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright have been outstanding in the back row. As for their backs, it’s been a thrill to watch Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies and the try-scoring flair of Josh Adams, the man whose talent finally blossomed in the Premiership having been virtually discarded by the Welsh system. If ever there is an argument for allowing players to develop in other countries and to be selected when they are playing overseas, it is Adams. Italy and Argentina, take note. There are a couple of injury worries. Jonathan Davies came off with a knock in the Fiji game and he is the key man behind the scrum, and Biggar is going through concussion protocols after also going off against Fiji. Biggar is an influential player but Wales will lose little if Rhys Patchell is required. France are difficult to read. If they replicate the first 40 minutes of their opening game against the Pumas with Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud and Romain Ntamack flying, France will take Wales all the way. But the trouble is they haven’t come close since and in fact could easily have lost to Tonga. They badly needed that cancelled game with England to find themselves again. Wales are better coached and fitter, and although I am expecting France to perform strongly, it will be in vain. PREDICTION WALES