ADAMS BACKS LEADERS TO STEADY WELSH SHIP
THE LAST two Tests between Wales and France have been edge-of-the-seat thrillers. Both were won by wily Wales just when all looked lost: coming back from 16-0 down at half-time in Paris a year ago and then sweeping aside the French after
Les Bleus led 12-0 in the World Cup quarter-final. Those are the only two matches Josh Adams has played against France and he explained how his senior team-mates can be a steady hand on the tiller. ‘We have got some great leaders,’ said the winger. ‘These boys have got so many caps under their belt, they have played at the highest level, in the biggest matches. ‘On some occasions, experience like that does help you, a calm head in moments of madness when you are up against it.’ Today, Wayne Pivac fields the most experienced Six Nations team ever, with 859 caps. Captain Alun Wyn Jones will be playing his 68th international match in Cardiff. Wales will need all that nous against a flying France side, who are so far unbeaten in this Six Nations. Home advantage works well for Wales, too. At the Principality Stadium, they have not lost in the Six Nations since England beat them in 2017. ‘There’s more pressure from playing at home because that expectancy is there,’ said Jones.
Dan Biggar has been passed fit to play after checks by Wales team doctor Prav Mathema, and taking specialist advice. The fly-half is one of the old guard whose steadiness Wales hope will steer them through choppy waters today. With Shaun Edwards as their defence coach, however, France are unlikely to crumble quickly. Edwards was part of Warren Gatland’s Wales coaching team for 12 Six Nations campaigns. It was a period of sustained success, with Wales winning four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals. Edwards, though, is now making an impact with France in the defence, with
Les Bleus unbeaten after two games and now chasing a first Six Nations victory on Welsh soil since 2010. ‘We talked at the start of the week,’ said France team manager Raphael Ibanez. ‘I just asked him what was the approach of the game and if it was too much, maybe, emotionally. ‘Shaun is very professional — his reply was pretty clear. He said: “My only focus this week will be to do my best for the players”, and that’s what he did.’ Kick-off: 4.45pm Principality Stadium. TV: LIVE on BBC One Scotland. Referee: Matthew Carley (England).