Welsh captain plays down verbal spat

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones says he hopes “the game and occasion” will provide post-match talking points following the verbal jousting that has accompanied today’s Guinness Six Nations clash against France.

The build-up has seen both sides not holding back, with Jones’ namesake, Wales prop Wyn Jones, saying he expected the French forwards to “hit and chase and cheat” in a bid for scrummaging supremacy.

France head coach Fabien Galthie then responded to Jones’ comments by claiming they demonstrated a lack of respect for the French nation, and there was “no room for these kind of remarks” in the Six Nations.

Les Bleus team manager Raphael Ibanez, meanwhile, bizarrely criticised Wales for their handling of fly-half Dan Biggar, who failed a head injury assessment in the defeat against Ireland two weeks ago but starts today after passing all returnto-play protocols.

All Biggar’s testing was undertaken with the addition of a globally renowned concussion expert reviewing his return, which was proactively sought by the Welsh Rugby Union’s medical team.

Asked for his reaction to the scrummaging furore, Alun Wyn Jones said: “It’s funny, I think the tone, context and language used can sometimes be ill-perceived.

“I wasn’t at the press conference but I think it may have fuelled the fire for some.

“They are not my words. If anything, it’s completely the other way – the words were borne out of respect for what French rugby has been about for many, many years, which is a dominant pack and flair behind.

“It’s probably borne more out of respect than a lack of but that’s my perception.”

Quizzed on Ibanez’s Biggar comments, Jones added: “I’m not a doctor so I couldn’t answer any medical questions.”

Jones will lead out a team boasting a Six Nations record 859 caps this weekend, and it is a game Wales must win to keep alive title hopes.

France and Ireland are the only remaining unbeaten teams left in this season’s competition, but Les Bleus have not win a Six Nations game in Cardiff since 2010.

Ibanez attended France’s prematch press conference at the Principality Stadium with captain Charles Ollivon, but he was in no mood to elaborate about the scrumrelated saga.

“I’ve just explained that we replied to that yesterday, so no more comment,” Ibanez said.

“I have already replied yesterday. I don’t want to make any more comments about that.

“Everyone is free to express what they want to express. We just focus on the game now,” he added.