French start to believe after win
THE French media are enjoying their first victory over Wales in Cardiff for a decade, as excitement grows over their potential Grand Slam chances.
L’Equipe’s front page on Sunday ran with the headline, “Now we believe”, with the paper stating France “have never been so close to achieving the Grand Slam in ten years. Three successes in as many matches, it gives you a team, a status and an ambition.”
Rugbyrama heaped particular praise on outside-half Romain Ntamack, with the official man of the match described as “world class” and “the master of the orchestra”.
Midi Olympique’s coverage talked of France “dominating Wales” and reported team manager Raphael Ibanez saying: “The match against Wales erased ten years of collective frustration across all generations.”
Unsurprisingly, there was little praise for Wales as L’Equipe’s notoriously harsh player ratings delivered some scathing reviews.
Poor Leigh Halfpenny was only thought worthy of a three out of 10, with the likes of Josh Adams, Taulupe Faletau, Ross Moriarty and Jake Ball only getting four out of 10.
The L’Equipe Wales player ratings: Halfpenny 3, North (NA injury), Tompkins 5, Parkes 5, Adams 4, Biggar 7, Davies 5; Wyn Jones 5, Owens 5, Lewis 6, Ball 4, AW Jones 5 (captain), Moriarty 4, Tipuric 5, Faletau 4.
Back in the UK, the media were unanimous in praising France for a deserved victory.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Sir Clive Woodward said: “For anybody who loves the Six Nations and want to see European Rugby as strong as possible, France’s win in Cardiff was a significant moment, possibly the start of something special. Victory didn’t come easily although for me it was thoroughly deserved.”
Telegraph columnist Brian Moore added: “You can moan about the decisions of officials but the final point is this: if you can win in Cardiff when you play for 15 minutes with 14 men and the penalty count goes against you by almost three to one, you have done well.
“Despite Wales’s tenacity and dominance in the second half of the game, the French half-backs limited the damage Wales could do by astute tactical play.
“Add to that a new desire for doing the dirty work of tackling and hitting breakdowns and you have something to build on.
“In fact, without this you can have all the flair you want but it will be of limited use.
“France now appear to have that base and who knows what is possible in the next four years, with a home World Cup to come?”