Welsh beaten in a thriller
France 21-16 Wales
The french broke welsh hearts in paris, ending their 2009 grand slam hopes and their record winning streak of games.
Both sides gave it their all, right down to the last 3 minutes with the french desperately defending just 3 yards from their own try line, they held out for a result that I wasn’t expecting.
One or two of the welsh players looked to be carrying injuries to be fair, but combined with a ref who was strict at the breakdown and a french team who didn’t let their heads drop when they went 13-3 behind in the first half (pulling it back to 13-13 on the stroke of half time) for me, it was at the breakdown where the game was decided.
Wales were penalised for offsides, playing the man when the ball had gone and coming in from the side, at the tackle, which undoubtedly upset their rhythm, but they still looked dangerous on the break.
There’s no doubting they have talented backs, but their forwards went missing when France pulled the scores level on the stroke of half time.
Rugby union should always consist of forward and back play, referrees who only have time for “exciting rugby” are destroying the game, and the governing bodies should be instructing refs to be consistant, a fact that was apparant to all when Wales beat England at the millenium stadium two weeks ago.
Wales should now wrap up the triple crown, providing they can get past the Irish!
