NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED!!!
Publié le 21/03/2011
France made up some lost ground in Paris on Saturday evening when they put Wales to the sword. England having lost to Ireland in Dublin a little earlier on in the afternoon gave Wales the slimmest of chances of winning this years 6 Nations Championship, but they would have to beat France by 40 odd points a very tall order indeed.
The whole of France were waiting to see how their heroes would perform, the defeat in Italy last week was still hurting and the wound nowhere near healed. We all know how the Paris crowd can turn on their own, if things go badly wrong.
It was not to be; France came out all guns blazing and showed a determination and aggression not seen on a rugby field for a while. They took complete control knocking the Welsh Dragons back in the tackle until their fire was just a small puff of smoke.
The Welsh scored first from a penalty by Hook, but that was quickly equalled by Para who added 2 penalties, then Nallet picked up a loose ball 30yards out and raced for the line, sold an excellent dummy pass on the way and went over with most of the Welsh hanging on to him, but unable to do anything about it. In years to come that dash will become a full scale 60 or 70 yard scramble, but that’s how forwards are, Para missed the conversion, the half time score France 11 Wales 3.
Hook added another penalty for Wales at the start of the second half, but then hero turns villain as Pierre charged down a Hook kick in his own 22, the ball bounces nicely for Pierre and low and behold up pops Nallet to dive over into the hallowed ground for his second try, which this time Parra converted, France 18 Wales 6. Hook added another penalty before he unceremoniously dumped Parra with a late spear tackle, after consultation, the Referee awarded Hook YELLOW!!! I am sure all Clermont supporters and forwards will have memorised this little event, and will be waiting next season when he turns up in Clermont playing for Perpignan.
The Masterpiece of the game was yet to come, Trinh-Duc received the ball 20 yards out and a sublime chip kick was gathered by Clerc who dived over uncontested under the posts, Para added the extras, game over.
Final score France 28 Wales 9, Les Bleus sneak into 2nd place just behind England in this season’s competition, no Grand Slam for England just Championship winners.
Two pre World Cup games left against Ireland in the summer then next stop in September New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, France have a long way to go to be World dominators but this victory will at least put a smile on most French faces and give renewed hope.
Steve Whittell.
