Welsh defence gritty in win over France

A draw in Dublin against the reigning 6 Nations champions, Ireland, put paid to Welsh hopes of another Grand Slam, but France are still on course after wins over Italy and Ireland at home.

“It’s a great stadium, we love going to play there”, Gatland said.

“We’ve been there on a few occasions and won, so we have just got to have that confidence and belief that we are able to do it. That’s why the win over France was so important because the victory keeps us in the championship – if we’d lost, we would basically have been out. We are looking to continue our unbeaten run and will be looking for another step up after the victory over Scotland”.

“With Tom at the moment, we just feel it’s an opportunity for him to get back and play some more stuff for the Blues”.

Veteran prop Gethin Jenkins could miss out in round four with a calf injury and lock Luke Charteris is also doubtful with a knee problem, but there could be a return for scrum-half Rhys Webb.

Wales made a purposeful, fast start, dominating territory and moving ball through the hands with impressive frequency. After the opening two rounds, Wales and France are both unbeaten with the winners at the Principality Stadium likely to provide the main challenge to favourites England in claiming this year’s championship.

Wing George North’s second-half try – his 25th touchdown in 58 Tests for Wales – plus 14 points from fly-half Dan Biggar floored France, although there was a touch of good fortune about North’s breakaway score after he initially miskicked with his right foot when he attempted to tap the ball over the line, but still had time to gather and touch down.

Wales was cruising before Guilhem Guirado went over for a late consolation try for France.

“We know we will be playing against a formidable opponent and it promises to be a very tactical game”.

George North’s try against Scotland showed there is more to his game than raw strength, but he will no doubt stick to his strengths against a disjointed French defence. From the coaches’ point of view that was very pleasing.

Gatland, however, was disappointed that his team constantly fell foul of English referee Wayne Barnes. This will be his first appearance in the 7s after last representing New Zealand at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

“In fairness, we need to look at ourselves as well to see why that penalty count was as high as it was.

That puts you under a bit of pressure”, said the head coach. Wales punished a slow start from the Scots two weeks ago and that cost Vern Cotter’s men the game. But for teams like us, that’s just happy days. We beat England convincingly in Cardiff in 2013 [30-3] but they won the next two.

“You can never take a French team too lightly, especially with an experienced coach like Guy Noves in charge and the success he has had with Toulouse over the years, especially in the European Cup”, Wales assistant coach McBryde said.

Maxime Machenaud will prove a nuisance at scrum-half for France, employing big forwards as ball carriers at the fringes of the ruck, so if there are to be no tries from the visitors in Cardiff, it will be down to a stern defensive effort led by Lydiate.

“Wales relies a lot on the power of the backs so we were not surprised”.