Thoughts…
- Wales generally defended superbly, particularly in the second half, when France dominated possession (apart from the Picamoles sin bin period). Rhys Priestland twice made excellent covering tackles after initial line breaks, and at other times France threw away try-scoring chance. But Dan “Chopper” Lydiate, replicating his 2012 form, Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins put in brilliant shifts in the loose
Wales: still just about in with a chance of a third successive Six Nations title
- Rhys Webb gave Wales a real boost, supplying much quicker ball than the backs have been used to. Mike Phillips’s steps before passing are really frustrating when you want to see Wales pick up the pace
- Wales had a bit of luck with both tries – George North’s (to get into that position was thanks to the sort of back interplay that was totally non-existent last week, but it was reliant on a bad French mistake) and Sam Warburton’s (not convinced it was over the line before he rolled it forward. Still, the captain deserved it)
- France weren’t great. To say the least. They weren’t quite headless chickens, but didn’t see much more clued-up than that. Rivalled Wales’s performance against Ireland in the fluffed lines stakes
- But it ended up with Wales’s joint-biggest win over the French since 1931 (the other time was a 21-0 win in 1950). Les Bleus have now failed to score in four consecutive games against Wales, dating back to THAT World Cup quarterfinal
- It’s a massive uphill task, but Wales are back in the hunt for the championship. From that point of view, an English win over Ireland tomorrow would be ideal…
That’s now FOUR consecutive games against France in which Wales have prevented them scoring a try
— Huw Silk (@huwsilk) February 21, 2014
Watch out, stat fans! A 21-point win for Wales would equal their biggest over France since 1931
— Huw Silk (@huwsilk) February 21, 2014
An Early Bath 
Reblogged this on Welsh Sports News.
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