Wales vs France.

[Nz]

France verses Wales kicks off at 5pm on Saturday 5 November in Carcasonne, France.

The Welsh believe they have this one in the bag but France might have something up their sleeve.

Any thoughts?

 

[roopy]

This will be a great pointer to how much work needs to be done before the 2008 WC.
Wales has shown they are close in standard to Ireland and Scotland, and France has shown they can hold their heads up against the big three, so if Wales can put up a decent effort we are well on the way to getting our 10 strong teams for the WC.
On the other hand, if Wales get trounced, we still have a mile of work to do.

 

[AlbertRosenfeld]

Note that if this were a World Cup year Keiron Cunningham and Iestyn Harris would both be playing for Wales, instead of for Great Britain. By 2008 both will be 32. No longer in their prime but still able to give a lot to any team, along with Lee Briers who will be a few years younger. By 2008 the Welsh domestic competition will have developed much further than now, and hopefully will have produced some young native born talent.
In 2006 a semi-professional Welsh Team from Bridgend -- the Celtic Crusaders --will join National League 2 in the UK (in effect 3rd division). They are expected to develop into a professional franchise that will join Super League in 2008 or 2009. That club should be a huge boost to rugby league in Wales. So I am not so worried about how well Wales plays this Saturday. The future of Welsh rugby league is being mapped out for us to enjoy in the future.

 

[Dakink]

Anyone know the web page for the Welsh Rugby League???

www.walesrugbyleague.com gives nothing???

 

[paulmac]

Anyone know if this game will be available over the net?I seem to remember watching France v England last year wiith french commentary to boot.

 

[bender]

This will be a great pointer to how much work needs to be done before the 2008 WC.
Wales has shown they are close in standard to Ireland and Scotland, and France has shown they can hold their heads up against the big three, so if Wales can put up a decent effort we are well on the way to getting our 10 strong teams for the WC.
On the other hand, if Wales get trounced, we still have a mile of work to do.

If Wales get trounced, i think that it pretty much means that France are a lot closer to the big 3 than I personally think that they are.

I think Wales will go very close to beating France, and I think they would be favourites if they were at full strength. It will be very interesting though, if Wales beat France and France then do a repeat of last year against New Zealand and Australia, although I cant really see it.

I really dont think that getting 10 decent sides is a problem with Britain and the Pacific. The problem is getting players to play for those sides for life and not nation hop.

 

[carlnz]

Is it not great to have a Final where you have no idea who is going to win?

France by 12 for me!

 

[hutch]

I really dont think that getting 10 decent sides is a problem with Britain and the Pacific. The problem is getting players to play for those sides for life and not nation hop.

spot on! once we get some laws in place to solve this problem we are well on our way having an international schedule involving more than 3 teams, and some credibility as well as an awesome world cup. if only geoff carr etc could see this.

 

[milton]

Who will win the euro cup

 

[Sun_Down]

Cant see France loosing this one.

 

[screeny]

Why not, they are playing against a fully professional Welsh side....

I can't see France winning it to be honest. Fitness will let them down in the long run.

 

[JasonE]

Just finished watching France play England from 2 weeks ago, France were very impressive and they will be at home so they will be favorites but I wouldn't completely write of Wales, they are playing well have some big forwards and Briers is leading them well.

 

[yakstorm]

Shame we can't see the game, it would be very entertaining. Briers will, like always, step up for the Welsh and cause problems galore for them, which that said the French will possibly enjoy and try and match the not always 'orthodox' style of play Briers plays in internationals.

I expect a very free flowing game, with lots of risks taken like chipping early on in the sets of six, and wing to wing attacks.

 

[_dan13_]

wales by 4

think it will be a close match but wales will edge it

 

[iggy plop]

Up the Froggies!

by 8.

Fakir to get man of the match.

 

[hutch]

will they get a good crowd for the game?

 

[Stevo_G]

can't see french losing,
how many welsh born players in the welsh team ???

 

[roopy]

can't see french losing,
how many welsh born players in the welsh team ???

LU article;

Wales name unchanged squad for SaturdayWritten by: Welsh rugby league media release - Ian Golden2/11/2005 Views: 78

Wales have released an unchanged squad as they travel to France for their European Nations Cup Final on Saturday (kick-off 5pm CET, 4pm GMT).

Martin Hall has kept faith in the team who won 31-10 in Ireland last Saturday as Wales aim for their first European title in ten years.

In addition, Bridgend’s Kevin Ellis will also travel with the team as a reserve player and to assist with the coaching.

BBC Wales are hoping to show highlights of the match on Monday night, something that has greatly pleased both fans and officials alike.

Welsh actor Phillip Madoc, star of many BBC programmes like Doctor Who, Poldark and Porridge, said: “I watched the Great Britain v New Zealand match on Saturday and enjoyed it immensely. It would have been good to see the Wales match as well. I really hope that the BBC does show the Final.”

Welsh Rugby League president Mike Nicholas said: “We should get the coverage we deserve. Our win over Ireland was the best I’ve ever seen us play and it’s a shame that people in Wales couldn’t see it. I realise that the Final on Saturday may not be able to be shown live as the All Black match is on at the same time but I hope the BBC show our game afterwards.”

Welsh Press Officer, Ian Golden said: “We are currently in negotiations with the BBC and the Rugby League European Federation to bring highlights of the game over to Wales. It looks like that BBC2W’s Wales Today Sports Extra on Monday is our best bet.

“BBC Wales are tremendous supporters of Wales Rugby League. Scrum V showed highlights of Bridgend’s final as well as the recent Wales v England A international. BBC radio always broadcasts results and reports from our domestic league and the BBC website always gives us first class coverage. I’m sure we can work out a deal so fans don’t miss out.”

Wales Touring Party: Damien Gibson (Halifax), Bryn Powell (Featherstone Rovers), Adam Hughes (Widnes Vikings), Aled James (Sheffield Eagles), Richard Johnson (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Lee Briers (Warrington Wolves, Captain), Mark Lennon (Manly Sea Eagles), David Mills (London Broncos), Ian Watson (Swinton Lions), Gareth Dean (Carcassonne), Anthony Blackwood (Halifax), Jordan James (Castleford Tigers), Phil Joseph (Swinton Lions), Karl Hocking (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Byron Smith (Castleford Tigers), Neil Davies (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Chris Morley (Halifax), Gareth Price (Rochdale Hornets), Lenny Woodard (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Paul Morgan (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Kevin Ellis (Bridgend Blue Bulls). Coach: Martin Hall. Assistant: Anthony Farrell. Team Manager: Chris O’Callaghan. Team Co-ordinator: Helen Condon. Physio: Ben Searle. Press Officer: Ian Golden.

 

[yakstorm]

The ones in bold are Welsh born and developed.

Damien Gibson (Halifax), Bryn Powell (Featherstone Rovers), Adam Hughes (Widnes Vikings), Aled James (Sheffield Eagles), Richard Johnson (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Lee Briers (Warrington Wolves, Captain), Mark Lennon (Manly Sea Eagles), David Mills (London Broncos), Ian Watson (Swinton Lions), Gareth Dean (Carcassonne), Anthony Blackwood (Halifax), Jordan James (Castleford Tigers), Phil Joseph (Swinton Lions), Karl Hocking (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Byron Smith (Castleford Tigers), Neil Davies (Aberavon Fighting Irish), Chris Morley (Halifax), Gareth Price (Rochdale Hornets), Lenny Woodard (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Paul Morgan (Bridgend Blue Bulls), Kevin Ellis (Bridgend Blue Bulls).

So 9 out of the 17 definately are...I think Bryn Powell might be, same with Byron Smith.

Few who are there cause of parent qualification as well.

 

[JasonE]

Gareth Dean & Gareth Price are Welsh born