Live text: Wales v France

Saturday, October 15th, 2011

by admin

To get involved use Twitter (via hashtag #BBCRWC ) or text us on 81111 (UK) with RWC before r message. (Not all contributions can be used. Messages charged at r standard operator rate.)

0808: If form in New Zealand favours Wales, history favours France. They have won eight of the past 10 meetings between the two sides, but France coach Marc Lievremont is insisting that Wales are favourites. “Yes, I am afraid,” said Lievremont, who is currently rocking the Riviera playboy look. “Above all I am afraid of the Welsh. Right now we are running on adrenaline. What we need to remember is that we had never beaten England at such a high level. That’s something we can take strength from.”

RJ, via text on 81111: “Unbelievably nervous, but so excited. Wales CAN do it, but it’s gonna be tough. Nothing unites the whole of Wales like the rugby.”

0759: If Welsh progress to the last four has been increasingly impressive, the same cannot be said for France. Defeat by New Zealand was followed by one of the biggest shocks in the history of the tournament as Tonga battered Les Bleus into submission. Ah, but this is France – famed not just for their flair but also their inconsistency. In disarray on and off the field, the chances of other side would have been dismissed as they headed into a quarter-final with England, but they duly dredged up a performance from somewhere to reach a fifth consecutive semi-final. They always produce one dazzling performance each World Cup, and we haven’t seen it so far in New Zealand… Wales beware.

0750: It has been a remarkable tournament for this ng Wales side, which features eight players under the age of 23 in the 22-man squad. In the months and years leading up to the World Cup many fans feared they would not even make it out of the group stage. In addition to world champions South Africa, also lying in wait were Fiji, who dumped them out in 2007, and Samoa, their conquerors in both 1991 and 1999. Heroic defeat in the first match awaited against the Boks, but it was a game Wales should have won, and since then the confidence has flowed. Samoa were safely negotiated and Namibia battered before Fiji were blown away. Ireland duly followed in the last eight, and now only France stand between Wales and a first ever World Cup final.

0741: So where are all watching the game? Whether ’re lapping it up in Eden Park, preparing to shout rself hoarse in the Millennium Stadium, sitting on the sofa with a butty or huddled around a computer in Kathmandu, join in the fun. can either text on 81111 or Tweet using #bbcrwc.

0735 BST: Welsh legend Neil Jenkins believes it’s “maybe the biggest game in Wales’ history” and who I am to argue with the russet-haired points machine? What is beyond debate is that it is Wales’ biggest World Cup match since the first ever World Cup in 1987, which was the last time they reached the semi-finals. Coincidentally, that tournament featured the same four sides that have reached the last four this time, although back then Wales took on hosts New Zealand at this stage. It was not pretty, as the All Blacks out-gunned the Welsh 49-6 before beating France in the final. Maybe they’ll get the change to avenge that defeat in the 2011 final?

0730 BST: Wales v France for a place in the World Cup final. It’s probably the biggest game in Welsh rugby history, and if that doesn’t get the sporting juices flowing, then I don’t know what will. Hold on to hats lads and lasses, this could get emotional.

— ’re ’s , . : A ‘Malign Intellectual Subculture’ – George Monbiot Smears Chomsky, Herman, Peterson, Pilger And Media Lens.

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9616363.stm