Wales v France Live

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France take on Wales in the first semi-final of the Rugby World Cup 2011 on Saturday, October 15, 2011, with the match to begin at 2100 hours local time. The game will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, with the two sides having taken a different route to the semi-finals.

France have clearly underperformed so far, but that does not mean one can take anything away from their semi-finals appearance. On the other hand, Wales have done well to get to their first ever semi final of a Rugby World Cup since 1987 and will prove to be gritty customers under Warren Gatland.

The two teams have played in 88 games so far, with none of them being matches in Rugby World Cup and the two sides have been quite close – Wales leading the head to head by a 43-42 margin. However, the last time the two sides had played, France had easily beaten their opposition, 28-9.

France named their 22-member side for this game as soon as the quarter-final was done with. They said that the same side which beat England in the last eight game will be playing the semi final, despite the injury concerns around halfback Dimitri Yachvili but he seems to have gotten fit and should make it to the side. Morgan Parra can replace him for the kicking duties if Yachvili does not make it through to the game fit.

Wales’ fitness issues are around lock Luke Charteris, who did well in the first half against Ireland before going down, and then Rhys Priestland, who got injured in the game. Charteris has been named in the squad against the French but Priestland has not had a good time and will be replaced.

France had started in the tournament with a 47-21 win over Japan, but this was followed by some ordinary performances. They defeated Canada 46-19, then lost to New Zealand 17-37 and shockingly went down to Tonga 14-19. In the quarters they were able to put it across England 19-12.

Wales started off with a narrow 16-17 loss to South Africa but have come back strongly since then, winning against Samoa 17-10, Namibia 81-7, Fiji 66-0 and defeating Ireland in the quarters.

TEAMS:

France: 1. Jean-Baptiste Poux, 2. William Servat, 3. Nicolas Mas, 4. Pascal Pape, 5. Lionel Nallet, 6. Thierry Dusautoir (capt), 7. Julien Bonnaire, 8. Imanol Harinordoquy, 9. Dimitri Yachvili, 10. Morgan Parra, 11. Alexis Palisson, 12. Maxime Mermoz, 13. Aurelien Rougerie, 14. Vincent Clerc, 15. Maxime Medard.Reserves: 16. Dimitri Szarzewski, 17. Fabien Barcella, 18. Julien Pierre, 19. Louis Picamoles, 20. Francois Trinh-Duc, 21. David Marty, 22. Cedric Heymans.

Wales: 1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Huw Bennett, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Luke Charteris, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Sam Warburton (capt), 8. Toby Faletau, 9. Mike Phillips, 10. James Hook, 11. Shane Williams, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Jonathan Davies, 14. George North, 15. Leigh Halfpenny.Reserves: 16. Lloyd Burns, 17. Paul James, 18. Bradley Davies, 19. Ryan Jones, 20. Lloyd Williams, 21. Stephen Jones, 22. Scott Williams.