France v Wales

:01:03. > :01:13.This is good from Wales. They should be a try. Blockbusting run.

:01:13. > :01:25.

:01:25. > :01:34.A score again. He scores! What a He has gone in. The try is scored.

:01:34. > :01:38.That is the scene in Lens right now for the start of the autumn

:01:38. > :01:43.internationals and the start of four weekends of international

:01:43. > :01:48.rugby league on the BBC. It kicks off today with France against Wales,

:01:48. > :01:52.England make their debut at next week. And this is how it all pans

:01:52. > :01:58.out over the next four weeks. Today it is France against Wales. Next

:01:58. > :02:05.week, we are in Wrexham for Wales against England and on 3rd November,

:02:05. > :02:14.we will be watching England versus France. We have left it blank, but

:02:14. > :02:21.on November 11th, it is the final, at the Salford City stadium.

:02:21. > :02:31.Good afternoon. Delighted to say I am joined by the England coach, Ian

:02:31. > :02:34.It is the three best teams in the northern hemisphere as we cannot

:02:34. > :02:37.pass currently stand. The trophy is what we are all competing for. The

:02:37. > :02:42.best team in the northern hemisphere. As well as preparing

:02:42. > :02:45.for that trophy, we all have one eye on next year's World Cup. It is

:02:45. > :02:51.12 months away now. It is the most important competition in rugby

:02:51. > :02:55.league. This Friday, it will be one year until the start of the World

:02:55. > :03:00.Cup. You would have loved to have been involved in this. But injury

:03:00. > :03:03.and operations means that is not possible. The best preparation for

:03:03. > :03:11.the World Cup next year is to have a couple of operations. I have got

:03:11. > :03:13.them out of the way and hopefully I will be fit enough. Again, it

:03:13. > :03:16.should be an interesting competition. It is all about

:03:16. > :03:21.performances and I am looking forward to it. We are all looking

:03:21. > :03:31.forward to it. The first autumn international is France against

:03:31. > :03:32.

:03:32. > :03:36.France head into this series under the stewardship of the 34-year-old

:03:36. > :03:42.who made five appearances for Catalans Dragons during the 2006

:03:42. > :03:48.campaign. He took up the reins from English and Bobbie Goulding. It is

:03:48. > :03:58.the present Catalans Dragons side that dominate the French squad. And

:03:58. > :04:04.with the likes of Bosc and Elima, France Pawsey real threat.

:04:04. > :04:09.Wales are cold poached by a Iestyn Harris. -- coached. He represented

:04:09. > :04:15.his country 43 times. He will be hoping to mastermind the

:04:15. > :04:25.start of a new golden generation. Geordan James and Craig did cock --

:04:25. > :04:32.

:04:32. > :04:42.Elima part of 13 Catalans Dragons that Tarin this squad today for the

:04:42. > :04:45.

:04:45. > :04:49.French. Less experience in the This must be kind of a dream, Steve,

:04:49. > :04:54.for an international coach, to have so many players from one club in

:04:54. > :04:58.the squad. Yes, I think the French team predominate be made up from

:04:58. > :05:06.the Catalans Dragons -- predominately. It makes it easier

:05:06. > :05:12.for them. The familiarity is there. They Dee -- do-it- week in week out.

:05:12. > :05:19.It will be probably the most cohesive team from day one.

:05:19. > :05:26.often hereof international coaches wanting to create a club atmosphere.

:05:26. > :05:29.It is already there for them. the players all know each other. If

:05:29. > :05:34.they can just fit straight into that system that they already know

:05:34. > :05:37.and already play, it will go a long way and you would expect them to be

:05:37. > :05:44.far superior to Wales simply because they play week in week out

:05:45. > :05:48.together. What are you wanting from the Welsh? Nine of that squad with

:05:48. > :05:52.Super League experience. What will West -- Iestyn Harris want from

:05:53. > :05:55.this tournament? It is the opportunity that this will give

:05:55. > :06:01.these young players. In international tournaments,

:06:01. > :06:05.sometimes you think the players are ready. Sometimes you think they are

:06:06. > :06:08.ready and you are forced to play them. Some players are made for

:06:09. > :06:16.international rugby league. Some players are just not. He got a lot

:06:16. > :06:21.from the last year's tournament. I think he will learn a lot more this

:06:21. > :06:26.year from some of his young outside backs. Let's get the thoughts from

:06:26. > :06:31.the coaches. How lucky we your forwards be? The French forwards

:06:31. > :06:34.are a big lot. We have some big boys as well. We have some players

:06:34. > :06:39.that play at a good level, good intensity, in and around that

:06:39. > :06:44.middle part of the field. It is going to be key. Setting that

:06:44. > :06:47.platform in the game will be key. You set the platform and you allow

:06:47. > :06:52.yourself to get that in early momentum in the game. Rugby League

:06:52. > :07:01.is all about momentum. But certainly, creating that is in an

:07:01. > :07:06.an and hands. -- creating that is in our hands.

:07:07. > :07:15.It is normal to use a lot of Catalans Dragons players. It is the

:07:15. > :07:19.only French professional team. It is normal. It is natural. We have a

:07:19. > :07:22.lot of people from his club. Looking at the tournament as a

:07:22. > :07:29.whole, this is the big game. Win this and you could find yourself in

:07:29. > :07:32.the final. You could say that but what today is about his settings

:07:32. > :07:36.and standards. The week has been about setting standards for

:07:36. > :07:43.ourselves. The players fully know what our standards are and if they

:07:43. > :07:47.live up to them standards, we will be OK today. We can grow in

:07:47. > :07:57.confidence. Improve a little next week. See what happens against

:07:57. > :07:58.

:07:58. > :08:03.England. It is a good test for us today. We are playing in Lens. It

:08:03. > :08:10.is a good track -- test for us. We are looking towards the next World

:08:10. > :08:20.Cup. We will work to gauge - today with young players. We want to see

:08:20. > :08:28.them in a tough match. You what bringing rugby League Two or

:08:28. > :08:37.another audience. Yes, Lens, all is new. We one day win at the best

:08:37. > :08:47.level in France. -- we want Islwyn. We want to keep going. It is very

:08:47. > :08:53.exciting. Good luck. Thank you. first question was about the French

:08:53. > :08:57.forwards. Let's look at one of them. Let's take a look at Casty. He is

:08:57. > :09:07.one of those players that has stood out all season. He is a very

:09:07. > :09:31.

:09:31. > :09:34.months. He has gone from being a very powerful player to being a

:09:34. > :09:39.very powerful man over longer periods of time. He is not the

:09:39. > :09:45.tallest man in the competition and his lack of height enhances his

:09:45. > :09:50.powerful attributes. He is very difficult close to the line. Wales

:09:50. > :09:58.will be looking to their captain for some inspiration in northern

:09:58. > :10:01.France, Craig Kopczak. Yes, he is another player that has come on

:10:01. > :10:05.leaps and bounds in recent years. He is getting better as a youngster.

:10:05. > :10:09.He has played a few games but now he is playing all the time and

:10:09. > :10:17.being given the captaincy is a massive thing for him. Also, he has

:10:17. > :10:21.been linked with Huddersfield. I would love to play alongside him.

:10:21. > :10:31.Yes, he goes into this game without a club, or having been released by

:10:31. > :10:39.

:10:39. > :10:43.He had a great tournament last year, particularly against Australia. He

:10:43. > :10:46.was very physical. It is great to see a young player that has

:10:46. > :10:51.probably done it the right way, in the right order, and been in the

:10:51. > :10:56.front row, he is only 25 years of age and a lot of rugby league in

:10:56. > :11:01.front of him. We are not giving any secrets away. It is not a case of

:11:01. > :11:04.him being in the shop window. There are teams that are wanting him.

:11:04. > :11:08.Bradford would love to keep him. Huddersfield would love to get him.

:11:08. > :11:13.There are other clubs in the competition if they have the space

:11:13. > :11:18.that would like to Crick -- fitting into the squad. He has some issues

:11:18. > :11:21.that need to be sorted out, sooner rather than later. Let's look at

:11:21. > :11:31.one of the players that will be pulling the strings for the French

:11:31. > :11:34.

:11:34. > :11:40.this afternoon, Bosc. Another one of those players you have to

:11:40. > :11:47.watch out for. A great kicking game. He will throw dummy's and go for it

:11:47. > :11:51.himself. He is definitely one to look out for. Great kicking game.

:11:51. > :11:56.He will play to some structure at some times but his real threat is

:11:56. > :12:01.off the cuff. His instinct as a natural rugby league player. Again,

:12:01. > :12:05.he has had a difficult season. Not been a regular all the time. He has

:12:05. > :12:15.been moved from certain positions. In his favourite position this week.

:12:15. > :12:25.He will be the goal to play for the see it -- she a physicality of

:12:25. > :12:26.

:12:26. > :12:31.his friends sized. -- the French size. It is not just about size, it

:12:31. > :12:35.is the natural aggression. The French always sure that. They

:12:35. > :12:45.always come out and try and absolutely Neil straight away. They

:12:45. > :12:54.

:12:54. > :12:59.let you know that you want any game this game? I am, but to clear the

:12:59. > :13:05.start of the game. The French are a very proud nation. -- particularly

:13:05. > :13:11.at the start of the game. The main strength of this Welsh game is in

:13:11. > :13:15.the middle of the park. We will get the thoughts of you during the

:13:15. > :13:25.course of the first half but let's join the commentary team for now.

:13:25. > :13:31.

:13:31. > :13:41.Brian Noble has been practising his in end from it -- and familiar

:13:41. > :13:46.

:13:46. > :13:51.territory. Today we Abi Stade plant the seeds for the development

:13:51. > :13:56.of rugby league in these parts. The long-term aim is to establish 18 in

:13:56. > :14:00.northern France. The game is at its strongest in the south of his

:14:00. > :14:06.country. Represented by Perpignan in the Super League but also so

:14:06. > :14:11.many towns and cities down there as well. But Northern France gets its

:14:11. > :14:21.first taste of rugby league today for some time. We will now stand

:14:21. > :14:23.

:14:24. > :14:26.for the anthems on the first will be the Welsh anthem.

:14:26. > :14:32.# Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi.

:14:32. > :14:41.# Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri.

:14:41. > :14:51.# Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad.

:14:51. > :14:57.

:14:57. > :15:07.# Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed. # Gwlad, gwlad.

:15:07. > :15:12.

:15:12. > :15:22.# Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad. # Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau.

:15:22. > :15:38.

:15:38. > :15:41.spirits on a grey and drizzly French afternoon. You rather

:15:41. > :15:49.suspect this next anthem will be sung with more gusto.

:15:49. > :15:58.# Allons enfants de la Patrie. # Le jour de gloire est arrive!

:15:58. > :16:04.# Contre nous de la tyrannie. # L'etendard sanglant est leve.

:16:04. > :16:12.# L'etendard sanglant est leve! # Entendez-vous dans les campagnes.

:16:12. > :16:18.# Mugir ces feroces soldats. # Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.

:16:18. > :16:24.# Egorger vos fils et vos compagnes!

:16:24. > :16:30.# Aux armes, citoyens. # Formez vos bataillons.

:16:30. > :16:40.# Marchons, marchons! # Qu'un sang impur.

:16:40. > :17:00.

:17:00. > :17:05.looks today. Wigan's growing influence on Welsh rugby league is

:17:05. > :17:11.reflected by the inclusion of Ben Flower, Rhodri Lloyd and a Rhys

:17:11. > :17:16.Pugsley who is on the bench. They all play for a Wigan team. A little

:17:16. > :17:22.bit of experimentation going on with Iestyn Harris's side. As far

:17:22. > :17:26.as the French are concerned, a Catalan flavour to their team. 11

:17:26. > :17:32.of the starting 13 have all played for that side of this season and

:17:32. > :17:37.off that you that haven't, Olivier Elima has signed for next season

:17:37. > :17:42.from a Bradford. It is a very big and tasty pack they put out as ever.

:17:42. > :17:48.But you have got to say, he is not a bad looking Welsh pack here today

:17:48. > :17:54.either. I think it is going to be a super Dirk clash. I think the Welsh

:17:54. > :17:57.are a little bit under the radar. They have looked really well in

:17:57. > :18:00.practice and I spoke to Iestyn Harris beforehand and they are

:18:00. > :18:08.really confident in what they have got to do. But they are really

:18:08. > :18:12.facing a huge French team. So it is the French who have made the early

:18:12. > :18:17.mistake. They knock on again amongst the ruck by a Olivier Elima.

:18:17. > :18:21.The referee deciding it was not stolen throw a defensive win here

:18:21. > :18:26.for the Welsh half because they should get the ball back hear from

:18:26. > :18:33.the scrum and a chance, 40 metres away from that French try-line, if

:18:33. > :18:37.to have a real go. How good are these backs? This is Mike Channing

:18:37. > :18:47.who plays for the London Broncos this season. A couple of years ago

:18:47. > :18:49.

:18:50. > :18:54.he had never played rugby league. Ben Evans. He is the brother of the

:18:54. > :19:03.Warrington twins. That has gone backwards, the referee says off a

:19:03. > :19:11.French hand so that will be another set of six. It is Neil Budworth at

:19:11. > :19:16.a dummy half. Now Rhodri Lloyd. He is from South Wales originally.

:19:16. > :19:26.Jones flicking it back and they Jack is found by David James. What

:19:26. > :19:29.

:19:29. > :19:33.a start! The referee has referred this to the video referee. He will

:19:33. > :19:40.take a look as to whether David James has caught this try

:19:40. > :19:43.legitimately. I think it is a fair try. I think it is a great star. A

:19:43. > :19:52.few opportunities given to her early following the knock-on by

:19:52. > :19:57.Olivier Elima. Danny Jones out of the back. Lovely play from Matt

:19:57. > :20:01.Seamark and then he is straight through. I think it is a poor

:20:01. > :20:09.region. He comes in on the player. If somebody is obstructing somebody

:20:09. > :20:16.else and then they can be called off but I think it was a poor Reid

:20:16. > :20:24.which makes it a legitimate try in my mind. They made the port

:20:24. > :20:28.decision which gave James the clear run in. The French, providing us

:20:28. > :20:37.with this broadcast, making short has we go through this replay once

:20:37. > :20:47.again. It certainly seems as though David James, the South Wales

:20:47. > :20:49.

:20:49. > :20:54.Scorpions fullback, has scored the game's first drive. -- first try.

:20:54. > :20:57.The referee has been given the message on the field. He points to

:20:58. > :21:07.the spot where the ball was grounded and wales do have their

:21:08. > :21:09.

:21:09. > :21:14.opening drive. -- Wales have their opening drive. Great execution of

:21:14. > :21:19.the play, you have got to say. We have seen these players week in

:21:19. > :21:22.week out, and Iestyn Harris has brought that structure to the Welsh

:21:22. > :21:32.team, and it is okay putting that structure in place off but you have

:21:32. > :21:33.

:21:33. > :21:43.got to execute the play as well. Matt Seamark and Danny Jones

:21:43. > :21:47.

:21:47. > :21:53.stepping into Six and seven. Matt Seamark plays his rugby league in

:21:53. > :22:01.Australia. He has got the chance to add the points. Wales get a few

:22:01. > :22:08.pretty much the perfect start. -- Wales have got off to a perfect

:22:08. > :22:18.start. That will give them real confidence. Eight is fabulous

:22:18. > :22:41.

:22:41. > :22:46.execution. David James has got an offer. We are going to see a

:22:46. > :22:50.response from them, of that there is no doubt. Wales will have to

:22:50. > :23:00.ride the storm here as the French try to bring the ball away from

:23:00. > :23:02.

:23:02. > :23:08.their line. A chance now for another driving run. Neil Budworth

:23:08. > :23:15.again. This is Gil Dudson. You talk about the size of the French team

:23:15. > :23:21.but the Welsh team Barry they seem as well. Ben Flower, Gil Dudson. It

:23:21. > :23:31.is a bit of a clash of the titans. And this is a big game because, in

:23:31. > :23:31.

:23:32. > :23:35.the real world, the winger of this game will probably go on to me, we

:23:35. > :23:45.presume because of their strength, England in the final, but these

:23:45. > :24:01.

:24:01. > :24:09.teams could have something to say Thomas Bosc. Elliot Kear is back

:24:09. > :24:15.there. He looks to get possession safely enough. That is a Geeson --

:24:15. > :24:21.decent chase from the French. good to see Elliot Kear back on the

:24:21. > :24:31.field. He has been injured. He was showing huge promise and it is

:24:31. > :24:41.absolutely fabulous to see him. Massam. It will be a bittersweet

:24:41. > :24:45.celebration of a Thatcherite by David James because I know a lot of

:24:45. > :24:55.the North Wales Crusaders had put money on someone else are scoring

:24:55. > :25:07.

:25:07. > :25:11.could might it be? It has gone backwards. It will the six tackles.

:25:11. > :25:18.Mike Channing with the little kick. A little bit of desperation

:25:18. > :25:26.involved. A good finish in the end by Wales because France are only

:25:26. > :25:31.five yards from their own line. They did get good field position

:25:31. > :25:35.and the French have got to start from one of the corners. Wales have

:25:35. > :25:45.got to show how figure as they can be in defence. Gil Dudson has made

:25:45. > :25:50.

:25:50. > :25:56.a huge star for them. That is a penalty. Hanging on too long. A

:25:56. > :26:06.chance for France to get outside their own France -- half. This will

:26:06. > :26:10.

:26:10. > :26:20.be the first real test of the Welsh defence. Let's see what France have

:26:20. > :26:38.

:26:38. > :26:42.got to offer in attack. Tackled 10 ball on the inside. It is taken on

:26:42. > :26:46.by a Cyril Stacul but a forward pass when the try-line was

:26:46. > :26:56.absolutely begging. The French fans are celebrating what they still

:26:56. > :26:58.

:26:58. > :27:05.think is a try. They are not entirely sure what is going on. But

:27:05. > :27:09.it is a forward pass. Cyril Stacul releases them and he just has to

:27:09. > :27:19.give a good pass there that is borderline forward. Cyril Stacul is

:27:19. > :27:34.

:27:34. > :27:42.in the right place, he guessed the to play this international series

:27:42. > :27:50.but he owns a vineyards and by all accounts it is a busy time of year.

:27:50. > :27:58.That was a big hitter. Neil Budworth. Matt Seamark with the

:27:58. > :28:04.kick away. Taken well by Cyril Stacul. He has got support that he

:28:04. > :28:08.has gone the other way. It is an ambitious task. Christian Roets

:28:08. > :28:18.came flying out of the line to make a connection but he did not quite

:28:18. > :28:20.

:28:20. > :28:24.get there. He straightened up on the tackle there. Kevin Larroyer. I

:28:24. > :28:34.think we have seen in the last few minutes what the French are capable

:28:34. > :28:34.

:28:34. > :28:39.of. Thomas Bosc back inside to Olivier Elima. The offload is good.

:28:39. > :28:44.It is William Barthau at any half this time. Thomas Bosc is with him

:28:44. > :28:49.and they have got momentum here. His momentum almost tracks him

:28:49. > :28:54.through. Thomas Bosc will put their kicking. He only needed to be

:28:54. > :29:01.caught but he did not get there, but defender got there first. A

:29:01. > :29:08.crunching effort has denied a certain try. Thomas Bosc was this

:29:08. > :29:12.on any 6p you want. All he has got to do is catch the ball. But Rob

:29:12. > :29:19.Massam has different ideas and gives him a good pounding and he

:29:19. > :29:29.drops the ball in the process. He did not quite have control of the

:29:29. > :29:29.

:29:29. > :29:35.ball. He dropped it just before he got there. He is a big boy, Rob

:29:35. > :29:41.Massam. What is he doing playing on the wing? He is a fitness

:29:41. > :29:48.instructor. He has been having a good season with the North Wales

:29:48. > :29:58.Crusaders. But it has been lost. France have got it back. Thomas

:29:58. > :30:01.

:30:01. > :30:04.Bosc, not too many options on his outside. Here is Tony Gigot. That

:30:04. > :30:10.is take a smartly by Tony Gigot because he was under pressure from

:30:10. > :30:15.Matt Seamark. Thomas Bosc. William Barthau. Thomas Bosc again. They

:30:15. > :30:20.are looking for a weakness if they can find one. They are looking for

:30:20. > :30:25.the width and they have found the width this time. It is back inside

:30:25. > :30:35.to Antoni Maria. The Welsh are desperate at the moment. Cyril

:30:35. > :30:49.

:30:49. > :30:54.the drop out. The French are really dangerous. A couple of tries that

:30:55. > :31:02.should have been that were not. Looking very threatening. The Welsh

:31:02. > :31:07.need to bide their time. This is a huge set of six. Early signs of

:31:07. > :31:17.encouragement for both sides. It is very much a transitional side,

:31:17. > :31:21.

:31:21. > :31:27.World Cup 12 months away. Teams are building for that. An experimental

:31:28. > :31:37.afternoon in Lens in northern France. They have come out in

:31:38. > :32:00.

:32:00. > :32:04.over there. He heard himself then. -- hurt himself. Maria certainly

:32:04. > :32:12.felt that from Christiaan Roets. He will not be able to continue.

:32:12. > :32:22.has had his problems with injury this year. That certainly tested in.

:32:22. > :32:26.

:32:26. > :32:34.We have seen three of four already. -- or four. There is plenty of

:32:34. > :32:44.pride and heritage out there. Christiaan Roets tried to belt the

:32:44. > :32:45.

:32:45. > :32:55.life out of Maria. He has had his teeth rattled! Both sides look

:32:55. > :32:57.

:32:57. > :33:06.mindful to make changes. That was a good tackle. He forces the error.

:33:06. > :33:09.That saved the Welsh from another set of six. He is OK. He is going

:33:09. > :33:19.to carry on. This is a matter of changing the jersey. I think there

:33:19. > :33:52.

:33:53. > :34:02.is a bit of blood on it. Swap events. -- Ben Evans. His brother

:34:03. > :34:03.

:34:03. > :34:10.has opted to play for England. But Ben Evans has aligned himself with

:34:10. > :34:19.the Welsh squad. It is Jones again. It is a deep in goal. They will

:34:19. > :34:28.have to be careful. Pala watching it out of play. That it is probably

:34:28. > :34:38.10 metres too long. He needs to drop the ball on the frontline and

:34:38. > :34:55.

:34:55. > :34:59.give his chasers the encouragement from him. That finds touch safely

:34:59. > :35:03.enough. It is a tactical kicks that puts the Welsh back on their heels.

:35:03. > :35:07.They will almost certainly get possession from this set but some

:35:07. > :35:17.hard yards to do to clear their lines before they hand the bat --

:35:17. > :35:31.

:35:31. > :35:36.performance in Welsh -- performance is not to give them any free ball

:35:36. > :35:42.on this part of the field. Get out of your own half as best as you can

:35:42. > :35:47.with at least -- the least amount of errors as you can. Restrict the

:35:47. > :35:57.French territory. The longer be game goes with the Welsh in the

:35:57. > :36:02.

:36:02. > :36:11.game, the more energy they will get themselves away, if they can.

:36:11. > :36:21.Going through the tackles at the moment. Eventually, the kick from

:36:21. > :36:23.

:36:23. > :36:28.Matt Seamark. It has not gone out of play. It is Stacul who picks up.

:36:28. > :36:37.He has dropped the ball there. That is another big bonus for the Welsh

:36:38. > :36:46.team. Stacul dropped back. He will be disappointed with that. This is

:36:46. > :36:52.the mistake from Stacul. The Welsh put-in to ground. It is a

:36:53. > :36:58.legitimate tackle and he drops the ball. The last time they did that,

:36:58. > :37:06.Elima in the opening couple of minutes, it led to a Welsh try. Can

:37:06. > :37:16.Wales prosper from this position again? Jones looking to being on

:37:16. > :37:25.

:37:25. > :37:35.picks up. He is making that French defence work a little harder.

:37:35. > :37:42.

:37:42. > :37:52.Number 18 is Barthau. He is the one tackles left in this set. It is

:37:52. > :37:57.

:37:57. > :38:05.Neil Budworth. Running out of Seamark threading it through a well

:38:05. > :38:09.-- again. It is well-defended. They have forced the drop out underneath

:38:09. > :38:12.the sticks. Wales should get the ball back. That is the point I was

:38:13. > :38:18.making on the previous kick from Jones. That is much better from

:38:18. > :38:21.Matt Seamark. The next best result after a try is getting the back to

:38:21. > :38:31.back set. The French have to drop the ball out from under their own

:38:31. > :38:41.sticks. Barthau will take his time. He knows that his French team need

:38:41. > :38:49.

:38:49. > :38:57.to get some energy back in the 18th Budworth. It is Mike Channing. He

:38:57. > :39:04.will take over at dummy-half. They just overran it. There was an

:39:04. > :39:07.obstruction and then as well. lets the pressure off the French

:39:07. > :39:17.team. You have to teach your opportunities and build the

:39:17. > :39:23.

:39:23. > :39:33.pressure against this French team. Make the news and energy and jeans.

:39:33. > :39:35.

:39:35. > :39:41.-- make them use some energy and What are your thoughts on the

:39:42. > :39:45.opening 18 minutes? Very interesting watching the Welsh

:39:45. > :39:51.structure. They have not been up that end of the field very often

:39:51. > :39:55.but they have fallen into the Wigan tight shape. He seems to be running

:39:55. > :40:01.them very well at the moment and they are looking a big threat at

:40:01. > :40:10.that end of the field. The French are offering the threat at this

:40:10. > :40:15.moment with Bosc. He pops on to Elima. The French defence needs to

:40:15. > :40:22.work hard. Under pressure again. Twice the French have come close.

:40:22. > :40:28.Twice denied. The Welsh defence again looking short numbered on

:40:28. > :40:32.that side. They desperately got across to close the gap. This is

:40:33. > :40:42.Bosc with the kick and the chase. Just bundled behind his line by

:40:42. > :40:51.David James. He had no other choice. Great finish. Good chase from the

:40:51. > :41:01.French team. Plenty of energy. Let's see if they can take

:41:01. > :41:10.

:41:10. > :41:13.minutes played. We thought it would be pretty tight today. The French

:41:13. > :41:23.women in Wrexham in June in a friendly international but not by

:41:23. > :41:31.

:41:31. > :41:39.played in France, the Welsh one with the last kick of the game.

:41:39. > :41:49.They have had some real battles over the last couple of years.

:41:49. > :41:54.

:41:54. > :42:00.Mounis is the man at dummy-half. That Paul has been dropped. -- ball.

:42:00. > :42:05.Neither take -- neither team are taking advantage. The back row was

:42:05. > :42:15.not expecting the ball. Another opportunity fluffed by the French,

:42:15. > :42:30.

:42:30. > :42:34.kick by Matt Seamark. Soubeyras is on his heels. He would have to get

:42:34. > :42:44.out of his own in-goal area. France starting again from deep inside

:42:44. > :42:45.

:42:46. > :42:50.their own half. Larroyer not making much of an impact. If they can keep

:42:50. > :43:00.Ms year, the Welsh, they are doing a decent job. That is the tackle on

:43:00. > :43:01.

:43:01. > :43:05.Maria. Three tackles gone already. The French desperately looking for

:43:05. > :43:10.something big. They just get what they need. It is a high tackle. It

:43:10. > :43:16.is a penalty. The Welsh will be really disappointed with that. They

:43:16. > :43:23.kept them within the 20 metres. James tried to Watkin round the

:43:23. > :43:33.melon. His coconut will be really sore after that. Obviously, a high

:43:33. > :43:38.

:43:38. > :43:44.scoreline, Wales leading by six points, the try in the opening two

:43:44. > :43:48.minutes, scored by David James. The conversion added by Matt Seamark.

:43:49. > :43:52.The French have come close a couple of times since. Denied by the video

:43:52. > :43:56.referee on one occasion and the judgment of a forward pass on

:43:56. > :44:06.another. But they have tested this Welsh line, as they look to do

:44:06. > :44:06.

:44:06. > :44:16.again. Bosc back to Stacul. Good tackle and a good decision. They

:44:16. > :44:18.

:44:18. > :44:22.had to come in and make at play. -- of that. That is kicked straight

:44:22. > :44:32.into the hands of David James. Just like his namesake from being world

:44:32. > :44:41.

:44:41. > :44:46.call from his team-mate. Both teams are looking to get into each other.

:44:46. > :44:50.We have seen some big effort from both sides. This is Dan Fleming,

:44:51. > :45:00.fresh from the bench. He has from Castleford. A lot of these players

:45:01. > :45:15.

:45:15. > :45:21.are on the fringes of their Super barriers on the touchline. I cannot

:45:21. > :45:31.believe that they are not still watch it -- still playing.

:45:31. > :45:44.

:45:44. > :45:49.teams look dangerous. They have managed to get over the line. When

:45:49. > :45:55.it has happened, I think we will see plenty of points in this game.

:45:55. > :46:00.There is a strange atmosphere as well at the Stade Felix-Bollaert.

:46:00. > :46:08.It is very much an experiment, bringing this game here to northern

:46:08. > :46:11.France where rugby league is far from a familiar sport. You would

:46:11. > :46:18.say the vast majority of people here are watching rugby league for

:46:18. > :46:25.the first time that a close and live. Thomas Bosc looking for the

:46:25. > :46:32.inside ball. The chase not as vigorous as it might have been.

:46:32. > :46:37.That is how the referee judges it. They will be pleased with that, the

:46:37. > :46:40.French. They can't quite open the Welsh defence yet, but this extra

:46:40. > :46:44.set of six, they have a look dangerous in various parts of the

:46:44. > :46:54.field but they are not quite find in the final piece of the jigsaw

:46:54. > :47:07.

:47:07. > :47:17.the French. They emerge towards the 20 metre mark with only two tackles

:47:17. > :47:18.

:47:18. > :47:24.gone. Thomas Bosc with the inside ball, not for the first time today.

:47:24. > :47:28.The referee decided it was a forward pass. I think he has got a

:47:28. > :47:34.call from the touch judge there. I think he is saying that pass from

:47:34. > :47:41.Thomas Bosc to Cyril Stacul was forward. He is saying that one is

:47:41. > :47:46.forward. That is a really difficult skill to try and complete. You have

:47:46. > :47:53.really got to turn your upper body around, otherwise it is suggesting

:47:53. > :48:03.to the officials that it is forward. There is probably a case to remain

:48:03. > :48:16.

:48:16. > :48:21.opening 26 minutes. They started brightly and they have held their

:48:21. > :48:31.own since. They are looking now to make progress than field with Neil

:48:31. > :48:55.

:48:55. > :49:01.Budworth at dummy-half. Rhodri for you, 54 per cent possession the

:49:01. > :49:09.French have had. Territorially, the French are dominating that as well.

:49:09. > :49:19.55 per cent. But they have made more mistakes. That is the balance

:49:19. > :49:31.

:49:31. > :49:41.of things. Here is Thomas Bosc. the big men. Remi Casty with the

:49:41. > :49:42.

:49:42. > :49:49.surge. They are looking to the wing. That left hand side Welsh defence

:49:49. > :49:53.have handled the fret really well. At times they look wide open but

:49:53. > :50:01.they managed to get over there and close it down. This is spinning

:50:01. > :50:11.away. The try by Mike Channing is forgivable and they get the luck of

:50:11. > :50:11.

:50:11. > :50:15.the bounce. -- trot. For anyone who is new to rugby league, those

:50:15. > :50:25.spiral kicks move a lot in the air and they are really difficult to

:50:25. > :50:26.

:50:26. > :50:34.adjudicate how to catch. The French deemed guilty of a high tackle here.

:50:34. > :50:39.Lifting his leg off the floor, I think that was a close call as well.

:50:39. > :50:45.Matt Seamark did not get within three metres of that ball. Very

:50:45. > :50:55.difficult to catch. The penalty takes Wales to just about on the

:50:55. > :51:15.

:51:15. > :51:20.not stop them dragging him out of play. The French handle that

:51:20. > :51:23.particular play really well. Every time they pass was made, their

:51:23. > :51:28.defender moved on and released the next defender in the line. They

:51:28. > :51:32.managed to get three or four defenders on the end there. Rob

:51:32. > :51:38.Massam was not going to be staying in the field of play. Really good

:51:38. > :51:48.French defence. Good decision- making in relation to their defence.

:51:48. > :52:16.

:52:16. > :52:22.with well enough by those Welsh defenders. Thomas Bosc again.

:52:22. > :52:27.Mathieu Griffi has come on from the bench. His last try for France was

:52:27. > :52:32.against Wales, earlier this year, and here he is again, the prop

:52:32. > :52:42.forward. Showing a little bit of athleticism and could fall handling

:52:42. > :52:42.

:52:42. > :52:46.as well. They still have it. Mike Channing has been left on the floor

:52:46. > :52:56.but then it is dropped. It has gone backwards so they are allowed to

:52:56. > :52:57.

:52:57. > :53:04.play on. Here is Mathias Pala. In the meantime, if Mike Channing is

:53:04. > :53:11.down injured. He's going to cause an obstruction if the ball is going

:53:11. > :53:14.to come back this way. He's being treated on the field. Those

:53:14. > :53:20.passages of play seem to have ignited the enthusiasm of the

:53:20. > :53:26.French supporters. A big miss pass took three of the French players

:53:26. > :53:36.out and they just needed to put it through the hands to score. There

:53:36. > :53:38.

:53:38. > :53:42.were only two defenders. Is it Mike Channing who is injured? It is. A

:53:42. > :53:49.London Broncos player. He really started to emerge this season.

:53:49. > :53:55.Eight appearances for the Broncos. He had only played regularly for

:53:55. > :54:05.the very first time two years ago having started in a rugby union

:54:05. > :54:05.

:54:05. > :54:09.with London Irish and Harlequins. He is slowly to his feet. Our

:54:09. > :54:14.French colleagues are not showing this at the moment but Mike

:54:14. > :54:19.Channing is slowly to his feet and will rejoin the defensive line at

:54:19. > :54:29.its furthest fringe. I am sure the French will try to attack him here.

:54:29. > :54:31.

:54:31. > :54:39.Indeed they do. Well handled by the Welsh. Here comes the final tackle.

:54:39. > :54:48.Thomas Bosc with a kick again. It is superbly taken earth. The French

:54:48. > :54:58.have got their first try. Tudor light around the stadium. Finally

:54:58. > :54:59.

:54:59. > :55:07.the French have broken their duck. The chase the ball as if his life

:55:07. > :55:17.depended on it. Thomas Bosc's kicking game is unbelievably good

:55:17. > :55:24.at times and ball he had to do was field the ball. They are all happy.

:55:24. > :55:28.A great score from the French. have got to say it was coming.

:55:28. > :55:38.can tell how much these games mean to these players because of the way

:55:38. > :55:43.they celebrate when they score. He was smothered by his team-mates

:55:43. > :55:53.there. If Thomas Bosc was this over, and you rather expect he will put

:55:53. > :55:58.this over, it will be levelled. think the French have looked the

:55:58. > :56:04.more dangerous team, I have got to say. They have managed to look less

:56:04. > :56:14.to the poor little bit better. -- look after the ball a little bit

:56:14. > :56:22.

:56:22. > :56:27.terrific skill to possess. He is a little bit like threading a needle.

:56:27. > :56:34.There are bodies and legs in the way. And that is complemented by a

:56:35. > :56:39.chase by two or three French players. The hosts are in the way

:56:39. > :56:49.as well so it is very difficult for a defender to clean that up. A

:56:49. > :56:52.

:56:52. > :57:01.great tactic. The French are now fired and enthused. He has litter

:57:01. > :57:11.the crowd with his running style. - - Lyth at. He looks really

:57:11. > :57:28.

:57:28. > :57:33.he is looking for a 40-20. And he has a. Excellent. If you kick from

:57:33. > :57:37.inside your own 40 metres, which she clearly does there, and the

:57:37. > :57:41.ball bounces in field and goes out inside the 20 metres of the

:57:41. > :57:51.opponents, Defence, he becomes your feet at the scrum so you are pretty

:57:51. > :57:58.

:57:58. > :58:01.much guaranteed of the ball. -- At opponents's defence. The stadium

:58:01. > :58:08.announcer telling the crowd to get behind their players here because

:58:08. > :58:18.they have an excellent opportunity. Thomas Bosc helps it on, good hands

:58:18. > :58:22.

:58:23. > :58:30.from him, to Cyril Stacul. Excellent for work. -- foot work.

:58:30. > :58:36.Olivier Elima showing good balance. The ball is back on the inside.

:58:36. > :58:41.There is a feeling here that French have got momentum on this side.

:58:41. > :58:47.Thomas Bosc again. Look how he strides elegantly into that line.

:58:47. > :58:54.They have still got three tackles to go here as well. This is Thomas

:58:54. > :59:01.Bosc again. Runners life -- runners right and left and they get over

:59:01. > :59:08.the line. That is the second French try, four minutes after their first.

:59:08. > :59:18.The momentum of the game is all going their way. Put this right

:59:18. > :59:23.

:59:23. > :59:28.down to Thomas Bosc. He has run the show. A clinical passing game and a

:59:28. > :59:32.clinical kicking game. Cyril Stacul gets the better of Mike Channing.

:59:32. > :59:40.He just has to finish the score off. The French are looking at it

:59:40. > :59:44.ominous at the moment. They have got their Motor working right now.

:59:44. > :59:48.They are looking after the ball a little bit better. When you have

:59:48. > :59:52.got such prowess and such good off loading skills, it really takes its

:59:52. > :59:58.toll on the Welsh defence. They're going to have too much defending to

:59:58. > :00:03.do because the French are looking after the ball better. But the

:00:03. > :00:08.Welsh are not out of this by any means. They have shown great desire

:00:08. > :00:18.in defence. That was a one-on-one. This structure is good. Off they

:00:18. > :00:36.

:00:36. > :00:41.just have to come up with a few slides it between the uprights and

:00:41. > :00:51.France lead by 12 points to six as half-time rooms, just over three

:00:51. > :00:51.

:00:52. > :00:59.minutes away. That is Stacul. Mike Channing needs to make up a. He did

:00:59. > :01:09.not get any help from the inside. He would have expected that. Matt

:01:09. > :01:13.

:01:13. > :01:23.Seamark was expecting some help ago. He was on the ground for a

:01:23. > :01:46.

:01:46. > :01:53.players like that, stop me. This is another big fellow. He is playing

:01:53. > :02:02.in the centres these days. But Barthau has found a way through the

:02:02. > :02:09.blind side. He denies the pass, delays the inevitable. It was Bosc?

:02:09. > :02:16.Has been the heartbeat of this French side in the first half.

:02:16. > :02:23.Three tries in the blink of an eye. The French in total control now.

:02:23. > :02:33.Baitieri to Bosc. He has had a splendid last five minutes. Inside

:02:33. > :02:37.support. Outside support as well. He takes the chance on the

:02:37. > :02:40.intercept which does not come off. This is what the French team can do.

:02:40. > :02:48.The French -- the Welsh are creaking a little bit now. They

:02:48. > :02:58.need half-time. But the French team can do this to you what the best of

:02:58. > :03:09.

:03:09. > :03:13.up, Bosc. Two kicks and a try already. He has had a big

:03:13. > :03:23.involvement in the other two tries as well. He just seems to have come

:03:23. > :03:33.to life in this last 10 minutes. And recently delivered between the

:03:33. > :03:37.uprights again. Three out of three for Bosc. Just over a minute of

:03:37. > :03:47.this first half remaining. A reminder of the flair that the

:03:47. > :03:49.

:03:49. > :03:52.French are capable of. Yes, Barthau caused the damage. A little bit of

:03:52. > :04:02.laziness and sloppy defence has opened the door for the French was

:04:02. > :04:06.

:04:06. > :04:16.see coming running at you. The big prop forward although all that

:04:16. > :04:20.

:04:20. > :04:29.energy and enthusiasm. It takes so much juice out of you. Constant

:04:29. > :04:39.defence. It is so draining. It takes its toll. It is non-stop.

:04:39. > :04:45.

:04:45. > :04:54.manufactured a great kick. It is kicked away this time from

:04:54. > :04:59.Barthau. It is chased by David James. The half-time siren sounds.

:04:59. > :05:04.It is a siren that has many looking for the skies, never mind the

:05:04. > :05:14.dressing rooms! But it is half-time. It has been a French half. They

:05:14. > :05:28.

:05:28. > :05:32.have delivered and packed a French. was! It has been tight, it has been

:05:32. > :05:35.tougher. The Welsh got off to a great start with that David James

:05:36. > :05:40.try. The French wasted so many opportunities but kicked into

:05:40. > :05:50.action in that last 10 minutes with three tries consecutively really.

:05:50. > :05:53.

:05:53. > :06:01.Wales struggling to get the ball back. Bosc absolutely influential.

:06:01. > :06:06.We can get the view from the Welsh The Welsh team seemed to get a

:06:06. > :06:13.little tired towards the end. He defended a full summer tour that

:06:13. > :06:23.half. Exactly. If you give them the ball, you will end up doing a lot

:06:23. > :06:26.

:06:26. > :06:33.of work. The boys did get a bit tired. They have had a real go.

:06:34. > :06:37.That is what we are all about, we have to play with passion. We need

:06:37. > :06:41.some more field position and we will schools are more points.

:06:41. > :06:47.are screaming on the touchline, running at up and down. Why are you

:06:47. > :06:52.not playing? It is not about this year, it is about the next World

:06:52. > :07:02.Cup. Unfortunately, I will not be there. It is good to be involved in

:07:02. > :07:12.

:07:12. > :07:15.the coaching. Give them some pearls statistics from the first half. The

:07:15. > :07:21.French-made seven errors. We thought that would be crucial. That

:07:21. > :07:27.last 10 minutes, they increased the amount of possession and territory.

:07:27. > :07:36.Steve, and will that last 10 minutes, the Welsh had much more

:07:36. > :07:41.possession but then they could not Up until that point, they were

:07:41. > :07:47.competing very hard. France were struggling to make any real inroads.

:07:47. > :07:51.They bombed a couple of good chances. But the introduction of

:07:51. > :07:56.the substitutes on the bench. At international level, you will not

:07:56. > :08:00.get too many penalties. You need to create momentum. Those players did

:08:00. > :08:05.that for France. But for that half hour, the Welsh were standing firm.

:08:05. > :08:12.They were forcing the French into errors. They have to take the

:08:12. > :08:15.positive from as that. Definitely. It did not work very well for the

:08:15. > :08:20.French. They were playing into the Welsh hands and just running into

:08:20. > :08:25.the guts of them with no support and making it easier for the Wells.

:08:25. > :08:34.They were running with numbers. It was a contrast and really good to

:08:34. > :08:38.see. But after giving away a couple of tries, they got a little unlucky.

:08:38. > :08:47.I think that is when the French took hold of the game. The Welsh

:08:47. > :08:56.got off to a great start but it came from a French error. It did.

:08:56. > :09:01.They were probably looking for a penalty at this stage. Wales with

:09:01. > :09:11.the possession. Clinical play. Obviously, a training ground mode

:09:11. > :09:18.

:09:18. > :09:27.that has come off to perfection. -- move. Yes, it is Wigan. It is

:09:27. > :09:33.Iestyn Harris's influence. That is what happened. Be French got sucked

:09:33. > :09:39.in. The ball was placed perfectly on a plate. When we look at these

:09:39. > :09:44.French errors, do you give Wales some of the credit for creating...

:09:44. > :09:48.Forcing the French into these areas? I think it is mostly down to

:09:48. > :09:51.the French making the wrong decisions. But what you can say is

:09:51. > :09:57.your Welsh went right to the end and tried as hard as the could.

:09:57. > :10:00.That is a very good sign. If they will put in those last ditch

:10:00. > :10:05.efforts when you think it will not make a difference, like that tackle,

:10:05. > :10:12.he has already dropped the ball by the time he gets to him. He sees in

:10:12. > :10:18.in the corner of his eye. thought he was going to get

:10:18. > :10:23.clattered! I think Mrs -- I think this is some of these players not

:10:23. > :10:28.playing for a couple of weeks. They have been out of the domestic

:10:28. > :10:34.competition for the couple of weeks now. This is the back end of this.

:10:34. > :10:40.There combinations as the game has continued have started to improve.

:10:40. > :10:43.Wales deserve a lot of credit and they hunted in numbers and got in

:10:43. > :10:47.the way and prevented France walking through. But they have

:10:47. > :10:51.given away too much fuel position. The French have improved their

:10:51. > :10:56.standard of skill. I wonder what is being said in the French dressing

:10:56. > :11:06.room. But the moment, I am sure one of the words will be

:11:06. > :11:07.

:11:07. > :11:12.congratulations. This is box-office. Yes, that is an interesting way of

:11:12. > :11:18.putting it. His first touch, he dropped it straight away. And then

:11:18. > :11:24.he is scoring a try. It is very fortunate. But it is a great finish

:11:24. > :11:29.in the end. Unfortunately, the French, their weakness instructor

:11:29. > :11:39.is also their strength. They are sold off the cuff. Bashed in

:11:39. > :11:43.

:11:43. > :11:49.His kicking transform the French team in that last 10 minutes.

:11:49. > :11:53.did. They have scored the try. They have got pretty good yardage. They

:11:53. > :11:57.have got them at the right end of the field. They executed a pretty

:11:57. > :12:03.simple play. It is a bit of a soft try and Wales will be disappointed

:12:03. > :12:11.with that. But they had been put in that position. He is a good player,

:12:11. > :12:17.he has taken time to get into the game. He is now showing his worth.

:12:17. > :12:21.Is he trying to do too much? Yes, possibly, because he is such an

:12:21. > :12:25.off-the-cuff player. If he gets the ball all the time, he gets more

:12:25. > :12:29.comfortable and realises what the defence are doing. At first, he was

:12:29. > :12:33.throwing inside balls. It's sort of worked a bit but he did not give

:12:33. > :12:40.the guys outside him a chance. He has started looking at other people,

:12:40. > :12:44.hitting people on lines and his kicking game was just fantastic.

:12:44. > :12:50.England start next week in this tournament. As part of their

:12:50. > :12:53.preparations, they have had a ten- day trip -- training camp in South

:12:53. > :12:58.African. We caught up with them and their newly named captain fresh

:12:58. > :13:08.from Reading v Rhinos to a record 6th Grand Final triumph just a week

:13:08. > :13:10.

:13:10. > :13:19.It is another Grand Final win for Leeds Rhinos. We need to talk about

:13:19. > :13:26.him. Another extraordinary performance. I had done a decent

:13:26. > :13:32.the British are bad -- at Leeds. It is a new challenge for me. --

:13:32. > :13:42.apprenticeship. It will be fantastic coming into why an

:13:42. > :13:44.

:13:44. > :13:49.England team like this. A bit of It is someone we all look up to. He

:13:49. > :13:54.was someone I tried to emulate. He has not changed at all. He will be

:13:54. > :13:58.a fantastic leader. There are so many good leaders in the team

:13:58. > :14:07.already. To be involved in the squad, at this stage, I think you

:14:07. > :14:12.have to be a leader of some sort. have some pretty big shoes to fill.

:14:12. > :14:17.It is getting the squad together. Focusing on the World Cup in the

:14:17. > :14:21.next year. I think this will be key in our preparations to get away

:14:21. > :14:28.from England and the cold weather. Get some practice and Spence and

:14:28. > :14:33.time with each other. This is the highest level you can represent

:14:33. > :14:40.your country at. It is a proud, to be picked. I'm enjoying it at the

:14:40. > :14:50.moment. The weather has been fantastic. The lads have delivered

:14:50. > :14:58.

:14:58. > :15:05.really well. The training is pretty We are in South Africa, what better

:15:05. > :15:13.place to go on safari? I am keeping my distance. It is good to go away

:15:13. > :15:23.as a team and come to someone like this. -- some place like this.

:15:23. > :15:29.

:15:29. > :15:33.That pool of players is getting bigger and bigger every year but

:15:33. > :15:39.also the level and the Standard the players have got to reach. The Bar

:15:39. > :15:46.has been raised. Hopefully we will be successful with it.

:15:47. > :15:50.It is a bit like rugby league meets Madagascar. Why South Africa?

:15:50. > :15:54.want to give our players the very best opportunity to prepare to win.

:15:55. > :15:58.It is never a guarantee that we want to give them every chance of

:15:58. > :16:01.being successful at international level. We need to put our players

:16:01. > :16:08.under as much pressure as we possibly can every time we get

:16:08. > :16:13.together as an England group. We went at altitude, it was warm

:16:13. > :16:16.weather, we practised intensely, and we feel the combination of all

:16:16. > :16:20.that will give us the opportunity not only to win this trophy that to

:16:20. > :16:27.move on to the World Cup next year and a try to take that one out as

:16:27. > :16:30.well. Does training at altitude may give that little bit harder? These

:16:30. > :16:35.players are at the end of a very hard season so they can be slightly

:16:35. > :16:39.jaded. How do we get those players in the best possible shape to

:16:39. > :16:42.perform at international level? We have got some very good staff, had

:16:43. > :16:49.some very intelligent people who have worked on a plan and put it

:16:49. > :16:52.together. We what a try it this year and see whether it works.

:16:52. > :16:59.if it works, it is something you will look to repeat the around this

:16:59. > :17:03.time next year before the World Cup? We think he will be beneficial.

:17:03. > :17:08.We might need to treat it, off we might need to change things

:17:08. > :17:12.dramatically, but we feel it is the best preparation for us this year.

:17:12. > :17:16.I know Kevin sin field was the number one choice as captain and he

:17:16. > :17:21.said that this sport is full of leaders but he is one inspirational

:17:21. > :17:27.bloke. He is inspirational simply because of how professional he is,

:17:27. > :17:31.as well as a great bloke, a great leader and someone you can talk to.

:17:31. > :17:38.You naturally see him as a captain. Every player does that and I am

:17:38. > :17:41.sure he is the obvious choice. we look at your squad, it is a

:17:41. > :17:43.scornful of leaders but also we squat and it's very strong,

:17:43. > :17:49.particularly when you consider the players that are not there at the

:17:49. > :17:59.moment. There is some leadership in there but there is a real

:17:59. > :18:04.progression. A lot of players have come into the squad and they need

:18:04. > :18:09.to prepare. We will have a strong squad to choose from by the time

:18:09. > :18:14.the World Cup comes around. And it is simple and those players get

:18:14. > :18:19.themselves ready, get those operations out of the way. We don't

:18:19. > :18:23.want anybody going into next season needing an operation. We want them

:18:23. > :18:29.fit and able, having a good pre- season, in order to have the best

:18:29. > :18:39.season they can and enabling us to get ready next year. Let's see how

:18:39. > :18:46.

:18:46. > :18:51.They pose that Ciaron again in the background. How good is this Welsh

:18:51. > :18:55.response going to be at the start of this second half? Three tries in

:18:55. > :19:05.the nine minutes before the race caught by the French has put them

:19:05. > :19:10.in a dominant position here. -- before the break. Thomas Bosc was

:19:10. > :19:14.running the game before half-time break. His kicking, his running,

:19:14. > :19:19.his passing. I think it is fair to say we have not seen Wales trouble

:19:19. > :19:29.the French line too often. That is something there could have to do as

:19:29. > :19:29.

:19:29. > :19:32.soon as possible. They have been well structured. But the French

:19:32. > :19:36.found that last 15 minutes of quality to get the ball and when

:19:36. > :19:39.they have got that kind of momentum, Wales did not touch the ball so it

:19:39. > :19:43.is difficult to do anything about it. They have got to respect the

:19:43. > :19:47.ball a little bit more in this second half and try and kick a

:19:47. > :19:57.little bit better and Chasetown and forced the French into some areas

:19:57. > :20:05.

:20:05. > :20:15.and get field position that way. -- as it was Victor ahead -- pitched

:20:15. > :20:26.

:20:26. > :20:34.to finish this came off early in the second half, getting over the

:20:34. > :20:38.gain line to score. That was an untidy from Eloi Pelissier. He

:20:38. > :20:48.knocked it on when try to pick it up. The advantage given to the

:20:48. > :20:48.

:20:48. > :20:53.French has been given away. thought that would be a penalty.

:20:53. > :21:02.are doing some questioning of this referee already. Why not? Put them

:21:02. > :21:08.under pressure, I say. Wales will play England next week in Wrexham

:21:08. > :21:13.and a week later England Gray France -- England play France. And

:21:13. > :21:22.then the final of the tournament in Salford on November 11th. You can

:21:22. > :21:26.see all those matches on the BBC. As we heard at half-time, it is all

:21:26. > :21:36.about next year's World Cup and getting things in place ahead of

:21:36. > :21:38.

:21:38. > :21:41.that World Cup. This will be a World Cup venue next year. It is

:21:41. > :21:45.virginal rugby league territory here, it is not really a stronghold

:21:45. > :21:52.for rugby league, and therefore it is not a bad crowd that has turned

:21:52. > :22:00.up. It is a decent kicker and look at the Arms. It was either play on

:22:00. > :22:04.Warwick penalty because he took the catch out. The French start the

:22:04. > :22:10.second half probably with a Welsh would like to keep them. They have

:22:10. > :22:18.got to use a bit of energy and restrict the French. They need to

:22:18. > :22:28.put pressure on Thomas Bosc or Eloi Pelissier and try to disrupt the

:22:28. > :22:31.

:22:31. > :22:35.expand here. They are looking to find the Welsh a little bit week on

:22:35. > :22:45.the outskirts. The overlap was on but there was nobody to catch the

:22:45. > :22:50.

:22:50. > :22:53.ball. Eloi Pelissier had run on the inside. Victor was there. He had

:22:54. > :23:03.attracted the winger in and then gone on the outside. Had he been

:23:04. > :23:06.

:23:06. > :23:16.there, it was a streak score. -- A straight score. Wales again getting

:23:16. > :23:16.

:23:16. > :23:22.feed at this scrum and needing to takes an advantage if they can.

:23:22. > :23:29.Still plenty of time to play. 30 minutes of this half remaining. Ben

:23:29. > :23:35.Evans. He offloads it to Matt Seamark. The signs from the French

:23:35. > :23:45.are that they are going to be willing to do that for -- a tough

:23:45. > :23:53.stuff as well. Neil Budworth. Dan Fleming. Danny Jones. David James

:23:53. > :24:00.is the man waiting outside. Vincent Duport in a no-nonsense mood to

:24:00. > :24:03.make the tackle. Rob Massam. Danny Jones. Matt Seamark. A little bit

:24:04. > :24:13.of a run around and it almost came off but it is back in French hands

:24:14. > :24:50.

:24:50. > :24:54.Thomas Bosc, great play. Good hands from a Vincent Duport. He can't get

:24:54. > :25:00.the pass away. He's thumbs the ground in utter frustration. He

:25:00. > :25:07.knew there was a pass on there. Appreciation shown by the home

:25:07. > :25:11.supporters who appreciated that enterprise. A great ball from

:25:11. > :25:18.Vincent Duport. But he could not quite right that ball in. He saw

:25:18. > :25:22.glory there and a similar start to the first half with the French were

:25:22. > :25:26.creating opportunities and not executing those opportunities. You

:25:26. > :25:34.sense that the fingernails are from the Welsh, they are just hanging on

:25:34. > :25:38.in certain parts of the game. they can hang on, it only takes one

:25:38. > :25:43.moment of magic to turn the Home momentum of the game on its head.

:25:43. > :25:47.So if the Welsh county hanging on, and maybe somewhere produce the

:25:47. > :25:52.break that could lift the spirits, who knows? But you would make the

:25:52. > :26:02.fresh heavy favourites to go on and win this game, and possibly by a

:26:02. > :26:14.

:26:14. > :26:19.French territory. Danny Jones. It is a little slow so he has got to

:26:19. > :26:23.find room to get the kick away. That is a good defensive set from

:26:23. > :26:26.the French. I did not see many short cuts from them so they are

:26:26. > :26:30.looking to do that have stuff as well which is not great news for

:26:30. > :26:36.the Welsh. They have got to hang in there and hope the French come up

:26:36. > :26:39.with a mistake to give them field position. But the French team are

:26:39. > :26:42.still spending their backs. They are a flamboyant team, they want to

:26:42. > :26:52.be expansive, who they want to entertain this crowd, but that

:26:52. > :27:04.

:27:04. > :27:09.might just give Wales a chance the coming together of your screen

:27:09. > :27:15.between Ben Flower thoughts stock but that was a late tackle and now

:27:15. > :27:25.they are all, the fists are flying. They are coming from all areas to

:27:25. > :27:26.

:27:26. > :27:36.have a a short you. And that is the reason why. -- punch or two. A few

:27:36. > :27:38.

:27:38. > :27:44.grains on a few faces suggests they enjoy that moment. It was certainly

:27:44. > :27:50.lay but it might have been a bit of an Oscar performance. I hope he is

:27:50. > :27:58.OK but I think there was an element of him playing for the penalty. But

:27:58. > :28:06.that incenses the French players. Gil Dudson and Jason Baitieri get

:28:06. > :28:16.into each other. Ben Flower getting involved as well. But it is all

:28:16. > :28:18.

:28:18. > :28:20.over now. I think it is William Barthau who is down. I think the

:28:20. > :28:25.commentators are supposed to say we do not like seeing that kind of

:28:25. > :28:32.thing in rugby league. Absolutely no one wants to see foul play, it

:28:32. > :28:36.is ridiculous. That is a penalty every day of the week. I am not

:28:36. > :28:42.sure it is the latest of late tackles there he could have pulled

:28:42. > :28:52.up there, Gil Dudson. He has raised his for arm and catches him on the

:28:52. > :28:52.

:28:52. > :29:02.top part of his chest. After the fund, here comes the retribution.

:29:02. > :29:08.

:29:08. > :29:18.The referee calling together his to Barthau is all right. I think he

:29:18. > :29:21.

:29:21. > :29:31.has played for the penalty. Gregory Mounis getting involved. I think it

:29:31. > :29:37.

:29:37. > :29:41.is Ben Flower who is going full star --. He is asking what for. I

:29:41. > :29:47.think 10,000 people and to commentators, I think we have got a

:29:47. > :29:57.fair idea. It was a late challenge. I think they made the right

:29:57. > :30:07.decision. Gregory Mounis is off as well here. I think it was Gregory

:30:07. > :30:07.

:30:08. > :30:13.Mounis who ran in to show his objection to Gil Dudson. It is late

:30:13. > :30:23.and it is a penalty. I'm sure he will be reminded what for by his

:30:23. > :30:36.

:30:36. > :30:42.hit the deck. Bosc has taken the sensible option, which is to add

:30:42. > :30:51.the extra points. It works tactically. It also works in terms

:30:51. > :30:57.of calming things down. It takes the steam out of all the players.

:30:57. > :31:07.Craig Kopczak will be saying, let's get back to principles and try and

:31:07. > :31:07.

:31:07. > :31:14.keep the ball deep and restrict the French. Not be distracted. This is

:31:14. > :31:17.Bosc with the penalty kick. There is a big French Raul. They are

:31:17. > :31:24.warming to this game of rugby league. They are enjoying what they

:31:24. > :31:34.are seeing. Their team are leading with 11 minutes of the second half

:31:34. > :31:46.

:31:46. > :31:54.played. As we mentioned, this is a that long ago. I remember watching

:31:54. > :32:00.Ryan Giggs scoring a cheeky goal from a quickly-taken free kick.

:32:00. > :32:08.Will there be some French -- Welsh inspiration drawn from that? The

:32:09. > :32:18.French at the moment very much on top. That is a big hit by Casty.

:32:19. > :32:23.

:32:23. > :32:32.just what the Welsh did not need. Truck and trailer. The horse and

:32:32. > :32:39.cart. I do not know what you call it. He gets rid of Neil Budworth

:32:39. > :32:43.around the top. It is important they get a quick play-the-ball and

:32:43. > :32:53.take advantage of it. But this is a penalty and it gives them a good

:32:53. > :33:03.

:33:03. > :33:08.field position. He very nearly has been coughed up. The Welsh have

:33:08. > :33:15.a chance of a bit of a relief. They have a chance to get their hands on

:33:15. > :33:19.the ball. Get yourself into the game, three scores now. At some

:33:20. > :33:29.stage, they will have to pull the pin on the way they are playing and

:33:30. > :33:30.

:33:30. > :33:40.be a bit more expansive. But with 27 minutes to go, I do not think it

:33:40. > :33:58.

:33:58. > :34:01.defending too well. That is a poor decision by Ben Flower. There were

:34:01. > :34:09.three French jumpers around him. That increased the possibility of

:34:09. > :34:15.him getting picked off, which he was. 11,628 been here today. Most

:34:15. > :34:24.of those hoping for a French victory. And most of those enjoying

:34:24. > :34:29.the position they see their side in at the moment. It is Baitieri.

:34:29. > :34:34.Duport is just going to be denied. But only just. Some desperate

:34:34. > :34:44.defending again. And still required. France go knocking on this Welsh

:34:44. > :34:46.

:34:46. > :34:56.door once again. The little grubber kick his attempted. I think that

:34:56. > :35:00.

:35:00. > :35:10.was selfish. There were more French the spirit of his team-mates. They

:35:10. > :35:11.

:35:11. > :35:17.get the penalty. Well done, Wales. Rob Massam diffuses the energy of

:35:17. > :35:20.the French. Now they have some field position, the Welsh. They

:35:20. > :35:27.need to start doing something with it. 15 minutes of the second half

:35:27. > :35:32.played. Yes, they need to score. Their only point so far that try at

:35:32. > :35:41.the start of the first half. Not much since to celebrate. It is

:35:41. > :35:44.dropped by Jones. He will be furious with himself. It is hard to

:35:44. > :35:52.count on things like that. You get yourself back with a penalty and

:35:52. > :36:02.establish a bit of field position and then drop one cold. Not the

:36:02. > :36:04.

:36:04. > :36:13.probably ifs -- a stronger defensively in the second half and

:36:13. > :36:18.they have done with the ball. He was offside. Jones was looking to

:36:18. > :36:22.get a few points back. The Welsh are getting a little loose now.

:36:22. > :36:25.They have youth in their team. They are coming up with a couple of

:36:25. > :36:34.things that are making this in a whole lot tougher than it normally

:36:34. > :36:44.is. They have to retain that element of discipline. Wales are

:36:44. > :36:55.

:36:56. > :37:04.being let off the Hook with a pause strongly enough. It is Bosc. Not

:37:04. > :37:14.quite far enough. Desperate Welsh defence. But as we have said before,

:37:14. > :37:30.

:37:30. > :37:35.the moment. Stacul cannot find a way through. He has knocked on.

:37:35. > :37:45.break from Bosc was sublime. If he had passed the ball, I think they

:37:45. > :37:45.

:37:45. > :37:55.were in. As we pointed out earlier, the errors, the referee is saying

:37:55. > :38:01.

:38:01. > :38:11.that it has come off a Welsh person. by Baitieri in the midst of on --

:38:11. > :38:13.

:38:13. > :38:18.team-mates to lift themselves in defence. Although they haven't got

:38:18. > :38:23.the ball, their name is to limit Wales's yardage to the absolute

:38:23. > :38:32.minimum. Out they come and Baitieri showing the example that he was

:38:32. > :38:39.shouting for. He backed himself, gave everybody else a chance. They

:38:39. > :38:49.are on a mission to keep Wales to the minimum. They have given the

:38:49. > :39:00.

:39:00. > :39:04.penalty away, such was Derek A to C. the moment, the French. They need

:39:04. > :39:14.to use the ball a little bit more wisely, the Welsh, than they did

:39:14. > :39:37.

:39:37. > :39:47.last time. They guessed it -- number 16. It is James. Desperately

:39:47. > :40:00.

:40:00. > :40:10.trying to keep on play, failing to urged to get on their feet once

:40:10. > :40:10.

:40:10. > :41:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 74 seconds

:41:25. > :41:31.18 years old today. And we are back Wales who get possession back again.

:41:31. > :41:40.It was expansive because it had to be. Duport probably should have

:41:40. > :41:49.manufactured a kick down the side. Wales handle it well in the end.

:41:49. > :41:53.The opportunity is created because of that element of pressure. It was

:41:53. > :42:03.Bosc and ended up with Duport. But you have to say, the French are

:42:03. > :42:21.

:42:21. > :42:30.Seamark. He is caught. It will be a penalty for Wales. A chance to

:42:30. > :42:40.build. Never really any temptation to go for goal. They will want to

:42:40. > :42:43.

:42:43. > :42:48.second half. A little bit disappointing, if I am being honest.

:42:48. > :42:52.The structure seems to have gone out for Wales. That is probably

:42:52. > :42:57.down to fatigue. The French are still physical and I think that is

:42:57. > :43:06.the difference at the moment. They seem to be a little bit more

:43:06. > :43:16.organised. The Welsh looking to prosper. That little fleck had an

:43:16. > :43:22.

:43:22. > :43:25.half. Key moments for the Welsh. 17 minutes to play. If they are to get

:43:25. > :43:32.anything out of his game, this is the time when they have to strike.

:43:32. > :43:37.It is Rhys Pugsley again. This is Neil Budworth waiting patiently. He

:43:37. > :43:42.looks for his runners. A way it goes to Matt Seamark. The kick to

:43:42. > :43:47.the corner, well covered by Soubeyras on that far side. But he

:43:47. > :43:55.does concede the drop out. The Welsh pressure is beginning to grow.

:43:55. > :44:00.Lovely kick by Matt Seamark. His kicking game has been pretty good.

:44:00. > :44:05.Jones to Matt Seamark and he is just trying to catch Soubeyras out

:44:05. > :44:15.of position. He managed to scramble back and get the ball back. Six

:44:15. > :44:16.

:44:17. > :44:25.more praise for the Welsh, just what they needed. -- plays. This is

:44:25. > :44:35.a chance for Wales to try and lift themselves again. Gil Dudson with

:44:35. > :45:03.

:45:03. > :45:10.their voice in this ground at the moment. They are sensing a big

:45:10. > :45:20.moment. It has been given away. France pick it up and France escape.

:45:20. > :45:35.

:45:35. > :45:45.dominant. They are creating lots of opportunities. It is a shaky game

:45:45. > :45:47.

:45:47. > :45:53.to win, this, for either side. England are the heavy favourites to

:45:53. > :45:59.win this tournament this season. From a Welsh point of view, they

:45:59. > :46:04.have to play England next week. The French you have the luxury of a

:46:04. > :46:13.week off before they travel for the game against England at the week

:46:13. > :46:17.after. I am not sure that is a disadvantage in any way, as long as

:46:17. > :46:26.they don't pick it you many injuries. They should be in better

:46:26. > :46:34.shape for next week. England have the task to get up to speed.

:46:34. > :46:41.referee is looking to see if he can get some kind of interpretation

:46:41. > :46:45.from the sidelines. It is a penalty to the French. You have got to say

:46:45. > :46:55.that experiment of bringing the game here has been a successful

:46:55. > :46:55.

:46:55. > :46:58.star it is a terrific stadium and a good crowd. A lot of French rugby

:46:58. > :47:08.league fans were complaining about bringing it here because it was so

:47:08. > :47:22.

:47:22. > :47:32.now have access on a Wheatley basis to rugby league. -- access on a

:47:32. > :48:01.

:48:01. > :48:08.here. Thomas Bosc. Vincent Duport was syndicate. -- third kick.

:48:08. > :48:18.was a great kick. I think it is Craig Moss who is on the field now.

:48:18. > :48:34.

:48:34. > :48:37.That was a great tackle on the for Wales. They should have been

:48:37. > :48:47.facing six tackles to defend, he instead they should get possession

:48:47. > :48:50.

:48:50. > :48:53.back from the scrum. He needed to do better than that. This takes the

:48:53. > :49:03.momentum out of the French attack. It is getting disjointed because

:49:03. > :49:29.

:49:29. > :49:36.they are not keeping the ball as the Welsh. They are already deep

:49:36. > :49:43.inside their opponents''s half. They won the battle on the floor.

:49:43. > :49:52.That gives Neil Budworth the opportunity to create space. Here

:49:52. > :50:02.comes the last. It is hoisted high. It will go the French way, the ball

:50:02. > :50:30.

:50:30. > :50:36.having gone backwards according to dummy pass which created an

:50:36. > :50:41.opportunity. He just threw the Defence enough to give up the hint

:50:41. > :50:51.of an overlap for an instant. But he has got to come back on the

:50:51. > :50:51.

:50:51. > :51:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 74 seconds

:51:43. > :51:49.Christian Roets, well met by a from the prop forward. Matt Seamark.

:51:49. > :51:55.He has found half a gap with his terrific foot work. He has shown

:51:55. > :52:05.real enthusiasm, James. Jones a game, he dribbles it into the in

:52:05. > :52:07.

:52:07. > :52:17.all areas. -- in-goal area. Matt Seamark has been the go to man in

:52:17. > :52:19.

:52:19. > :52:29.that part of the field. They're likely replay, don't they? There is

:52:29. > :52:29.

:52:29. > :53:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 74 seconds

:53:20. > :53:27.play. There is Elliot Kear. A remarkable story, Elliot Kear was

:53:27. > :53:36.in the same class as Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton. That is some

:53:36. > :53:45.sporting pedigree, isn't it? That is good play. Elliot Kear almost

:53:45. > :53:55.got on the end of it as well. Elliot Kear is staging of it his

:53:55. > :53:56.

:53:56. > :54:03.way there, taking four of them on. Reinforcements are arriving quickly.

:54:03. > :54:13.I think the Welsh took a objection to James being put on his backside.

:54:13. > :54:14.

:54:14. > :54:23.I think he was the incident before. Elliot Kear did not like that and

:54:23. > :54:30.threw the ball at him. A little bit of pushing and shoving. James is

:54:30. > :54:36.still down in the background. is some concern for James because

:54:36. > :54:39.he is on the pitch inside his own half and he is still having some

:54:39. > :54:49.treatment and he looked to the rising around as if he was in a

:54:49. > :54:51.

:54:51. > :55:01.good deal of pain. 30 years. He is a little bit more settled now. --

:55:01. > :55:16.

:55:16. > :55:26.to restart this game wild James is being treated. -- while James is

:55:26. > :55:27.

:55:27. > :55:35.being treated. That is the Elliot Kear incident. I think he was angry

:55:35. > :55:41.because he got pushed in the back but he had not collected the ball.

:55:41. > :55:46.Thankfully, James is sitting a. We have seen testimony to how tough

:55:46. > :55:56.rugby league players are in recent weeks. A ruptured testicle in the

:55:56. > :55:57.

:55:57. > :56:02.grand final. James is as tough as they come, the former Royal Marine.

:56:02. > :56:12.For him to look as he does at the moment suggests he has taken an

:56:12. > :56:13.

:56:13. > :56:23.absolute battering. Let's hope he's alright. Thomas Bosc has been voted

:56:23. > :56:40.

:56:40. > :56:45.man of the match. Did you vote for terrific Voyce. They have enjoyed

:56:45. > :56:53.what they have seen this afternoon. I am sure they will the that when

:56:54. > :57:03.the World Cup takes place on this field as well. For a fresh looking

:57:04. > :57:17.

:57:17. > :57:24.for a a finish and their game they quite a few 1000 of their seats at

:57:24. > :57:32.the moment celebrating what they thought was a try. I think he then

:57:32. > :57:40.the stadium announcer thought it was a try as well. It definitely

:57:40. > :57:46.looks forward. Look where he passes the ball and where it ends there.

:57:46. > :57:48.It is an interesting phenomenon. Sitting among a crowd why not used

:57:48. > :57:58.to a particular sport. How they interpret what they see on the

:57:58. > :58:30.

:58:30. > :58:40.field. This has been one-way play. He is one of those young

:58:40. > :58:47.

:58:47. > :58:53.Wigan players. -- is put out of play. A lot of South Wales players

:58:53. > :58:58.now have that halfway through to the Wigan squad. Eight is very

:58:58. > :59:04.encouraging. Rugby league is still alive and well in Wales. It has

:59:05. > :59:09.been a tough second half, rather than a flamboyant second half. The

:59:09. > :59:19.French have shown their Test side. They have only had the one score

:59:19. > :59:29.from a penalty. We might get another here. He is flying down

:59:29. > :59:29.

:59:29. > :59:37.that left-hand side. But has he grounded the ball? Thomas Bosc

:59:37. > :59:47.could see the potential. The question is, has Clement Soubeyras

:59:47. > :59:47.

:59:47. > :59:52.delivered it? It was a great kicker. He is still moving. If he gets this

:59:52. > :00:02.town, it is a score. Craig Moss has held enough. He has done a great

:00:02. > :00:03.

:00:03. > :00:13.job. Fantastic play all round. Pinpoint accuracy again from Thomas

:00:13. > :00:42.

:00:42. > :00:52.there was an offside in the build penalty to give it. It is such a

:00:52. > :01:18.

:01:18. > :01:23.had dummy half. This is Bosc again. That is a long pass but it is

:01:23. > :01:27.forward. I do not think the French will be too pleased about the

:01:27. > :01:33.execution side of their attack today. They will be pleased with

:01:33. > :01:37.their defence. Let's give some credit to the Welsh as well. They

:01:37. > :01:47.have hung in and dug in. They have not quite found the answers with

:01:47. > :02:07.

:02:07. > :02:10.the ball. But there is some tough get something else out of this gain,

:02:10. > :02:19.along with the great deal of pride they will have got from the mighty

:02:19. > :02:29.defensive effort they put up at times. Matt Seamark, quickly away

:02:29. > :02:33.

:02:33. > :02:38.He knows he has made a mistake that puts his side and an awful lot of

:02:38. > :02:47.pressure. With one minute left to play, plenty of time for the French

:02:47. > :02:57.to prosper. They would like to finish with a score, the French.

:02:57. > :03:23.

:03:23. > :03:27.But I am sure the Welsh will not That has been the story of the

:03:27. > :03:31.second half for both teams. Good hands. This is a chance for Dan

:03:31. > :03:37.Fleming. He has not been stopped and he has done well to get it away.

:03:37. > :03:42.Here comes Ben Evans. Two young players with -- very much at the

:03:42. > :03:52.heart of this Welsh side over the coming years. It is Dan Fleming

:03:52. > :04:08.

:04:08. > :04:15.the last player of the game. Ben Evans is pulled down and this crowd,

:04:15. > :04:19.this is heartening, Virgin rugby league territory, the vast majority

:04:19. > :04:24.in here have not seen a game of rugby league. They all seem to be

:04:24. > :04:29.on their feet offering their applause to a French side who have

:04:29. > :04:34.delivered the goods this afternoon. The French had to come from behind.

:04:34. > :04:41.A wonderful start by Wales in the opening couple of minutes. David

:04:41. > :04:46.James. But those three tries just before half-time inspired by Bosc,

:04:47. > :04:51.keeping the French very much on top with a lot to learn and a lot to be

:04:51. > :04:55.grateful for float both sides. was a really heavy game, if that is

:04:55. > :05:02.the right expression. It was a quick, physical game. The French

:05:02. > :05:07.were worthy winners in the end. can now speak to Elima.

:05:07. > :05:11.Congratulations. They gave you quite a workout. Definitely. Wales

:05:11. > :05:21.had a strong pack. We knew we would be coming down the middle. It took

:05:21. > :05:21.

:05:21. > :05:25.15 minutes to get into the game. As the game went on, the last 10

:05:25. > :05:32.minutes, we scored three tries. We knew we could do better in the

:05:32. > :05:36.second half. Still plenty of errors but we were happy with the game.

:05:36. > :05:44.The Welsh were not afraid coming to France on playing us. We knew what

:05:44. > :05:48.would be a hard game and we showed in defence it was very hard.

:05:48. > :05:52.must be a very pleased with your defence. Yes, we have been using

:05:52. > :05:57.those comments in the changing room and we came out firing. They scored

:05:57. > :06:01.the first try at we could have gone down but we worked hard in defence.

:06:01. > :06:04.We worked really well and we came out with a win today. Really

:06:04. > :06:12.pleased with that. Disappointed not to score more tries in the second

:06:12. > :06:18.half? Definitely. A few for passes in the first half. -- forward

:06:18. > :06:23.passes. Little decisions, we could have done better. Presumably,

:06:23. > :06:29.having 80 minutes out there together, you will build on that.

:06:29. > :06:32.Definitely. We have England coming in two weeks. We have to have a

:06:33. > :06:38.look at the game. It will be a stronger squad. We are pretty

:06:38. > :06:42.pleased with what we have done today and we have to build on that.

:06:42. > :06:45.Let's bring in your counterpart, the Wales captain, Craig Kopczak.

:06:45. > :06:51.That was a physical battle out there for you guys. It certainly

:06:51. > :06:56.was. We saw a lot of character out there today. I thought we really

:06:56. > :07:02.battled hard. We had a lot of pride today. We knew what would be taken

:07:02. > :07:06.into France. The result says it all. Just a bit disappointed that in the

:07:06. > :07:10.back end of the first half, we gave them too much possession. Too much

:07:10. > :07:15.tackling, we have to do. They scored the tries on the back of it.

:07:15. > :07:23.For tea creeping in at the end of the first half? Definitely. --

:07:23. > :07:27.fatigue. I think it was what happened in the end. But just the

:07:27. > :07:31.one penalty in the second half. that is the pleasing thing about it

:07:31. > :07:41.really. We came out in the second half and put real pride in the

:07:41. > :07:47.

:07:47. > :07:49.sheet. -- shirts. Hopefully we can put it right next week. It is quite

:07:49. > :07:52.an experience for the younger players in the squad. It is

:07:52. > :07:58.fantastic for them. A fantastic occasion. They have got the

:07:58. > :08:08.experience that. Are you close to resolving your future and where you

:08:08. > :08:10.

:08:10. > :08:17.will be playing next year? Craig Kopczak talking there.

:08:17. > :08:27.Confirmation of the score. France on top of the table. Wales play

:08:27. > :08:30.

:08:30. > :08:36.England next Saturday. And England- They were all talking about how

:08:36. > :08:46.physical it was added was. It was physical. A lot of contact, a few

:08:46. > :08:51.punches thrown. That get more reaction. We can go straight back

:08:51. > :08:57.now to speak to the French coach. How pleased we with your team's

:08:57. > :09:02.performance? Very happy and pleased at my team today. We created some

:09:02. > :09:09.good breaks in the first half. Missed some opportunity because the

:09:09. > :09:15.execution was poor. It was better at the end of the first half.

:09:15. > :09:20.Waistcoat -- showed good spirit today. We showed it is not just be

:09:20. > :09:26.Catalans Dragons group. It is a French group. We are very happy

:09:26. > :09:35.with this victory. We are starting to build a good team. We have spied

:09:35. > :09:40.-- fighting spirit. A Bosc was special at times for you. He was

:09:40. > :09:49.our playmaker. We can say that about Baitieri today. He played

:09:49. > :09:53.very good today. Greater choice, great execution. It is a very good

:09:53. > :09:58.combination. They worked together for the Catalans Dragons and it is

:09:58. > :10:04.good for the French team to. He was the man-of-the-match, Bosc. He ran

:10:04. > :10:08.the game for the French. Yes, as he always does. He is one of these

:10:08. > :10:11.players that you need to get the ball to as often as you can. The

:10:12. > :10:17.more opportunities you give him, the more opportunities he will get

:10:17. > :10:26.you. He did that today. When he got on form after the first 20 minutes,

:10:26. > :10:30.he started finding spaces around the edges. He nearly scored in the

:10:30. > :10:36.-- but it was last-gasp efforts from the wells. He was cutting them

:10:36. > :10:41.to ribbons at times. If Wales are going to take a positive and there

:10:41. > :10:49.are positive, it is how they scrambled their defence at times.

:10:49. > :10:54.Incredible. Those should be tries for the French players. The desire

:10:54. > :10:58.from the blokes in red was too much for the French. Iestyn Harris has

:10:58. > :11:02.to be really pleased with certain aspects of that game. They have got

:11:02. > :11:08.beaten, conceded three tries in five or six minutes, but apart from

:11:08. > :11:12.that, nothing else. The French will be happy with their defence as well.

:11:12. > :11:16.They conceded one try in the first minute of the game. Rugby league is

:11:16. > :11:20.a very attractive attacking sport in general but you get so much from

:11:20. > :11:28.the defensive side as well. They will be some bruised and battered

:11:29. > :11:33.bodies and that Welsh dressing room. What was your feeling on the Gil

:11:33. > :11:39.Dudson sin-binning? Initially, I thought it was pretty bad but

:11:39. > :11:43.looking back, it is not look as bad as I first thought. It is a penalty.

:11:43. > :11:53.The reaction is pretty intense. People flying in, which is what you

:11:53. > :11:54.

:11:54. > :12:01.expect. But everyone ripped in, that is the team spirit. Eventually,

:12:01. > :12:05.they got the right man sent to the sin bin! I know we are talking

:12:05. > :12:14.about how physical it was, that went a little bit overboard, but

:12:14. > :12:18.there were some crunching tackles from stop -- some crunching tackles.

:12:18. > :12:23.It is a tough sport. In general, the team that is the most physical

:12:23. > :12:32.wins games of rugby league. If you carry the ball strongly, you win

:12:32. > :12:37.the game. You get more opportunities to score. Put

:12:37. > :12:41.pressure on them. France probably just edged on the physical state

:12:41. > :12:51.and that is why they are Mont -- that is why they along the right

:12:51. > :12:52.

:12:52. > :12:58.They were talking in the commentary, the advantage of playing next week?

:12:58. > :13:04.It is certainly an advantage. Your timing is a little bit rusty

:13:04. > :13:08.initially. Wales will be better next week. They will be a real

:13:08. > :13:11.challenge for the England team. will be a challenge but it will be

:13:11. > :13:14.very exciting. Yes, it is good to see these teams come out and

:13:14. > :13:24.gripping to each other like that. It is good to see from an England

:13:24. > :13:30.