Wales v France 1994 Scrum V Classics

In 1993, Wales kicked off their Five Nations campaign

with a thrilling victory over England,

forged from a cast-iron defence and one moment of brilliance.

But it proved to be their only win in that year's Five Nations

and they finished the tournament at the bottom of the heap.

Nine months later, Wales hit rock bottom.

In one of the darkest days in Welsh rugby history,

they lost to Canada in Cardiff.

It was a humiliation they were determined to put behind them

in the 1994 Five Nations.

We had to get off to a good start.

We were very fortunate against Scotland. We did that.

I will never forget it.

I think Mike Rayer came off the bench and scored two tries.

I remember him sliding in in the corner for one of them.

Coming off at the end of that game,

it was more relief than anything

just to get that victory under our belts.

We could put that Canada defeat to one side.

We could look forward rather than look back,

which you need to do in any sport.

It gave us a huge amount of confidence to go to Ireland.

We had always done OK out in Ireland.

We struggled with them at home, ironically.

So it was an opportunity for us to get away from everything

and go to Ireland and give our all out there.

It's well held up by Hall.

Now then, it could have been swung the other way.

Is that just playing into Irish hands? No, it's not!

Neil Jenkins! Yes, he does get there!

The fear of failure had subsided a touch

because we'd already won two games

so it was an opportunity to go out and show what you can do.

Traditionally, we hadn't done well against France for a number of years

and for them to come over to the Arms Park

with the likes of Cecillon, Benazzi, Benetton, Roumat and Merle

as the back five of their pack.

You just thought of the carnage they had left across Europe

the couple of years before,

and you just thought, "Yeah, it's going to be tough."

# Feed me 'til I want no more. #

The old Arms Park was something special.

If you've been lucky enough to play there,

'Bread of Heaven' used to reverberate around that ground.

It was an incredible atmosphere

and you just felt, "Yeah, I want to be a part of that."

Four behind the scrum changes in that Welsh line-up.

Mike Rayer winning selection as of right.

Simon Hill, Nigel Walker and Anthony Clement replacing injured players.

Most interest centred on how the multi-talented Clement

copes with his centre role.

His concentration rather than his talent will be most under pressure.

A pack that's steadily developing into a cohesive unit.

It's the final 10 minute performance at Lansdowne Road

that hopefully will be the starting point today.

Philippe Sella, the cornerstone of that French back division.

The experience and talent still there but at 97 caps on,

are the legs still willing?

At the other extreme, Emile N'Tamack wins his first cap.

A shadow was cast over the Arms Park

when the giant lock, Olivier Merle, appeared!

And he's surrounded by fellow pack members of huge proportions.

The question mark, though, hangs over the unit's pace.

The answer then, to move it about.

Alain Penaud will start the game for France.

Heavily strapped, Penaud.

The first touch isn't a sure one.

It may well and it does result in French possession.

Philippe Sella hit late by Anthony Clement.

The referee didn't spot it.

Neither did the touch judges.

Again, nobody really able to get hold of the ball

and I'm sure that Philippe Sella will give referee McLachlan

a quizzical look right at the outset.

But Clement getting in the first touch.

France will be pleased, regaining possession from that kick-off.

Yes, it was a bit late by Clement but it wasn't spotted.

The scrum remained quite static.

The test is for Sadourny.

The twist away from Hill

and the first tackle is a good one from Emyr Lewis.

That's excellent but the French full-back has done well.

He's turned the right way. The touch judge and referee in together.

Whose word do they agree on?

What went wrong? That's the big question mark.

Sadourny did well to just turn the right way

despite the attentions of Emyr Lewis.

Now then, the question is,

does the referee reverse his decision?

He does, unfortunately for Wales.

So that early thrust will be nullified.

Thierry Lacroix getting in France's first touch finder.

That's free Welsh ball to Scott Quinnell.

Where is the support? Just slightly slow in coming.

Now it's laid back on a plate. Phil Davies.

The Welsh forwards rampant!

But, oh, that's absolutely crazy!

To give away a penalty needlessly.

Well, they've been fortunate.

For a moment, I thought it was the Welsh boot

going in on the Frenchman lying on the ground

and they had conceded a penalty.

But fortunately, not spotted by the referee.

Tremendous work by Scott Quinnell.

Very alert after some slack line-out play by the French.

The support is perhaps a bit late

but look how aggressive Wales are, coming into that ruck situation.

Phil Davies takes the defence on again. Good play by Wales.

Good psychological play by Wales. Then the penalty is given away.

A chance for Neil Jenkins.

Now then, these three would really get things going here.

And do they get things going here!

He starts where he finished off a fortnight ago.

Jenkins is on song and suddenly, the Arms Park is on song as well.

It is excellent as well that the forwards

were rewarded for their effort with that three points.

Penaud. Not the best restart.

Now then, it's so important that Wales take advantage of that.

Sadourny brought forward and into midfield.

Where is the escape route?

It's not there for the moment, as Hall grasps N'Tamack.

So his first touch is not the most pleasant either.

France have done well as Roumat gets things going

in the right direction for the French.

No sign of the ball. "Get your hands off it," says Lindsay McLachlan.

Emyr Lewis put in the tackle but kept his hands on the ball.

As you see, the French with that four stone advantage or just under.

Not apparent, thus far at least, because that's a rock solid scrum

and that's a very well-placed kick from Rupert Moon.

That's a good tackle from Simon Hill. Now then, Saint-Andre.

It's a lateral run for the moment. Just gets it behind the defence.

What great play. Now then, N'Tamack gets Sella running.

But good cover by Wales. The ball is free.

Now then, are the avenues cut down for the French switch?

Penaud not wishing to spread it wide,

can only pinpoint Mike Rayer, but anticipated well.

The forwards stand where they are knowing full well

that Rayer, of all people, will get them back to safety.

The French using a specialist hooker, by the way.

They sometimes use a prop. That was outside hand by Roumat.

McLachlan sees nothing wrong with it.

That's danger for Wales. The bounce kind as well.

Now then, they have control here. All options open either side.

Welsh cover just then left side.

Gareth Llewellyn stands off to try and guard and fill in holes.

The French take it on, though.

Wales coming in from the wrong side. Mark Perego.

Surely from here, yes, the indication from Roumat

that he wants his centre, Thierry Lacroix, to kick at goal.

We're 10 minutes into the match. The sides are separated by three points.

Now they're equal.

Thierry Lacroix. His first success out of two.

And it's three points each.

So Wales, the Welsh team has the advantage here.

A quick pick-up by Scott Quinnell and Rupert Moon. Is there space here?

Quinnell! That's excellent work!

Galthie got in a hand there that knocked it down.

Such a shame, but that was slickly done.

And so pacy. You can't defend against pace.

That was the crucial element there.

You'll notice that Wales are wearing green socks

and there is a reason behind that in that confusion can arise

when both sides wear the same coloured socks.

It was felt that last season, the French got away with lots of things.

It's Quinnell again! This is acres of space.

It's a matter of timing it. Still there!

Now then, one more pass! Yes! Has he done it?

He has done it! Just take a look at the face!

There was the odd stutter along the way but the path finally cleared.

And Scott Quinnell triumphantly signals his arrival

as an international player.

I don't know if I can explain this. My hair is still standing on end!

Great alertness again by Scott Quinnell.

Look at the control, the vision. Head up, looking around him.

He takes the defenders on. He's got enough strength in those legs.

He keeps his eye on the line and crosses for a superb individual try.

Slowing down the flow of adrenaline

will be Neil Jenkins's biggest problem here.

Oh, dear me!

The roar is absolutely deafening.

French restart.

And well executed as Benetton...

Again, the French, as they did when Wales initially scored,

get straight back into the game.

Cecillon. The switch is on. Galthie. Penaud. Sadourny.

Is the defence there? Nigel Walker with a quick turn.

Covers it well, does Wales' left winger.

It needs to be backed up though in strength.

It's all on the retreat and France will get the scrum.

So typically French, that the response is ultra-positive.

From one end of the field to the other, Quinnell.

From triumph to desperation at the end. Just getting back there.

Llewellyn and Phil Davies, the lock duo.

One wins it, the other cleans it up.

It all means that the ball then can be hoisted

to put France under pressure.

Brilliantly done by N'Tamack.

So what we saw from Rayer earlier on,

replicated by the French right winger.

The tactic is the same as well.

That's a touch too far. Rayer has time.

Has he got support? Yes. Simon Hill.

Just slightly awkward-looking.

Now then, Galthie gets Sadourny running away from Ricky Evans.

That is very, very uncoordinated of the French.

Now then, there has to be hands in there.

You'd have thought Benetton would have learned his lesson from the...

Ha-ha-ha! Isn't that a typical French shrug?!

But no doubts about whether he was there intentionally

and with the sole purpose of blocking any second phase.

This to hoist Wales' total to double figures.

His number is 10, Wales' number is 11.

The French are on three and the difference is eight.

That's Quinnell.

Turns defence into attack.

Now then, the drive in.

Holding on, the French.

They're being rattled.

What a game he's having!

It's not just the try, but it's the presence.

The good thing that Wales are doing

is that they're crossing that advantage line,

which Scott Quinnell does by 15 yards.

This heavy French pack won't like having to work their way back

and getting into position.

You notice the Frenchman there. It's Benazzi falling offside.

And the opportunity for Wales.

Good play by Scott Quinnell.

So we're into time added on the injuries

and Wales take it against the head even with one man standing out.

Rupert Moon makes the initial thrust. Now then.

Roumat was on the wrong side.

Although, there are lots of people on the wrong side.

Garin Jenkins the man penalised.

There's an injury here

as Benetton, not for the first time, squirms in agony.

Benetton will use up his own quota or the whole French team's quota here.

Just look at that drive initially.

Yes, good work and I think it was Scott Quinnell that hurt Benetton.

No, perhaps I was wrong. Rupert Moon takes the ball off him.

The famous advantage line is crossed again by Wales

and was that a boot being put in there?

Was it Gareth Llewellyn?

Thierry Lacroix.

Just a little slack of the Welsh defence, but it's half-time.

Brynmor, that speaks for itself, I suppose.

The commitment has been outstanding.

The only thing that concerns me slightly

is that territorially, France have been on top.

I hope Wales can sustain this commitment throughout the second half

because most international matches are won in the last quarter of an hour.

We went into the hurdle of half-time and you had your oranges

and your warm, sweet cup of tea.

It just felt good, you know?

The crowd, they were just around you and they were buzzing.

So it was electric.

We knew we had only done half the job and that was the biggest thing.

We could have said, "Yeah, look at what we're doing." But we didn't.

We knew we had a big half of rugby.

We knew that France would come back at us.

We could sit here years later and smile about it

but for that five minutes in the half-time,

it was all about what we did in the next 40.

As Lindsay McLachlan whistles off Neil Jenkins,

The loose ball is Scott Quinnell's

and does he start the second half as he started the first?

The French concede a penalty. Philippe Sella.

"Got to get out," says the referee. "Got to get out."

The second half starts with a Welsh penalty goal

and registers a further three points and brings up the total to 14.

France remaining on three.

I tell you what,

Penaud hasn't had as much practice as this for a long time in restarting.

Now then, is that well enough protected? Yes, it is.

Sadourny. It's into the breeze.

It's very difficult. Who calls?

It's hardly worth saying it was Quinnell!

He's turning up everywhere. Now, there is space there.

That's a very intelligent kick

and Mike Hall is making headway on N'Tamack.

That's untidy work. John Davies is there, of all people!

The ball has to be picked up and spread here.

Moon and Emyr Lewis. Lewis with the head-down charge.

The wider option is open here. Now then, Clement.

Is there support? Offside from France in front of the posts.

Dead centre. Jenkins steps into the picture.

Now then.

# Feed me 'til I want no more

# Feed me 'til I want no more. #

The singing, just pushed out of his mind.

Jenkins yet again. The tally up to 17.

Twelve of them to that man there wearing 10, Neil Jenkins.

Again, it's perfect line-out ball.

The snap from Mike Hall just far enough. But it wasn't tightly...

Again, that's the problem.

Now they're covering ground. There's a problem here. Lots of gaps.

Good tackle by Rupert Moon. N'Tamack collared by Mark Perego.

Wales should have it. Rupert Moon keeps it in play.

The chase is on for Walker. Can he keep control?

Sadourny just about getting away with it.

Still in play! Now then!

Gonzales, of all people! The French in total disarray.

It really is seeing the French at their most ungainly, uncoordinated.

Quinnell sets off again. Collects Penaud.

Emyr Lewis, has he regathered? He certainly receives the treatment.

It's just on the odd occasion

that things haven't quite been tied in tightly enough.

But they're very minor blemishes

on a performance that will be long remembered here.

Gonzales. Galthie has been offered space. Cecillon and Benazzi.

Now then, Neil Jenkins and Ricky Evans back to do some tackling work.

Roumat.

Are the French beginning to build up a head of steam?

The switch from Galthie and Penaud. The dancing feet of Pennell.

Benazzi again!

Comprehensive tackle. 'Keep hands off it' is the message.

Now then, the wider option. Sella covered by Clement.

It's no man's land. It's taken on by Roumat.

The tackle was by Phil Davies in midfield.

The French are recycling ball after ball.

Saint-Andre. Thierry Lacroix.

But again, there is no chink appearing.

But now, the French gather their lines.

There's a sense of purpose

as they build up some momentum from this drive.

Can they make it? They will! They've scored! At last, a French try.

And the captain will be the man who will celebrate

after receiving treatment, I'm sure.

They just keep it low like a scrummage and keep driving together

and eventually Roumat peels off the side of that maul and scores a try.

Quinnell is quickly off, Emyr Lewis is quickly off

and under pressure is Galthie.

Penaud away from Rupert Moon. Now then.

Again, a telling tackle.

France, through Galthie again. A fine pass to Saint-Andre.

The French, can they get in there?

Just denied!

Play goes on as Roumat just runs into a brick wall

and is denied a second phase.

It doesn't come back.

It doesn't appear.

A rock-like Welsh scrum.

So it's inch by inch away from that danger zone.

Possession is there. Now then, Penaud.

Straight in goes Sella under the posts!

That's so typical of the French

and they're skipping with delight out wide.

That was simplicity itself

and suddenly, the whole complexion of the game is changing.

The most capped international rugby player in the Championship

and there, gets one of his easier tries.

Good possession initially for the French.

Controlled possession incidentally.

Most moves in Rugby are two-phased.

First is the decoy run. There we see it.

Then Sella takes the ball coming straight.

The space was created by the decoy run and he scores under the posts.

And Thierry Lacroix converted the try.

So now then, two points the difference. The French up to 15.

It's a penalty against Ricky Evans.

So, it's a punch thrown.

Not easy for Lacroix to concentrate.

He strikes it beautifully.

But...so close, yet, as they say, so far,

because it makes no difference at all to the scoreboard.

We're into the final 10 minutes. Two points separating the two sides.

Quinnell! Mark Perego!

Wales at last get hands on the ball.

They get movement going. Now then, there are wide options on here.

Mike Hall. A chase for Hill. That will satisfy most people, I'm sure.

So the French, from all areas of the field now, want to attack.

N'Tamack, half held by Hall.

Now, what a run this is by Saint-Andre!

Kept in play. Back there is Moon.

Benetton had to be miles offside.

The French can't believe it

but he was a good 10 or 15 metres in front of Saint-Andre.

We've seen a Welsh drive. Now it's the French,

as Garin Jenkins tries to nudge it or stop it.

He tries to get in there... lodge himself inside.

And Roumat hasn't well enough controlled it.

Galthie. Now, then.

The French, again, looking for spaces out wide.

Tackled by Perego. Galthie. Hall sells himself.

But there are... Well, there were spaces. Penaud.

Ricky Evans...John Davies, rather, puts in the tackle

on the French outside-half.

France keep possession, but make no headway for the moment.

Penaud, yet again.

Now, then. The tackle on Saint-Andre.

N'Tamack. Quinnell has it. Nigel Walker!

He'll score! Just look at this!

This will round it off. Oh, dear me!

The place goes wild. The game is over, surely.

That will hurt the French.

There are Frenchmen around the field absolutely distraught.

That will lock it up for the Welshmen, both on and off the field,

delirious with joy.

Nigel Walker, in his comeback match.

France trying to counter attack in desperation,

knowing that time is running away.

Scott Quinnell, easily the man of the match, alert as ever,

and he gives it to fastest man on the park.

He doesn't fail on chances like this.

Great pace, crossing in the corner for a great try.

We're in to time added on for injuries.

Neil Jenkins has this conversion attempt, surely,

to lock out the French.

A fraction inside the touchline.

The concentration absolute.

CHEERING

WHISTLE

It wraps it up. It does wrap it up.

The place, well...

is a sea of noise, of colour and celebration.

Just look at that full time score.

Wales, 24...

France, 15.

'I feel a bit embarrassed.

'People come up and say, "Remember that game in '94? Absolutely wonderful."

'If I could hand that man of the match over to the seven guys in that pack,

'not taking anything away from the backs, they were wonderful.

They set the platform for everything.

Don't tell everybody, but the front five do win you games

and they do get you man of the matches when you're number eight

so, guys, thank you very much.

Wales travelled to Twickenham in search of Grand Slam glory

but it proved a game too far as they fell to the old enemy.

They'd done enough, though,

to lift their first Five Nations trophy for more than 15 years.

The celebrations, understandably, were bittersweet,

but we were left in no doubt the Dragon could breathe fire again.

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