France v Wales 1999 Scrum V Classics

1999 was the year of the last ever Five Nations tournament

and the year the old National Stadium finally gave way to

the shiny new Millennium Stadium.

Wales kicked off their campaign

with a 33-20 defeat on the road to Scotland.

-CHEERING

-Tait has scored.

And without a home in Cardiff, they had to continue

their temporary residence at Wembley,

and they were struggling to settle in.

A 29-23 defeat to Ireland was their fourth in five matches there.

Things weren't about to get any easier for Graham Henry.

Next stop, Paris,

and an appointment with the double Grand Slam champions.

We were under a huge amount of pressure

after losing the first two games.

I know Graham had made quite a few changes to the side

leading up to this game in Paris,

and there was an awful lot of pressure on us,

and, you know, as I said, you know, in terms of that, we seemed,

in terms of the pressure, we seemed to play with a carefree attitude,

if you like, sort of went the other way against it, really,

and probably showed off our skills

and played some fantastic rugby that day.

France in Paris, don't believe we'd won there since 1975.

Fantastic record against most nations, and certainly against us

in Paris, and they probably thought they only had to turn up,

maybe, and win the game.

And I remember watching them

in some of the games prior to our game and maybe thinking that,

yeah, they're winning, but not the same side,

not maybe playing with the same confidence as they normally do.

I know it's a funny thing to say after back-to-back Grand Slams.

1975 was the last time Wales won in Paris.

JJ Williams was part of that Welsh side.

Yes, it really is a terrible record for Welsh rugby.

New stadium, same atmosphere. Very daunting place to play.

The sounds of Paris are different to any other stadium in the world.

And from the start, Wales on their own 22,

just try and move the ball,

but they are penalised.

Players went over the ball as Scott Gibbs took it on the charge.

And here's the early chance for France

and for Thomas Castaignede,

This was a messy take from that kick-out,

and there's the hands on the floor, holding onto that ball.

Castaignede...

..with a last-minute penalty... at Stade de France.

He's failed with his first attempt, and that's a major let-off for Wales

and big disappointment for the French.

Howley leading Wales for the 11th time - won five, lost five,

his record so far in charge.

Up comes Shane Howarth.

Nice, neat little sidestep.

And it's Wales on opposition ten-metre line.

The drive is from Peter Rogers, that's the new loosehead prop.

All changed in the front row. Howley, out to Jenkins.

Jenkins, the little dart through. In the clear. Looking for support.

Oh, Scott Gibbs was there, but couldn't get the ball.

It's a clear-cut chance and it should have been a try for Wales.

It certainly should have been a try for Wales. Great break by Jenkins.

It's a rare thing to see Jenkins make the break.

France weren't expecting that.

Scott Gibbs should have been on his shoulder

when the outside half makes a break.

That's a vital miss for Wales, should have been seven points for them.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Boring in, in the front row, not pushing straight.

As Jenkins put Wales ahead, 3-0.

That's Scott Quinnell's ball,

brushes aside the challenge of Thomas Lombard.

Howley. Again, enterprise from deep.

And Shane Howarth in the clear. Excellent run.

Howarth over the ten-metre line.

In and out, and he's looking for Dafydd James.

Dafydd James tried to get in the best position to support.

Away it comes from Castaignede,

but that's two searing breaks by Wales in the opening five minutes.

Graham Henry was saying in his interview before the game

that Wales have to be bold, and they certainly are that.

Great running by Shane Howarth.

I thought it was a forward pass when it went to the fullback.

Dafydd James is working hard to get with him,

and again, you can say that's a let-off for France.

This is Howley on the break. Gibbs is outside.

Howley tries to go himself.

Five metres short.

Remarkable opening by Wales.

The try is there.

And Colin Charvis is the scorer.

It's no more than the red shirts deserve.

They've created the chances, and at last, one has been converted.

Wales 8, France 0.

And the French defence is non-existent.

Robert Howley coming through a huge hole there.

But Charvis did well to pick up that ball.

There's a lot of work to do

and he drives over for a tremendously important try for Wales.

Jenkins converts.

And a remarkable start for Wales.

That's Ben Evans.

Almost 19 stone, the tighthead.

The little chip is for Matthew Robinson to chase.

It's well-placed.

And that's the new cap for France, Marc Raynaud,

from Narbonne.

Now then. That's Comba, right through the gap.

Ntamack is outside.

It's Mark Taylor for Wales, Ntamack for France.

And it's a try.

What an opening to this game.

Emile Ntamack gets his 18th try for his country.

And a magnificent riposte from the French.

Yes, I don't know why Franck Comba kicked this ball.

A lovely outside break.

Spins through the gap, huge gap there,

and then Ntamack still has a lot of work to do.

I thought he could have passed that ball onto Ntamack.

Went for the kick, but the fullback had enough pace

to keep Mark Taylor out, and that's another good score by France.

Castaignede, spot-on.

And the score - France 7, Wales 10.

He scored against Wales in '95,

Ntamack, and he's repeated.

Gained his first cap against Wales, as well, in '94.

And it seems Aucagne might have gone to outside-half

with Castaignede into the centre.

Here go Wales again through Colin Charvis.

Peter Rogers wearing 1.

Just a little untidy.

But this is Chris Wyatt.

He's been a revelation this season in the red shirt.

Jenkins. Jenkins almost through the gap for the second time.

It's really positive play by Wales.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Howley hanging onto the ball after that tackle.

Lovely play by France again, and it's Lombard.

Still going, and they're streaming up now on the right.

Here's another marvellous chance for France.

It's out to Bernat-Salles.

Bernat-Salles with plenty of support.

Number 8 is Lievremont.

-15 metres short, France.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

And it's a Welsh penalty as France go over the top.

A constant try scorer,

but pressure relieved this time by Neil Jenkins, but it's so refreshing

to see two sides prepared to attack from all quarters of the field.

Wyatt soaring high.

Jenkins...

Again, a well practised move to try and release midfield players.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Well, it's a chance for Wales, but I wonder, did Jim Fleming

blow a second or two early there, as Wales had possession?

Jenkins has become only the second player in the history of the game

to cross 700 points, incidentally, in international rugby.

Michael Lynagh of Australia way out ahead at the top of the list

with 911.

But Jenkins is now on 701,

including 41 for the British Lions.

And that's why he's accumulated

so many points on the international stage.

-Against the throw for Wales.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

But Jim Fleming belatedly blows the whistle,

not for the pushing in the line-out

but for dropping on the ball on the ground.

Castaignede, who plays his rugby now for Castres.

Strokes it beautifully between.

He's now got his range. That's a warning sign for Wales.

It's an encouraging one for France.

Graham Henry...

Now then, his thoughts on the opening 15 minutes,

I wonder, John.

Remarkable. We've got a score line of 13-10.

-JIM FLEMING:

-OK.

16 minutes gone, it's Howley.

Gibbs. Quinnell.

Almost worked back to Howley.

Good, aggressive tackling by France, but Matthew Robinson again.

Strong and quick at close quarters,

and Wales have it through Gibbs, back to Jenkins, out to Howarth.

Howarth for the gap. It's out to Dafydd James.

James for the corner.

Inside... Tantalisingly close again

for Wales and Jenkins.

The ball's gone forward and Jim Fleming is playing advantage France.

Carbonneau, Aucagne...

Even behind their own try line they're ready to go.

And there's Castaignede. Brilliant.

Superb reverse pass.

Magical French play,

and they're flowing up field.

It's out to Bernat-Salles.

Bernat-Salles.

Magnificent cover by Robert Howley.

And what a passage of play.

This little man, and he does this little flick with his back,

like Jo Maso, who's now the team manager of France.

It's a joy to watch and the French crowd love it. Look at him.

Dancing, and then that little skill flick. Fabulous.

CROWD CHEERS

Big roar from the French crowd. They took that on the Welsh throw.

And rumbling clear is Franck Tournaire.

Here go the French pack.

Ibanez so close in the corner there.

Tournaire, tighthead prop, as well. He wears 3.

And it was almost, almost a second French try.

Wyatt...

...above all in that line-out, and Howley...

deliberately infield - doesn't want to concede that lineout.

Great kick, Dafydd James.

Dafydd James has got Sinkinson with him.

Here comes Neil Jenkins as well.

They went the wrong way.

Another clear-cut chance

and it's still there as Dafydd powers his way up almost to the 22.

This is Chris Wyatt.

He's supplied the scoring pass on so many occasions

this season for Wales.

And it's another penalty.

And it's a thrill a minute.

You can't take your eyes off the ground here.

A magnificent game of rugby and a magnificent take by Dafydd James.

I thought Dafydd could have kept on running

once he got back on his feet here.

There's hardly anyone in front of him.

But he decided to pass that ball on,

and there was no-one with pace him outside him then.

Neil Jenkins, 62 caps today.

Becomes equal with Gareth Llewellyn, the lock forward.

Second in the all-time list for Wales, ten behind Ieuan Evans.

And again, proof of his value to any rugby side.

That comes down from Brouzet.

Comba, again the little chip through.

Robinson, good cover.

But can't take it cleanly.

And Ntamack at the back, it's a second try.

Yes, you make a mistake against the French and they will punish you.

It was a harmless kick ahead, Robinson had plenty of time,

the ball was bouncing up for him.

Should have steadied himself.

I think he wanted to counterattack. It bounced kindly for him.

Ntamack, a lovely sidestep off his left foot there to score the try.

The post the difference between France leading and Wales leading.

In it goes. Ibanez finds his man at the back.

Lombard.

They're all joining in. Ntamack is sensing a hat-trick.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Wales offside.

Now Castaignede has the chance to push France ahead

for the first time in this game.

Concentration amidst the noise.

France 18, Wales 16.

That's Raynaud, the new cap.

The replacement for Olivier Magne.

Christian Califano, who's an extra back on the field.

Recovered from injury, regained his place in the national side.

Comba again. He is creating all sorts of problems.

But Scott Gibbs has taken it away from him.

And here comes Colin Charvis, Ben Evans in support.

He's placed it and now it's Howley out. Jenkins.

Jenkins...

Tremendous tackle from Castaignede.

Jenkins did well on the ground to maintain possession.

And that's Charvis, and Gibbs, the Swansea combination.

Driving on is Rogers, effectively as well.

And now it's Quinnell. Scott Quinnell into the French 22.

Howley behind them. Out there is Robinson.

Howarth didn't give him the ball.

The fullback tried to go on his own.

But it's still Welsh possession, they've held onto it.

And this is Mark Taylor. Taylor of Swansea.

Taylor almost wriggling his way clear.

It's still Welsh ball and it's still Robert Howley.

Neil Jenkins, Dafydd James.

James, the second Welsh try.

Brilliant play by Wales.

And this is superb entertainment.

Yes, another great try by Wales.

The forwards did so well to set this ball up

in the middle of the field, and Jenkins brings the man in.

Dafydd James came from a deep position -

he was in the middle of that ruck.

He got out on to the left wing to score over in the corner.

Well done, Wales. Battled back into this game.

Lot of work to do by Dafydd James, but he's a big, strong boy.

Bernat-Salles was never going to stop him. Good try.

He hasn't failed so far. This, the most difficult.

And he's just pulled it wide.

But France 18, Wales 21.

Scott Quinnell.

Coach Henry said he was looking for a big game

from the Quinnell brothers.

They've supplied it so far.

And here goes Howarth again. Onto James.

He's turned inside Bernat-Salles.

Charvis is running to get in support. Dafydd James didn't look.

Again, it's Howley. Howley could go all the way.

Out the ball comes.

But it's out to Craig Quinnell, he's galloping over.

Magnificent.

Absolutely magnificent.

And what a try this is for Wales again.

Craig Quinnell working so hard

to get up onto that right-wing position and sprint over.

What a try.

And even all the French crowd are applauding Wales. Fabulous rugby.

Dafydd James on the left, and when he lays it back, Robert Howley...

I thought Howley was going to go all the way here.

The gap opened up for him.

But intelligently, he could see that Craig Quinnell was out there.

And the big man, he loved this. His second try for Wales. Fabulous.

Father Derek had his first cap against France in Cardiff,

coming on as a replacement.

Remember that picture,

when he pushed the policeman aside to get on.

And now Quinnell has made it a family hat-trick against France.

Neil Jenkins has added the extra two points.

It's France 18,

and it's Wales 28.

We had no doubt that they would come out in the second half

and really have a pop at us and play some good rugby themselves.

Like, Castaignede, Emile Ntamack, in the back line,

it was always going to be very tough and stuff, and, you know,

they're huge threats worldwide, fantastic rugby players

and world-class, and we certainly knew, whether it be at half-time

or any part of the game, that they would get themselves into the game

and cause us problems.

And as the game wore on, they certainly did.

Lievremont escapes from Neil Jenkins. He's up to halfway.

Good play by the number 8. Carbonneau switching it.

And that's Ntamack, he's away.

Inside is the captain, Ibanez.

It's back to...

Emile Ntamack has got a hat-trick. Superb play.

But there's one little doubt.

Was the final pass from Ibanez to Emile Ntamack

just slightly forward?

But no-one can deny the man from Toulouse his hour of glory.

Ntamack a real handful, making this try, really.

Now, was this a forward pass? Let's have a look.

Marginal, possible, but this man is a class player.

Has the pace and the strength to get over.

It's another great afternoon in a glittering career

for Emile Ntamack.

Superb conversion by Thomas Castaignede.

So, excitement mounts. The French crowd find their voice.

It's France 25, Wales 28. It's three tries apiece.

And now we've got noise in the stadium at last.

Here go Wales. Howarth is out.

Dafydd James. James taking on Garbajosa.

But first man there is Castaignede.

Gibbs arrives to lend his power.

And now it's Colin Charvis breaking into the French half.

Howley. Brett Sinkinson.

Neil Jenkins.

Peter Rogers lost possession. This could be dangerous for Wales.

But no.

Half a chance for France, but Mark Taylor is the first back.

Half the Swansea partnership in midfield

that is now playing for Wales.

Howley almost found a little gap for himself.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

-He's held on.

It's this to tie the scores

as we approach the midway point of the second half.

It's there.

And remarkably, the score at the Stade de France...

is Wales 28, France 28,

and what a final quarter in prospect.

And here's a significant change for Wales. Robert Howley can't continue.

He's taken a knock to his knee. And on is David Llewellyn.

What an important moment for the man from Ebbw Vale.

First touch. Out it goes to Quinnell. Inside to Charvis.

Just the second cap for Llewellyn.

He had a few minutes as a replacement when Wales

were swept aside against South Africa

to the tune of some 90 points...

..a year ago.

So, Llewellyn is on for the Welsh captain, Robert Howley.

13 minutes left.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Crossing in midfield, that's a penalty for Wales.

And despite his lack of success in the second half, JJ,

I'm sure that Neil Jenkins will get that little sand castle out

-and aim for goal.

-This is an important kick for Wales.

You can see the crossing over here in midfield for France.

Definite penalty, driving into them, contact made.

Penalty given away.

France 28, Wales 28.

28 minutes gone of the second half.

And a vital penalty attempt for Neil Jenkins. He's struck it well.

Marvellous kick and Wales are back ahead.

Llewellyn. Jenkins.

Taylor. Almost slicing through.

Has he lost the ball? Yes, he has.

And here goes Comba.

Comba.

Swept it out to Garbajosa.

Garbajosa up to the Welsh ten-metre line.

Comba in support. Marvellous French play.

Up to ten metres outside that Welsh 22.

Dafydd James retreating from an offside position,

but it's still France, and they're looking so dangerous.

Vital challenge by Scott Gibbs. Put his man off.

But here goes Lombard, he's outside Sinkinson.

15 metres short, France.

Trundling on. And the ball is still not dead.

Raynaud, number 7. France within five metres.

And they're lining up out right.

It must be a try for the blue shirts.

Out it goes, and it's Castaignede. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

The ball started way back up the field

when Wales lost the ball with Mark Taylor.

But credit to the French, this was a fabulous rugby.

Look, Fabien Pelous is the midfield handling this ball on.

Big second row, giving it to...

..Castaignede who just sprints off. Fabulous try by France.

It's a ninth for Thomas Castaignede on the international stage.

They had so many men spare.

And who better to cross finally?

And is that the try that sees France home, I wonder?

We've still got eight minutes left.

Castaignede, who saved them in Dublin

with a last-minute penalty four weeks ago

to keep alive their hopes of a third consecutive Grand Slam.

Has he done it again?

Castaignede, he's slipped in the run-up. And that could be important.

But that turnover in midfield was so important.

It allows the French then to counterattack,

and that's the ball they want.

First half, France would have attacked from there.

Is that a late tackle on Shane Howarth? Yes, it is.

Jim Fleming indicates

Thomas Castaignede went in with a shoulder,

and is the hero about to become a villain?

Has Castaignede given advantage back to Wales?

Another absolutely vital, crucial kick for Neil Jenkins.

35 minutes are approaching.

Wales trail by two points.

It's the little chip, he's turned his back, he knows it there,

and there's delight again

for the travelling thousands of Welsh people.

No side in the history of the Five Nations has gone on

to win three consecutive Grand Slams.

That was France's ambition for this season.

But Wales are within seconds of denying them.

But here come France. Wales in a mix-up at the base of the scrum.

Carbonneau. That's Fabien Pelous.

They're within inches of the Welsh try line,

-within inches of saving it again.

-WHISTLE BLOWS

And it's a penalty. A punch came in from the Welsh side.

And the drama remains. It's been unfolding...

I remember the ball popping out and thinking, "Oh, no, is this it?"

We're on our own line, we're under a bit of pressure,

and the referee's given a penalty away on the far right-hand side.

And this an important decision for France.

It's decision by committee. We're into stoppage time.

And finally...it all rests on this man, Thomas Castaignede.

Thomas had missed one quite early on in the game,

where he just sort of pulled one round to the left, so probably...

I'm sure he won't mind me saying this,

he's probably not a natural kicker

and probably didn't want a goal kick, to be honest.

A tough kick by anyone's standards and, you know,

I did think at the time that surely we are due a little bit of luck

and it would be nice if this one sort of went to the left or right.

Wales have waited 24 years for a victory in Paris.

Is Castaignede going to deny them as well?

Castaignede strokes it.

It's past the post.

Huge disappointment for France.

Big relief for Wales.

And Thomas Castaignede has failed to repeat what he did in Dublin.

Jim Fleming has blown his whistle.

That is a truly remarkable afternoon of rugby.

France 33, Wales 34.

It is a fantastic achievement,

the first Welsh side to win there since '75.

And in Paris, obviously,

it was the first time we'd played at the Stade de France,

so, yeah, it's an epic experience, really,

and something you'll never forget.

The boys had a good drink that night and enjoyed ourselves,

and generally, the family came with us as well,

so it would have been a great experience for everyone.

And to win a Test match anywhere is pretty special,

but to go to Paris, probably one of the hardest grounds

to get a victory, was undoubtedly very special.

On to England and another home game for Wales at Wembley.

The English were unbeaten and favourites for the Grand Slam.

If you win in Paris and that doesn't give you confidence,

I don't know what will.

In terms of that, it certainly gave us an awful lot of confidence,

and albeit we knew England were going for the Grand Slam,

it was in London, it was at Wembley, supposedly our home ground.

You know, we were a confident side then I felt and, you know,

we certainly turned up that day and, obviously,

everyone knows what happened.

Scott Gibbs goes through. Scott Gibbs has scored.

What an amazing try.

But Wales were still a point adrift and, just like in Paris,

the difference between glory and despair was one pressure kick.

This will lift the roof. Has he stuck it over?

And indeed he has.

And that... Well, can you imagine a more dramatic closing sequence?

It's 32 points to 31.

In the summer, Wales returned to Cardiff

for their first match at the Millennium Stadium,

the new ground proving inspirational

as Wales beat South Africa for the first time ever.

The winning streak eventually stretched to ten in a row,

including a series win in Argentina, the first ever by a British side.

Add in the hosting of a World Cup

and '99 proved a memorable year for Welsh rugby.

As a player and being involved is something that I'll never forget,

'99, and probably more special than anything,

the birth of my daughter that year as well, so, you know, it's just...

It is, it was a pretty special year from all concerned, really.

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