By Gareth James
Dan Biggar insists Wales will be concentrating on getting their own house in order rather than putting too much emphasis on stopping individual players against firm favourites France on Friday night.
The Northampton Saints playmaker will captain Wales at the Principality Stadium against a formidable France side who are chasing a Six Nations Grand Slam.
France have some of the world best players in their ranks including current world player of the year Antoine Dupont.
Despite the attention given to the likes of Dupont, Romain Ntamack, and Gael Fickou, Biggar is adamant Wales need to focus on themselves first and foremost.
“Dupont has a huge influence,” said Biggar. “His partnership with Ntamack has flourished and they’re in good form.
“They’re going to be huge danger men. We try to get our house in order and focus on ourselves and give ourselves the opportunity to put our best foot forward.
“A night kick-off, playing the form team in the world at the minute. It doesn’t get any better than that.
“If you look at their first three games they’re not playing a huge amount of rugby in their half. They are making teams coming from deep. Shaun Edwards has got them very well drilled in terms of post-tackle work and breakdowns which have been a huge plus for them.
Wales in danger of failing to sell-out France in the @SixNationsRugby for the first time in 20 years. Instead of putting the fans first by sparing them the logistical hazards of attending Friday night matches, the Unions are otherwise engaged, dancing to television’s tune.
— Peter Jackson (@JackoRugby) March 10, 2022
“We know that we haven’t got to overplay our hand in our own half but we need to come alive when we get in the French half and take any opportunities we can because we know they are going to be very, very difficult to come across.”
Wayne Pivac has made four changes to his starting XV with Seb Davies and Josh Navidi coming into the back row to replace Ross Moriarty and Taine Basham, respectively.
Jonathan Davies wears the number 12 jersey following Nick Tompkins’ concussion, while Gareth Thomas is given a start at loosehead prop with Wyn Jones dropping down to the replacements bench.
Wales have enjoyed some titanic battles with France in recent years, and were denied a Slam in Paris last season with a last minute try by the home side shattering their dreams.
Biggar would like nothing more than for this Wales side to win their first test match against France since the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Japan.
“That campaign last season, we won four games up until then and played pretty well against England but there’s absolutely no doubt that the French game was the best we played as a team and we ended up on the losing side which was disappointing,” said Biggar.
This is probably blind optimism and I’m not saying we’ll win but Wales are more than capable of upsetting France in Cardiff tonight and blowing the #GuinnessSixNations wide open.
Don’t @ me if Wales lose.
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) March 11, 2022
“We took the game to France and made it clear that we weren’t just going to absorb what France were going to throw at us.
“It is very, very difficult with the world-class players that France have got.
“You’re not going to stop them scoring 20 plus points because of the talent and the power they have in their team so we knew that we were going to have to score 20 plus points to be in with a shout. That was our mindset then and it’s still the same now.”
Seb Davies will pack down in the number six jersey after his versatility has proven to be very useful for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac and he is hopeful of making a big impact against a strong France pack.
“France have a very good forward pack so I think probably the main thing I’ll bring will be physicality around the park, and putting big defensive shifts in,” said Davies.
“I think my attacking game is my best asset. Getting around the park, making good decisions around whether to carry or pass.
“Things like the line-out options I fit in well there. I always try to see my versatility as a positive thing.
“Every game is big, and I’m just trying to make a positive impact. When I get the ball, in defence, putting physical tackles in, around the park offloading and carrying the ball.
CYMRU NI!
Ni’n barod!
Friday night under the lights!
@yclwbrygbi
7.30pm #GuinnessSixNations #WALvFRA pic.twitter.com/Lw3gZfZWwQ— S4C Chwaraeon (@S4Cchwaraeon) March 11, 2022
“I’m going to just stick to my game and hopefully do everyone proud.” Davies has made a positive impact off the replacements bench against both Scotland and England, respectively.”
The 25-year-old acknowledges how difficult it will be to make any headway against a gigantic France side, but has every confidence in the ability of this Wales XV.
“Of course it’s going to be a big test.They are playing very well at the moment. We just have to start well, limit the chances they get in our 22.
“They have a big forward pack so the more we can limit them the better we are going to be. I felt good against England.
“Obviously, we were forced into playing with the ball a lot when we were in our own half. I managed to get the ball in my hands quite a few times which I was happy about.
“I’m quite good at getting on the ball and offloading. I was a little bit surprised when Wayne told me I was playing six because I haven’t played six for quite a while, but I’m obviously very happy.
“I think I’ve had a decent impact off the bench. I’m pretty excited.”
☕️ Bonjour à tous les amis ! Aujourd’hui, c’est ! ❤️ On compte sur vous ce soir ! #NeFaisonsXV #GALFRA #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/KLQjRsgkfb
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 11, 2022
Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, J Davies, Adams; Biggar (capt), T Williams; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, S Davies, Navidi, Faletau.
Replacements: Lake, W Jones, D Lewis, Moriarty, J Morgan, Hardy, Anscombe, Rees-Zammit.
France: Jaminet; Moefana, Fickou, Danty, Villiere; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Haouas, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos, Lebel.
