Wales were denied their second Grand Slam in three years as France won a thrilling Six Nations encounter 32-30 at the death in Paris. That is what has occurred with Wales defeating Ireland, Scotland and now England to top the table after the halfway stage. Wales travel to Paris to play France on 'Super Saturday' in the Six Nations, looking to claim their second grand slam in three years. Read about our approach to external linking. This is the key strength for both players, but Tipuric edges it for me. Wales lead the table following their 40-24 win over England . That means he is quicker than some to get to breakdowns but is perhaps easier to shift off the ball when he does get there. Tipuric is not quite to the forefront so much, although as a hugely established player he is integral to the Welsh side. Turns out though Mr Quinnell might be onto something. How to get into rugby union - get into the social team game that brings people together, Pivac enjoys 'special' day after Triple Crown success, Wales beat England to keep up winning run, As it happened & reaction: Wales 40-24 England, Fabien Galthie's side are the only other unbeaten team in the tournament but have played a game less after this, weekend's match against Scotland was postponed. Last updated on 28 February 202128 February 2021.From the section Welsh Rugby. Tipuric (55), Faletau (53) and Jones (49) are top of the Six Nations tackle statistics. Each team plays each other once. In a defining match to determine the winner of the Six Nations 2021 edition, France received Welsh and he beat him on the last play to snatch the Grand Slam from the Dragon and continue with chances in the European tournament. The Six Nations 2021 runs from Saturday, February 6 until Saturday, March 20. Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones admitted afterwards things had fallen their way but it is too simplistic to just put three wins down to 'Lady Luck'. The Six Nations 2021 runs from Saturday, February 6 until Saturday, March 20. The France vs Wales 2021 Six Nations rugby match odds on Saturday, March 20th, favor the French by 7.5 points in Paris. Wales have won all three of their games so far in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations and remain on course to complete the clean sweep, with Italy and France still to play. More importantly, his on-the-field decisions have laid the foundations for the timely turnaround. So it is not lucky that Wales have finished games strongly. His brave replacements policy has also paid dividends with Hardy, Callum Sheedy and Willis Halaholo helping change the game against Scotland. Here are my Six Nations predictions for Round 4. Six Nations 2021: France team to face Wales WALES Wales coach Wayne Pivac has made four changes to the 23-man matchday squad that dispatched Italy last time out. Please review our, You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. That is not all just down to the benevolence of fate. Wales have already won their fifth Six Nations Triple Crown since 2000 and on each of the previous occasions they have done so, they have gone on to ⦠In addition to hosting their closest competitor (points-wise), France also have an early edge in point differential, which is the first tiebreaker. It was always going to be testing for the New Zealander to follow compatriot Warren Gatland, whose 12 years in charge yielded three Grand Slams, four Six Nations titles and two World Cup semi-finals. Two weeks later against England, the players off the bench again provided a crucial intervention and were introduced at the right time. Tipuric is so light that he gets thrown up towards the back of the lineout, with his excellent hands meaning he is always a safe option. Film-maker Duncan, who has just turned 30, explores millennial problems, Laura Kuenssberg tells the inside story of the UK's battle against the virus. Who would have said that a month ago? "We talk a lot about Alun Wyn and everything that is said is very accurate," said Pivac. Warren Gatland has always been a huge fan, and it would be no surprise to me to see Tipuric start for the Lions this summer. "I'm very pleased that those guys, in particular senior players like Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies, George North - those sorts of players - want to take on that role and share those experiences with younger players. He appears to be a skipper who leads by example, but few could deny it’s working. Following the dismal 2020 campaign and three years ahead of a World Cup, was a changing of the guard needed with regards to the Wales 30-something brigade? The most-capped player in Test match history is aiming become the first man to win four Grand Slams in the Six Nations era and has a gravitas in the dressing room. Fabien Galthie's side are the only other unbeaten team in the tournament but have played a game less after this weekend's match against Scotland was postponed because of that Covid-19 outbreak in Les Bleus camp. While Wales have not been squeaky clean, their discipline has been a cut above those opposing them. The Welshman’s footwork and pace is sensational, perhaps better than any flanker in the game. Selection and substitutes were important in Gatland's success. And of course, now Wales' most favourite French referee in Pascal Gauzere. Strange and surreal but now perfectly plausible. Complacency will be the main issue against an Italy side who have now lost 30 successive Six Nations games. Ten tries in three Six Nations matches. Both men will be key in deciding the outcome of the match, but who has the edge? He offers a try scoring threat and his all-round game is extremely solid, with his leadership a huge bonus. Wales fans will hope it concludes with a second Grand Slam in three tournaments. "England have to be smarter, and they have to be accountable." Questions are being raised about whether this could prove to be the luckiest Triple Crown in history. Not many took his prediction too seriously, putting it down to the friendly blind optimism associated with one of Wales' most infectious and positive characters. France has denied Wales the Six Nations Grand Slam in overtime in Paris' empty stadium. It was not fortunate Wales wrestled the momentum from England just as they did two years ago in their 21-13 victory. | 2021 Guinness Six Nationsâ â below is their description. âThere are 25 of this squad who have won big in this Championship,â added Humphreys, who earned 35 caps for Wales ⦠See the point spread, ⦠You often feel like there must be three Justin Tipuric’s on the field, with his distinctive scrum cap seeming to be everywhere at once. There really isn’t much between them in this vital area. Victories in scheduled away trips to Rome and then Paris in March would provide a stunning Six Nations clean sweep. He’s a very different player to a Sam Underhill or Hamish Watson for that reason, and Wales have to balance that with Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau adding the bulk that Tipuric can’t. It's about how you react and adapt. Even the most ardent Wales fan will have to acknowledge their side have benefitted from the bounce of the ball, opposite indiscipline and stray opposition elbows and forearms. Guinness Six Nations published this video item, entitled âFrance v Wales â HIGHLIGHTS | Incredible Match Won In Final Play! Scrum V's 2021 Six Nations predictions Some of that journey will be in Wales' hands, other aspects will not. I would have him in my side, too, although I would move Tipuric to No 6 and play Tom Curry at openside. Three months on, those experienced campaigners have played a pivotal part in the Triple Crown success. It is still early days but Pivac is beginning to show he has similar traits. WALES have been denied a Grand Slam in heartbreaking circumstances in Paris. Preview and stats followed by live commentary, video highlights and match report. Tipuric can pretty much do it all, and if he gets the better of Ollivon on Saturday then Wales will have taken a big step towards the Grand Slam. Tipuric is much more slender than the majority of openside flankers in the game these days. It's important going forward.". In adversity, Pivac has remained dignified answering questions about his future. Vote for your Guinness Six Nations try of Round 4! It was a 32-30 win at the Stade de France and have a chance to fight for the title against Scotland.The first half started in an electrifying way. While Pivac deserves credit, so do his senior players. The Six Nations returns this weekend, with Wales set to continue their unbeaten run, and thereâs a particularly tough pick to make on Sunday. Guinness Six Nations Try of Round 3 vote result France beat Wales 32-30 after Les Bleus' Brice Dulin squeezed in a ⦠Wales claim they âchokedâ England into giving away penalties in Six Nations 2021 win In total, the defending Six Nations champions gave away ⦠Some of that journey will be in Wales' hands, other aspects will not. Charles Ollivon, is one of the best No 7's in world rugby, Six Nations 2021: France team to face Wales, How to watch France v Wales Six Nations 2021. Neither are the type to stop a ball runner in their tracks, with both of them being more adept at choosing their moments to make a statement tackle. Wales have already won the Triple Crown in this year's Six Nations Credit: AFP or licensors And last weekend they eased past Italy , leaving only the French standing in their way. claim their second grand slam in three years. His peers realise quite how vital Tipuric is to the Welsh side, and there is no higher praise. Wales have proved superior to their opponents in this facet. "The young guys are hanging off every word. With a break clause at the end of the season in his four-year contract, questions were raised about whether he would see the side through to the 2023 World Cup in France. Not just leaving everything to fortune. Ollivon is somewhat different, a flanker who backs his finishing abilities and can often be found loitering out wide as a result. We await to see if that remains the case and if France stay in the tournament. But Tipuric shades it for me, with his ball-handling, pace and work-rate unmatched. Three wins, two bonus points and a record 40 points against England. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. Who can win the Six Nations 2021? The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Six Nations 2021: Wales team to face France, Wales will have taken a big step towards the Grand Slam. Six Nations 2021 Wayne Pivac: Wales are 'focused and motivated' to complete grand slam Wales starting lineup for Paris match will share 987 caps ⦠In the strangest of years, we have had perhaps the most surreal Six Nations championship so far - a tale of the unexpected in so many ways. When Wales secured the grand slam in 2005, they had won three of their previous 16 matches in the Six Nations, with those being against Scotland ⦠His impact around the field would be balanced by Curry’s incredible work at the breakdown, and would work brilliantly with the thrust from No 8 of a Billy Vunipola or Taulupe Faletau. Wales fielded their most capped starting side against England with more than 900 caps between them and Pivac himself stressed the importance of the older guard. Not many gave Pivac a chance of success in the 2021 tournament. SIX NATIONS ⦠We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Now he has won three matches and is more than halfway to a Grand Slam. Find out more, Charles Ollivon is the ultimate defensive jumper at the lineout, with his ability to contort his limbs, With his distinctive scrum-cap, it can often feel as those there are two Justin Tipuric's flying around the pitch, Maggie Alphonsi's team of the Six Nations week five: Eight Irishmen feature after commanding England win, Welsh rugby heartbreak — it's what BBC primetime was made for, France or Wales? The action then moves to Dublin, where Ireland and England meet at the Aviva Stadium. England won the accolade last year but had hopes of repeating the feat in 2021 snuffed out by Scotland at Twickenham on the opening day. Despite what happens with rescheduled fixtures and France's future, Wales will hope they can control their own Grand Slam destiny with two more victories. Six Nations Winners - In this piece we have taken a look at the long list of winners of the Six Nations rugby tournament. Plus fixtures and current standings, Best game, best referee, best try: My Six Nations awards, France boss Fabien Galthié accuses Wales of getting players sent off, Patience, poise and 42 passes: The France wonder-try that shattered Wales' Grand Slam dream. His backroom staff have also excelled with attack coach Stephen Jones overseeing the glut of tries, Gethin Jenkins installing a dynamic defence and forwards boss Jonathan Humphreys sorting out a malfunctioning lineout. because of that Covid-19 outbreak in Les Bleus camp. They are the types who will make numerous hits, particularly in stands on their own lines, although they are more likely to be chop tackles rather than upright ones. The perfect example being locked at 24-24 with England after 67 minutes before outscoring the Red Rose by 16 points in the "championship minutes", as Eddie Jones likes to call them. Halfpenny ended up going off to have ⦠If you couldn’t see the number on Tipuric’s back you would be forgiven for thinking he was a centre. Get latest scores and headlines sent straight to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and learn where to find us on online. Wales have recorded four clean sweeps in the past 16 years â in 2005, 2008, 2012 and 2019 â but each of them have been wrapped up in front of a jubilant Cardiff crowd at Principality Stadium. The final fixture against Wales was designed to bring the tournament and "Super Saturday" on March 20 to a spectacular conclusion. Prior to the tournament, no crowds were a given, a Covid-19 outbreak somewhere anticipated, but a Wales Triple Crown was not predicted by many. That is character, class and being clinical. Both are used in the lineout, but for very different reasons. He's one of many senior players that we have in the group that are really stepping up in training sessions and team meetings. They have played some scintillating rugby at times, with much of their good work coming on the back of open-side flanker Justin Tipuric's hard work and fleet-footedness. Wales head coach Wayne Pivac faced a difficult task when he succeeded Warren Gatland in the hot-seat. Unexpected events happen in sport. THE SIX Nations is in week three and Wales have won a Triple Crown against England. Wales lead the table following their 40-24 win over England . His electric pace helps in this regard, with few forwards able to live with him. Wayne Pivac deserves a special mention after a poor 2020 saw him lose seven out of 10 games in his first full year in charge. I have been working with Shane Williams and Gareth Thomas recently, and I have been struck by the respect and admiration they have for him. Wales defeated Ireland and Scotland with their opponents reduced to 14 men and against England they profited from two controversial first-half tries that will be debated for weeks, months and even years to come. France have won their last two against Wales, including a 27-23 away victory at the 2020 Six Nations last February. He is incredibly fortunate in that France appear to have a golden generation coming through, but leading a group like that is no easy task. You can’t argue with the end result, with the French captain scoring six tries in his last 11 Tests. His opposite number on Saturday, Charles Ollivon, is one of the best No 7's in world rugby. A huge area for Ollivon, the French captain. Wayne Pivac's men are the unlikely leaders heading into their final fixture. How to watch France v Wales Six Nations 2021 Ball in hand If you couldnât see the number on Tipuricâs back you would be forgiven for thinking he was a centre. Guinness Six Nations match Scotland vs Wales (13 Feb 2021). With the virus outbreak in the French camp and the postponement of their game against Scotland this weekend, how this wonderfully weird tournament will end is still to be decided. Ollivon is a sensational player, and looks certain to be a key cog in the French side for years to come. Just look at the match facts. The Six Nations is the successor to the Home Nations Championship (1883â1909 and 1932â39), played between teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, which was the first international rugby union tournament. Six Nations 2021 Fixtures Guide The final round of the 2021 Six Nations will kick off in Edinburgh, where Scotland take on Italy at BT Murrayfield. Ollivon is similar in that he also has to pick and choose his moments to dive in rather than attack every time, where he simply won’t be as effective. Choices like bringing George North into the centre from the wing and preferring Kieran Hardy to Gareth Davies to start at scrum-half against England have been vindicated. Wales finished fifth in the 2020 Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup competitions, but have transformed their form in the 2021 Six Nations with four victories, including a ⦠France vs Wales, Six Nations 2021: Team news, lineups, TV channel, live stream, kickoff time, h2h, odds France have won each of their last two matches against Wales / AFP via Getty Images In success, he has been modest in his role in helping turning around fortunes by laying the praise with his players. Wales legend Scott Quinnell stated on the Scrum V Six Nations preview show that Pivac's men would win the Grand Slam. Ollivon is a fine defensive jumper, a man who can contort his long limbs to react and disrupt the opposition. Ollivon is no shirker, but he can’t quite keep up with Tipuric in this regard. Rachael Blackmore says her Cheltenham Festival was "phenomenal" after becoming the first woman to be the leading jockey at the meeting. If France only get three more Championship points than Wales, then the visitors will still be crowned 2021 Guinness Six Nations champions in the French capital. Captain Alun Wyn Jones (35), Ken Owens (34), Dan Biggar (31), Justin Tipuric (31) and the remarkable Taulupe Faletau (30) have demonstrated there is no substitute for street-wise experience. Each team plays each other once. The Welshman’s footwork and pace is sensational, perhaps better than any flanker in the game. Wales faced France in Cardiff in the final match of the 1988 Five Nations having won an unlikely triple crown. Sheedy again made an indelible impression with a 13-point second-half haul as he proved his international goal-kicking credentials, while Elliot Dee and Cory Hill typified the inspirational impetus England could not handle. It is not lucky Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkin produced match-saving tackles against Ireland and Scotland respectively, or that Louis Rees-Zammit inspired victory at Murrayfield with a stunning solo try. And Franceâs last minute win means Les Bleus are still in with a chance of the title. It’s a part of both their games, but not a key strength. Our expert Maggie Alphonsi breaks down each man's leadership, tackling and work in the breakdown to determine who is the best flanker. Lifting performance levels against France will be the challenge if Wales are to complete their tournament clean sweep in the French capital for the first time in 50 years. Between them in this regard a stunning Six Nations games, '' said.. Task when he succeeded Warren Gatland in the Triple Crown defensive jumper, a man who can contort his limbs. Referee in Pascal Gauzere so have wales won the six nations 2021, although as a result of openside flankers in the tournament and `` Saturday! 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