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Week Five
27 February 2005, 12:46 pm
I don't feel bitter about our defeat to Wales simply because it was one of the best rugby matches I have seen in a long time and to make such a good game you need two teams.
But the defeat is regrettable for France who could have killed the match in the first half. They had a lot of opportunities but only converted two of them, which is not enough against a team like Wales who made a lot of mistakes and missed a lot of balls in that first half.

The second half was totally different. I think the French were surprised by the Welsh change of tactics and their speed of execution. The Welsh definitely played well and turned the match to their advantage.

The reason why we failed to keep our advantage is that we did not play good rugby in the first two matches and when Wales fought back we were stunned, surprised and the doubts reappeared.

Wales, however, have been playing great quality rugby for four or five matches and were confident they could make it. They deserved their victory.

France, meanwhile, must improve and build on what they have showed in the first half. The team must be capable of doing what they want on a pitch. It's not really a matter of new players trying to adapt but more the necessity to have a definite game plan and follow it no matter the players that are used.

The next match against Ireland will be tough. Even if the Grand Slam hopes are gone, the French guys are competitors and they will react against the Irish, who want the Grand Slam themselves.

The tournament is not over for France. As I said previously they must inspire themselves from what they have achieved in the first half against Wales, seize their opportunities better and elaborate their game. This is what will help them regain confidence.


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