Wales vs France, Rugby World Cup 2019 LIVE result: Latest reaction from today’s quarter-final
Follow the latest reaction from the Rugby World Cup quarter-final thriller between Wales and France
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Ross Moriarty scored the winning try as Wales exploited their numerical superiority to rally for a 20-19 victory over France in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday after French lock Sebastien Vahaamahina had been shown a red card.
In an echo of the semi-final meeting between the two nations in 2011 when France won after Sam Warburton was sent off, the Six Nations champions overhauled a nine-point deficit after Vahaamahina was dismissed for foul play in the 49th minute.
Replacement loose forward Moriarty crossed in the 74th minute to give Wales an eighth win in their last nine meetings with France and set up a semi-final against hosts Japan or South Africa, who play in Tokyo later on Sunday.
France had threatened to stage another sensational World Cup upset after a brilliant first-half display in which they scored three tries, including two in the first eight minutes, to lead 19-10 at the break.
Reuters
When is the match?
Wales vs France takes place on Sunday 20 October at Oita Stadium.
What time does it start?
The quarter-final kicks off at 4:15pm Japan Standard Time, which is 8:15am BST.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on ITV and the ITV Hub online from 7:30am BST. Highlights will be shown on ITV4 from 7pm.
Teams
Wales: Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin.
France: Maxime Medard, Damian Penaud, Virimi Vakatawa, Gael Fickou, Yoann Huget, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont, Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (c), Rabah Slimani, Bernard le Roux, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Wenceslas Lauret, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Cyril Baille, Emerick Setiano, Paul Gabrillagues, Louis Picamoles, Baptiste Serin, Camille Lopez, Vincent Rattez.
Odds
Wales to win: 2/5
France to win: 11/4
Draw: 30/1
Prediction
Wales 25-10 France: Wales appear to have all of their big guns fully fit for the knockout clash, and if they can reach the levels that they achieved against Australia in the pool stage, they should reach the semi-finals for the third time in their history.
52 mins: The Welsh pack rumble forward and made significant ground, but when the ball is taken out the French counter-ruck is strong and they win possession, with Lopez kicking downfield and into touch.
Wales may have missed out there, but we've already seen this tournament the impact that the a red card can and will have in this tournament. It's the opportunity they really needed: are they good enough to take it?
They win an immediate penalty after the tackler fails to roll away, and after a bit of deliberation from Biggar, Davies and Alun Wyn Jones, Biggar will go for goal.
54 mins: Biggar's kick is successful and the first points of the half go to Wales! 13-19
Changes for both teams, as Tomos Williams comes on for Davies and Alldritt is replaced by Louis Picamoles.
58 mins: Here's that outrageous moment from Vahaamahina that earned him an early bath.
59 mins: Poirot wins a much-needed penalty for the French in midfield and Les Bleus seal the lineout cleanly, with good phase-work pushing them into the Welsh 22. They attack right with Lopez, who sends a miss pass to Vakatawa, and the centre gets onto the outside and flicks the ball out the back of the hand to Penaud, only for the wing to knock on yards from the line. That was a real chance there.
60 mins: Look away now, Maxime Medard. The full-back receives a loose kick that's fielded by Lopez, and he tries an audacious drop-goal effort from about 50m out - only to shank it along the turf as if it was a grubber kick. That's not one he'll look back on kindly.
62 mins: France seem content to keep kicking the ball over the top and allowing it to be touched dead for the 22m drop-out to kill time, but off the restart it's knocked on into Welsh hands, and to compound the error a penalty is conceded immediately for not rolling away. Biggar kicks to touch on the 22, as Gatland sends on Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis and Adam Beard for Jones, Francis and Ball.
65 mins: What a moment! Wales make good ground down the right through Tipuric and Wainwright, breaking into the 22 in toe process. They spread right, and with the two flankers still out wide as well as Watkin, North tries to loop the ball over the head of Huget - only for the wing to pluck it out of the air. North also grabs it, and as the pair grapple for possession on the deck, North is penalised for not releasing and France have a huge penalty.
Le Roux meanwhile is off injured, meaning Paul Gabrillagues and Louis Picamoles now make up the second row for France.
68 mins: Poirot takes his leave to warm applause, meaning Dupont takes over the French captaincy, and his first job as skipper is to feed the scrum on the edge of the 22 after Liam Williams got the faintest of touches on a high bomb that went forwards.
69 mins: Ooph! Vakatawa steamrolls over Boggar - who's taken a number of whacks already this World Cup - and he charges towards the five-metre line, only for the ball to get trapped in the ruck and fail to come out. Another scrum to France, and "Allez les Bleus!" bellows around the OIta Stadium. A try here would be huge.
70 mins: Dupont loses control of the ball at the base and Tomas Williams seizes upon it, buying a huge lifeline for Wales in the process. The ball is booted downfield by Biggar, sending Medard all the way back to his 22, an France elect to kick possession away and let Wales try run it back at them.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments