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BBC Rugby Union: Wales Aim to Turn Fortunes Around Against Struggling France
Published: March 1, 2024
After a winless start to the 2024 Six Nations, Wales coach Warren Gatland is determined to guide his side to victory against France in their upcoming match.
The Welsh have suffered narrow losses to Scotland and England, as well as a 31-7 defeat at the hands of Grand Slam-chasing Ireland. With “rugby union gameplay” and “rugby union scores” not going their way, Gatland is now focusing on the clash with a France team that has also struggled in the tournament so far.
Losing to Ireland and only managing a 13-13 draw with Italy, the French have looked out of sorts without their star player and captain, Antoine Dupont, who has moved to play seven-a-side rugby ahead of the Olympics.
“Dupont is a massive loss for them,” Gatland said of the influential French scrum-half.
Gatland hinted at a plan to tire out the “rugby union” giants in the French pack, noting how Italy managed to move their mammoth forwards around the park in the second half of their recent encounter, when France were reduced to 14 men after Jonathan Danty’s red card.
“Test match rugby is all about winning. Hopefully in the next two games, we can come away with wins,” said Gatland, as he aims to turn Wales’ “bbc rugby union” fortunes around.
The Welsh coach believes staying in the physical battle early on and then taking advantage of tiring French forwards could be the key to securing a much-needed victory in Cardiff next weekend.
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