You are in > manchester.com  > News > Jenkins hails clinical France

Rugby Union

Jenkins hails clinical France

27/08/2007

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins says his side must learn to be as clinical as their French counterparts if they are to succeed in next month's World Cup.

France scored four tries during their 34-7 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium despite naming a much changed side from the one that beat England last week.

Wales fought hard and showed glimpses of the running rugby that is the trademark of Jenkins' teams in the past; however, they found it hard to get past a defiant French defence.

Jenkins said: "The difference was in the finishing process and France showed us that. We had a lot of creative effort but not the clinical edge that we need to score tries against sides like France.

"France are a good side and the boys thought the physicality had stepped up a level and though we did well in the contact area, it maybe affected our accuracy."

Bernard Laporte dismissed talk of France being favourites for the World Cup after they won all of their warm-up games and says the players must show the same spirit when the competition starts on September 7th.

He said: "It was difficult out there but our defence was excellent and there was a real desire to move the ball, especially in the second 20 minutes of the first-half."

Jenkins allayed fears that Welsh captain Gareth Thomas could miss the World Cup after a collision with Thierry Dusautoir caused him to need 20 stitches around his eye.

"It was more exhaustion than a serious injury, although it didn't look good when Gareth came off," said Jenkins.