France duo Louis Picamoles and Gael Fickou have admitted that Les Bleus are planning an all-out pace assault in their quarter-final against Wales in Oita on Sunday.
The Six Nations rivals are on a collision course in the third of the four World Cup quarter-finals. Having won seven of the eight meetings between them, Wales are favoured to come away with another victory.
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But France are aiming to turn the tables on their Six Nations rivals, and planning to do so by injecting pace into the game at every possible opportunity on Sunday.
‘To put them in difficulty we need to be fast and win the contacts,’ veteran No 8 Picamoles said.
‘If we respect the structures and the work we’ve done in training, it will be harder for the Welsh to slow the game down. And that’s where they might have some issues. That’s what we have to concentrate on on.’
Echoing Picamoles’ sentiments, centre Fickou revealed the theme of need for speed has also been passed on to the backline.
‘Speed will undoubtedly be the key to the match. The moments when we’ve been unsure, when we’ve slowed the game down, have been when we didn’t win our duels,’ Fickou admitted.
‘As soon as you have speed, win your duels and mix up your running and kicking game to drive back your opponent, any team will be in difficulty. Because that becomes tricky to defend – should you advance, attack, or contain?’
RWC XV: Forwards of the pool stages
Photo: www.sixnationsrugby.com/Inpho
