Rugby World Cup 2023 - Wales By A Whisker

Ed Williams has been reporting for the Yorkshire Times, part of the p.ublished group of online newspapers, on his local club, Wharfedale RUFC. Today he becomes our international rugby correspondent and is in France for the Rugby World Cup 2023. Here is his report on the first Welsh match...

And there was singing in the hillsides. A quiet and relaxing day spent at the Cite du Vin and lunch in a food hall and then Welsh shirts on, and off to the match.

Hats off to the transport system, there were plenty of buses going to the stadium from near our hotel and then plenty back as well. The crowd was split 50/50 between the Welsh and the French (with a few Fijians). The French were very anti Welsh but we managed a few Hymns and Arias; the odd Oggy and a verse or two of Cwm Rhondda.

The game was a tense affair. At one stage with about 10 minutes to go we thought we were clear but great drama at the end and the Fijians deserve heaps of praise for getting back into the affair and coming close. Some great tries scored by both sides and really good to see a game not decided by the boot.

The only moment of sadness came when we got back to the hotel and found that the bar was shut! However tomorrow is another day and celebrations will have to wait. We also missed the Scottish game but I presume they were just outmuscled by the big boys.