Each day our exclusive MATCH OF THE DAQ service previews the big match of the day – usually a televised game.

As well as the preview we also bring you the head to head records of the two teams as well as a recommended bet on BETDAQ for the match.

Wales v France
Rugby World Cup, Semi-finals
KO: 8.30am ITV 1

HEAD-TO-HEAD
(Max last 10 only)
19 Mar 2011 Stade de France France 28-9 Wales          
26 Feb 2010 Millennium Stadium Wales 20-26 France          
27 Feb 2009 Stade de France France 21-16 Wales          
15 Mar 2008 Millennium Stadium Wales 29-12 France          
26 Aug 2007 Millennium Stadium Wales 7-34 France          
24 Feb 2007 Stade de France France 32 – 21 Wales          
18 Mar 2006 Millennium Stadium Wales 16-21 France          
26 Feb 2005 Stade de France France 24 – 18 Wales          
07 Mar 2004 Millennium Stadium Wales 22-29 France          
29 Mar 2003 Stade de France France 33 – 5 Wales 

PREVIEW
Wales head into the semi-final contest looking to reach the Rugby World Cup final for the first in their history. After their magnificent performance against Ireland in the last eight, Warren Gatland’s side are 1.87 favourites on BETDAQ.

Sam Warburton, the Wales back row captain, has led the side brilliantly so far and he’ll be looking to help supply the backs with clean ball again. The Welsh are on a terrific run. which all stemmed from their nail-biting defeat to South Africa in the opener. They’ve not had the best run against the French though and have been beaten in their past three Six Nations encounters.

France finally pulled it together against England and they fully deserve their place in the last four following their efforts. Les Bleus raced into a 16 point lead against the Red Rose and the performance will have given the side a huge amount of self belief.

Marc Lievremont has named the same side that dispatched England and they have plenty of big-game players to call upon again. Les Bleus have lost only one of their past six clashes with Wales and they’ll fancy their chances of reaching next weekend’s grand final. One thing going against them is that they have been beaten at this stage in the past three tournaments.

However, the French have had the beating of Wales in recent history and I would recommend backing them to reach their first final.

RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Back France at around 2.34: 4 points
Thursday’s Return: NO BET

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