Howley hails Welsh whiz-kids

They are the fourth-youngest team to play in the knockout stage of a Rugby World Cup. Their captain was not born when they were last in a semi-final, and they have the youngest ever RWC try scorer.

But do not look for anyone wearing a Wales jersey to be pinching themselves about having reached the last four at RWC 2011.

The Welsh knocked out Ireland 22-10 in Saturday's quarter-final in Wellington to set up a first semi-final appearance since 1987 against France next weekend.

"I think this Welsh side want to express themselves,'' said assistant coach Rob Howley after the squad arrived in Auckland on Sunday to begin preparations for the match at Eden Park.

"This team has continually worked hard but there is no fear with the youngsters. Hopefully we can keep it going for another two weeks."

Feet on the ground

The youngsters Howley was referring to include captain Sam Warburton, 23, who has been widely praised for the maturity of his performances in New Zealand, and 19-year-old George North, who became the youngest player to score a RWC try in the Dragons' Pool D clash against Namibia.

"The players realise we are on a journey and a dream and we want that journey and the dream to continue,'' said Howley. "It is based on hard work with some youth talent thrown in and the guys are very much looking forward to the France match."

Howley said Welsh confidence had grown since the tournament began and pointed to a comeback pool-stage win over Samoa and their convincing triumph over Ireland as yardsticks of that burgeoning self-belief.

"The players have achieved getting to the semi-final and we do not think we are finished yet. But we have not won anything and have our feet on the ground.

"We felt before the game yesterday that it was not time to go home. But actions speak louder than words and we have to replicate the actions you saw last night to come anywhere near France."

No illusions

Les Bleus were written off in some quarters ahead of their quarter-final against England after Pool A defeats by New Zealand and Tonga. But on the day they rediscovered all the verve and invention for which they are famed to advance with a victory over their Six Nations rivals that was more comprehensive than the 19-12 scoreline suggests.

"We always say we wonder which French side is going to turn up and I thought the French side that turned up last night was pretty efficient and clinical," said Howley.

"They were strong on the ball, had good line speed and they put England under enormous pressure. That's what we expect from them at the weekend.

"We are under no illusions how good this French side is. They have world-class players."
Pressed to rate his team's chances, Howley acknowledged Wales must upset the form book, with France having won the past three matches between the pair and six of the past seven.

"It is certainly motivation," he said. Yesterday's match was a huge hurdle for us when you consider we had probably scored only one try against Ireland in the last three or four occasions. So there is incentive and motivation and you can use that as you will."