Lionel Nallet on his way to scoring one of two tries against Wales © Getty Images

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Features: Fearless Wales on brink of history

Matches: France 9 - 8 Wales

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: France | Wales

Wales meet France for the first time ever at a Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Saturday as both sides look to reach the final.

Despite facing each other 88 times since 1908, the two nations have never been thrown together in a Rugby World Cup. And history gives little indication of how the game might turn out. Of the 88 matches between the nations, France have won 42 while Wales have won 43 with three draws. Wales' superior record owes much to their 15-match winning streak in the first games played between the nations.

However recent form suggests that France may have a psychological edge having beaten Warren Gatland's men in their last three meeting, six of their last seven encounters and nine in their last eleven. Wales' only victory over Les Bleus in the past six years came at the Millennium Stadium in March 2008. On that day Shane Williams and his namesake Martin both crossed for tries while James Hook kicked three penalties and Stephen Jones landed two penalties and two conversions in a 29-12 win.

Possibly Wales' most famous victory over France came during the 2005 Six Nations when Martyn Williams inspired a second-half comeback with two tries as Wales went on to win 24-18 in Paris, and later claimed the Grand Slam. The last meeting between the two sides came in this year's Six Nations when two tries from Lionel Nallet helped France to a 28-9 win in the Stade de France.

Wales v France

All-time record: Played 88; Wales won 43, France won 42, Draw 3

Biggest winning margins: Wal:42 (47-5, Colombes, 1909); Fra: 51 (51-0,Wembley, 1998)

Highest score: Wal:49 (49-14, Swansea, 1910); Fra: 51 (51-0,Wembley, 1998)

Most tries: Wal: 11 (47-5, Colombes, 1909); Fra: 7 (51-0,Wembley,1998)

Most points (individual): Wal: 152 Neil Jenkins; Fra: 53 Christophe Lamaison

Most tries (individual): Wal: 7 Reggie Gibbs; Fra: 6 Serge Blanco and Emile Ntamack

Previous World Cup meetings: None

Click Here for Wales' full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click Here for France's full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

Click Here for a full record of all France v Wales matches courtesy of Statsguru