AS the Welsh rugby team prepares to do battle in the World Cup semi final, their miniature counterparts are already locking horns with France.
Model-making pensioner Len Jones has spent days painstakingly creating a replica match scene on the lawn next to his mobile home.
Len, 77, of Willow Park, Queensferry, made headlines during last year’s football World Cup with his pint-sized version of the England squad.
He promptly dumped Fabio Capello’s side in the bin after they lost to Germany, replacing them with a Wimbledon-inspired tennis scene.
Warren Gatland’s men are the stars of his latest sporting masterpiece and Len admits he has been bitten by the rugby bug.
He said: “I’ve really been getting into the tournament and the Wales team have been fantastic so far. They have been doing really well.”
Retired handyman Len made cardboard replicas of each player and carefully cut out pictures of their faces from newspapers.
“Some nights I have been up until 1am trying to get it all finished,” he said.
“I glued the faces on to the models and all of the Welsh players are there but I’m not sure I’ve got them in the right positions.
“We couldn’t get pictures of the French team but we do have our own little referee.”
Len had been hoping England would reach the semi-final but was disappointed after they were beaten by France.
“I put up some England flags because I was really hoping for a Wales versus England match but they let us down,” he said.
“I will be watching the semi at home and I really think Wales will reach the final.
After that we will have to see what happens. They have all done brilliantly but my favourite player is George North. He’s only 19 but he is such a strong and fast lad.”
Len, who has lived in his mobile home for the past 20 years, said his rugby replica had been a hit with neighbours. He said: “They have all been coming to take pictures and everybody is talking about it.
“I’m already planning my next model which will be ready in time for the London 2012 Olympic games.”