Twist or stick?

[Sandydragon]

So Ireland next. What changes do we make, if any?

I think many in that team have performed very well and no one has let themselves down. But we do have some options returning who offer us both experience and impact.

Personally, I'd leave the pack well alone. Navidi wasn't at his best against England but has credit in the bank and Tips is a good impact sub to have.

I'd bring in Anscombe at 10, and a back 3 of Liam Williams, Halfpenny and Stef Evans. Halfpenny's boot is still important and it takes the pressure off the fly half. Liam Williams, who apparently played well on the weekend at club level is too good a player to leave out in place of 2 rookie wings. I was tempted to suggest Amos, but I think Evans is growing into his role. I'd leave North on the bench for impact.

[Son of Mathonwy]

By and large, stick.

The only changes would be:

Bring Tipuric in at 7. I know Navidi has played better than expected and has done nothing wrong, I just think Tips suits what Wales are trying to do (and did you see that steal he did at the end?). But it's marginal, and Navidi will continue to do well, I expect.

Faletau at 8 ONLY if fully fit.

(Leave Patchell in place - he wasn't a disaster on Saturday by any means, he needs more time)

Liam Williams at full back, Steff Evans and Halfpenny on the wing.

Bench:
Biggar ONLY if Halfpenny still injured, otherwise Anscombe.
Amos (but the decision between Amos, Steff and North for one wing slot and the 23 slot is very marginal - nice to have so many wingers). It hasn't quite worked out for Adams this time, and his was a big error for England's first try.

[Sandydragon]

I thought the news was that Faletau wasn't likely to be fit?

[normanski]

I thought the news was that Faletau wasn't likely to be fit?

I think Gatland said he needs a run out with Bath before deciding on his fitness. Are Bath playing this weekend?

If he does come back into the equation then five into four won’t go and somebody will miss out.

Personally I’d stick and give a real vote of confidence to the backrow incumbents.

This squad has had two games in a row and is growing in stature. The experience of holding England scoreless at Twickenham for sixty minutes and only conceding two penalties throughout says something about their abilities.

Hopefully Halfpenny will come back, North and Evans on the wings with Anscombe at ten.

What has surprised me is how fit our boys are and how they seem to have avoided game-threatening injuries. Another reason for minimal changes for Ireland.

[ALunpg]

Gatland has already mentioned Biggar as a possible return ...Halfpenny will get 15 if Biggar is not in the starting team.Evans is worthwhile working with.

Sanjay, North and Amos are the options on the other wing if Adams is not selected and all of them have been broken recently ..so honestly ...do we have a 3 sided coin?

[Sandydragon]

Gatland has already mentioned Biggar as a possible return ...Halfpenny will get 15 if Biggar is not in the starting team.Evans is worthwhile working with.

Sanjay, North and Amos are the options on the other wing if Adams is not selected and all of them have been broken recently ..so honestly ...do we have a 3 sided coin?

There is a part of me that would be disappointed to see Biggar return. I still think its worth looking at the other options at 10 where we have seen some real issues in getting our backline moving in the past.

[Numbers]

I think I'd leave the pack well alone, Faletau to the bench if he gets some decent game time at Bath this weekend, the changes I would make are to the back three, North played well when he came on so he would replace Adams for me, Halfpenny to fullback if fit to nullify Sextons excellent tactical kicking, Steff Evans to continue on the wing, Sanjay to the bench and Anscombe to the bench as he has proved he can be a threat when the game breaks up.

Harsh on Adams but he hasn't proved himself better than any of the incumbents whilst also not doing a great deal wrong.

I'd also have Tipuric on the bench for impact with Shingler covering 2nd row if needs be.

[ALunpg]

I think I'd leave the pack well alone, Faletau to the bench if he gets some decent game time at Bath this weekend, the changes I would make are to the back three, North played well when he came on so he would replace Adams for me, Halfpenny to fullback if fit to nullify Sextons excellent tactical kicking, Steff Evans to continue on the wing, Sanjay to the bench and Anscombe to the bench as he has proved he can be a threat when the game breaks up.

Harsh on Adams but he hasn't proved himself better than any of the incumbents whilst also not doing a great deal wrong.

I'd also have Tipuric on the bench for impact with Shingler covering 2nd row if needs be.

I was looking at that as an option he can cover the lineout and certainly can move around well.. maybe that's the type of innovation that could offer a opportunity. My worry if a second row got injured early could Moriarty be another option?

[Numbers]

I think I'd leave the pack well alone, Faletau to the bench if he gets some decent game time at Bath this weekend, the changes I would make are to the back three, North played well when he came on so he would replace Adams for me, Halfpenny to fullback if fit to nullify Sextons excellent tactical kicking, Steff Evans to continue on the wing, Sanjay to the bench and Anscombe to the bench as he has proved he can be a threat when the game breaks up.

Harsh on Adams but he hasn't proved himself better than any of the incumbents whilst also not doing a great deal wrong.

I'd also have Tipuric on the bench for impact with Shingler covering 2nd row if needs be.

I was looking at that as an option he can cover the lineout and certainly can move around well.. maybe that's the type of innovation that could offer a opportunity. My worry if a second row got injured early could Moriarty be another option?

Moriarty is definitely too short to cover second row, the problem as you said would be if a second row was injured early in the game and whether we'd be willing to risk playing the majority with a tall back row player, Shingler is about 2 stone lighter than most second rows so we would miss the grunt.

I think we're most likely to have Brad on the bench again with Tipuric, unless Faletau proves his fitness.

[Sandydragon]

I think I'd leave the pack well alone, Faletau to the bench if he gets some decent game time at Bath this weekend, the changes I would make are to the back three, North played well when he came on so he would replace Adams for me, Halfpenny to fullback if fit to nullify Sextons excellent tactical kicking, Steff Evans to continue on the wing, Sanjay to the bench and Anscombe to the bench as he has proved he can be a threat when the game breaks up.

Harsh on Adams but he hasn't proved himself better than any of the incumbents whilst also not doing a great deal wrong.

I'd also have Tipuric on the bench for impact with Shingler covering 2nd row if needs be.

I was looking at that as an option he can cover the lineout and certainly can move around well.. maybe that's the type of innovation that could offer a opportunity. My worry if a second row got injured early could Moriarty be another option?

Moriarty is definitely too short to cover second row, the problem as you said would be if a second row was injured early in the game and whether we'd be willing to risk playing the majority with a tall back row player, Shingler is about 2 stone lighter than most second rows so we would miss the grunt.

I think we're most likely to have Brad on the bench again with Tipuric, unless Faletau proves his fitness.

Most likely. And actually Davies additional ballast has been evident in the past 2 games later on, he's a good sub to have in that position. The ability of Shingler to cover the ground that he does would also be impaired by playing lock, and isn't ideal, except in emergency.

unless we have an extra forward on the bench to allow for 2 BR replacements, someone is going to miss out then the likes of Faletau and Warburton are back to fitness. Id even make a case for Lydiate in some circumstances, like England last weekend, where chopping down big runners and killing momentum would be a huge service for the first half of the game.

[ALunpg]

I think I'd leave the pack well alone, Faletau to the bench if he gets some decent game time at Bath this weekend, the changes I would make are to the back three, North played well when he came on so he would replace Adams for me, Halfpenny to fullback if fit to nullify Sextons excellent tactical kicking, Steff Evans to continue on the wing, Sanjay to the bench and Anscombe to the bench as he has proved he can be a threat when the game breaks up.

Harsh on Adams but he hasn't proved himself better than any of the incumbents whilst also not doing a great deal wrong.

I'd also have Tipuric on the bench for impact with Shingler covering 2nd row if needs be.

I was looking at that as an option he can cover the lineout and certainly can move around well.. maybe that's the type of innovation that could offer a opportunity. My worry if a second row got injured early could Moriarty be another option?

Moriarty is definitely too short to cover second row, the problem as you said would be if a second row was injured early in the game and whether we'd be willing to risk playing the majority with a tall back row player, Shingler is about 2 stone lighter than most second rows so we would miss the grunt.

I think we're most likely to have Brad on the bench again with Tipuric, unless Faletau proves his fitness.

Those are the issues I was thinking about grunt against a height differance...Ireland seem to manage with any lock who is in there with Devon Toner so I would prefer the height differance than the grunt .

[Spiffy]

By and large, stick.

The only changes would be:

Bring Tipuric in at 7. I know Navidi has played better than expected and has done nothing wrong, I just think Tips suits what Wales are trying to do (and did you see that steal he did at the end?). But it's marginal, and Navidi will continue to do well, I expect.

Faletau at 8 ONLY if fully fit.

(Leave Patchell in place - he wasn't a disaster on Saturday by any means, he needs more time)

Liam Williams at full back, Steff Evans and Halfpenny on the wing.

Bench:
Biggar ONLY if Halfpenny still injured, otherwise Anscombe.
Amos (but the decision between Amos, Steff and North for one wing slot and the 23 slot is very marginal - nice to have so many wingers). It hasn't quite worked out for Adams this time, and his was a big error for England's first try.

Interesting choices at 7. Tipuric is brilliant but Navidi has grabbed his chance with both hands. But beyond those two, Thomas Young (Wasps) and Davies (Scarlets) are in devastating form. Any of them could do the job for Wales at openside.

[Son of Mathonwy]

By and large, stick.

The only changes would be:

Bring Tipuric in at 7. I know Navidi has played better than expected and has done nothing wrong, I just think Tips suits what Wales are trying to do (and did you see that steal he did at the end?). But it's marginal, and Navidi will continue to do well, I expect.

Faletau at 8 ONLY if fully fit.

(Leave Patchell in place - he wasn't a disaster on Saturday by any means, he needs more time)

Liam Williams at full back, Steff Evans and Halfpenny on the wing.

Bench:
Biggar ONLY if Halfpenny still injured, otherwise Anscombe.
Amos (but the decision between Amos, Steff and North for one wing slot and the 23 slot is very marginal - nice to have so many wingers). It hasn't quite worked out for Adams this time, and his was a big error for England's first try.

Interesting choices at 7. Tipuric is brilliant but Navidi has grabbed his chance with both hands. But beyond those two, Thomas Young (Wasps) and Davies (Scarlets) are in devastating form. Any of them could do the job for Wales at openside.

It's nice to have a choice. I haven't seen Young recently, but I'd be happy with Navidi, Tipuric or Davies.

[Numbers]

By and large, stick.

The only changes would be:

Bring Tipuric in at 7. I know Navidi has played better than expected and has done nothing wrong, I just think Tips suits what Wales are trying to do (and did you see that steal he did at the end?). But it's marginal, and Navidi will continue to do well, I expect.

Faletau at 8 ONLY if fully fit.

(Leave Patchell in place - he wasn't a disaster on Saturday by any means, he needs more time)

Liam Williams at full back, Steff Evans and Halfpenny on the wing.

Bench:
Biggar ONLY if Halfpenny still injured, otherwise Anscombe.
Amos (but the decision between Amos, Steff and North for one wing slot and the 23 slot is very marginal - nice to have so many wingers). It hasn't quite worked out for Adams this time, and his was a big error for England's first try.

Interesting choices at 7. Tipuric is brilliant but Navidi has grabbed his chance with both hands. But beyond those two, Thomas Young (Wasps) and Davies (Scarlets) are in devastating form. Any of them could do the job for Wales at openside.

It's nice to have a choice. I haven't seen Young recently, but I'd be happy with Navidi, Tipuric or Davies.

He put in a Man of the Match display for Wasps yesterday, seriously impressive, 25 tackles and two crucial turnovers when Exeter were within 10 metres of the Wasps line.

[Spiffy]

Interesting choices at 7. Tipuric is brilliant but Navidi has grabbed his chance with both hands. But beyond those two, Thomas Young (Wasps) and Davies (Scarlets) are in devastating form. Any of them could do the job for Wales at openside.

It's nice to have a choice. I haven't seen Young recently, but I'd be happy with Navidi, Tipuric or Davies.

He put in a Man of the Match display for Wasps yesterday, seriously impressive, 25 tackles and two crucial turnovers when Exeter were within 10 metres of the Wasps line.

It's not just the defensive stuff. He runs like a centre and scores/creates tries. I have seen him play many times this season and he's probably in the best form of all of those Welsh flankers. Playing in England does not help his cause.

[kk67]

Josh has been quality for a long time. Obviously Tips.

[kk67]

Davies at Scarlets has been potential trouble for many years. He was murder at U21.
Him and Patchell.

[Renniks]

Can we trade some of our front row or lock options for your 7s?
It pains me to see us looking to play Haskell, when you have players like Young and Davies being behind 3 other players for the shirt.

[kk67]

Back comes Hask and Patch disappears. Rugby can be wank.