Team for France

[Sandydragon]

15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. Watkin
12. Parkes
11. Amos
10. Anscombe
9. Davies
1. Evans
2. Dee
3. Lee
4. AWJ
5. Davies
6. Shingler
7. Navidi
8. Faletau

Bench
Wyn Jones (if fit, if not Smith)
Owens
Francis
Hill
Tipuric
Davies
Patchell
Evans

[Numbers]

15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. Watkin
12. Parkes
11. Amos
10. Anscombe
9. Davies
1. Evans
2. Dee
3. Lee
4. AWJ
5. Davies
6. Shingler
7. Navidi
8. Faletau

Bench
Wyn Jones (if fit, if not Smith)
Owens
Francis
Hill
Tipuric
Davies
Patchell
Evans

I think it's more likely to be this:

Halfpenny
North
Watkin
Parkes
Evans
Anscombe
Davies
Evans
Owens
Francis
AWJ
Hill
Shingler
Navidi
Faletau

Reps:

Smith
Dee
Jones
B Davies
Tipuric
A Davies
Patchell
Liam Williams

However I wouldn't be averse to seeing a few of the new players given another go, Dee was excellent I thought yesterday, Smith played well other than his discipline and I'm not sure his scrummaging is as strong as Evans's, with Shingler in the side that could leave the door open for B Davies to start as we will have plenty of lineout options, I wouldn't be surprised to see North start at 13 to counteract Basteraud and that could accomodate another back three player into the equation, I don't think Watkin deserves to be dropped tho but it could be a case of horses for courses.

[MrK]

My pick

Halfpenny, North, WIlliams, Parkes, Evans, Patchell, Davies
Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, Davies, Shingler, Tipuric, Faletau
B: Dee, Smith, Francis, S Davies, Navidi, T WIlliams, Anscombe, L Williams


Likely Pick
Halfpenny, North, WIlliams, Parkes, Evans, Anscombe, Davies
Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, Hill, Shingler, Navidi, Faletau
B: Dee, Smith, Francis, B Davies, Tipuric, A Davies , Patchell, O Watkins

[Spiffy]

15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. Watkin
12. Parkes
11. Amos
10. Anscombe
9. Davies
1. Evans
2. Dee
3. Lee
4. AWJ
5. Davies
6. Shingler
7. Navidi
8. Faletau

Bench
Wyn Jones (if fit, if not Smith)
Owens
Francis
Hill
Tipuric
Davies
Patchell
Evans

I think it's more likely to be this:

Halfpenny
North
Watkin
Parkes
Evans
Anscombe
Davies
Evans
Owens
Francis
AWJ
Hill
Shingler
Navidi
Faletau

Reps:

Smith
Dee
Jones
B Davies
Tipuric
A Davies
Patchell
Liam Williams

However I wouldn't be averse to seeing a few of the new players given another go, Dee was excellent I thought yesterday, Smith played well other than his discipline and I'm not sure his scrummaging is as strong as Evans's, with Shingler in the side that could leave the door open for B Davies to start as we will have plenty of lineout options, I wouldn't be surprised to see North start at 13 to counteract Basteraud and that could accomodate another back three player into the equation, I don't think Watkin deserves to be dropped tho but it could be a case of horses for courses.

North is big, but he's not that great a tackler.

[morepork]

Wouldn't you want someone that could step the fat bastard?

[tigran]

Wouldn't you want someone that could step the fat bastard?

You really think this hasn't been tried yet ?

[morepork]

Wouldn't you want someone that could step the fat bastard?

You really think this hasn't been tried yet ?

Yes. He is a deity. How stupid to suggest a more agile, faster player may exploit his relative lack of agility.

His biggest contribution seems to be turnovers these days.

[Sourdust]

There's genuine, valid debate in multiple positions now. Even if we don't get 2nd place, that's a huge positive from this tournament.

I don't see any compelling reason to change the backline, although I would start ½p and arguably Amos deserves a go at the expense of Evans, who has generally done fine but not hit the heights. I prefer Patchell at 10 but I can't argue with keeping Anscombe there; although I'd have to say one has to miss out entirely as Biggar is an essential option off the bench IMO.

France look a rather more daunting prospect now but there's still the impression that if you stop Bastareaud, you stop France. Is Scott injured? Because that would suggest him to me - although it would be enormously hard on Watkin, who I think brings a more all-round game right now.

With their set-piece still looking suspect - and Guirado now not playing - this has to be an area to target, so I'd advocate a fully loaded front-five from the start. With that in place we may get away with a more mobile back row; not that we have that much grunt available anyway.

[Spiffy]

There's genuine, valid debate in multiple positions now. Even if we don't get 2nd place, that's a huge positive from this tournament.

I don't see any compelling reason to change the backline, although I would start ½p and arguably Amos deserves a go at the expense of Evans, who has generally done fine but not hit the heights. I prefer Patchell at 10 but I can't argue with keeping Anscombe there; although I'd have to say one has to miss out entirely as Biggar is an essential option off the bench IMO.

France look a rather more daunting prospect now but there's still the impression that if you stop Bastareaud, you stop France. Is Scott injured? Because that would suggest him to me - although it would be enormously hard on Watkin, who I think brings a more all-round game right now.

With their set-piece still looking suspect - and Guirado now not playing - this has to be an area to target, so I'd advocate a fully loaded front-five from the start. With that in place we may get away with a more mobile back row; not that we have that much grunt available anyway.

I would have a back three of Halfpenny/North/Liam Williams. Williams was a tad off the pace against Italy, but he has proved his credentials with the Lions and with Wales in the past and is a big match player.

[Numbers]

Wouldn't you want someone that could step the fat bastard?

North has a good step, ask Julian Savea.

[tigran]

Wouldn't you want someone that could step the fat bastard?

You really think this hasn't been tried yet ?

Yes. He is a deity. How stupid to suggest a more agile, faster player may exploit his relative lack of agility.

His biggest contribution seems to be turnovers these days.

He has been targeted of course. ..and not only by one payer. .agile or not..

That's why hé didn't do much more than getting turnovers. Which is what another player cannot bring when targeted.

[Son of Mathonwy]

For me the back row would be Shingler, Tipuric, Faletau, with Navidi on the bench.

Fly half would be Patchell, although Anscombe has done better than I expected. Would not include Biggar in the 23, he does not fit the new gameplan.

I'd stick with Watkin at 13.

Back three is very difficult, especially after Liam's yellow. North is nailed on. Steff hasn't quite shone, but has looked good. We know Amos is a classy player too. Based on the Italy game, I'd say bring Halfpenny back. But Liam is a class player, someone who can make something happen against the best defences. And yet, perhaps Halfpenny's long range penalties would make the difference in a tight match. Really difficult. I think, in the end, I'd go for the classic North, Liam, Halfpenny combo, with Steff on the bench.

[Numbers]

You really think this hasn't been tried yet ?

Yes. He is a deity. How stupid to suggest a more agile, faster player may exploit his relative lack of agility.

His biggest contribution seems to be turnovers these days.

He has been targeted of course. ..and not only by one payer. .agile or not..

That's why hé didn't do much more than getting turnovers. Which is what another player cannot bring when targeted.

By pie salesmen.

I assume the turnovers you refer to are of the apple variety.

[Numbers]

Evans
Owens
Francis
Hill
AWJ
Tipuric
Navidi
Faletau
G Davies
Biggar
L Williams
Parkes
S Williams
North
Halfpenny

Smith
Dee
Lee
B Davies
Shingler
A Davies
Anscombe
S Evans

[wayneha50]

Biggar in is hugely disappointing but not particularly surprising really. Harsh again on Patchell but clear he has no future with Wales whilst Gatland is in charge.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Yes, like I said, Biggar would be back regardless of whatever happened in the Italy game. That's a crippling blow to our hopes of playing in the "new style".

Happy to see Tipuric starting, but.... we are playing a six at seven and a seven at six?? This is really strange. Not a disaster but strange.

All in all, still a strong team. We can win this but would be much more confident with Patchell or Anscombe.

[MrK]

This is Biggars last stand...I still dont think he will make the world cup

Given what we've seen from Gatland the RWC squad will look something like this

17 Forwards:
Evans, W Jones, R Jones (as he also "covers" 3), Lee, Francis
Owens, Dee, Elias/Baldwin
AWJ, Hill, Ball ( I think he will only take 3 ,but with Shingler covering)
Shingler, Navidi, Moriaty, Faletau, Tipuric, Jenkins/Warburton

14 Backs
G Davies, A Davies, T Williams (unless we find a way for Webb to play)
G Anscombe, R Patchell, O Williams/ D BIggar (Im hoping he will go O Williams to cover Centre)
H Parkes, S WIlliams, JD2
North, L Williams, Amos, 1/2P, S Evans

Id take that at this point.

[bruce]

Don't understand not playing Shingler.

[Numbers]

Don't understand not playing Shingler.

The only reason I can think of is to be more competitive at the breakdown with two 7s.

[Sandydragon]

Yes, like I said, Biggar would be back regardless of whatever happened in the Italy game. That's a crippling blow to our hopes of playing in the "new style".

Happy to see Tipuric starting, but.... we are playing a six at seven and a seven at six?? This is really strange. Not a disaster but strange.

All in all, still a strong team. We can win this but would be much more confident with Patchell or Anscombe.

I think Gatland wants to keep it safe for the first 60 and then let someone like Anscombe loose in the last 20. That is probably as far as the new attacking game will go until Gatland moves on.

He made the point earlier about experience; Garland is going to stick with the tried and trusted other than for games where we should win handsomely.

[kk67]

Harsh again on Patchell but clear he has no future with Wales whilst Gatland is in charge.

Aye. He should take the corporate French shilling and have done with it.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Harsh again on Patchell but clear he has no future with Wales whilst Gatland is in charge.

Aye. He should take the corporate French shilling and have done with it.

Nah, Gatland will be gone soon enough. I'm sure Patchell will stay in Wales till then.

[kk67]

Nah, Gatland will be gone soon enough. I'm sure Patchell will stay in Wales till then.

I suspect he will, I'm not sure if he should. They must have been offering him a lot of money.

[Sandydragon]

The problem with Patchell and Anscombe is that both looked better off the bench and neither looked like the new Barry John. That’s allowe Gatland to keep his steady Eddie fly half, with a hint of flair near the end.

[kk67]

The new Barry John.... ?.