Italy in Cardiff

[normanski]

So first up we have Italy at home which should be the easier of all our 6N opponents.

I hope Pivac and Co can overcome our usual slow and turgid starts and will be able to lay down a marker for the rest of the tournament. Wales have traditionally done really well in the year after a World Cup and let’s hope we’re in with at least a shout for the championship.

In today’s Sunday Times that brilliant rugby sage and Wales-hating pundit Stuart Barnes predicts the championship will be between England and France with Ireland and Wales as also rans.

A useful cutting to pin on the Wales dressing door to increase motivation.

[Numbers]

I think for the first game I'd like to see the following:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Leon Brown
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)
6. Josh Navidi
7. Justin Tipuric (if fit otherwise Navidi and Wainwright at 6)
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Gareth Davies
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Nick Tompkins
14. Johnny McNicholl
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Reps: Rob Evans, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright (Moriarty if Tipuric is injured), Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, George North

I picked Navidi over Wainwright due to his more rounded game but I wouldn't be bothered by either being selected.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I think for the first game I'd like to see the following:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Leon Brown
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)
6. Josh Navidi
7. Justin Tipuric (if fit otherwise Navidi and Wainwright at 6)
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Gareth Davies
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Nick Tompkins
14. Johnny McNicholl
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Reps: Rob Evans, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright (Moriarty if Tipuric is injured), Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, George North

I picked Navidi over Wainwright due to his more rounded game but I wouldn't be bothered by either being selected.

I broadly agree, although there are a lot of marginal decisions.

But I would like to see Webb involved. I think we need to see what he can do.

[Numbers]

I think for the first game I'd like to see the following:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Leon Brown
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)
6. Josh Navidi
7. Justin Tipuric (if fit otherwise Navidi and Wainwright at 6)
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Gareth Davies
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Nick Tompkins
14. Johnny McNicholl
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Reps: Rob Evans, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, Aaron Wainwright (Moriarty if Tipuric is injured), Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, George North

I picked Navidi over Wainwright due to his more rounded game but I wouldn't be bothered by either being selected.

I broadly agree, although there are a lot of marginal decisions.

But I would like to see Webb involved. I think we need to see what he can do.

Thinking about it I think I might have Louis Rees-Zammitt on the bench for North.

[Buggaluggs]

Faletau went off injured Saturday. Any update on if he'll be good to go next week?

[Numbers]

Faletau went off injured Saturday. Any update on if he'll be good to go next week?

According to the fail he's not a concern.

[Sandydragon]

I’d drop North for this one. Give LRZ this opportunity from the bench and start Tompkins at centre. North at centre against good opposition worries the hell out of me .

[normanski]

Faletau went off injured Saturday. Any update on if he'll be good to go next week?

Stephen Jones said to today all the current squad, except for Liam Williams, are fit and training including Owen Watkins who started back today.

Good news.

[Billyfish]

A sound thumping for Italy, they won’t be able to cope with Pivacball/Wayneball (has it got a name yet?) and we shall blaze a fearsome trail into the 6N to general euphoria and applause and cause fear in the hearts of all opposition .....then get duffed up by the next team with a decent defence. Perhaps?

[paddy no 11]

Italy a lot better than 2 years ago don't see them getting thrashed until injuries get too much

[Numbers]

Italy a lot better than 2 years ago don't see them getting thrashed until injuries get too much

Yeah, they have a new coach too which should be an improvement, they normally put their best performances in at the start of the tournament as well before all the hope is beaten out of them.

We should still win with relative ease however.

[Graigwen]

The Fail seem to have a more reliable early sight of the team than they used to, this is their prediction:

"Expected Wales team: Leigh Halfpenny; George North; Nick Tompkins; Hadleigh Parkes; Josh Adams; Dan Biggar; Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones; Ken Owens; Leon Brown; Jake Ball; Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Aaron Wainwright; Justin Tipuric; Taulupe Faletau."

I would not disagree much with that. I think Tomkins should start. Whether Faletau starts depends on how much he is thought to need game time. Rees-Zammit on the bench of course.

I don't think Webb was in the running, he probably does not yet reach our demanding fitness levels.

Leon Brown is now shedding his youthful shortcomings and will benefit from a bit more international exposure.

I hope WillGriff John is on the bench for experience.

A few small gambles are needed.

.