Team for Scotland

[Tuco Ramirez]

He dropped a sitter v Leinster i think

[Sandydragon]

Hawkins was good…. See some of you are throwing him under the bus??

He played well but perhaps ran out of steam towards the end. But I’d keep him there and perhaps partner him with someone different. Not sure that player would be Tompkins but who else is there unless we take a punt on another young centre.

[MrK]

We haven’t got that many forwards to carry so I’d like to see if Williams can be effective doing what he does for ospreys, get some quick go forward, suck in some defenders then get the ball out quickly to north, Adam’s etc

That’s the theory anyway

Same goes with starting with Carre

[Spiffy]

Do you think he's been playing better than Keiran Williams for the Ospreys?

I think KW is more prone to a mistake and would get smashed at test level. (Feel free to bookmark)

For the KW of last season I might agree but not any more. I'm not saying Hawkins is bad, far from it, but at this moment I think Williams would be more effective. i think Hawkins is excellent for his age rather than plain excellent (which he may well be one day). But if Williams wasn't fit I'd be happy with Hawkins.

I have made a note of your prediction for later use .

I thought Hawkins had a good game for a young kid on his first cap against a strong Ireland team. Can't see he did much to be dropped, compared with some of his more illustrious team mates. I'd say he deserves another run and let him grow into it. Can he also play 13? (with the combative Tompkins at 12, or vice-versa).

[newgalesurf]

Proper Welsh team that. Commentators love it. Williams to Williams to Jones to Williams and back to Williams

[Son of Mathonwy]

Proper Welsh team that. Commentators love it. Williams to Williams to Jones to Williams and back to Williams

I'm worried about the Joneses though. Pivac didn't bring any new Joneses through and next week we will be without.

[Sourdust]

It will NEVER happen of course, but Williams can play 13 - albeit he's a much better 12 IMO - so playing both the new centres is an option. I don't think Hawkins has ever played 13 but I may be wrong.

I'd really like to see Tshiunza in the mix.

Spitballing:

Carre - Owens - Lewis
Beard - Tshiunza
Morgan - Faletau - Refell
Williams - Williams
Hawkins - Williams
LRZ(?) - Williams - Adams

[paddy no 11]

Tipuric could be in bother, clean player no doubt but doesn't look great

[Numbers]

Jones
Owens
Francis/Lewis fitness depending
Beard
Jenkins
Tshiunza
Reffell
Faletau
Webb
Biggar
Dyer
Hawkins
Grady
Adams
Williams

Lewis/Brown
Elias
Carre
Davies
Wainwright
Williams
Wiliams
Cuthbert

I've been a bit disappointed by the way North has been slowing going into contact, I can see that he is trying to put some footwork in but he would be more effective just running straight and hard, timke for Grady to be given a pop I reckon as we all know North's capabilities.

The other thing that may happen in this campaign if we keep playing Hawkins at 12 is a 6/2 split on the bench.

[Sandydragon]

Jones
Owens
Francis/Lewis fitness depending
Beard
Jenkins
Tshiunza
Reffell
Faletau
Webb
Biggar
Dyer
Hawkins
Grady
Adams
Williams

Lewis/Brown
Elias
Carre
Davies
Wainwright
Williams
Wiliams
Cuthbert

I've been a bit disappointed by the way North has been slowing going into contact, I can see that he is trying to put some footwork in but he would be more effective just running straight and hard, timke for Grady to be given a pop I reckon as we all know North's capabilities.

The other thing that may happen in this campaign if we keep playing Hawkins at 12 is a 6/2 split on the bench.

North has flashes but not consistently for some time. Have the injuries made him more cautious? Understandable but its hampering his play and jeopardising his place.

[Numbers]

Jones
Owens
Francis/Lewis fitness depending
Beard
Jenkins
Tshiunza
Reffell
Faletau
Webb
Biggar
Dyer
Hawkins
Grady
Adams
Williams

Lewis/Brown
Elias
Carre
Davies
Wainwright
Williams
Wiliams
Cuthbert

I've been a bit disappointed by the way North has been slowing going into contact, I can see that he is trying to put some footwork in but he would be more effective just running straight and hard, timke for Grady to be given a pop I reckon as we all know North's capabilities.

The other thing that may happen in this campaign if we keep playing Hawkins at 12 is a 6/2 split on the bench.

North has flashes but not consistently for some time. Have the injuries made him more cautious? Understandable but its hampering his play and jeopardising his place.

I think they just need to tell him to run straight and hard and not bother trying anything too tricky, I don't think it's an issue of him being cautious of the contact as he has no qualms about putting his head in tio jackal the ball, he has the size to get gainline and should really be providing front foot ball, don't get me wrong here I think he is far to good to be dropped on a permanent basis but after seeing Grady run through John Davies recently I think he may be worth a look with an eye to the future, maybe he could be picked on the bench and come on later.

[Sandydragon]

Jones
Owens
Francis/Lewis fitness depending
Beard
Jenkins
Tshiunza
Reffell
Faletau
Webb
Biggar
Dyer
Hawkins
Grady
Adams
Williams

Lewis/Brown
Elias
Carre
Davies
Wainwright
Williams
Wiliams
Cuthbert

I've been a bit disappointed by the way North has been slowing going into contact, I can see that he is trying to put some footwork in but he would be more effective just running straight and hard, timke for Grady to be given a pop I reckon as we all know North's capabilities.

The other thing that may happen in this campaign if we keep playing Hawkins at 12 is a 6/2 split on the bench.

North has flashes but not consistently for some time. Have the injuries made him more cautious? Understandable but its hampering his play and jeopardising his place.

I think they just need to tell him to run straight and hard and not bother trying anything too tricky, I don't think it's an issue of him being cautious of the contact as he has no qualms about putting his head in tio jackal the ball, he has the size to get gainline and should really be providing front foot ball, don't get me wrong here I think he is far to good to be dropped on a permanent basis but after seeing Grady run through John Davies recently I think he may be worth a look with an eye to the future, maybe he could be picked on the bench and come on later.

Grady has a mountain of potential and will feature in a Welsh shirt at some point. DO we risk a very inexperienced midfield at this point? If Im honest our biggest problem is the front 5 which is killing us at the moment, but if there are experienced players to support 2 newer centres then I'm not adverse to the idea of trying something different.

[newgalesurf]

Why is it that the basics of the game like catching and holding onto the ball so often an issue and so called 'schoolboy errors'. Shouldn't this be part of a personal training plan to keep working at this

Back row needs more dog - Moriarty recall (although number of penalties conceded would be a cause for concern), but isn't he just returning from injury

It is a little late to be making wholesale changes for the tournament, getting slaughtered every game will not do the younglings any favours.

I think Gats has a free hit at this tournament - would like to see some new blood but phased in properly with work put into fitness, defense and discipline

[Sandydragon]

Why is it that the basics of the game like catching and holding onto the ball so often an issue and so called 'schoolboy errors'. Shouldn't this be part of a personal training plan to keep working at this

Back row needs more dog - Moriarty recall (although number of penalties conceded would be a cause for concern), but isn't he just returning from injury

It is a little late to be making wholesale changes for the tournament, getting slaughtered every game will not do the younglings any favours.

I think Gats has a free hit at this tournament - would like to see some new blood but phased in properly with work put into fitness, defense and discipline

I'd play Wainwright or Christ at blindside to see if that balances the back row out a bit more. Move Morgan to open side, or start with Reffel and have Morgan on the bench (not a judgement on his game but more horses for courses).

Making lots of changes isnt great but equally we can and should make a few. I hope Gatland doesn't go for the old tactic of giving players another run out to make amends.

[pompey-zebra]

AWJ available for selection now, after passing concussion protocols. Still doubts over Francis and apparently the management are " hoping North will be fit" after picking up knocks. This according to the bbc sport website. Must admit I didn't pick up on North's injury at the time.

[Sandydragon]

AWJ available for selection now, after passing concussion protocols. Still doubts over Francis and apparently the management are " hoping North will be fit" after picking up knocks. This according to the bbc sport website. Must admit I didn't pick up on North's injury at the time.

I seem to recall him staying down for a short while after one particular carry, didn't seem much at the time but some injuries show up later, or get 'run off' at the time and need more rest. AWJ's fitness notwithstanding, its probably time to give Daf a start and see how he gets on, with another promising lock on the bench (assuming we need to keep Beard there for some consistency). AWJ far from the worst performer but we need options there and quickly.

[Numbers]

Why is it that the basics of the game like catching and holding onto the ball so often an issue and so called 'schoolboy errors'. Shouldn't this be part of a personal training plan to keep working at this

Back row needs more dog - Moriarty recall (although number of penalties conceded would be a cause for concern), but isn't he just returning from injury

It is a little late to be making wholesale changes for the tournament, getting slaughtered every game will not do the younglings any favours.

I think Gats has a free hit at this tournament - would like to see some new blood but phased in properly with work put into fitness, defense and discipline

He did have an injury but it was a torn ear so not anything that would have effected his ability to maintain fitness.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Why is it that the basics of the game like catching and holding onto the ball so often an issue and so called 'schoolboy errors'. Shouldn't this be part of a personal training plan to keep working at this

Back row needs more dog - Moriarty recall (although number of penalties conceded would be a cause for concern), but isn't he just returning from injury

It is a little late to be making wholesale changes for the tournament, getting slaughtered every game will not do the younglings any favours.

I think Gats has a free hit at this tournament - would like to see some new blood but phased in properly with work put into fitness, defense and discipline

I'd play Wainwright or Christ at blindside to see if that balances the back row out a bit more. Move Morgan to open side, or start with Reffel and have Morgan on the bench (not a judgement on his game but more horses for courses).

Making lots of changes isnt great but equally we can and should make a few. I hope Gatland doesn't go for the old tactic of giving players another run out to make amends.

I'm torn about the back row. Earlier I said Morgan, Reffell, Faletau with Tips on the bench. But equally I want a bigger 6, ie probably Tshiunza and then which of the three 7s do we start? Morgan is the best carrier and does everything else pretty well, but if Reffell can get a bunch of turnovers he can win the game for us. I think I'll stick with my original plan (just) since a lightweight back row will be less punished by Scotland.

As for AWJ, I think I'd leave him out to recover from the head injury (even if he is clear to play, technically), and start Jenkins (let's see what he can do with a start). Need to give Davies a try in a later match though. (And Tshiunza as 2nd row cover).

[Sandydragon]

The Fail is suggesting that the backrow could be Christ, Reffell and Morgan at 8. Big, big call if he drops Faletau!

[normanski]

The Fail is suggesting that the backrow could be Christ, Reffell and Morgan at 8. Big, big call if he drops Faletau!

Also Dafydd Jenkins in the second row with Beard. No changes to the back line.

If Faletau and Tipuric are dropped, will either be on the bench. Big call for Gatland.

[MrK]

The Fail is suggesting that the backrow could be Christ, Reffell and Morgan at 8. Big, big call if he drops Faletau!

Just read that… very big statement if he does

[Sandydragon]

Tips is a class player but looked ineffective on Saturday. It’s not the first time that’s been apparent; in some games we need his skill set more than in others.

Faletau is a world class player. I can’t remember the last time he had a bad game for wales and I’d bet he would rectify his errors last weekend on Saturday if picked. Morgan deserves his place though and Reffell is also playing too well to ignore. And we need some muscle at blind side. The unthinkable might become thinkable

[Son of Mathonwy]

Tips is a class player but looked ineffective on Saturday. It’s not the first time that’s been apparent; in some games we need his skill set more than in others.

Faletau is a world class player. I can’t remember the last time he had a bad game for wales and I’d bet he would rectify his errors last weekend on Saturday if picked. Morgan deserves his place though and Reffell is also playing too well to ignore. And we need some muscle at blind side. The unthinkable might become thinkable

Can't see Gats dropping Faletau after one sub-par match. Tips (although he missed no tackles) is is more vulnerable because of the competition for 7.

One thing to think about re Reffell is that (at least for the Ospreys recent match) at Leicester he plays with Hanro Liebenberg at 6. Liebenberg is 6ft 5.5 and 110 kg. Perhaps Reffell needs a big 6 to make destructive tackles for him to be effective.

[Numbers]

Wales: L Williams; Adams, North, Hawkins, Dyer; Biggar, T Williams; W Jones, Owens (capt), Lewis, Jenkins, Beard, Tshiunza, Reffell, Morgan.

Replacements: Baldwin, Carre, Brown, Davies, Faletau, Webb, Patchell, Cuthbert.

I'm not sure about Morgan at 8, he's a bit lightweight for that position imo, other than that I'm quite pleased with the selection.

[Numbers]

Also I think Bradley Roberts would offer more impact off the bench than Baldwin but good to see Brown involved, he's a beast.