Team against Italy

[UKHamlet]

Not that it matters, but these are the changes I would make:

Hooker: Owens
2nd Row: Clart instead of Bradley
Back Row: Tipuric
SH: Webb
FH: Priestland
Wing: James instead of Cuthbert

Then we need to be a bit more direct in our attack. Throw a bit of caution to the wind and go for it.

[wayneha50]

i think gatland will make minimal changes to the team & gameplan

when plan A doesnt work the response is generally more plan A

i doubt we'll see tom james in a wales shirt again under the current management

[glamorganmorgan]

no it doesn't matter

[Sourdust]

It "doesn't matter" in that any XXIII we can realistically field should beat Italy with plenty to spare, so I'd be all for major changes.

You know what's coming, though. "These players deserve the chance to put things right" by steamrollering a team even Ireland got 50 against. Hoo-bloody-ray.

[Sandydragon]

There won't be any changes, unless forced by injury. We have looked off the pace all season, we are nowhere near our best, even under gatland ball.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I honestly couldn't give a sh|t

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wait, I know, let's play our U20 team instead.

[Dacre]

Wait, I know, let's play our U20 team instead.

Let them win their own Grand Slam and enjoy the moment playing their way. There is plenty of time in the next 3 years for Gatland to pick the best of that generation and coach them to play rugby by numbers and not heads up

[Billyfish]

No, doesn't matter. The horse has bolted and we've handed the Ingerlish a triple crown and a grand slam in the most abject way possible. We could play like we did yesterday and still beat Italy and will learn nothing.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I'd like them to pick the most aggressive team and play the most aggressive tactics (pretend we're 20 points down for the whole match), while keeping our defence as unchanged as possible. And try to put a record 6N score down.

But while this would be fun, we wouldn't learn very much from it. And it obviously won't happen - we'll just have Gatball with pretty much the same team until the second half and then maybe we'll throw the ball around a little more.

There is something to be said for resting some of the players who underperformed yesterday, just to keep them on their toes, but this isn't going to happen.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Not that it matters, but these are the changes I would make:

Hooker: Owens
2nd Row: Clart instead of Bradley
Back Row: Tipuric
SH: Webb
FH: Priestland
Wing: James instead of Cuthbert

Then we need to be a bit more direct in our attack. Throw a bit of caution to the wind and go for it.

I agree with all that, except I'd put Amos on the wing (not that James has done anything wrong, I just think it would be better to bring on the younger players). Moriarty and Nipper to the bench. Anscombe out. This is assuming Warbs is out.

[Lord Llandaff]

A meaningless game that will merely decide whether Wales are 2nd 3rd or 4th at the end. If we finish 2nd it will just show how poor this 6 Nations has been overall.

The only interesting thing would be seeing the Gatland apologists trying to spin a Wales defeat. Now that would be entertaining.

[Not me]

Really hope Gatland backs up some of his post match words. Wholesale changes and an example to be made of a couple of senior players.

[caldeyrfc]

A meaningless game that will merely decide whether Wales are 2nd 3rd or 4th at the end. If we finish 2nd it will just show how poor this 6 Nations has been overall.

The only interesting thing would be seeing the Gatland apologists trying to spin a Wales defeat. Now that would be entertaining.

Sorry but WTF is a "Gatland apologist"

[Son of Mathonwy]

A meaningless game that will merely decide whether Wales are 2nd 3rd or 4th at the end. If we finish 2nd it will just show how poor this 6 Nations has been overall.

The only interesting thing would be seeing the Gatland apologists trying to spin a Wales defeat. Now that would be entertaining.

Sorry but WTF is a "Gatland apologist"

I don't think there are many on this site.

[UKHamlet]

A meaningless game that will merely decide whether Wales are 2nd 3rd or 4th at the end. If we finish 2nd it will just show how poor this 6 Nations has been overall.

The only interesting thing would be seeing the Gatland apologists trying to spin a Wales defeat. Now that would be entertaining.

Sorry but WTF is a "Gatland apologist"

I don't think there are many on this site.

I'd like to apologise for Gatland.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Really hope Gatland backs up some of his post match words. Wholesale changes and an example to be made of a couple of senior players.

It's interesting to consider which players to make an example of, senior or otherwise.

Both centres had a bad day defensively: Roberts: 6 tackles, 2 misses; Davies: 4 tackles, 3 misses (and also turned over 3 times). In Foxy's defence of course, he made North's try. But if we had decent alternatives I'd be happy to see either of them rested. Can we call up Watkin from the U20s?

Baldwin could be dropped for losing 2 lineouts, but he worked hard in defence: 10 tackles albeit with 2 misses. Since we have Owens, I think he should take the No.2 shirt next week.

Faletau had a poor game in defence, but his try and the total lack of alternative means that his shirt is nailed on. (Wait, I know: bring in Keddie from the U20s too.)

Warburton didn't have a great game, but I doubt he'll be available next week anyway. And there is zero chance that even a half-fit Warbs would be dropped by Gatland.

I'd like to see both half backs switched with their substitutes for the next match. They both looked sharp at the end of the game.

Maybe AWJ needs a rest, but his performance was good enough (10 tackles, 1 miss)to keep his shirt.

(Oh and ESPN's stats show Anscombe did absolutely nothing, so he's out .)

[Lord Llandaff]

A meaningless game that will merely decide whether Wales are 2nd 3rd or 4th at the end. If we finish 2nd it will just show how poor this 6 Nations has been overall.

The only interesting thing would be seeing the Gatland apologists trying to spin a Wales defeat. Now that would be entertaining.

Sorry but WTF is a "Gatland apologist"

Get a dictionary

[caldeyrfc]

Gatland apologist is not in the Concise Oxford Dictionary

[Sandydragon]

Really hope Gatland backs up some of his post match words. Wholesale changes and an example to be made of a couple of senior players.

It's interesting to consider which players to make an example of, senior or otherwise.

Both centres had a bad day defensively: Roberts: 6 tackles, 2 misses; Davies: 4 tackles, 3 misses (and also turned over 3 times). In Foxy's defence of course, he made North's try. But if we had decent alternatives I'd be happy to see either of them rested. Can we call up Watkin from the U20s?

Baldwin could be dropped for losing 2 lineouts, but he worked hard in defence: 10 tackles albeit with 2 misses. Since we have Owens, I think he should take the No.2 shirt next week.

Faletau had a poor game in defence, but his try and the total lack of alternative means that his shirt is nailed on. (Wait, I know: bring in Keddie from the U20s too.)

Warburton didn't have a great game, but I doubt he'll be available next week anyway. And there is zero chance that even a half-fit Warbs would be dropped by Gatland.

I'd like to see both half backs switched with their substitutes for the next match. They both looked sharp at the end of the game.

Maybe AWJ needs a rest, but his performance was good enough (10 tackles, 1 miss)to keep his shirt.

(Oh and ESPN's stats show Anscombe did absolutely nothing, so he's out .)

Dare we drop Roberts? Our game is built around getting him over the gain line. When that doesn't happen, what is our plan b and can he contribute towards it? Perhaps with a flatter fly half he would be in the game more, as it stands, he spent far too much time getting hit eball behind the gain line standing still.

I'd be tempted to bench AWJ. Still a great player but perhaps he has played too much rugby, he is a long way off the form he showed in the RWC. It would also send one hell of a message.

[MoW]

Since the game is utterly meaningless, I'd like to see some squad players get a start.


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[Son of Mathonwy]

Really hope Gatland backs up some of his post match words. Wholesale changes and an example to be made of a couple of senior players.

It's interesting to consider which players to make an example of, senior or otherwise.

Both centres had a bad day defensively: Roberts: 6 tackles, 2 misses; Davies: 4 tackles, 3 misses (and also turned over 3 times). In Foxy's defence of course, he made North's try. But if we had decent alternatives I'd be happy to see either of them rested. Can we call up Watkin from the U20s?

Baldwin could be dropped for losing 2 lineouts, but he worked hard in defence: 10 tackles albeit with 2 misses. Since we have Owens, I think he should take the No.2 shirt next week.

Faletau had a poor game in defence, but his try and the total lack of alternative means that his shirt is nailed on. (Wait, I know: bring in Keddie from the U20s too.)

Warburton didn't have a great game, but I doubt he'll be available next week anyway. And there is zero chance that even a half-fit Warbs would be dropped by Gatland.

I'd like to see both half backs switched with their substitutes for the next match. They both looked sharp at the end of the game.

Maybe AWJ needs a rest, but his performance was good enough (10 tackles, 1 miss)to keep his shirt.

(Oh and ESPN's stats show Anscombe did absolutely nothing, so he's out .)

Dare we drop Roberts? Our game is built around getting him over the gain line. When that doesn't happen, what is our plan b and can he contribute towards it? Perhaps with a flatter fly half he would be in the game more, as it stands, he spent far too much time getting hit eball behind the gain line standing still.

I'd be tempted to bench AWJ. Still a great player but perhaps he has played too much rugby, he is a long way off the form he showed in the RWC. It would also send one hell of a message.

Dare we drop Roberts? Gatland won't think of it because the Doc is at the heart of Plan A. I wouldn't, because there's no one else. If Scott was fit, I'd swap them. I'd love to think that Gatland is saying something similar to Roberts (.....but he ain't).

I wouldn't drop AWJ because he's still our best lock, even if he's not at the top of his game. The truth is that since this is only Italy, dropping a player doesn't send too strong a message anyway.

[Lord Llandaff]

Gatland apologist is not in the Concise Oxford Dictionary

Apologist is though you moron

[caldeyrfc]

Wow you win a Twix for being tw@t of the day

[stud muffin]

Nothing on this game so I would make some real changes.

Would be tempted to change the entire front row (maybe keep Evans) with Francis possibly unavailable may have to start Sampson Lee!!, Chartaris has to start as does Tipuric (even without Warburton's injury) would like to see Moriarty start, but probably at 6.

Backs, would start with Webb, He looked very sharp when he came on, not sure about Biggar/priestland, happy to go with either. Unfortunately we have no option to Roberts with Scott Williams out, so the rest of the backs are unchanged with the exception of Cuthbert who needs to have a time out away from Gatland to allow him to start playing rugby again, as there was a time he played well at international level. The option is either Amos or Tom James.