It’s Friday night and it’s France!

[Wallpaperman]

North no longer playing on Sunday.

But there’s a suggestion AWJ could return. I have mixed feelings about that. France would be a massive game to put him back in for unless he is definitely fit. No rugby for six months or more and then that game.

Completely agree. I also wouldn’t want to break up Rowlands and Beard, who are starting to play well together. Rowlands has played pretty well throughout the six nations and Beard is getting better after a pretty anonymous showing in Dublin. I’d also stick with Seb Davies on the bench and let AWJ come back after a game or two. Then again, I thought that it was a mistake to start Faletau at the weekend...

[francoisfou]

The good news for France is that winger Gabin Villière and stand off Matthieu Jalibert have both recovered from injury and have been included in the initial squad for Cardiff!

[Son of Mathonwy]

This is interesting. Not just the stuff about Edwards's pre-match ritual*, but what Dylan Hartley has to say about intense starts in training.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... g-23252271

Might get more training injuries though (if that's possible).

* although I'm not convinced we were any better at starting matches in the Gatland era.

[Sandydragon]

This is interesting. Not just the stuff about Edwards's pre-match ritual*, but what Dylan Hartley has to say about intense starts in training.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... g-23252271

Might get more training injuries though (if that's possible).

* although I'm not convinced we were any better at starting matches in the Gatland era.

We were always better after the half time bollocking.

[Numbers]

North no longer playing on Sunday.

But there’s a suggestion AWJ could return. I have mixed feelings about that. France would be a massive game to put him back in for unless he is definitely fit. No rugby for six months or more and then that game.

Completely agree. I also wouldn’t want to break up Rowlands and Beard, who are starting to play well together. Rowlands has played pretty well throughout the six nations and Beard is getting better after a pretty anonymous showing in Dublin. I’d also stick with Seb Davies on the bench and let AWJ come back after a game or two. Then again, I thought that it was a mistake to start Faletau at the weekend...

There are certain players who are capable of returning straight to top flight action after injury, Moriarty, Faletau and AWJ all fall into this category as does Liam Williams, I would put AWJ on the bench if he's deemed fit but that's a big if.

[francoisfou]

The good news for France is that winger Gabin Villière and stand off Matthieu Jalibert have both recovered from injury and have been included in the initial squad for Cardiff!

Jalibert was a last-minute withdrawal from Bordeaux's home loss to Pau on Saturday and may not be fit to make the squad for Cardiff.
Even so, I'd imagine that you boys had already began worrying about the French victory margin

[francoisfou]

According to Midi Olympique, this is the probable side for Cardiff:

15. Jaminet ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Villière ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Jelonch, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Willemse, 4. Woki ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Replacements: 16. Mauvaka, 17. Gros, 18. Bamba, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cretin, 21. Lucu, 22. Moefana (ou Flament), 23. Ramos.

[normanski]

WoL are forecasting Seb Davies coming in at six, with Faletau and Navidi at seven. Also Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones at LH giving more mobility around the park.

Interesting selections if true!

[Son of Mathonwy]

WoL are forecasting Seb Davies coming in at six, with Faletau and Navidi at seven. Also Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones at LH giving more mobility around the park.

Interesting selections if true!

I can't remember how long Seb Davies was on the pitch vs England. Stats are metres made: 2, tackles: 0.

So not much there to justify a start at 6.

Surely, if Navidi is to start, he should be at 6, with Basham or Jac Morgan at 7. And Seb on the bench.

I can understand the appeal of such a big 6, but, talented as he is, I'm yet to be convinced Seb is quick enough.

[Sandydragon]

WoL are forecasting Seb Davies coming in at six, with Faletau and Navidi at seven. Also Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones at LH giving more mobility around the park.

Interesting selections if true!

I can't remember how long Seb Davies was on the pitch vs England. Stats are metres made: 2, tackles: 0.

So not much there to justify a start at 6.

Surely, if Navidi is to start, he should be at 6, with Basham or Jac Morgan at 7. And Seb on the bench.

I can understand the appeal of such a big 6, but, talented as he is, I'm yet to be convinced Seb is quick enough.

You me and the rest of Wales. I hope I get proved wrong.

[normanski]

WoL are forecasting Seb Davies coming in at six, with Faletau and Navidi at seven. Also Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones at LH giving more mobility around the park.

Interesting selections if true!

I can't remember how long Seb Davies was on the pitch vs England. Stats are metres made: 2, tackles: 0.

So not much there to justify a start at 6.

Surely, if Navidi is to start, he should be at 6, with Basham or Jac Morgan at 7. And Seb on the bench.

I can understand the appeal of such a big 6, but, talented as he is, I'm yet to be convinced Seb is quick enough.

You me and the rest of Wales. I hope I get proved wrong.

Sometimes, cometh the hour, cometh the man! If he is picked he has to have a massive game. He adds height at the tail of the line out but his selection has to be justified by his work in the dirty areas of the breakdown and his carries in the loose.

[Numbers]

I can't remember how long Seb Davies was on the pitch vs England. Stats are metres made: 2, tackles: 0.

So not much there to justify a start at 6.

Surely, if Navidi is to start, he should be at 6, with Basham or Jac Morgan at 7. And Seb on the bench.

I can understand the appeal of such a big 6, but, talented as he is, I'm yet to be convinced Seb is quick enough.

You me and the rest of Wales. I hope I get proved wrong.

Sometimes, cometh the hour, cometh the man! If he is picked he has to have a massive game. He adds height at the tail of the line out but his selection has to be justified by his work in the dirty areas of the breakdown and his carries in the loose.

Hopefully he won't give away too many penalties as he has a habit of doing that.

[Numbers]

I'm quite liking the two backrowers on the bench option, they should add some impact.

[Mikey Brown]

North no longer playing on Sunday.

Has he found Jesus?

[francoisfou]

The French team:

15. Jaminet ; 14. Moefana, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Villière ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Jelonch, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Willemse, 4. Woki ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Bench : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Gros, 18. Haouas, 19. Flament, 20. Cretin, 21. Lucu, 22. Ramos, 23. Lebel.

Penaud has tested positive and is out so Moefana is on the wing. We'll miss Penaud as he's an essential member of the team, but nevertheless, I still expect a big win!

[normanski]

The French team:

15. Jaminet ; 14. Moefana, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Villière ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Jelonch, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Willemse, 4. Woki ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Bench : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Gros, 18. Haouas, 19. Flament, 20. Cretin, 21. Lucu, 22. Ramos, 23. Lebel.

Penaud has tested positive and is out so Moefana is on the wing. We'll miss Penaud as he's an essential member of the team, but nevertheless, I still expect a big win!

So do I! But we might just have a few tricks up our sleeve to keep you in check.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales: Liam Williams; Alex Cuthbert, Owen Watkin, Jonathan Davies, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar (capt), Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Seb Davies, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Dewi Lake, Wyn Jones, Dillion Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Jac Morgan, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Anscombe, Louis Rees-Zammit.

As discussed, I have doubts about Seb at 6, Navidi at 7, hope to be proved wrong. If it works, it could be very good.

Basham very unlucky to be dropped but there's nothing between him and Jac Morgan. We have some very good 7s.

Tomkins concussed, Halaholo not up to speed, so we have Foxy and Watkin. Should be bloody solid defensively but I can't help wishing we were starting the Scarlets combo of Scott and Johnny.

Nice to see LRZ back in some form. I really, really hope Cuthbert is on whatever he was on last time and justifies selection. I guess Adams is centre cover

[Wallpaperman]

It’s a physical Welsh line up. Not sure at all about Seb Davies at 6 but it’s a good opportunity for him. If Pivac wants to persist with the physical 6 who has a lineout presence I think that he might have a look at Sean Lonsdale next season.

Wyn Jones and Basham are unlucky, Basham especially to be out of the 23. As with Seb Davies, it’s a good chance for Gareth Thomas to shine. He is a decent scrummager but has probably been picked for his ball carrying.

[Sandydragon]

Navidi back to help with the breakdown. Seb Davies is in for some reason I don’t fully understand. Lineout presence is fair enough but I hope I’m proven wrong about his actual use in the back row.

Wyn Jones needed a kick up the arse, no problems there. Shame about Tompkins but why Scott Williams isn’t in this squad is beyond me.

[normanski]

The QBE Insurance computer is predicting a 21-19 Wales win! Now that would be interesting scoreline if true. The computer is also predicting England will smash Ireland and become odds on favourites to take the 6N Championship.

I can’t realistically see either home team winning but I’d certainly take the predicted score against France.

[Graigwen]

The QBE Insurance computer is predicting a 21-19 Wales win! Now that would be interesting scoreline if true. The computer is also predicting England will smash Ireland and become odds on favourites to take the 6N Championship.

I can’t realistically see either home team winning but I’d certainly take the predicted score against France.

Obviously a prediction made after the computer had been in the pub for a few hours.

.

[Buggaluggs]

[Graigwen]

I think Pivac has taken a realistic view and accepted we are not going to win anything, or even compete for second this year. He realises nothing would be learned from putting out a similar side to last game so has experimented a bit. The heavy back row will be tested against the best opposition - good.

Like others, I like the two back rows on the bench. I am also pleased to see Anscombe on the bench (maybe Patchell for the Italy game?).

I am a bit worried about Gareth Thomas starting, I hope I am wrong, I don't want to see our scrum being dismantled from the start.

.

[normanski]

That takes me back a few years!

[francoisfou]

I don't particularly like Friday night games, especially in a potentially hostile stadium, and I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable about this evening.
Everything points to a French victory, but................................!!!