Wales team for Scotland

[pompey-zebra]

Warren Gatland has overhauled his Wales pack and dropped big-name stars including Justin Tipuric for the trip to face Scotland in round two of the Six Nations.

Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Jac Morgan.

This just announced on Wales online.

[Sourdust]

More radical than I expected. No changes behind but then the backs didn't do TOO much wrong last week.

Not sure I see the value of Cuthbert on the bench? If he's in there to counter VDM surely he should start?

Very, very excited to see that back row play though. And we should be able to approach scrum parity with that front 5.

[pompey-zebra]

Bench is: 16 Baldwin 17 Carre 18 Brown 19 Rhys Davies 20 Faletau 21 Webb 22 Patchell 23 Cuthbert

[pompey-zebra]

Weirdly, Fail now saying Liam Williams at 15!

[Sandydragon]

Thats a huge change in the back row. I expect a very fired up Faletau off the bench at some point. Christ at 6 is something that many want to see, will he be an instant success or take time to bed in? Good option to have though looking at his Exeter performances. Daf deserves his start.

the backline could have been better last week but then we got stuffed up front so I get why no changes. The pack needed a massive kick up the arse and hopefully this is it. Plenty of carrying power to come off the bench. Wales vs Scotland games are usually a bit harum sacrum, this one looks like being no exception.

[normanski]

Weirdly, Fail now saying Liam Williams at 15!

WRU website says Williams.

[Mikey Brown]

Same Scotland team except Fagerson starts with Nel on the bench.

[Banquo]

Warren Gatland has overhauled his Wales pack and dropped big-name stars including Justin Tipuric for the trip to face Scotland in round two of the Six Nations.

Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Jac Morgan.

This just announced on Wales online.

I did wonder whether age would be a factor even in the 6N.

[Sandydragon]

Warren Gatland has overhauled his Wales pack and dropped big-name stars including Justin Tipuric for the trip to face Scotland in round two of the Six Nations.

Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Jac Morgan.

This just announced on Wales online.

I did wonder whether age would be a factor even in the 6N.

It’s been apparent for a while and a clean out is overdue. Provac gave out dozens of caps but kept going back to the old guard. I suppose Gatland wanted experience for last weekend and perhaps to see for himself if the ey could still cut it. He has nothing to lose now by going for youth.

I also suspect a few of the backs are skating on thin ice. But harsh to drop them when the pack got so badly beaten up.

[Banquo]

Warren Gatland has overhauled his Wales pack and dropped big-name stars including Justin Tipuric for the trip to face Scotland in round two of the Six Nations.

Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Jac Morgan.

This just announced on Wales online.

I did wonder whether age would be a factor even in the 6N.

It’s been apparent for a while and a clean out is overdue. Provac gave out dozens of caps but kept going back to the old guard. I suppose Gatland wanted experience for last weekend and perhaps to see for himself if the ey could still cut it. He has nothing to lose now by going for youth.

I also suspect a few of the backs are skating on thin ice. But harsh to drop them when the pack got so badly beaten up.

well I mentioned it on the Ireland game thread, but the consensus seemed to be 'too close to the world cup to change'....

What has Tompkins done to blot his copybook- I thought he'd looked excellent at 12 for a while, tho I didn't see the AI's.

[Numbers]

I did wonder whether age would be a factor even in the 6N.

It’s been apparent for a while and a clean out is overdue. Provac gave out dozens of caps but kept going back to the old guard. I suppose Gatland wanted experience for last weekend and perhaps to see for himself if the ey could still cut it. He has nothing to lose now by going for youth.

I also suspect a few of the backs are skating on thin ice. But harsh to drop them when the pack got so badly beaten up.

well I mentioned it on the Ireland game thread, but the consensus seemed to be 'too close to the world cup to change'....

What has Tompkins done to blot his copybook- I thought he'd looked excellent at 12 for a while, tho I didn't see the AI's.

Nothing really, his club performances have been good, he's a known quantity tho, Gatland is trying to build a bit of depth and expose Hawkins to more international matches.

[Sandydragon]

I did wonder whether age would be a factor even in the 6N.

It’s been apparent for a while and a clean out is overdue. Provac gave out dozens of caps but kept going back to the old guard. I suppose Gatland wanted experience for last weekend and perhaps to see for himself if the ey could still cut it. He has nothing to lose now by going for youth.

I also suspect a few of the backs are skating on thin ice. But harsh to drop them when the pack got so badly beaten up.

well I mentioned it on the Ireland game thread, but the consensus seemed to be 'too close to the world cup to change'....

What has Tompkins done to blot his copybook- I thought he'd looked excellent at 12 for a while, tho I didn't see the AI's.

Its a fair point to make that the older players have been in good form recently as well, so not unreasonable to have expected a bit more from them last Saturday. I'm not even convinced that they will be entirely jettisoned; I suspect this is more about building depth than a complete change of the guard. But something was clearly wrong and this is a potential solution.

We shall see.

[newgalesurf]

Good on Gatland to show he is not afraid to drop anyone. Good to get some experience for the younger players. Tournament used for players to show they deserve further scrutiny a 'put up or shut up' approach

This is tough as he has to know who he has to rebuild for the future, but still has an expectation for results. Although I am sure even if it doesn't go his way he has carte blanche and can blame Pivac all the way through the 6N.

But happy he is trying somethings

[Banquo]

It’s been apparent for a while and a clean out is overdue. Provac gave out dozens of caps but kept going back to the old guard. I suppose Gatland wanted experience for last weekend and perhaps to see for himself if the ey could still cut it. He has nothing to lose now by going for youth.

I also suspect a few of the backs are skating on thin ice. But harsh to drop them when the pack got so badly beaten up.

well I mentioned it on the Ireland game thread, but the consensus seemed to be 'too close to the world cup to change'....

What has Tompkins done to blot his copybook- I thought he'd looked excellent at 12 for a while, tho I didn't see the AI's.

Its a fair point to make that the older players have been in good form recently as well, so not unreasonable to have expected a bit more from them last Saturday. I'm not even convinced that they will be entirely jettisoned; I suspect this is more about building depth than a complete change of the guard. But something was clearly wrong and this is a potential solution.

We shall see.

shows the delta between club form and playing one of the world's top teams I guess. Legs catch up with everyone eventually.

[Sandydragon]

well I mentioned it on the Ireland game thread, but the consensus seemed to be 'too close to the world cup to change'....

What has Tompkins done to blot his copybook- I thought he'd looked excellent at 12 for a while, tho I didn't see the AI's.

Its a fair point to make that the older players have been in good form recently as well, so not unreasonable to have expected a bit more from them last Saturday. I'm not even convinced that they will be entirely jettisoned; I suspect this is more about building depth than a complete change of the guard. But something was clearly wrong and this is a potential solution.

We shall see.

shows the delta between club form and playing one of the world's top teams I guess. Legs catch up with everyone eventually.

Totally. There is a massive gulf, although AWJs last game for Wales in the AIs was a good one. I personally think the front row is a massive problem for us and Im not entirely convinced by Beard. AWJ has been one of our better performers over the last couple of season in comparison. But this is th right time for Gatland to experiment a little, noting that if we do lose to Scotland (likely) and then England (possible) then the italy game becomes a must win for him.

[newgalesurf]

I did wonder whether age would be a factor even in the 6N.

It’s been apparent for a while and a clean out is overdue. Provac gave out dozens of caps but kept going back to the old guard. I suppose Gatland wanted experience for last weekend and perhaps to see for himself if the ey could still cut it. He has nothing to lose now by going for youth.

I also suspect a few of the backs are skating on thin ice. But harsh to drop them when the pack got so badly beaten up.

well I mentioned it on the Ireland game thread, but the consensus seemed to be 'too close to the world cup to change'....

What has Tompkins done to blot his copybook- I thought he'd looked excellent at 12 for a while, tho I didn't see the AI's.

Reckon Tompkins playing in England is limiting his chances. Out of sight, etc.

Not seen his recent games tho'

[newgalesurf]

Gatland is definitely successful in one area. Got people talking about rugby and not the scandals

[pompey-zebra]

Nice to see Patchell back but feel a bit for Owen Williams. Granted Gatland is probably giving as many of the squad game time, but Williams has been playing well, and 10 or so minutes at the end of a game in a lost cause can be a hiding to nothing. Would Patchell cover centre too? Dont know if he's played there before but he seems more 10/15 from when I've seen him.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Gatland is definitely successful in one area. Got people talking about rugby and not the scandals

I think that may just be because the 6Ns have begun.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Nice to see Patchell back but feel a bit for Owen Williams. Granted Gatland is probably giving as many of the squad game time, but Williams has been playing well, and 10 or so minutes at the end of a game in a lost cause can be a hiding to nothing. Would Patchell cover centre too? Dont know if he's played there before but he seems more 10/15 from when I've seen him.

It looks like Biggar can't be dropped (not sure why?) so the only way to get a look at Patchell (even if only a 10 minute cameo) is to drop Williams. It would be better if Gatland could properly rotate the 3 fly halves and give Williams and Patchell a real chance.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales: Liam Williams; Josh Adams, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert.

Jenkins is s sensible choice. The back row is interesting. Tshiunza gives us the bulk, Reffell the steals, Morgan - hopefully -can perform out of his normal position (although he has shown that he is capable at 8 recently). No doubt Faletau will appear at some point and the row reshuffle as need be. (Although of course Rhys Davies is also an option for back row cover.)

The backs - my opinion hasn't changed since last time - I'd like to see Biggar dropped and Keiran Williams given a chance. And I don't think Cuthbert is the best use of the 23 spot.

I just hope the coaches, particularly the defence coach, have now had time to get the players with the programme. Otherwise it's not going to be pretty.

[Spiffy]

Bit of a gamble dropping Tipuric after one poorish game. He's an outstanding flanker, a wise head, a great leader and has plenty in the bank for Wales. Gatland may come to regret it.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Bit of a gamble dropping Tipuric after one poorish game. He's an outstanding flanker, a wise head, a great leader and has plenty in the bank for Wales. Gatland may come to regret it.

Yeah and 14 successful tackles, none missed in 55 minutes is probably the best tackling performance from any player in the game. However, there is enormous competition for the 7 shirt so I can understand the call here - as long as it doesn't mean Tips is out for good.

[Graigwen]

I like that team a lot. It looks like the product of rational analysis. It is building for the future rather than cobbling a team together to win the next game. I believe some sort of large scale changes were essential in order to explore the potential of some players and pairings. Real games yield more useful information than training ground exercises.

Gatland is trying to do three years development in a lot less than one year. In different circumstances he would not be selecting a few players with so little recent game time.

I expect some players who look unlucky not to be in this 23 will get chances later (eg Owen Williams, Bradley Roberts).

If some of these selections prove to be unsuccessful tomorrow, I'll just accept they were necessary. To put it bluntly, losing away to a good Scottish side is less painful than losing to England later.

.

[Tuco Ramirez]

Bit of a gamble dropping Tipuric after one poorish game. He's an outstanding flanker, a wise head, a great leader and has plenty in the bank for Wales. Gatland may come to regret it.

Yeah and 14 successful tackles, none missed in 55 minutes is probably the best tackling performance from any player in the game. However, there is enormous competition for the 7 shirt so I can understand the call here - as long as it doesn't mean Tips is out for good.

Tipuric is a luxury. Harlem globetrotters type 7. Gatland has usually picked grafters. i am looking forward to seeing how Reffel go's