Wales v France (not Italy)

[Graigwen]

Wales senior men’s XV to play France in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, Saturday 18 March KO 2.45pm GMT. Live on ITV and S4C

15 Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 24 caps)
14 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 48 caps)
13 George North (Ospreys – 112 caps)
12 Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 26 caps)
11 Rio Dyer (Dragons – 6 caps)
10 Dan Biggar (Toulon – 106 caps)
9 Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 39 caps);
1 Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 47 caps)
2 Ken Owens (Scarlets – 90 caps) CAPT
3 Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 70 caps)
4 Adam Beard (Ospreys – 45 caps)
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 157 caps)
6 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 36 caps)
7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 92 caps)
8 Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 99 caps)

Replacements
16 Bradley Roberts (Dragons – 4 caps)
17 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 20 caps)
18 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 49 caps)
19 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 5 caps)
20 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 8 caps)
21 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 44 caps)
22 Owen Williams (Ospreys – 6 caps)
23 Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 98 caps)

[Graigwen]

France name their XV

Here's how the French will line up in Paris...

France: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damien Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Ethan Dumortier, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. Cyril Baille 2. Julien Marchand 3. Uini Atonio 4. Thibaud Flament 5. Romain Taofifenua 6. Francois Cros 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Sipili Falatea, 19. Bastien Chalureau, 20. Secou Macalou, 21. Maxime Lucu, 22. Yoram Moefana, 23. Melvyn Jaminet.

[Graigwen]

Atonio back at tight head of course.

[Graigwen]

Jac Morgan's omission is explained by Gatland as owing to a minor injury:

“He’s just rolled his ankle. Someone fell on him on Tuesday. It’s a great opportunity for Aaron. He’s matured well. He’s got some size and he’s dynamic. The biggest work-on maybe is staying switched on for 80 minutes. It’s just those moments when there’s a kick battle and it’s your job to get back.”

[Graigwen]

Having watched how Italy went through our young centres like a knife through butter last week, it always seemed likely that Grady at least would be replaced. Gatland's selection was not a surprise. Here is his rationalisation of the changes:

"Think it was just to get some fresh legs. We were happy with Joe and Mason but they’re a bit banged up. France have experience as well. They will have learned a lot from last week’s experience. They’re building that combination. There were some sore bodies and it was an opportunity to bring some boys."

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[Tuco Ramirez]

i suspect he does not want to throw Hawkins and Grady under the bus in a game which could get messy.

++++ Why is thread called Wales v Italy?

[Wallpaperman]

Thought he would go for Tompkins & North. Biggar starts too, definitely a damage limitation approach in the backline which is uninspiring but probably the right way to go for this game.

That said, Rees-Zammit at full back is a bit of a risk. On the one hand, France will be wary of kicking loose ball to him, but on the flip side he’s not exactly Mr reliable under the high ball. Halfpenny is on the bench for a reason.

Not sure how I feel about Wainwright at 6. I have the same reservations about him as I have had about Tshiunza in that Wales haven’t had a proper 6 that I feel has worked well in tandem with the rest of the back row. It hasn’t felt like a tight unit throughout. I do like Wainwright with ball in hand though.

I would have put Dafydd Jenkins on the bench in favour of more bulk, but I wouldn’t have replaced him with Alun-Wyn. Let’s hope he does himself proud on the day.

[Wallpaperman]

Having watched how Italy went through our young centres like a knife through butter last week, it always seemed likely that Grady at least would be replaced. Gatland's selection was not a surprise. Here is his rationalisation of the changes:

"Think it was just to get some fresh legs. We were happy with Joe and Mason but they’re a bit banged up. France have experience as well. They will have learned a lot from last week’s experience. They’re building that combination. There were some sore bodies and it was an opportunity to bring some boys."

.

Letting them down gently

[Wallpaperman]

Atonio back at tight head of course.

A massive bloke. They will miss Willemse and Jelonch though.

[Graigwen]

i suspect he does not want to throw Hawkins and Grady under the bus in a game which could get messy.

++++ Why is thread called Wales v Italy?

Because I am an idiot!
.

[Sandydragon]

i suspect he does not want to throw Hawkins and Grady under the bus in a game which could get messy.

++++ Why is thread called Wales v Italy?

Because I am an idiot!
.

Fixed.

[Numbers]

Thought he would go for Tompkins & North. Biggar starts too, definitely a damage limitation approach in the backline which is uninspiring but probably the right way to go for this game.

That said, Rees-Zammit at full back is a bit of a risk. On the one hand, France will be wary of kicking loose ball to him, but on the flip side he’s not exactly Mr reliable under the high ball. Halfpenny is on the bench for a reason.

Not sure how I feel about Wainwright at 6. I have the same reservations about him as I have had about Tshiunza in that Wales haven’t had a proper 6 that I feel has worked well in tandem with the rest of the back row. It hasn’t felt like a tight unit throughout. I do like Wainwright with ball in hand though.

I would have put Dafydd Jenkins on the bench in favour of more bulk, but I wouldn’t have replaced him with Alun-Wyn. Let’s hope he does himself proud on the day.

Yeah I'd say our best 6s would be Moriarty, Navidi and Lydiate, I'd like to see Harison Keddie given a shot mind you and maybe Will Griffiths somewhere down the line.

[Wallpaperman]

Thought he would go for Tompkins & North. Biggar starts too, definitely a damage limitation approach in the backline which is uninspiring but probably the right way to go for this game.

That said, Rees-Zammit at full back is a bit of a risk. On the one hand, France will be wary of kicking loose ball to him, but on the flip side he’s not exactly Mr reliable under the high ball. Halfpenny is on the bench for a reason.

Not sure how I feel about Wainwright at 6. I have the same reservations about him as I have had about Tshiunza in that Wales haven’t had a proper 6 that I feel has worked well in tandem with the rest of the back row. It hasn’t felt like a tight unit throughout. I do like Wainwright with ball in hand though.

I would have put Dafydd Jenkins on the bench in favour of more bulk, but I wouldn’t have replaced him with Alun-Wyn. Let’s hope he does himself proud on the day.

Yeah I'd say our best 6s would be Moriarty, Navidi and Lydiate, I'd like to see Harison Keddie given a shot mind you and maybe Will Griffiths somewhere down the line.

Cheers Numbers. Should have mentioned Navidi, I thought he was our best player a couple of seasons ago.

Haven’t seen so much of Will Griffiths this year, he looked very promising before that. Not sure whether he is injured or has been pushed down the pecking order by wrecking ball Roots. I definitely like Keddie, perhaps not the most skilful back row but a destructive 6, and he has captaincy experience.

[normanski]

We all know Saturday is going to be bloody and we can only hope that France, a little like Italy last week, are so pumped up for this rogering for Wales that they are over eager from the start and make a few handling errors to let us into the game.

Wales love being the underdog and there will definitely be a backs to the wall feel to our game. We need to frustrate them for as long as possible. While we will lose, I’m certain it won’t be as bad as Twickenham last week.

Hope nourishes!

[francoisfou]

Here's your opposition (copied and pasted from the other thread)
15. Ramos ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Dumortier ; 10. Ntamack, Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Flament ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille

16. Mauvaka, 17. Wardi, 18 . Falatea, 19. Chalureau, 20. Macalou, 21. Lucu, 22. Moefana, 23. Jaminet

There are a couple of changes from the team that stuffed England; the big Saffa 2nd row Willemse is injured and is replaced by the equally big Taofifenua, and Uini Atonio (who was banned after being cited in the Irish match) is back at tight head and Chalureau takes Taofifenua's bench spot.
Only one result here and the bookies will only be interested in the victory margin - but stranger things have been known to happen!

[normanski]

Here's your opposition (copied and pasted from the other thread)
15. Ramos ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Dumortier ; 10. Ntamack, Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Flament ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille

16. Mauvaka, 17. Wardi, 18 . Falatea, 19. Chalureau, 20. Macalou, 21. Lucu, 22. Moefana, 23. Jaminet

There are a couple of changes from the team that stuffed England; the big Saffa 2nd row Willemse is injured and is replaced by the equally big Taofifenua, and Uini Atonio (who was banned after being cited in the Irish match) is back at tight head and Chalureau takes Taofifenua's bench spot.
Only one result here and the bookies will only be interested in the victory margin - but stranger things have been known to happen!

Let’s hope stranger things happen! France put so much effort into the England game that this Saturday could be a little bit of an anticlimax. I don’t think your changes weaken France at all so what do you think your winning margin will be?

[francoisfou]

Here's your opposition (copied and pasted from the other thread)
15. Ramos ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Dumortier ; 10. Ntamack, Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Taofifenua, 4. Flament ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille

16. Mauvaka, 17. Wardi, 18 . Falatea, 19. Chalureau, 20. Macalou, 21. Lucu, 22. Moefana, 23. Jaminet

There are a couple of changes from the team that stuffed England; the big Saffa 2nd row Willemse is injured and is replaced by the equally big Taofifenua, and Uini Atonio (who was banned after being cited in the Irish match) is back at tight head and Chalureau takes Taofifenua's bench spot.
Only one result here and the bookies will only be interested in the victory margin - but stranger things have been known to happen!

Let’s hope stranger things happen! France put so much effort into the England game that this Saturday could be a little bit of an anticlimax. I don’t think your changes weaken France at all so what do you think your winning margin will be?

25 points (edit. at least!)

[francoisfou]

How many of you speak French?
Here's a nice article from Midi Olympique of the one and only Gareth Edwards on Antoine Dupont:

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/03/17/6-n ... 063853.php

[Sandydragon]

Thought he would go for Tompkins & North. Biggar starts too, definitely a damage limitation approach in the backline which is uninspiring but probably the right way to go for this game.

That said, Rees-Zammit at full back is a bit of a risk. On the one hand, France will be wary of kicking loose ball to him, but on the flip side he’s not exactly Mr reliable under the high ball. Halfpenny is on the bench for a reason.

Not sure how I feel about Wainwright at 6. I have the same reservations about him as I have had about Tshiunza in that Wales haven’t had a proper 6 that I feel has worked well in tandem with the rest of the back row. It hasn’t felt like a tight unit throughout. I do like Wainwright with ball in hand though.

I would have put Dafydd Jenkins on the bench in favour of more bulk, but I wouldn’t have replaced him with Alun-Wyn. Let’s hope he does himself proud on the day.

Yeah I'd say our best 6s would be Moriarty, Navidi and Lydiate, I'd like to see Harison Keddie given a shot mind you and maybe Will Griffiths somewhere down the line.

The loss of Navidi has been huge for us, a bit like losing Lydiate always was. A ton of unseen work both in attack and defence. There are other issues of course, but if there was one person I'd want fit and on form right now its him.

[Tuco Ramirez]

Atonio back at tight head of course.

not a great scrummager

[francoisfou]

Atonio back at tight head of course.

not a great scrummager

I don’t know, not being a member of the Front Row Union, but as he weighs in at around 130+kgs, he’ll take some shifting!

[normanski]

Atonio back at tight head of course.

not a great scrummager

I don’t know, not being a member of the Front Row Union, but as he weighs in at around 130+kgs, he’ll take some shifting!

Following his enforced layoff he might be a little match unfit. Wales will keep him moving around to tire him out.

[Sandydragon]

Atonio back at tight head of course.

not a great scrummager

I don’t know, not being a member of the Front Row Union, but as he weighs in at around 130+kgs, he’ll take some shifting!

Not necessarily an indicator of a good scrummager. Somehow I doubt the welsh front row will expose that tomorrow.

[Graigwen]

I expect our front row to be in trouble.

Wyn Jones seems to have slipped back a little this year. Francis is solid enough if he gets good support. Lewis has improved his scrummaging a lot, but from a low starting level. A big lump like Carre would be useful, but he is STILL learning how to scrummage, after many years.

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[Son of Mathonwy]

Warburton does piss me off.

Mate, be modest for yourself by all means but don't drag down the whole of Wales with you.

Nice to see he makes clear that Ireland aren't better than England's 2003 team. He can always be counted on to suck up to his Times readership.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-26501358