Tim v France

[Tre]

Williams
Cuthbert
Davies
Roberts
North
Biggar
Davies
Evans
Baldwin
Lee
Davies
AWJ
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau

Owens, Jenkins, Francis, Ball, Tipuric, Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

[Flying Scarlet]

Tom James very unlucky to be dropped from the 23...

[Mikeyv]

No surprises there, Cuthbert lucky to be in I suppose.

Shame about Charteris, will be missed.

James isn't quite international class imo, but probably no worse than Cuthbert on current form.

[wayneha50]

Tom James dropped!? ridiculously harsh

[Sandydragon]

Biggest loss is Charteris. Not seen much of Ball tbh, hasn't looked quite the same level as he did a couple of seasons ago. Davies has been good though when he has come on and adds some power to our pack.

Cuthbert back in. Ho hum, seems very harsh on James who has done nothing wrong. Its not like Cuthbert was superb in his last outings. Doe this mean that North switches wings? Not great if it does as he was starting to look back to his normal self.

Bak row is what I expected it to be. A tactic of bringing Tipuric on at the same time as Anscombe?priestland and moving Williams to the wing would perhaps add some width to our game, usually at the time that France bring on their bigger players and try to play ten man rugby.

[Tre]

Hopefully it means James will play against Ulster on Sunday

[cadofyddol]

Very harsh on Tom James, considering how many chances Cuthbert was given. I think it's a missed opportunity to give James a run in the team when he's in good club form to see whether he had what it takes to be an international. For me that question still hasn't been answered.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wow, that's tough on James. Is that it for his international career then? He really deserved more time - it's not like Cuthbert has done anything at the club level to force himself back into the team. It seems that once you're on Gatland's list, even if you get rested for a match or two, you're given another chance shortly afterwards.

Ditto Tipuric vs Lydiate. Anyway, why is it that Tips gets pushed aside for Lydiate and not (the rather rusty) Warburton? Gatland's favourites again - form doesn't count for much.

And why do we have Anscombe on the bench? He covers fly half and full back. We've already got fly half cover. It would be better to have Amos or Nipper, so we have someone with pace in case we need to replace a winger (rather than having to move Liam). And a potential game-changer in Nipper, should we need something special if things are going badly at the end. What does Anscombe do that only Gatland seems to see? No doubt he will be given several years to prove himself, regardless of form.

But anyway, a strong team, that largely picks itself. Hope Foxy, Liam and Warburton are now getting up to speed and that Roberts plays another blinder.

[Tre]

Nipper can't even get into the Bristol side.

[Numbers]

Disappointed to see Anscombe and Priestland, one or the other surely, I'd rather Amos as an option on the bench for fullback, centre and wing cover.

I think Lydiate is certainly the right call for this game and Bradley adds grunt so I'm very happy with the choice of forwards.

Regarding Tom James, he used to be a speedster winger, that seems to have fallen off a bit and tho he can now pass he really isn't any great shakes, similar to Cuthbert (tho currently slightly better), neither have great ability other than size and speed, Amos will oust these two shortly. I'd rather Tyler Morgan on the wing than either of those two (I know he isn't fit).

[Numbers]

Nipper can't even get into the Bristol side.

I think that's due to his signing a contract with Blues next season rather than on ability, he was player of the Championship last season as I'm sure you know.

Or was this tongue in cheek.

[Tre]

Nipper can't even get into the Bristol side.

I think that's due to his signing a contract with Blues next season rather than on ability, he was player of the Championship last season as I'm sure you know.

Or was this tongue in cheek.

It was a bit tongue in cheek, but I really don't understand calls for him to be anywhere near the Wales 23 just because we used to have a small bloke who was quite good in the not so distant past.

I'm with you. Amos for Priestland/Anscombe on the bench

[Flying Scarlet]

Nipper can't even get into the Bristol side.

I think that's due to his signing a contract with Blues next season rather than on ability, he was player of the Championship last season as I'm sure you know.

Or was this tongue in cheek.

It was a bit tongue in cheek, but I really don't understand calls for him to be anywhere near the Wales 23 just because we used to have a small bloke who was quite good in the not so distant past.

I'm with you. Amos for Priestland/Anscombe on the bench

Id like to see him on the bench for the Italian match, bring him on with 20 or so to go...

[Billyfish]

Tis odd. Preistland or Anscombe, why have both? Happy to see the Lyders/Talupers/Warbers axis at the back again, I think that is the right move against France and very much look forward to Tips coming on later. Unless something clicks with France I can see us dealing out a bit of a tonking.

[Cornelius]

Anscome and the Priest possibly as Biggar and Sanjay still carrying niggles?

Also I can think of no other fit available back of sufficient standard that covers more than one position with game time under his belt?

[welshsaint]

Ticket sorted, car parking booked.

[Bob]

Loads of tickets not sold by clubs all costing £80 a pop

[Sourdust]

Nipper can't even get into the Bristol side.

I think that's due to his signing a contract with Blues next season rather than on ability, he was player of the Championship last season as I'm sure you know.

Or was this tongue in cheek.

It was a bit tongue in cheek, but I really don't understand calls for him to be anywhere near the Wales 23 just because we used to have a small bloke who was quite good in the not so distant past.

"Just because"?

Nipper's certainly not the "finished article" and there are weaknesses to his game for sure; but he beats defenders for fun, is almost never stopped by the first tackle, kicks out of hand well, and has pace aplenty. He gets stuck in to rucks where bigger backs don't, and although size can beat him in the tackle, he makes those tackles most of the time. I'm at a loss to imagine what more anyone wants from a "utilty back". It's hard not to ascribe this to the standard Welsh disease - "I saw him throw an intercept pass once, and that's that."

Meanwhile we've got not one, but TWO 10/15 replacements on the bench who have (a) done little of note for years, and (b) done little of note at all.

[Tre]

I think that's due to his signing a contract with Blues next season rather than on ability, he was player of the Championship last season as I'm sure you know.

Or was this tongue in cheek.

It was a bit tongue in cheek, but I really don't understand calls for him to be anywhere near the Wales 23 just because we used to have a small bloke who was quite good in the not so distant past.

"Just because"?

Nipper's certainly not the "finished article" and there are weaknesses to his game for sure; but he beats defenders for fun, is almost never stopped by the first tackle, kicks out of hand well, and has pace aplenty. He gets stuck in to rucks where bigger backs don't, and although size can beat him in the tackle, he makes those tackles most of the time. I'm at a loss to imagine what more anyone wants from a "utilty back". It's hard not to ascribe this to the standard Welsh disease - "I saw him throw an intercept pass once, and that's that."

Meanwhile we've got not one, but TWO 10/15 replacements on the bench who have (a) done little of note for years, and (b) done little of note at all.

What has Nipper done of note in the same time period?

[kk67]

Nipper's certainly not the "finished article" and there are weaknesses to his game for sure; but he beats defenders for fun, is almost never stopped by the first tackle, kicks out of hand well, and has pace aplenty. He gets stuck in to rucks where bigger backs don't, and although size can beat him in the tackle, he makes those tackles most of the time. I'm at a loss to imagine what more anyone wants from a "utilty back". It's hard not to ascribe this to the standard Welsh disease - "I saw him throw an intercept pass once, and that's that."

Yup.

[stud muffin]

Having Anscome & Priestland on the bench is just plain stupid, there's no other way of putting it. Two people covering the same position/s, really???
Harsh on Tom James, he's got to be ahead of Cuthbert at the moment!!

I didn't really rate Lydiate's performance on the weekend, Yellow was harsh, but he didn't stand out at all.. That said I can kind of understand why Galand's made the choice against a very physical french pack, hope he's up to it.

I'm assuming again the ball won't get past Roberts until the French kick it to us. We should beat the French, but I'm sure they won't be too surprised by our tactics!

If the French back row keep tackling Roberts (there's no reason why they shouldn't) it's going to be a pretty turgid affair (again).

I know we haven't lost yet, but it's not exactly inspiring stuff.

[kk67]

Having Anscome & Priestland on the bench is just plain stupid, there's no other way of putting it. Two people covering the same position/s, really???
Harsh on Tom James, he's got to be ahead of Cuthbert at the moment!!

I didn't really rate Lydiate's performance on the weekend, Yellow was harsh, but he didn't stand out at all.. That said I can kind of understand why Galand's made the choice against a very physical french pack, hope he's up to it.

I'm assuming again the ball won't get past Roberts until the French kick it to us. We should beat the French, but I'm sure they won't be too surprised by our tactics!

If the French back row keep tackling Roberts (there's no reason why they shouldn't) it's going to be a pretty turgid affair (again).

I know we haven't lost yet, but it's not exactly inspiring stuff.

Yup. Time to shake it up.
I'm hoping the Welsh backrow are just finding their balance...it'll come......it's no biggie.

[Lord Llandaff]

Tom James has possibly been axed after the way he was chased down after his break down the touchline v Scotland, given that pace has always been his main asset. Not saying I agree with Cuthbert being in ahead, but simply offering a reason. I still think Cuthbert's a busted flush.

Like others, the Priestland/Anscombe bench thing baffles me. Would GA be anywhere near the Wales squad were he not a Kiwi? I rate Sam Davies higher atm.

[twitchy]

Just out of interest what are you expecting from this french team? I have been waiting for them to sort it out for ages now.

[welshsaint]

I know it's a cliche but what can we expect? I think we should beat them, but to quote any number of commentators......'Which French team will turn up tonight?'