RugbyRebels

Le XV contre le pays de Galles : Dulin - Penaud, Vakatawa, Fickou, Thomas - (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont - Ollivon (cap), Alldritt, Cretin - Willemse, R.Taofifenua - Haouas, Marchand, Baille.
Remplaçants : Chat, Gros, Atonio, Rebbadj, Jelonch, Serin, Ntamack, Vincent.

Thoughts ?

tigran wrote:Le XV contre le pays de Galles : Dulin - Penaud, Vakatawa, Fickou, Thomas - (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont - Ollivon (cap), Alldritt, Cretin - Willemse, R.Taofifenua - Haouas, Marchand, Baille.
Remplaçants : Chat, Gros, Atonio, Rebbadj, Jelonch, Serin, Ntamack, Vincent.

Thoughts ?

It'll be a great game; Wales's defence, discipline and conditioning and quality of player across most of the team vs France's ability to play at an unmatchable pace in bursts, some world class half backs and centres, but maybe a slight bench weakness and problems with fitness post covid

I still don't love Thomas as a player, seems like Zebo, could be brilliant but could be bored (lazy?)

Is Vincent someone new or is that Rattez, if Rattez that's a 5/3 split which is good to see. Edit - probably the young centre now I think on it

Digby wrote:I still don't love Thomas as a player, seems like Zebo, could be brilliant but could be bored (lazy?)

Is Vincent someone new or is that Rattez, if Rattez that's a 5/3 split which is good to see. Edit - probably the young centre now I think on it

Teddy Thomas is a strange one. Blessed with pace and an ability to fend off tacklers, and when he wants to, tackles effectively.
However, Racing are not renewing his contract and from what I've heard is more or less certain to sign for Toulouse next season.

Arthur Vincent, aged 21, is a former U20 World Cup winner and will surely be a regular in the French XV by the time the World Cup in 2023.

Vincent Rattez, 28, and like Thomas is a winger, who is up against better players, in my opinion, like Penaud and Villière. And watch out for the name of Donovan Taofifénua (a cousin of 2nd row Romain), a winger with Racing who's another U20 World Cup winner. France are currently blessed with highly talented backs which bodes well for the World Cup.

Most of the work Thomas does on and around the ball looks decent, in attack and defence, it's all the stuff he doesn't do off the ball when you just watch and think he's 15m from where he should be just because he physically couldn't be bothered or mentally switched off. Folau had a similar problem (and some other issues) but Folau was such a freak talent you'd still pick him. I look at some other French backs and I don't think I would just pick Thomas, especially not in the same back three as Penaud who similarly seems to not be where he should too often

Digby wrote:I still don't love Thomas as a player, seems like Zebo, could be brilliant but could be bored (lazy?)

Is Vincent someone new or is that Rattez, if Rattez that's a 5/3 split which is good to see. Edit - probably the young centre now I think on it

Vincent is indeed the excellent centre who played in the 1st two french games this 6N

So where do you think these teams have the edge over the other one ?

Do you think Wales have really been really really lucky up till now or ?

Rode their luck maybe but they are a fine side and a threat to anyone

France will win though

Well that was a bloody good game..

Our players have grown again, they have managed two tries in the last five minutes... Well, nothing better..

Wales played superbly

All the stuff that Jelonch has brought from the bench, it's all the more disappointing that he didn't get to play the last 20 mns against England

Well done France. That was one of the most bizarre games of rugby I have ever watched but you found your composure as we lost ours.

If not for a blade of Twickenham grass being slightly longer than the rest and it could be you guys on for a grand slam.

Sandydragon wrote:Well done France. That was one of the most bizarre games of rugby I have ever watched but you found your composure as we lost ours.

If not for a blade of Twickenham grass being slightly longer than the rest and it could be you guys on for a grand slam.

Thanks Sandy, Wales have been really impressive for most of the game, I enjoyed it even being on the wrong side of it

tigran wrote:All the stuff that Jelonch has brought from the bench, it's all the more disappointing that he didn't get to play the last 20 mns against England

I’d go as far to say that we wouldn’t have lost if those three replacements had played the last 15 minutes. Gross error of judgment on Galthié’s part.

francoisfou wrote:

tigran wrote:All the stuff that Jelonch has brought from the bench, it's all the more disappointing that he didn't get to play the last 20 mns against England

I’d go as far to say that we wouldn’t have lost if those three replacements had played the last 15 minutes. Gross error of judgment on Galthié’s part.

Yes incompréhensible...