France v Wales: Build-up and match thread

[Ospreydragon]

First topic message reminder :

A very interesting opening weekend in the 6N. Good wins for Ireland and England, and a great one for Italy, who showed some nice touches and are devloping their play (unlike Wales).

Here's a typically hyperbolic journalist (or sub-editor's headline) in today's Express:

"Rob Howley Planning to Dump Failures"

http://www.sundayexpress.co.uk/posts/view/375256/Rob-Howley-planning-to-dump-failures

Nothing in the article to state who is going to be dumped, and no surprise there.

Will Howley have the cojones to drop some players? Jenkins, Shingler, and one of the centres? We'll see!

[glamorganalun]

How can R Jones be on the bench last night and then be captain the next morning. I agree he should be captain but should have been starting in the first place not on the bench. We saw last week Warburton should not be captain when you see JD2 telling him to speak to the ref and not taking penalties at key times. Is Warburton really injured or is it he can't stand the pressure of his selection?

[tatterd]

FFS Lou Reed on the bench??? Triple faceplam!

What happened to King?

[glamorganalun]

FFS Lou Reed on the bench??? Triple faceplam!

What happened to King?

Can't have too many Ospreys players I suspect, Reed move to Cardiff to increase his chances of playing for Wales and it is working.

[sirBiggles]

How can R Jones be on the bench last night and then be captain the next morning. I agree he should be captain but should have been starting in the first place not on the bench. We saw last week Warburton should not be captain when you see JD2 telling him to speak to the ref and not taking penalties at key times. Is Warburton really injured or is it he can't stand the pressure of his selection?

Have you looked at the selection... Ryan is STARTING... I dont understand what you are trying to say...

[Glas a du]

Where is the "King Kohn" combo on the bench? Do these people have no empathy for headline writers?

Mind you, if they can't milk Lou Reed's inclusion.

[glamorganalun]

How can R Jones be on the bench last night and then be captain the next morning. I agree he should be captain but should have been starting in the first place not on the bench. We saw last week Warburton should not be captain when you see JD2 telling him to speak to the ref and not taking penalties at key times. Is Warburton really injured or is it he can't stand the pressure of his selection?

Have you looked at the selection... Ryan is STARTING... I dont understand what you are trying to say...

Read again, he is playing but last night he was not, he was on the bench! The team was leaked to the WM/wales on line.

[Guest]

I feel sorry for Sam, but that injury has done him a massive favour. He had to be dropped, as did Gethin Jenkins.

With regards to the bench, I'd have preferred Lee Byrne on there instead of either Williams.

[RubyGuby]

Howley is definately taking a walk on the wild side here. Can't understand it when he had King Kohn in the palm of his hands. Pure Hollywood, you couldn't even write this stuff ffs - Maybe Glas could after a few drops of the claret but this is just pure Psycho!

[sirBiggles]

The team was leaked to the WM/wales on line.

Do you think the WM may have .... mmmmm.... made it up

[Guest]

Well I tell a lie, I wanted Byrne to start, but as I knew Howley would not drop North or Cuffbutt, I wanted hime on the bench at least.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

COME ON TIPURIC!

MAKE THAT LIONS 7 YOURS!

[XR]

I do love the six nations, all the part time rugby fans come crawling out the cracks and go mental on the walesonline pages. Some of them are already calling for Howley to be sacked...he's been solely in charge of 4 games so far, the australia summer test and the ireland game.

My favourite one is

"Quicker we get the 6N over and get rid of this pathetic coaching roup the better. I cant be bothered to waste any more words."

You mean the coaching group which has won 2 grand slams and had all the part time fans in the millstad for the semi final? Yeah, get rid of them, what have they ever done?

Silly part timers

[thebluesmancometh]

watch it gc, not only are you talking about a lot of us any mention to part time fans will get you in a lot of trouble round here!

[thebluesmancometh]

What a great team selection, Howley has clearly learnt his lessons, and has only gone for form and fully fit players... oh wait there Jenkins is still in, but at least he's facing a real no mark TH in... oh!

And Ryan Jones starts, despite not being able to play a few days ago at all he is good to go from the start sat, well Warbs is injured.

And what exactly is the point in having Reed and Shinglar sat on the bench, both are lightweight, and Coombs can cover 6 (probably better than lock against those monsters) Talk about strong arming Jones in and covering him with plenty of bench options!!!

I am amazed mermoz has stayed in and Fritz dumped after last week, anyone wanna bet Basteraud will only want to attack from one side, and will try to get on JD2's outside shoulder?

I expect very little posession and even less ability to play, too much muscle up front from France!

[fa0019]

I think Jenkin is in their for his leadership as the pack especially lacks it.

Take out Ryan Jones and its got nothing holding it together. You need some veterans when playing FR in Paris.

If Warburton was fit I would have brought in James though and dropped Gethin.

[Glas a du]

James is an excellent leader, what's your point?

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Full time haters only on here please.

You dont think picking a big blubbery lump with no guile will play into Wales hands a bit? Their big defenders can cope with the inglorious bastreaud, and he wont do much to release the flashier back 3 who are more likely to be able to run rings around the lumbering welsh wide players.

The real issue though will be possession. Without it Wales will look like Ireland for the last 38, except without the tackle rate. But then if Frances pack is as tame as last week they have a chance there.

[Casartelli]

We have no chance.

Is Kohn injured? Or has he just been ditched now?

[fa0019]

My point is that whilst I believe he's not the best loosehead in Wales, Gethin is a leader and has big game experience.... with guys like AW Jones, Lydiate & Warburton out in the pack.... you need leaders as its going to be tough out there.

[thebluesmancometh]

Jones, James, Evans are all experienced and know exactly what it takes to win in France, Hibbard is a great motivator too.

I can see an argument for Jones but for me anything he brings will be negated by his lack of fitness (in exactly the same way Jenkins has)

Jones IMHO is going to go one of 2 ways, the Jenkins route where his performance is particularly average, or the Evans route where he stands out but only for a small amount of time, either way we've lost options off the bench to incorporate him!

[George Carlin]

Much better starting 15.

Subs bench a strange shotgun wedding of players though.

Unfortunately, Fat Bastreaud has actually been playing well at club level and will be trying to squish Biggar between thumb and forefinger.

[RubyGuby]

We just needed a more solid platform and I just dont understand why we ahven't gone with

James
Hinnard
Adam
Kohn
Evans
6 Coombs
Toby
Tips

Power and some guile and if we lost I wouldn't be blaming Howley - No platform = No chance - this isn't 2005 Rob

[glamorganalun]

Better starting team, could be better but James is on the bench and can play both sides. Better back row, Tipuric is better than Warburton and R Jones much better and stronger than Shingler and also a better captain (he talks to the ref ). I think Coombes may struggle in this game as France have a powerful pack, has he recovered from last week as he is a flanker playing out of position at international level?

I don't think Wales will win but I am more confident we will perform much better against a better team, France by 10.

[Casartelli]

We just needed a more solid platform and I just dont understand why we ahven't gone with

James
Hinnard
Adam
Kohn
Evans
6 Coombs
Toby
Tips

Power and some guile and if we lost I wouldn't be blaming Howley - No platform = No chance - this isn't 2005 Rob

Swap Ryan for Coombs, on the basis that he is a much better player, and I think that would be the best possible pack from the choices available.

I'd have gone for broke and played Byrne and Hook too, as they are the best players in their positions. This playing to a system lark is all well and good when we have all our first choicers available, but when it's backs to the wall time we should try and offer something in attack, rather than just roll over and attempt some damage limitation.

France by 15-20, but could well be worse.

[Duty281]

Warburton's out is he? Bitter news.....for the French.

[glamorganalun]

We just needed a more solid platform and I just dont understand why we ahven't gone with

James
Hinnard
Adam
Kohn
Evans
6 Coombs
Toby
Tips

Power and some guile and if we lost I wouldn't be blaming Howley - No platform = No chance - this isn't 2005 Rob

Swap Ryan for Coombs, on the basis that he is a much better player, and I think that would be the best possible pack from the choices available.

I'd have gone for broke and played Byrne and Hook too, as they are the best players in their positions. This playing to a system lark is all well and good when we have all our first choicers available, but when it's backs to the wall time we should try and offer something in attack, rather than just roll over and attempt some damage limitation.

France by 15-20, but could well be worse.

Agree with your team selection but I am happier with this team than last week's starting team. Howley is lucky with Warburton being injured (if he is). Strange nobody stated Warburton' was injured from last week only Ryan, Hibbard and Kohn were risks up to today!

[Taffineastbourne]

Probably my crassest post(and there have been a few!)but this game will be pivotal for both sides.Whoever loses will go into free fall and have one hand on the wooden spoon.

[whocares]

Probably my crassest post(and there have been a few!)but this game will be pivotal for both sides.Whoever loses will go into free fall and have one hand on the wooden spoon.

+1

[fa0019]

can't see FR ever winning the wooden spoon.

When was the last time they did that??

[whocares]

can't see FR ever winning the wooden spoon.

When was the last time they did that??

1957...
Wales on the other hand...2003

[Taffineastbourne]

can't see FR ever winning the wooden spoon.

When was the last time they did that??

They weren't many people's favourites to lose to Italy either.

[Ospreydragon]

"I am a bit confused about the selection policy,” he said.

“They are picking people who are not playing for their clubs and haven’t got match fitness.

“The selection hasn’t been right in my book.

“I think they’ve got to play James Hook at fly-half.

“Dan Biggar didn’t do himself any favours against Ireland.

“I know Hook is erratic, but he can be a game breaker, and I would definitely go for him.”


Source:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/02/07/paris-hero-dafydd-james-fears-wales-will-fail-in-their-france-clash-91466-32760201/#ixzz2KEPLkQGG

We aren't the only ones commenting on selection. Now, ex-players are too.

[majesticimperialman]

Is Warburton really injured? Or is it better to say that he as a injury than to say he as been dropped?

[Ospreydragon]

"The rugby intellect of the support to the coach has to be the best it can be. I question whether it is with this coaching team. The power of Warren Gatland’s coaching leadership has masked a weak underbelly."

Source:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/9854035/Six-Nations-2013-Wales-need-to-improve-at-every-level-of-the-game-say-former-players-and-coaches.html

[majesticimperialman]

I have just noticed that there is no Lee Bynre in the team.

What has hapend to Olly Kohn? Did Wales only want him the first game of the tournament?

Gethin Jenkins? What as he done to secure him a place in the team this week end?.

What happen to listening to the France based players?

Leigh Halfpenny wants Wales to play like 6ns champions this week end.

Will this team that Howely as picked beable to play like 6ns champions?

I guess it will be wait and see.

[ChequeredJersey]

Kohn is injured

[bedfordwelsh]

Its a bit of ' you can please some people some of the time but not all the people all the time' type of selection.

Most wanted Hibbard Jones and Tipuric - we have them, but I bet Howley is secretly glad Warburtons injured that way he gets away from the furore of not dropping him.

Most wanted Jenkins and one of the centres (Roberts for me) dropped but we haven't got that.

[bedfordwelsh]

[quote="majesticimperialman"]

What has hapend to Olly Kohn? Did Wales only want him the first game of the tournament?

He was named originally at lunchtime on the bench but not shaked off the inury but Reed FFS I would have had King in there.

[thebluesmancometh]

bedford

Why King or Reed? Shinglar can cover both lock and 6 (not very well mind) I'd have gone for another back in Liam Williams!!!

Shinglar and Reed are drafted in to cover Jones, the addition of Jones in the team has negated any exciting bench options.

[Casartelli]

Has the Kohn 'injury' been officially announced?

Or is it pubtalk?

[Morgannwg]

I would doubt Warbs is injured aswell. That's probably just to shut the media up. Poor Kohn, I was hoping to see that big lump in the starting line-up. So we won't outmuscle the French, but could do them for stamina? The replacement front row are mobile and decent scrummagers. Reed has been the most unfit, but if coming off the bench then he could make an impact. In his past couple tests for Wales he's been absolutely everywhere.

[bedfordwelsh]

bedford

Why King or Reed? Shinglar can cover both lock and 6 (not very well mind) I'd have gone for another back in Liam Williams!!!

Shinglar and Reed are drafted in to cover Jones, the addition of Jones in the team has negated any exciting bench options.

Blues,

I guess your right but you very rarely see an even split on the bench or a split favouring the backs. With a 23 man squad you have (or so I believe) have a full front row on the bench so there is generally always two other forwards as well.

[Hound_of_Harrow]

Well, good luck Wales. Probably the best 7 at club level in the NH has been selected. Plus point for you guys. It wil take more than Tipuric though.

What Wales have been missing imo, is a sense of 'collective'. It has almost been like the players stopped doing what it took to win a GS. Too many players resting on their laurels and seemingly unwilling to really take responsibility and take the fight to the opposition; especially when you concede points.

You left it far too late against Ireland, having conceded 30 points, you still needed Ireland to sit back and think 'job done' before you got into them.

Collective responsibility from both players and coaching staff appears to be lacking at the moment. The skill level is there if you get the mentality right.

[rainbow-warrior]

Don't make assumptions about how Michalak will play, GG

I was going to say that, but you beat me to it. It is clutching at straws a bit to suggest that Welsh players who were largely anonymous against Ireland will have a field day against Michelak, who can be genius.

France are at home and hurting from their last result, I epect Wales will hardly touch the ball.

and one day you will awaken and realise what rubbish you scrawlon your keyboard

[wales606]

Since 2001, we have only beaten France in grand slam years

[Luckless Pedestrian]

can't see FR ever winning the wooden spoon.

When was the last time they did that??

1957.

That's an incredible statistic. And we say France are inconsistent!

[nobbled]

Wales have a lot of class players. I don't understand how they can go from GS winners to no-hopers in such a short time. They have the personnel and if they can tap into their potential for more than half a game - well I reckon they can upset the French.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Here's an interesting fact: France are now winless in their last four Six Nations matches - their poorest Five/Six Nations run since 1974-75.

Hmm, now didn't we beat France in Paris in 1975?

[doctor_grey]

Not really sure I agree. Wouldn't call Wales no-hopers. Certainly they are on a poor streak. And their last two scores against Ireland was when Ireland was down to 14 players. But Wales have lost only one match in the 6 Nations. A win and all to play for. France supporters can't be feeling too optimistic after the loss to Italy.

[Glas a du]

I agree, Ireland should have been down to 14 players in the first half and 13 in the second.

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