France vs Wales

15. Halfpenny, 14. Williams, 13. Davies, 12. Roberts, 11. North, 10. Biggar, 9. Webb, 8. Faletau, 7. Warburton(c), 6. Lydiate, 5. Charteris, 4. AWJ, 3. Lee, 2. Baldwin, 1. Jenkins.
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Paul James (Bath), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

Some changes to in the pack to counter the France scrum and lineout drive threat - Baldwin to start is a bold call though. Our bench is better this week, apart from the replacement halfbacks.



France team announced:
Dulin - Huget, Lamerat, Fofana, Guitoune - (o) Lopez, (m) Parra - Le Roux, Chouly, Dusautoir (cap) - Maestri, Taofifenua - Slimani, Guirado, Ben Arous.

Subs: Kayser, Debaty, Atonio, Suta, Goujon, Tillous-Borde, Tales, Bastareaud.

I don't know much about Baldwin, is he a better thrower than Hibbard?

Also seems strange that Ball has been dropped completely

Well I must admit I am surprised and disappointed though not shocked with that overall.

Didn't think he would drop Hibbard but not upset he has, glad he has gone with Charteris but think bit harsh on Ball to lose out altogether, disappointed but not shocked that he has yet again gone with Jenkins (bet he will get smashed at scrum again) and disappointed but not shocked that Cuthbert is dropped for St George when both have same weaknesses yet Cuthbert has better strike rate

BamBam wrote:I don't know much about Baldwin, is he a better thrower than Hibbard?

Also seems strange that Ball has been dropped completely

Not think there great deal in it but hopefully with long dog in there as well we can at least win our own ball, agree seems bit harsh on Jake Ball though.

BamBam wrote:I don't know much about Baldwin, is he a better thrower than Hibbard?

Also seems strange that Ball has been dropped completely

No. But he's a bigger lad, so his size might come in handy. In the past Hibbard was first name on the team sheet but has been a bit out of sorts lately, so this is justified. A lot of fans think Dacey from the Blues is playing better than both, he's just untested.

Yeah quite strange, but he's been fairly average compared to his autumn campaign, that BBC error (Ballsack) must have riled him up. I hope Davies takes this opportunity because he's been below average too.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Well I must admit I am surprised and disappointed though not shocked with that overall.

Didn't think he would drop Hibbard but not upset he has, glad he has gone with Charteris but think bit harsh on Ball to lose out altogether, disappointed but not shocked that he has yet again gone with Jenkins (bet he will get smashed at scrum again) and disappointed but not shocked that Cuthbert is dropped for St George when both have same weaknesses yet Cuthbert has better strike rate

Didn't see the Cuthbert film then? Completely unnecessary and a whole lot worse than grappling with a bouncer outside McDonald's IMO. He wouldn't get away with doing that to my iPhone, considering how expensive they are to repair...

Only slightly better. North has scored in 41% of his games and Cuthbert 43%. North has played more games though.

North: 19/46
Cuthbert: 14/32

GunsGerms wrote:Only slightly better. North has scored in 41% of his games and Cuthbert 43%. North has played more games though.

North: 19/46
Cuthbert: 14/32

Still better and has scored more recently for Wales was on better form in the AIs for Wales. If totally honest would have dropped them both as think they both need a kick up backside but knew he wouldn't drop them both.

The Saint wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Well I must admit I am surprised and disappointed though not shocked with that overall.

Didn't think he would drop Hibbard but not upset he has, glad he has gone with Charteris but think bit harsh on Ball to lose out altogether, disappointed but not shocked that he has yet again gone with Jenkins (bet he will get smashed at scrum again) and disappointed but not shocked that Cuthbert is dropped for St George when both have same weaknesses yet Cuthbert has better strike rate

Didn't see the Cuthbert film then? Completely unnecessary and a whole lot worse than grappling with a bouncer outside McDonald's IMO. He wouldn't get away with doing that to my iPhone, considering how expensive they are to repair...

Saint,

Not seen but I doubt that was reason he's been dropped, Gatland can justify if by saying North coming back from injury etc.

For me Hibbard concentrates on the 'big hit' too much and often rushes out in defence. When it works it looks great on camera but when he misses he is then out of the defensive line.

As for the other hookers Dacey and Dee have been in great form but Dee out injured now. Part of me had a sneaky feeling he may have thrown Owens onto the bench but maybe against Ireland, for me he is our best option.

bedfordwelsh wrote:For me Hibbard concentrates on the 'big hit' too much and often rushes out in defence.  When it works it looks great on camera but when he misses he is then out of the defensive line.

As for the other hookers Dacey and Dee have been in great form but Dee out injured now.  Part of me had a sneaky feeling he may have thrown Owens onto the bench but maybe against Ireland, for me he is our best option.

I agree about Owens, odd about selecting Baldwin to start after he played for the Ospreys against Glasgow at the weekend. He doesn't seem either a particularly smart player (didn't he give away the final penalty at the weekend) or as dynamic as Hibbard.

Owens reminds me of Gethin Jenkins, very mobile but intelligent with it.

As for the North/ Cuthbert debate, North has shown to have far more to his game at his best, I think it's worth allowing him the time to find it again in a red shirt.

I'm actually quite happy apart from that Ball has been dropped out all together - bit unfair.

This is a stable squad. I have said these past few weeks that Hibbard has looked very unfit and is covering very little ground and isn't offering consistency in the lineout. On his day Baldwin is a great player, his consistency at club level lets him down but Gatlands right in giving him a go. Wales need Ken back.
Overall strong pack. Strong scrummaging front 5 so no need to worry there. Line outs should be more secure with Charteris and Alyn Wyn and finally Cuthbert is where he belongs (sadly Mike Phillips isn't joining him their)
I do worry what backs the french put out cause of our tendency to kick the ball down field and if they have the likes of Dulin and Teddy Thomas to run it back our kicking game will kill us.

"We have made some tough calls and there were some tight decisions but it is a very strong team we are putting out," said Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.

"We have a lot of strength in depth at second-row, it is a chance for Luke Charteris to get a start and we have been impressed with Bradley Davies as well. It is nothing against Jake but we have a lot of strength in depth and it's an opportunity to see the other two.

"It's a chance for Scott Baldwin to start as well, the last time he started he went well in the victory over South Africa. It is great to have Samson back available and it was a tough call in the back-three but we have decided to go with Liam and George."

From Gatlands interview it sounds like its more of a squad rotation thing than anything else with regards to 2nd row, maybe trying to build some depth?

Likely. Charteris will probably step down after the world cup. Then we need to concentrate on the next gen, surprisingly we have 3 good lock forwards in the current U20 team.

Some brave calls there but Williams is a correct call, inclined to think Baldwin is as well (Hibbard was poor against Scotland)

If Parra is picked my money is on France, if not I'd say Wales

Hibbard has lost his place because of his poor set piece work, his line out throwing has been poor and he doesn't seem to contribute a lot to the scrum. Baldwin looks a stronger scrumager but also really struggles in the lineout, I would have called Ken Owens onto the bench to give him 30mins.

Charteris will improve the lineout, so happy with his selection, picking Bradley on the bench suggests that Ball has done something and is having his wrist slapped!

True segual, it's just I'm not sure Baldwin is the one to replace him. I think he'll do a decent job but he's not really setting the world alight either. Charteris is there for the scrum weight and driving lineouts I reckon. France will target us there but we can target them too.

With the Ireland game in mind I am also surprised Owens hasn't at least got the bench slot.

Huge weekend….who wins the 6 Nations likely decided in Dublin and who gets the spoon in Italy. Good changes from Gats, almost radical of him. Charters will combat French maul and Baldwin offers more than Hibbard in terms of his skills. Right to drop Cuthbert completely, time for him to have a long chat with himself i think. The Frenchies will target North but that should free up Sanjay for some great counter attacking. Last chance for JD2 to do something and if he is poor expect to see SW on early. I think Wales are more than capable of the win but then it's Wales, they could lose by 100.

Am i the only one surprised the George North in the team this week end?

I would of though that GN would be on the bench rather that starting if in the team at all. I guess they make them tougher in Wales than in England.(Mike Brown) is looking doubt full for this week end. And he only got knocked out once.

Hibbard gets dropped because his line out throws are a bit a miss, and Gethin Jenkins  whose scrummaging is a little suspect keeps his place.

What as Jake Ball done to get dropped from the squad?

majesticimperialman wrote:Am i the only one surprised the George North in the team this week end?

I would of though that GN would be on the bench rather that starting if in the team at all. I guess they make them tougher in Wales than in England.(Mike Brown) is looking doubt full for this week end. And he only got knocked out once.

Hibbard gets dropped because his line out throws are a bit a miss, and Gethin Jenkins  whose scrummaging is a little suspect keeps his place.

What as Jake Ball done to get dropped from the squad?

Don't be a WUM Marge. North has obviously passed the required return to play protocols, while Brown failed his (as reported in the media). Or are you implying Wales are being deliberately negligent and reckless?

NO. i am not implying that at all. I just think that the Welsh management ar treating George North, like the English management team treated Johny Wilkinson. (Give him a week or so rest) then straight back into the team.

I Hope that North is fully recovered. and fully fit. for his own sake.

BamBam wrote:I don't know much about Baldwin, is he a better thrower than Hibbard?

I wouldn't trust him to throw up and hit the pavement, let alone throw a ball into a line out, he is awful in pressurized line out situations.

majesticimperialman wrote:NO. i am not implying that at all. I just think that the Welsh management ar treating George North, like the English management team treated Johny Wilkinson. (Give him a week or so rest) then straight back into the team.

I Hope that North is fully recovered. and fully fit. for his own sake.

Do you think then, with the scrutiny Wales were under after he was sparked out that they would risk him?

He has had three weeks rest now, not one.

I would have started with Paul James at loose head for this one. The more mobile Jenkins would be better coming on in the last quarter when France will empty their bench and go on the attack.

Yeah, I would've had Owens on the bench for this. Do think he's our best thrower and it is something we will need to be right by the Ireland game. Owens will need minutes under his belt too, in my opinion.

Ken will probably get more of a workout playing against Ulster than coming off the bench in Paris, its still early days after his return, once he is 100% though he is our best allround 2.

majesticimperialman wrote:

I Hope that North is fully recovered. and fully fit. for his own sake.

The French will test it.

SecretFly wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

I Hope that North is fully recovered. and fully fit. for his own sake.

The French will test it.

Do you mean Bastareaud will be on the wing? PSA has done weirdest selections mind...

whocares wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:

I Hope that North is fully recovered. and fully fit. for his own sake.

The French will test it.

Do you mean Bastareaud will be on the wing?  PSA has done weirdest selections mind...

Well he might wander out there once in a while   No, not just him.  North will be asked to prove his fitness.  He knows it.  Gats knows it.  France know it.

Anyway, if most people are saying France will do a repeat of the Ireland game and play all their explosive rugby in a second half under the command of a sub called Parra and a big bench, then I'd say Wales will try harder to score in France's less energetic first half than Ireland did and won't sit back as much in defence as Ireland in the second.

I think.   But it's up to Wales to prove me right.  I think if they really go at France in the first half they might have enough cushion to take any strain from France in the second.  Makings of a furious game.

I'm just after realising the game is in France!!?   I somehow had this lingering thought that it was in Wales!  Oh my prediction on the prediction thread is way out now but it'll have to do

Bast is rumoured to be on the wing? Yes that does come as a strange selection. They could still use him well in attack, but defence and defending kicks I think he may be a little suspect.

As expected they are using this six nations to try a few players give game time to non recent starters.

Let's hope it bodes well for the RWC

How can George be so big and so soft at the same time. Needs to bathe his noggin in mermaid urine which will toughen it up before Saturday.

Regardless of passing protocols or not North is off form as much as Cuthbert yet St George Waltzes straight back in, both should have been dropped along with Jenkins.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Regardless of passing protocols or not North is off form as much as Cuthbert yet St George Waltzes straight back in, both should have been dropped along with Jenkins.

Who would play instead of North and Jenkins?

Cannot comment on North's form in the AIs, but for Saints he has been pretty good (though not as good as 5 tries in 2 matches v Ospreys would indicate).

I would have gone with a back three of Halfpenny Williams and Amos with James coming in at prop.

Norths form for Saints is good but Wales don't use him in the way Saints do and his form for Wales has been poor.

James should be no where near an international starting berth. If Frances TH can get a good drive on James right shoulder he will fold in every scrum and be penalised out of the game. Two years ago I would have said he was the best scrummaging LH in B&I, but age and law changes mean he is a shadow of that.

Never seen Amos so cannot comment. Would the way Wales tend to use their wingers suit him?

What and Jenkins has been any better in the last two games?

As for Amos you are right but he has been on great form this year, it's the same with Tipuirc as in a lot of our game is based around defence which is why Lydiate plays.

If we were to go with Tipuric and Warburton then it would need a change in style which we all know Gatland won't do.

bedfordwelsh wrote:I would have gone with a back three of Halfpenny Williams and Amos with James coming in at prop.

Norths form for Saints is good but Wales don't use him in the way Saints do and his form for Wales has been poor.

Amos looked good in attack on Sunday, however we have other players capable of being charged down already in the squad. Still, probably more in form than North and Cuthers

IM,

Agreed, pick him with strict instruction not to kick lol

North will earn his 50th international cap v France. He will be come the youngest player ever to earn 50 caps. For a 22 year old that is an unbelievable achievement. Many players dont get capped at all until after that age.

France team announced:
Dulin - Huget, Lamerat, Fofana, Guitoune - (o) Lopez, (m) Parra - Le Roux, Chouly, Dusautoir (cap) - Maestri, Taofifenua - Slimani, Guirado, Ben Arous.

Subs: Kayser, Debaty, Atonio, Suta, Goujon, Tillous-Borde, Tales, Bastareaud.

Much more exciting back line than in the first two games.

Still no Fickou???? What is Lamerat like?

AT least Parra is back. Not surprised Spedding has been dropped too but surprised Bastereau has been axed. Spedding was poor v Ireland.

I am more worried about that French team now. Parra is key to them, big surprise to see Basteraud dropped

Spedding was concussed; Dulin is a much better option in any case.

Can't help thinking that the French look like they're planning on softening up the opposition for an hour before wheeling on the likes of Bastareaud, Debaty, Atonio etc. to smash holes through them. It's more important than usual that Wales start quickly and put early points on the board to sow the seeds of doubt in French minds. Parra makes a big difference to France, but I'm still not sure whether he can instigate a return to the free-flowing beautiful game of yesteryear on his own.

Wales can do this but it isn't going to be pretty.

Parra playing Wales are in trouble - transforms the side

Good France team, still not convinced by them just yet. Wales can do them over.

The Saint wrote:Bast is rumoured to be on the wing? Yes that does come as a strange selection. They could still use him well in attack, but defence and defending kicks I think he may be a little suspect.

Bit further out than the wing, out onto the bench.

France starting a very English style backline. If I were Wales I would worry that Parra is starting, I have never understood why he was dropped in the first place. He can get France going, bang, bang, bang and suddenly everything changes and the direction of attack is changed,  the wingers are flying through the centre and behind the defence. We all know what France are capable of when they get behind you.

Parra starting is more positive for France.

But if he's on for the full 80, he'll have his down time too. It won't be bang, bang, bang for the full 80. Or at least I'll be impressed with this France if it is.

So I think Wales will either have a purple patch given to them or bully one perhaps in the second half. We'll check out again how fit the French are and how much fitter the Welsh might be. The Welsh usually improve into the contest.

So it all depends what Wales do with their purple patch and how long a duration it might be.