Wales thread continued - 2017/18 season

[mikey_dragon]

First topic message reminder :

2017/2018 season results (full fixture list posted below).

Wales 21 - 29 Australia
Wales 13 - 6 Georgia
Wales 18 - 33 New Zealand
Wales 24 - 22 South Africa

Wales 2018 6N Squad:
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), James Davies (Scarlets), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Backs: Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Steff Evans (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).

Faletau, Biggar expected to be available later on in the tournament. Amos, L Williams perhaps a little sooner.

Call-ups to cover injuries, etc.
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I thought we'd start with the Autumn series. Gatland the Great is set to return and shake things up after another disappointing season underneath the Howler and his pal McBryde. The fixtures for this series are as follows:

November 2017
Sat 11th Nov 17 17:15
Wales   v   Australia  
Sat 18th Nov 17 14:30
Wales   v   Georgia
Sat 25th Nov 17 17:15
Wales   v   New Zealand
December 2017
Sat 2nd Dec 17 14:30
Wales   v   South Africa

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well there's no time like now so why not. Last year was a bit disappointing, topped off with an unsuccessful tour to NZ (as expected). Whilst I'm hoping for better this season my expectations are low as we have Howler and some other amateurs in charge who got the job because they were mates with Gatland and others in the WRU.

AI's
Wales V Australia 05/11/2016
8 - 32
Wales V Argentina 12/11/2016
24 - 20
Wales V Japan 19/11/2016
33 - 30
Wales V South Africa 26/11/2016
27 - 13

6 Nations
Italy V Wales 05/02/2017
7 - 33
Wales V England 11/02/2017
16 - 21
Scotland V Wales 25/02/2017
29 - 13
Wales V Ireland 10/03/2017
22 - 9
France V Wales 18/03/2017
20 -18

Very tough AI series but a kind start in the 6N. So far this season Blues and Ospreys look good, but how many of their players will be starters for Wales? Cuthbert is starting to look like his old self and if this continues he could come back into the team. Tomos Williams looks like a good player and if he also continues in this vein then might he take advantage of Gareth Davies' supposed rustiness? It's still early days but going by what I've seen and the reports I've read I would like to see a new centre partnership and also perhaps see our old back 3 of North, Cuthbert and Halfpenny reinstated - although a lot could happen between now and November. With Faletau out I think we can all guess who the wildcards will be, but who does that leave to play at No.8 - possibly Warburton with Ellis Jenkins at 7? What changes (if any) would you like to see? Keep it sensible please.

WALES 2016 UNDER ARMOUR SERIES SQUAD
Prop Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps) Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps) Rhys Gill (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps) Samson Lee (Scarlets) (28 Caps) Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Hooker Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps) Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Second Row Jake Ball (Scarlets) (20 Caps) Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps) Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps) Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (102 Caps) Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Back Row Dan Baker (Ospreys) (3 Caps) Taulupe Faletau* (Bath Rugby) (61 Caps) James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps) Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps) Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps) Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps) Sam Warburton (CAPT) (Cardiff Blues) (67 Caps)
Scrum Half Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps) Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps) Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
Fly Half Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (8 Caps) Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps) Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Centre Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps) Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps) Jamie Roberts* (Harlequins) (83 Caps) Scott Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps)
Wing/Full Back Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps) Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps) Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps) George North* (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps) Liam Williams (Scarlets) (35 Caps) * Denotes Senior Player Selection Policy wildcard selection.
Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, Cardiff Blues full-back Rhun Williams and Dragons pair Leon Brown and Harrison Keddie will train with the Wales squad.  

June summer tour
Tonga 6 - 24 Wales
Samoa 17 - 19 Wales

[Guest]

Because you were there and know all the facts, off you pop.

Another moaning Scot having a pop at superior Gatland is not uncommon. These guys never said anything about France-cheats either.

The French cheated and should have been sanctioned for it but at least they had the guts to put a guy on to scrummage and not wimp out of the contest.

I have a big problem with a Tier 1 nation cheating to prevent Tier 2 nations from having a fair crack.

Reallybored, I'm not sure you understand what France did (or are accused of doing)! It was putting a guy on and scrummaging that was the alleged cheating! They 'wimped out' by feigning injury of the guy who was already on and pretended he was injured so they could bring on a better (but already substituted) scrummager. Sort of the opposite of what Wales are accused of doing. France therefore 'wimped out of the contest' too.

[reallybored]

Because you were there and know all the facts, off you pop.

Another moaning Scot having a pop at superior Gatland is not uncommon. These guys never said anything about France-cheats either.

The French cheated and should have been sanctioned for it but at least they had the guts to put a guy on to scrummage and not wimp out of the contest.

I have a big problem with a Tier 1 nation cheating to prevent Tier 2 nations from having a fair crack.

Reallybored, I'm not sure you understand what France did (or are accused of doing)! It was putting a guy on and scrummaging that was the alleged cheating! They 'wimped out' by feigning injury of the guy who was already on.

My memory of the French incident was, they had an attacking scrum and decided they'd prefer to have their starting TH on because he's a better scrummager. So the medic came on, whispered sweet nothings in Atonio's ear and next thing he was heading off for a HIA.  

That was the same level of cheating as blood-gate imo.

However for me the difference between those incidents and what happened on Saturday is that it doesn't nullify part of the game, yes they're cheating to get a different player on the park but it's still an open contest. 

Deliberately going to uncontested scrums when you're under the pump is ruining the contest.  

And as I said previously, for a Tier 1 nation to do that to a Tier 2 nation is fuking disgraceful.  If your coach is too arrogant to give the Georgians respect by selecting a decent side, then he shouldn't cheat them out of a fair go at the end.

[Guest]

IF it happened that way. You cite Flats and Shanks as the undeniable source of the truth? Say whaa?! 

I agree it doesn't look good though. And I say throw the book at them if true. But we don't know, unfortunately. If Brown was cramping up (he was replaced, after all) then it would have been against player welfare to bring him back on. Who's to say he wasn't cramping up? He only played his first pro game about a month ago and this was his first international start. This step up in intensity might have led to cramp. It's certainly plausible.

[mikey_dragon]

Because you were there and know all the facts, off you pop.

Another moaning Scot having a pop at superior Gatland is not uncommon. These guys never said anything about France-cheats either.

The French cheated and should have been sanctioned for it but at least they had the guts to put a guy on to scrummage and not wimp out of the contest.

I have a big problem with a Tier 1 nation cheating to prevent Tier 2 nations from having a fair crack.

Reallybored, I'm not sure you understand what France did (or are accused of doing)! It was putting a guy on and scrummaging that was the alleged cheating! They 'wimped out' by feigning injury of the guy who was already on and pretended he was injured so they could bring on a better (but already substituted) scrummager. Sort of the opposite of what Wales are accused of doing. France therefore 'wimped out of the contest' too.

And yet we have ANOTHER example of 'well it's okay for other nations to do it like France for example, but Wales do it heelllllll NO! We can't have that! Who do WALES think they are?!' More crap from pathetic individuals that have never played the game .

As for preventing Tier 2 nations form having a fair crack well, we actually toured tier 2 nations in the summer. Maybe Scotland (or Italy) can give up their place for Georgia in the 6N if they feel that bad for them? Not something I'd recommend though.

[No 7&1/2]

You've changed your tune since the france match marty.

[Cardiff Dave]

Because you were there and know all the facts, off you pop.

Another moaning Scot having a pop at superior Gatland is not uncommon. These guys never said anything about France-cheats either.

The French cheated and should have been sanctioned for it but at least they had the guts to put a guy on to scrummage and not wimp out of the contest.

I have a big problem with a Tier 1 nation cheating to prevent Tier 2 nations from having a fair crack.

Reallybored, I'm not sure you understand what France did (or are accused of doing)! It was putting a guy on and scrummaging that was the alleged cheating! They 'wimped out' by feigning injury of the guy who was already on and pretended he was injured so they could bring on a better (but already substituted) scrummager. Sort of the opposite of what Wales are accused of doing. France therefore 'wimped out of the contest' too.

And yet we have ANOTHER example of 'well it's okay for other nations to do it like France for example, but Wales do it heelllllll NO! We can't have that! Who do WALES think they are?!' More crap from pathetic individuals that have never played the game .

As for preventing Tier 2 nations form having a fair crack well, we actually toured tier 2 nations in the summer. Maybe Scotland (or Italy) can give up their place for Georgia in the 6N if they feel that bad for them? Not something I'd recommend though.

Fibbers?

[Guest]

You've changed your tune since the france match marty.

Marty???

[No 7&1/2]

Ah I'm having a mini breakdown. Only changed that twice so far as it made no sense. I blame watching rick and morty while typing!

[reallybored]

And yet we have ANOTHER example of 'well it's okay for other nations to do it like France for example, but Wales do it heelllllll NO! We can't have that! Who do WALES think they are?!' More crap from pathetic individuals that have never played the game .

As for preventing Tier 2 nations form having a fair crack well, we actually toured tier 2 nations in the summer. Maybe Scotland (or Italy) can give up their place for Georgia in the 6N if they feel that bad for them? Not something I'd recommend though.

Pretty sure you finished below us last year chief.

I didn't say it was ok for other nations to do it, the French cheated and should have be punished.  Sounds like you're ok with Wales cheating to get past Tier 2 opposition.

And Scotland have toured Tier 2 nations you fud, we've toured Japan, Fiji & Samoa in recent years.  Wasn't that your first game against Georgia?

How many do you think New Zealand will put on you this weekend?

[mikey_dragon]

And yet we have ANOTHER example of 'well it's okay for other nations to do it like France for example, but Wales do it heelllllll NO! We can't have that! Who do WALES think they are?!' More crap from pathetic individuals that have never played the game .

As for preventing Tier 2 nations form having a fair crack well, we actually toured tier 2 nations in the summer. Maybe Scotland (or Italy) can give up their place for Georgia in the 6N if they feel that bad for them? Not something I'd recommend though.

Pretty sure you finished below us last year chief.

I didn't say it was ok for other nations to do it, the French cheated and should have be punished.  Sounds like you're ok with Wales cheating to get past Tier 2 opposition.

And Scotland have toured Tier 2 nations you fud, we've toured Japan, Fiji & Samoa in recent years.  Wasn't that your first game against Georgia?

How many do you think New Zealand will put on you this weekend?

Not my point though. Scotland and Italy in more recent times had battled over avoiding the wooden spoon so naturally it would be them to go. It was just a suggestion for you who feels really bad for tier 2 Nations, however I also said I wouldn’t recommend doing it as i don’t see Scotland as realistic wooden spooners now, so Italy and Georgia would just yo-yo.

I don’t think it’s okay for anyone to indulge in the dark arts including Wales. But everyone does it at some point. Mine and everyone else’s point was the attitude towards Wales doing it. This place and social media goes into nuclear meltdown. It’s why not many Wales posters are here these days and why elected Welsh mods usually leave after a few months in the job. I don’t recall you or many slating the French or Noves the way you did Gatland, but saying that all Gatland has to do is sneeze and everyone wants to hang him, then the abuse moves onto ‘the Welsh’.

Again you stupidly miss the point. I gave an example of us giving tier 2 Nations a fair crack, not a competition over who’s done it the most. We usually don’t celebrate wins over them either like you would.

I see you’ve reverted to type twip, to put it mildly. So I’ll just remind you that Scotland have never beaten NZ or won a 6N . And don’t have many players good enough for Lions tours....

[Gwlad]

The best thing Scotland have, and which may be their point of difference, is Gregor. Hogg aside, the players are good quality but not world class and mostly not Lions standard but some will be in 3 years and their coach is exceptional and he is creating an enviable team of young players two years out from an RWC.

Yes Scotland haven't achieved anything since the days of John Jeffrey but that's not the point; if they can find the sort of performance that they produced on Saturday on a regular basis the rest of us better sit up and take notice. If it wasn't for endemic systemic state sponsored cheating then the outcome would have been different.

6 Nations will show us where they really are, as I expect them to be pushing every side this tourney assuming injury doesn't have too great an impact.

[munkian]

Because you were there and know all the facts, off you pop.

Another moaning Scot having a pop at superior Gatland is not uncommon. These guys never said anything about France-cheats either.

The French cheated and should have been sanctioned for it but at least they had the guts to put a guy on to scrummage and not wimp out of the contest.

I have a big problem with a Tier 1 nation cheating to prevent Tier 2 nations from having a fair crack.

I think you'll find we are Tier 2 and they are Tier 3.

[SecretFly]

9.10am was last post?

Griff oversold this thread, methinks.

[Guest]

9.10am was last post?

Griff oversold this thread, methinks.  

Did I mention the time?

P.s. You're just being a WUM now Fly. Not like you at all. Disappointing.

[No 7&1/2]

Williams and cuthbert out.

[RugbyFan100]

Liam Williams out of the Autumn International series. It's no wonder the WRU want the players back playing in Wales at any cost.

[No 7&1/2]

Why?

[munkian]

Why?

Because Williams has to go back to Saracens ?

[RiscaGame]

Hope Steff Evans is fit.

Good job Amos is in scoring form too.

[RugbyFan100]

Why?

Because Williams has to go back to Saracens ?

Yup. Stupid out of window test causes chaos every year.

[chris_501]

It means we will have a back 3 of Evans, Amos and Halfpenny which still looks pretty good. I'm glad the two wingers will get another couple of games.

Going forward, I would enjoy seeing a back 3 of Evans, Amos and Williams.

[No 7&1/2]

Ah thanks. Forgot you had the extra game.

[munkian]

Why?

Because Williams has to go back to Saracens ?

Yup. Stupid out of window test causes chaos every year.

Hardly chaos is it ?

Hopefully not for much longer anyway.

[SecretFly]

9.10am was last post?

Griff oversold this thread, methinks.  

Did I mention the time?

P.s.  You're just being a WUM now Fly.  Not like you at all.  Disappointing.

A WUM?

Because I'm having a little fun between threads?  Okay, so I'm a wum then and I'll wear the old boring title with pride.

I've been doing what I'm doing since I was ever on 606...the old BBC one at that.

If you're all going to be so oversensitive about a topic that has done the rounds a million times on boards like this...if you all want to discuss why you're all mad with each other for slights and opposite opinions and rants and self-righteous stats then so be it...be ultra po-faced, sober, sombre and coldly logical and angry.

I'll enjoy the word storms my way.  And that means I travel between many threads often very quickly and make dumb silly connections between them if I see those connections there.

I enjoy 606 the way I enjoy it, and always have enjoyed it my way.  The rest of you can all take from it what you like... but I do it my way.  

Anyway, don't worry, Griff, when this weekend is gone I'll be gone again too.  This place will be fine then, and it'll conform to the mood and conditions of the regulars that remain.

[Guest]

9.10am was last post?

Griff oversold this thread, methinks.  

Did I mention the time?

P.s.  You're just being a WUM now Fly.  Not like you at all.  Disappointing.

A WUM?

Because I'm having a little fun between threads?  Okay, so I'm a wum then and I'll wear the old boring title with pride.

I've been doing what I'm doing since I was ever on 606...the old BBC one at that.

If you're all going to be so oversensitive about a topic that has done the rounds a million times on boards like this...if you all want to discuss why you're all mad with each other for slights and opposite opinions and rants and self-righteous stats then so be it...be ultra po-faced, sober, sombre and coldly logical and angry.

I'll enjoy the word storms my way.  And that means I travel between many threads often very quickly and make dumb silly connections between them if I see those connections there.

I enjoy 606 the way I enjoy it, and always have enjoyed it my way.  The rest of you can all take from it what you like... but I do it my way.  

Anyway, don't worry, Griff, when this weekend is gone I'll be gone again too.  This place will be fine then, and it'll conform to the mood and conditions of the regulars that remain.

I'll be gone too. As of now. Goodbye everyone.

[RugbyFan100]

Hardly chaos is it ?

Hopefully not for much longer anyway.

Of course it's chaos. Domestic teams flying to South Africa and back minus their internationals. Wales players with test camp until 3rd December. European rugby starting again on 8th December.

Complete trainwreck of a fixture calendar.

[SecretFly]

Hardly chaos is it ?

Hopefully not for much longer anyway.

Of course it's chaos. Domestic teams flying to South Africa and back minus their internationals. Wales players with test camp until 3rd December. European rugby starting again on 8th December.

Complete trainwreck of a fixture calendar.

It's only a train wreck if nobody else but your chosen side to support is doing it. But the SA sides have to fly too.... very much without their Internationals. The teams that have always had to do more air miles than any NH teams are the club sides and International sides that have habitually had the very best players.

[RugbyFan100]

Hardly chaos is it ?

Hopefully not for much longer anyway.

Of course it's chaos. Domestic teams flying to South Africa and back minus their internationals. Wales players with test camp until 3rd December. European rugby starting again on 8th December.

Complete trainwreck of a fixture calendar.

It's only a train wreck if nobody else but your chosen side to support is doing it.  But the SA sides have to fly too.... very much without their Internationals.  The teams that have always had to do more air miles than any NH teams are the club sides and International sides that have habitually had the very best players.

It's absolutely the WRUs fault. No question. They take the gate money and shaft the domestic 4. Doesn't mean it's not a train wreck.

Playing a league match without test players at any time is bad enough. Having to fly to South Africa with a bunch of kids is borderline irresponsible.

[mikey_dragon]

The best thing Scotland have, and which may be their point of difference, is Gregor. Hogg aside, the players are good quality but not world class and mostly not Lions standard but some will be in 3 years and their coach is exceptional and he is creating an enviable team of young players two years out from an RWC.

Yes Scotland haven't achieved anything since the days of John Jeffrey but that's not the point; if they can find the sort of performance that they produced on Saturday on a regular basis the rest of us better sit up and take notice. If it wasn't for endemic systemic state sponsored cheating then the outcome would have been different.

6 Nations will show us where they really are, as I expect them to be pushing every side this tourney assuming injury doesn't have too great an impact.

I tend to agree although that doesn't stop some of their delusional fans spouting off nonsense about Gatland and Wales all the time. It's like we took the place of England rugby years ago with the Poopie we keep getting.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I think they'll beat us in Cardiff next year.

[LordDowlais]

I think they'll beat us in Cardiff next year.

Want to put a tenner on that ?

[munkian]

Hmmm, first time in around a decade I wish we didn't have them first up, even at home.

[munkian]

24th of Feb will get messy - Ireland v Wales then Sco v England

[SecretFly]

24th of Feb will get messy  - Ireland v Wales then Sco v England

We're calling off our game with you guys to better prepare for the WC. Can't afford any injuries now!

[munkian]

24th of Feb will get messy  - Ireland v Wales then Sco v England

We're calling off our game with you guys to better prepare for the WC.  Can't afford any injuries now!

Do you really need to prepare for being knocked out in the quarter finals ? You've had enough practise by now

[LordDowlais]

[SecretFly]

The rookies have no experience of it so we want them to get that far so that they can develop into much better players and get us a few more third places in 6N over the next decade. You have to pre-plan these campaigns precisely, munk.....

[SecretFly]

I don't know...... I'm not 100% on this.... but....................................... well, that laughing face....you know, where you positioned him.

I'm going to have to call it, Lord. I think that was a blatant ANTI_IRISHism!

How hurtful and mean you honestly are. I may have to get a mod on the scene of the crime...IF one of them things exists anymore in this ghost-town

[mikey_dragon]

Edwards also hinted that Jamie Roberts, who was not even selected in the original squad for the autumn Tests, could be in line for a recall, replacing Davies at 13.
"Jamie Roberts could come into the equation. There are three or four there to pick from," he said.
"Gats [Warren Gatland] will evaluate it and come up with the best option. I think it's a lot to ask him to defend at 13, for such a huge man. It would be nice to see him and Sonny Bill in a few collisions as well."


Would have been Owen Williams and Watkin at centre for me, I don't see the harm in continuing with trying out superior combo's. As if losing two backline players was the difference between winning and losing against NZ...

[mikey_dragon]

Hardly chaos is it ?

Hopefully not for much longer anyway.

Of course it's chaos. Domestic teams flying to South Africa and back minus their internationals. Wales players with test camp until 3rd December. European rugby starting again on 8th December.

Complete trainwreck of a fixture calendar.

It's only a train wreck if nobody else but your chosen side to support is doing it.  But the SA sides have to fly too.... very much without their Internationals.  The teams that have always had to do more air miles than any NH teams are the club sides and International sides that have habitually had the very best players.

It's absolutely the WRUs fault. No question. They take the gate money and shaft the domestic 4. Doesn't mean it's not a train wreck.

Playing a league match without test players at any time is bad enough. Having to fly to South Africa with a bunch of kids is borderline irresponsible.

Until there's a global season there isn't much anyone can do about that. We can't afford squads that can play some of their best players in league and LV cup games on international weekends - they need to scrap the latter. Also if you look at the Scarlets squad for SA then you might retract your statement about them using kids!

[mikey_dragon]

I saw the 'leaked team' earlier, I believe it showed two changes. Amos in for Williams, Scott in for JD2 and Webb for Davies. Tips, Priestland and Roberts on the bench. Wyn Jones is replacement LH, can't remember if he was for the Aus game - Nicky Smith is slightly ahead of him at the moment I reckon.

We can use this or HERSH's thread as the designated match thread, or you might prefer to start your own.

[munkian]

Dafuq aren't we starting with Priestland ?

SW is in awful form atm too. I'd rather get Roberts in at 13 running at pace.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I saw the 'leaked team' earlier, I believe it showed two changes. Amos in for Williams, Scott in for JD2 and Webb for Davies.

That's three changes.

[munkian]

I saw the 'leaked team' earlier, I believe it showed two changes. Amos in for Williams, Scott in for JD2 and Webb for Davies.

That's three changes.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah originally I only noted Amos and Webb, I forgot JD2 was injured so had to go back in and edit it - didn't edit that part obviously! Thanks for pointing it out.

[mikey_dragon]

Dafuq aren't we starting with Priestland ?

SW is in awful form atm too. I'd rather get Roberts in at 13 running at pace.

Because he's still crap. What does Gatland have against Patchell I wonder?

Agree, but I would have opted for Watkin.

[munkian]

Dafuq aren't we starting with Priestland ?

SW is in awful form atm too. I'd rather get Roberts in at 13 running at pace.

Because he's still crap. What does Gatland have against Patchell I wonder?

Agree, but I would have opted for Watkin.

[mikey_dragon]

The teams again:

Wales: Halfpenny, Amos, S Williams, O Williams, S Evans; Biggar, Webb; R Evans, Owens, Francis, Ball, A W Jones (capt), Shingler, Navidi, Faletau.
Replacements: Dacey, W Jones, Brown, Hill, Tipuric, Davies, Priestland, Roberts.

New Zealand: McKenzie; Naholo, Crotty, Williams, Ioane; B Barrett, Smith; Hames, Taylor, Laulala, Tuipulotu, S Whitelock, Squire, Cane, L Whitelock.
Replacements: Harris, Crockett, Tu'ungafasi, S Barrett, Todd, Perenara, Sopoaga, Lienert-Brown.

[Gwlad]

It's a strong if somewhat inexperienced side with a frankly worryingly under cooked back 3. Scott W better finally stand up and show he's up to this standard. I like the bench, plenty of impact.

Its a cracking tight 5 and Faletau and AWJ need to play out of their skins.

[mikey_dragon]

Early morning here Gwlad, going to be watching it via a stream later. Can't see us winning, if we did it would be a miracle (Wayne Barnes) .

[Sponsored content]