- Warren Gatland’s team selection for Wales’ clash against France was confusing
- It was a very strange decision by Gatland to drop Nick Tompkins and George North.
- The timing of the decision was strange because Wales has a chance to surprise.
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I have lived in France for the last 18 months while playing for Toulon and the experience has given me a good understanding of French rugby and the language and culture of the country.
Sometimes things can be pretty crazy here. And that’s coming from someone who played for Wales for 15 years! The French are very traditional in many ways.
Many of the 14 best games I play with Toulon are afternoon or Saturday afternoon games. I have a funny feeling that France might not be right against Wales.
French teams don’t usually play on Sunday afternoons, so at the start of the week and before the two teams were announced, I thought Wales had a good chance of causing a big upset. Initially I had the game at 50:50. But with the teams confirmed, I think things are now 60:40 in France’s favor.
Warren Gatland’s team selection definitely left me confused.
Warren Gatland’s team selection for Wales’ Six Nations match against France was confusing
Nick Tompkins (above) and George North were eliminated despite playing well.
It seemed like a very strange decision to leave Nick Tompkins and George North. They have been playing well and formed a good partnership in the World Cup.
Wales have a very young team at the moment, but their defense selection has been fairly consistent, which counts for a lot in Test rugby. Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts are good players, but it’s a big task to come straight out of the cold and hit the ground running in a big game.
Roberts will win only his second cap in Cardiff. It’s a great opportunity for him.
I don’t quite understand the moment of the decision. In my opinion, Wales have a good chance of springing a surprise. Beating France and getting a big lead would be huge for the young players on the team.
If France were firing on all cylinders, perhaps the call could be understood and Wales would look a little further into the future. But by the standards of the last two years, France have been poor in this Six Nations so far.
North formed a good partnership with Tompkins during Wales’ World Cup campaign.
Leaving Elliot Dee at hooker was another great decision – he’s had a strong Six Nations
Leaving Elliot Dee as a prostitute is another great decision. She’s had a really good Six Nations. Like George and Nick, I’m sure Elliot will be really disappointed.
Wales clearly wants the park to be as large as possible.
That’s why Ryan Elias was chosen instead of Elliot and Dafydd Jenkins moved to No. 6 to accommodate Will Rowlands alongside Adam Beard in the second row.
Although Wales have lost all three of their games so far, I think there is quite a bit of positivity around the team. It’s a big contrast to when I played when we won most of the time and still held on!
Welsh fans can understand that the team is recovering. But I see why many are surprised by the decision to leave out George in particular.
Gatland clearly wants to look at other players, but many fans seem surprised.
Warren clearly wants to take a look at other players. The concern is that for this match the French team looks much better than those who faced Scotland and Italy.
His Wales team is full of power. Gregory Alldritt and Thibaud Flament have returned from injury. Emmanuel Meafou, who makes his debut at the lock, is an absolutely gigantic guy!
Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert are very good club players, but perhaps not at the top level in international rugby.
I think France look stronger with Nolann Le Garrec and Thomas Ramos in 9th and 10th.
There will only be one winner in a competition for power if France achieves its best physically.