Warren Gatland insisted it was not a difficult decision to leave out Test centurion George North, as well as fellow center Nick Tompkins, for the decisive Six Nations clash against France.
Gatland shocked Wales fans at the start of the week by leaving out the experienced midfield pairing and selecting Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts to face Les Bleus tomorrow.
Roberts will earn just his second cap at the Principality Stadium after being selected over North.
“No, it wasn’t,” Gatland said, when asked if he found it difficult not to select North and Tompkins.
‘I thought they were outstanding during the World Cup. It is an opportunity for other players. I just wanted to give Joe a chance. Nick started the first three games, so we wanted to see Owen at 12 years old. We have spoken to both children about their roles. It’s not just about how they play, but how they talk and how they communicate with the 10.”
Warren Gatland has left out George North and Joe Tompkins for Wales’ clash with France
Gatland insisted it was not a difficult decision to do without the experienced midfield pair
Gatland hinted at doubts about whether North, still only 31, will attend the next World Cup in Australia in 2027, which influenced his decision to look at Roberts.
“George and I have had some honest conversations about whether he will go through to the next World Cup,” Gatland said.
“He started at a very young age, playing for Wales at 18.
‘Part of our discussion was about how to handle it. We just have to make sure we have some depth at that 13 position. That’s why Joe has a chance.
“The way both lads have responded after being excluded has been fantastic.”
Wales are yet to win a match in 2024 after three defeats to Scotland, England and Ireland. They have lost 10 of their last 11 games in the Six Nations.
Gatland’s rookies are desperate to taste success, but without North, they will face a giant French team that has captain Gregory Alldritt once again fit to lead them.
France have not been at their best so far this year after losing in the quarter-finals of their home World Cup in 2023. They have been beaten by Ireland, narrowly defeated Scotland and drawn with Italy in what runs from 2024. Coach Fabien Galthie has torn his Wales team apart in response.
Owen Watkin (pictured) and Joe Roberts will play in place of North and Tompkins.
But, despite making eight changes, the French team is full of power.
Thibaud Flament is once again fit to start alongside giant Emmanuel Meafou, who will make his debut. Full back Leo Barre and centre-back Nicolas Depoortere are also prepared for the test.
“We need to win, that’s what Test Match Rugby is about,” Gatland said.
“We desperately want to win. We feel like we are going well. We want to try to put together a complete performance. There have been parts of our game that we are very happy with and we also need to fix a number of things. We know we are on a journey, but we are trying to accelerate things as quickly as possible.
“A win on Sunday would be a good step towards achieving that.”
Galthie has seen France struggle mightily without Antoine Dupont after their captain and star switched to playing rugby sevens ahead of competing in the Paris Olympics this summer.
Dupont’s impact in the shortest format has already seen him help France to a sevens title for the first time in 19 years. Nolann Le Garrec starts in the number 9 shirt for Dupont against Wales.
“The results are not what we wanted,” Galthie said of France’s 2024 shortfall to date. ‘We’ll be better soon. As I said after the Italy game, we are in a difficult moment. It’s hard. We are not satisfied, no one is. We have high expectations of ourselves. We are not at the level we want, but we are resilient.”
The roof of the Principality Stadium will be closed for tomorrow’s match (SUN). Expect France to try to dominate with a physical and powerful approach. Galthie has six forwards on the bench.
Thibaud Flament (in the photo with the ball) returns to training and will start for France
‘Our last two visits (to Cardiff) were against a more experienced team, with many internationals and a Grand Slam victory. At the moment the team we will be playing against is a young and brave Welsh team,” said Galthie.
‘We will be facing a young team who wear the great Welsh shirt and have that sense in their hearts. They have always had pure talent, that belongs to them.’
Gatland has stressed that Roberts, whose first cap came against England in a World Cup warm-up clash last summer, has an invaluable opportunity. Gatland also highlighted the left-footed kicking game that the young midfielder offers. But the reality is that the great North will need more than just a replacement.
“Every time we go out to play for Wales, you don’t have to question the attitude or the work ethic,” said Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins, who is playing on the wing against France for the first time professionally. Jenkins moved to number 6 to add extra power to the Welsh pack and allow Will Rowlands to partner Adam Beard at lock.
Ryan Elias replaces Elliot Dee as the prostitute for the same reason.
Jenkins added: “It’s more about the details and being more precise when we get to 22 to score some points.”
“You have to prepare for every game like it’s your last, so I don’t feel like it’s going to happen right away.” I feel like it’s a continuous development.”