Rob Howley has announced the Wales team to face Italy on Sunday.
Wales:
Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Samson Lee; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.
Subs: Scott Baldwin, Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, James King, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Jamie Roberts.
How do you see the game going?
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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That’s a good looking team, perhaps a bit weak in the front row and at fly half, but a great back line (if Biggar can get it moving) and a dangerous back row – has Moriarty ever played 8 at all?
Personally would switch L Williams and Halfpenny. Think Williams is more dangerous from fullback
Yep, he played 8 for Wales in the Autumn when Faletau was out and has had a few games there for Gloucester.
It would be good too see Sam Davies get at least half an hour, but I expect Italy to be very competitive for 50-60 minutes so Howley’s conservatism will keep Biggar out there.
I don’t see the point of Jamie Roberts as a bench option. It means no wing/fullback cover from the bench. Although I suppose Davies can cover fullback. North could cover centre if needed, but JD or Scott Williams on the wing? If Halfpenny, North or LW get crocked it means Roberts coming on to cover? Someone like Amos would be better, no?
Roberts did win his first few caps on the wing and at fullback.
For Wales? Didn’t realise that. I’m sure there must be better options to cover centre/wing/fullback from the bench? Maybe SW or JD are wing/fullback cover? I just can’t see him making much of an impact off the bench when he comes on.
Yeah – started on the wing against Scotland on his debut, then fullback against South Africa the summer afterwards.
I agree about there being better options now, though, he’s lost a bit of pace since then and I’d prefer to see Scott Williams or Halfpenny move out (or even Gareth Davies come on) with Roberts or Davies coming on at centre or fullback.
But his role is intended to be as an impact player, rather than a replacement, pencilled in to come on after an hour. Injuries are unpredictable so hard to plan for, so they’re viewed as “we’ll have to make-do” situations, rather than something that will have a specific plan (though that’s not to say there’ll be no planning). Whereas the Italians tiring after an hour is predictable so will be factored into the game plan.
Dazza, Amos ain’t even in the Squad m8, he’s crocked….
Awful selections.
Williams and .5p need to swap.
Sam Parry should be hooker with Ken Owens on bench.
Sam Davies keeps Biggar out of Osprey team but not Wales team????
Warburton….why…bench at best..
Play Moriarty at 6 where he’ll play when Faletau rtns.
Too much of a Tory selection from Howler yet again. He has as much imagination as Stephen Jones at his most mercurial.
At least those idiots Anscombe and Cuthberk are not there……not much of a mercy really.
All we need now is Wayne Barnes as an official and we can be cheated yet again as per the 2007
”Sorry you are now out of time” Italy game
Great to see you so happy and positive before things even start Y Ddraig. Hope you get Barnes on Saturday to make your weekend perfect.
As an Englishman I am pretty chuffed with this selection. I was a little worried when the squad selection included so many players with real potential. I can’t understand why Howley has returned to the same average players again when he has the likes of Thomas Young and Sam Davies available