Team for France

[normanski]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/51550491

Tell us something new, Wyn! Name us a team that doesn't "cheat".

Sadly, Penaud won't be fit for Cardiff and could be replaced on the wing by Fickou - who I'd much rather see at centre.

It’s just a reminder to officiate the scrums more effectively and fairly for both sides.

It’s called pre-match mind games!

Agree, Norm, but a coach’s word in the ref’s ear before the game is a hell of a lot better than bleating to the media. I’m looking forward to what could be a cracking game in my favourite rugby stadium. Only wish I had a ticket!!

I just wish World Rugby would issue an edict banning coaches from making wild and aggressive comments before games. Anyone who did could then be charged with bringing the game into disrepute

Gatland had his moments early in his Wales career but became far more subtle later on.

EJ’s comments before the game against France should never have happened. Fortunately it rebounded on him. I don’t think he’ll learn from it - he’s past redemption!

[normanski]

Halfpenny, Adams, Tompins, Parkes, North, Biggar, DAVIES
Jones, Owens, Lewis , Ball, AWJ, MORIATY, Tipuric, Faletau

Elias, Evans, Lewis, ROWLANDS, Wainwright, Williams, Evans, McNIcholl

Heard it here first.

You got it right!

[francoisfou]

The probable French starting XV is:

15. Bouthier ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Vincent, 11. Fickou ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont ; 7. Ollivon (cap.), 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Willemse, 4. Le Roux ; 3. Haouas, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Racing hooker, Camille Chat, will probably be on the bench.

Both team's back rows are very good, and that which gets the upper hand will surely have an influence on the result.
One big advantage you will have is reliable goalkickers - you have two, whereas we only have Ntamack who can have an off day. Baptiste Serin, however is on the bench and he's probably more reliable than Ntamack.

And indeed, this is the starting XV. The bench is: 16. Chat, 17. Gros, 18. Bamba, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cretin, 21. Serin, 22. Jalibert, 23. Ramos

..and Ramos, a top notch goalkicker.

Dare I think that France could win? Yes, but not by many.

[Numbers]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

[francoisfou]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

I hope not!

[Sandydragon]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

You and every other welsh supporter. And our cover for centre is North so shoring you a leaky midfield could be difficult with no real experience to call on.

On the bright side if we get some quick ball then we have a back line to do some damage.

Also looking forward to what Rowlands brings from the bench, apart from obvious size (not a bad thing in itself for a second row).

[Numbers]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

You and every other welsh supporter. And our cover for centre is North so shoring you a leaky midfield could be difficult with no real experience to call on.

On the bright side if we get some quick ball then we have a back line to do some damage.

Also looking forward to what Rowlands brings from the bench, apart from obvious size (not a bad thing in itself for a second row).

It's good to see Rob Evans get back into the 23, he scrummaged well for the Scarlets when he came on last Saturday, mind you Carre scored a decent try for Saracens.

[normanski]

Do we know if the roof is open or closed? Open with rain in the forecast could make for a more forward slug fest.

[Digby]

France are a patchy team. In patches they are unplayable but they seem to lose concentration. Our forwards will need to be several times more aggressive for us to get much change out of this game.

I think if you can retain possession, they will tire; they haven't the conditioning yet for Edwards defence I'd say.

They've rather blown up 50 minutes into both games so far. Against which Dupont is the player of the Championship so far, and they can put points on anyone

[francoisfou]

Do we know if the roof is open or closed? Open with rain in the forecast could make for a more forward slug fest.

OPEN!!! It’s rugby not netball !

[Numbers]

Do we know if the roof is open or closed? Open with rain in the forecast could make for a more forward slug fest.

OPEN!!! It’s rugby not netball !

CLOSED! It's rugby not swimming

[normanski]

Do we know if the roof is open or closed? Open with rain in the forecast could make for a more forward slug fest.

OPEN!!! It’s rugby not netball !

Have you seen the state of Welsh rugby grounds after Storm Dennis? One pitch even had a car washed onto it in the flood.

It’s caused the WRU to put £100k into a fund to help affected clubs.

If it continues to rain this weekend and the roof stays open then it will be water polo rather than rugby!

[Graigwen]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

You and every other welsh supporter. And our cover for centre is North so shoring you a leaky midfield could be difficult with no real experience to call on.

On the bright side if we get some quick ball then we have a back line to do some damage.

Has not Jarrod Evans played centre?

I agree with the offensive analysis of our back line, but quick ball is a big IF.

.

[Sandydragon]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

You and every other welsh supporter. And our cover for centre is North so shoring you a leaky midfield could be difficult with no real experience to call on.

On the bright side if we get some quick ball then we have a back line to do some damage.

Has not Jarrod Evans played centre?

I agree with the offensive analysis of our back line, but quick ball is a big IF.

.

Good point. I was assuming North to OC and Nichols on the wing.

[tigran]

It’s just a reminder to officiate the scrums more effectively and fairly for both sides.

It’s called pre-match mind games!

Agree, Norm, but a coach’s word in the ref’s ear before the game is a hell of a lot better than bleating to the media. I’m looking forward to what could be a cracking game in my favourite rugby stadium. Only wish I had a ticket!!

I just wish World Rugby would issue an edict banning coaches from making wild and aggressive comments before games. Anyone who did could then be charged with bringing the game into disrepute

Gatland had his moments early in his Wales career but became far more subtle later on.

EJ’s comments before the game against France should never have happened. Fortunately it rebounded on him. I don’t think he’ll learn from it - he’s past redemption!

Bah, it's ok... like E jones' comments the team talk of France has been done by their opponents..

Give us some more please wyn...

[Numbers]

I'm hoping that Tompkins can allay my fears over his defence.

You and every other welsh supporter. And our cover for centre is North so shoring you a leaky midfield could be difficult with no real experience to call on.

On the bright side if we get some quick ball then we have a back line to do some damage.

Has not Jarrod Evans played centre?

I agree with the offensive analysis of our back line, but quick ball is a big IF.

.

North is the cover for outside centre, Jarrod Evans has played inside centre once to my recollection for the Blues and that was in a 2nd 5/8th type of capacity.

[MrK]

Halfpenny, Adams, Tompins, Parkes, North, Biggar, DAVIES
Jones, Owens, Lewis , Ball, AWJ, MORIATY, Tipuric, Faletau

Elias, Evans, Lewis, ROWLANDS, Wainwright, Williams, Evans, McNIcholl

Heard it here first.

You got it right!

I now have sauces

[normanski]

Halfpenny, Adams, Tompins, Parkes, North, Biggar, DAVIES
Jones, Owens, Lewis , Ball, AWJ, MORIATY, Tipuric, Faletau

Elias, Evans, Lewis, ROWLANDS, Wainwright, Williams, Evans, McNIcholl

Heard it here first.

You got it right!

I now have sauces

Well done! Now predict tomorrow’s score.

[MrK]

You got it right!

I now have sauces

Well done! Now predict tomorrow’s score.

21-25

[Sandydragon]

The under 20s just held on for a 14-11 win in some atrocious weather.

[normanski]

The under 20s just held on for a 14-11 win in some atrocious weather.

Brilliant given the conditions.

A portent for tomorrow?

[Graigwen]

The under 20s just held on for a 14-11 win in some atrocious weather.

Brilliant given the conditions.

A portent for tomorrow?

Let us hope we don't drop the ball as often tomorrow as the U20s did tonight !

(As was said, they did have terrible conditions.)

.

[normanski]

I’m getting nervous now.

[francoisfou]

I’m getting nervous now.

Me too, but feeling quietly confident !

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I know he's world class and one of your best players and all but... as human being - North really should retire from rugby. How many times has the guy been knocked out? He was out cold again.