Italy next

[Numbers]

Wales Online are reporting that Dan Biggar is struggling after getting injured on Saturday. Sheedy to start against Italy then, and Jarrod Evans for the last 20 please. Hope that Biggar will be back for the first 50 minutes or so in Paris.

They said Biggar would be fine for Italy in the press conference yesterday.

[Sandydragon]

Wales Online are reporting that Dan Biggar is struggling after getting injured on Saturday. Sheedy to start against Italy then, and Jarrod Evans for the last 20 please. Hope that Biggar will be back for the first 50 minutes or so in Paris.

They said Biggar would be fine for Italy in the press conference yesterday.

I think I would still rest him and give Sheedy the chance to start. We know Biggar will be involved against France so lets see if Sheedy can control the game from the off rather than as a super sub and slo give Evans the opportunity from the bench.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales Online are reporting that Dan Biggar is struggling after getting injured on Saturday. Sheedy to start against Italy then, and Jarrod Evans for the last 20 please. Hope that Biggar will be back for the first 50 minutes or so in Paris.

They said Biggar would be fine for Italy in the press conference yesterday.

I think I would still rest him and give Sheedy the chance to start. We know Biggar will be involved against France so lets see if Sheedy can control the game from the off rather than as a super sub and slo give Evans the opportunity from the bench.

Having seen the England game I've got much more faith in Sheedy's kicking, so he starts for me regardless of Biggar's fitness, for Italy and France.

[normanski]

They said Biggar would be fine for Italy in the press conference yesterday.

I think I would still rest him and give Sheedy the chance to start. We know Biggar will be involved against France so lets see if Sheedy can control the game from the off rather than as a super sub and slo give Evans the opportunity from the bench.

Having seen the England game I've got much more faith in Sheedy's kicking, so he starts for me regardless of Biggar's fitness, for Italy and France.

Isn’t it a great position to be in. Two excellent fly halves, Jarrod Evans waiting in the wings and Anscombe getting back to fitness.

[Numbers]

1. Wyn Jones (33 Caps)

2. Ken Owens (80 Caps)

3. Tomas Francis (55 Caps)

4. Cory Hill (30 Caps)

5. Alun Wyn Jones (CAPT) (146 Caps)

6. Josh Navidi (26 Caps)

7. Justin Tipuric (83 Caps)

8. Taulupe Faletau (84 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (60 Caps)

10. Dan Biggar (90 Caps)

11. Josh Adams (30 Caps)

12. Jonathan Davies (86 Caps)

13. George North (100 Caps)

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (7 Caps)

15. Liam Williams (69 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (35 Caps)

17. Rhys Carre (12 Caps)

18. Leon Brown (15 Caps)

19. Jake Ball (49 Caps)

20. Aaron Wainwright (28 Caps)

21. Lloyd Williams (31 Caps)

22. Callum Sheedy (7 Caps)

23. Uilisi Halaholo (2 Cap)

[Sandydragon]

Earlier than expected, and it looks like Privac is keen to keep momentum high and not make unnecessary changes. The change at scrum half was unavoidable; I wasn't aware that Beard was injured. Is he or is this a tactical decision?

Hopefully those on the bench get an early opportunity to impress.

Perhaps a bit disappointing for Sheedy; I suppose if Privac is keen to ensure that everything is ready for France then it makes a lot of sense not to make that change.

[Numbers]

Earlier than expected, and it looks like Privac is keen to keep momentum high and not make unnecessary changes. The change at scrum half was unavoidable; I wasn't aware that Beard was injured. Is he or is this a tactical decision?

Hopefully those on the bench get an early opportunity to impress.

Perhaps a bit disappointing for Sheedy; I suppose if Privac is keen to ensure that everything is ready for France then it makes a lot of sense not to make that change.

It's imperative we get a decent points margin in case it comes down to that on the final weekend.

[normanski]

Earlier than expected, and it looks like Privac is keen to keep momentum high and not make unnecessary changes. The change at scrum half was unavoidable; I wasn't aware that Beard was injured. Is he or is this a tactical decision?

Hopefully those on the bench get an early opportunity to impress.

Perhaps a bit disappointing for Sheedy; I suppose if Privac is keen to ensure that everything is ready for France then it makes a lot of sense not to make that change.

I think Pivac said he’s rested because he’s had a heavy workload.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I'm not really understanding Pivac's thinking re Biggar (but then I've never been a fan). I guess he simply prefers him to Sheedy despite Biggar not seeming to be such a good fit for Pivac's approach.

But overall, obviously a very strong team. Hope we don't waste time kicking goals - let's prioritise tries.

[Wallpaperman]

I think I would still rest him and give Sheedy the chance to start. We know Biggar will be involved against France so lets see if Sheedy can control the game from the off rather than as a super sub and slo give Evans the opportunity from the bench.

Having seen the England game I've got much more faith in Sheedy's kicking, so he starts for me regardless of Biggar's fitness, for Italy and France.

Isn’t it a great position to be in. Two excellent fly halves, Jarrod Evans waiting in the wings and Anscombe getting back to fitness.

Patchell too, with Costelow and Ivan Lloyd in a year or two

[Wallpaperman]

Having seen the England game I've got much more faith in Sheedy's kicking, so he starts for me regardless of Biggar's fitness, for Italy and France.

Isn’t it a great position to be in. Two excellent fly halves, Jarrod Evans waiting in the wings and Anscombe getting back to fitness.

Patchell too, with Costelow and Ivan Lloyd in a year or two

Predictive text ! ‘Ivan’ Lloyd is Ioan Lloyd. Must stop ‘Russian’ my messages

[Wallpaperman]

I'm not really understanding Pivac's thinking re Biggar (but then I've never been a fan). I guess he simply prefers him to Sheedy despite Biggar not seeming to be such a good fit for Pivac's approach.

But overall, obviously a very strong team. Hope we don't waste time kicking goals - let's prioritise tries.

I’m waiting for a backline of T Williams, Sheedy, Adams, J Williams, North, Rees-Zammit and L Williams, with Hardy, Evans and Halaholo on the bench. I thought Biggar went well last week, but he often has a good game against England. It’s when he is paired with Gareth Davies that promising positions end up with the ball being kicked in the air for a 50/50. Pivac mentioned in the press conference today that they are working on Davies getting the ball away quicker from the ruck.

[Numbers]

Having seen the England game I've got much more faith in Sheedy's kicking, so he starts for me regardless of Biggar's fitness, for Italy and France.

Isn’t it a great position to be in. Two excellent fly halves, Jarrod Evans waiting in the wings and Anscombe getting back to fitness.

Patchell too, with Costelow and Ivan Lloyd in a year or two

I think Ben Thomas at Cardiff shows the signs of being an International quality 10, his kicking is excellent, he's bigger and better in defence than either Costelow or Lloyd.

Here's a montage of him from age grade, whatever you do don't play it with sound or your ears my implode:

[normanski]

It will be interesting to see how the lines out fare with Hill coming in for Beard. Beard has certainly sorted the calls in the last two games and I believe Hill is also pretty cute at doing this as well.

It’s some time now since we’ve been blessed with such great strength in depth across the whole squad and this will make a huge and beneficial impact in the final game if we suffer any serious injuries in Rome.

[normanski]

Isn’t it a great position to be in. Two excellent fly halves, Jarrod Evans waiting in the wings and Anscombe getting back to fitness.

Patchell too, with Costelow and Ivan Lloyd in a year or two

I think Ben Thomas at Cardiff shows the signs of being an International quality 10, his kicking is excellent, he's bigger and better in defence than either Costelow or Lloyd.

Here's a montage of him from age grade, whatever you do don't play it with sound or your ears my implode:

Reminds of a young will o’ the wisp Barry John. Certainly another great prospect. Pivac will reap the rewards at the next RWC with such a growing pool of talent.

[Numbers]

Patchell too, with Costelow and Ivan Lloyd in a year or two

I think Ben Thomas at Cardiff shows the signs of being an International quality 10, his kicking is excellent, he's bigger and better in defence than either Costelow or Lloyd.

Here's a montage of him from age grade, whatever you do don't play it with sound or your ears my implode:

Reminds of a young will o’ the wisp Barry John. Certainly another great prospect. Pivac will reap the rewards at the next RWC with such a growing pool of talent.

Yeah, he's been playing at 12 mostly for Cardiff but has had a few outings at 10, he looks a class act to me.

[normanski]

Good to be versatile to play 10 and 12 but he certainly looks very good in the fly half position.

[Sandydragon]

So it was 14 years ago that we had the infamous penalty kick to touch after time was/wasn’t up disaster in Rome.

Reading the report in the Fail makes me remember the atrocious pre-Gatland era. It also reminds me that England aren’t the only side to ever suffer from a refereeing mistake.

[Wallpaperman]

So it was 14 years ago that we had the infamous penalty kick to touch after time was/wasn’t up disaster in Rome.

Reading the report in the Fail makes me remember the atrocious pre-Gatland era. It also reminds me that England aren’t the only side to ever suffer from a refereeing mistake.

Italy won 2 games that year, with the crazy game at Murrayfield where they scored 3 tries in the first 10 minutes.

I can’t find the highlights but I think this was the game where Wales spilled the ball in the Italian 22, the winger kicked forward and you were waiting for a Welsh player to field it but there was no one home, with Ian Gough almost cutting the ball off before the winger picked up the bouncing ball and scored. A really poor try to concede, and obviously a terrible result for a line up of:

Kevin Morgan, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Chris Horsman, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn, Alix Popham, Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones. There are 11 or 12 starters for the next season when they won the Grand Slam.

[Sandydragon]

So it was 14 years ago that we had the infamous penalty kick to touch after time was/wasn’t up disaster in Rome.

Reading the report in the Fail makes me remember the atrocious pre-Gatland era. It also reminds me that England aren’t the only side to ever suffer from a refereeing mistake.

Italy won 2 games that year, with the crazy game at Murrayfield where they scored 3 tries in the first 10 minutes.

I can’t find the highlights but I think this was the game where Wales spilled the ball in the Italian 22, the winger kicked forward and you were waiting for a Welsh player to field it but there was no one home, with Ian Gough almost cutting the ball off before the winger picked up the bouncing ball and scored. A really poor try to concede, and obviously a terrible result for a line up of:

Kevin Morgan, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Chris Horsman, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn, Alix Popham, Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones. There are 11 or 12 starters for the next season when they won the Grand Slam.

I remember that Italy Scotland game. It was a totally bonkers first quarter. When you look at that team, it should have done much better but then we were in the Jenkins era where winning the toss was considered a victory.

[Wallpaperman]

So it was 14 years ago that we had the infamous penalty kick to touch after time was/wasn’t up disaster in Rome.

Reading the report in the Fail makes me remember the atrocious pre-Gatland era. It also reminds me that England aren’t the only side to ever suffer from a refereeing mistake.

Italy won 2 games that year, with the crazy game at Murrayfield where they scored 3 tries in the first 10 minutes.

I can’t find the highlights but I think this was the game where Wales spilled the ball in the Italian 22, the winger kicked forward and you were waiting for a Welsh player to field it but there was no one home, with Ian Gough almost cutting the ball off before the winger picked up the bouncing ball and scored. A really poor try to concede, and obviously a terrible result for a line up of:

Kevin Morgan, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Chris Horsman, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn, Alix Popham, Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones. There are 11 or 12 starters for the next season when they won the Grand Slam.

I remember that Italy Scotland game. It was a totally bonkers first quarter. When you look at that team, it should have done much better but then we were in the Jenkins era where winning the toss was considered a victory.

You’re not wrong there. 2006 and 2007 definitely took a lot of the shine off 2005.

[normanski]

Italy won 2 games that year, with the crazy game at Murrayfield where they scored 3 tries in the first 10 minutes.

I can’t find the highlights but I think this was the game where Wales spilled the ball in the Italian 22, the winger kicked forward and you were waiting for a Welsh player to field it but there was no one home, with Ian Gough almost cutting the ball off before the winger picked up the bouncing ball and scored. A really poor try to concede, and obviously a terrible result for a line up of:

Kevin Morgan, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, James Hook, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Chris Horsman, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn, Alix Popham, Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones. There are 11 or 12 starters for the next season when they won the Grand Slam.

I remember that Italy Scotland game. It was a totally bonkers first quarter. When you look at that team, it should have done much better but then we were in the Jenkins era where winning the toss was considered a victory.

You’re not wrong there. 2006 and 2007 definitely took a lot of the shine off 2005.

We have a lot to be thankful for, for the Gatland era and now hopefully with Pivac taking us through to the RWC 2023.

The sun is shining, I almost have a spring in my step and the boys are in Rome to do a job tomorrow. What can go wrong?

[Graigwen]

I will not say I am confident......but I have bought twice as much beer as usual.

That is a good team we have for tomorrow.

[Sandydragon]

Im confident that we can get the bonus point win. I suspect Italy will be up for the game and will have targeted this one. But they have a habit of fading in the last 20 so if we can keep our intensity up, and maintain our discipline, then we have to be strong favourites for this one.

[normanski]

Im confident that we can get the bonus point win. I suspect Italy will be up for the game and will have targeted this one. But they have a habit of fading in the last 20 so if we can keep our intensity up, and maintain our discipline, then we have to be strong favourites for this one.

I’m confident too. Wales are playing like the team in the 70s - soak up the pressure even though they were behind on the scoreboard and then come back strongly in the last quarter to win convincingly.

Italy are no pushover and are developing a strong core team. They’re not far off giving most other teams in the 6N a competitive game.

I’m glad Pivac has chosen a strong and settled team. They will do a job tomorrow and who knows we may even be champions-elect if England force a narrow win at Twickenham and Ireland beat Scotland.