I’m backing wonderful Wales all the way in Paris
In my column last week I wrote that George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and the rest of Wales’ dangerous back-three players could cause havoc in the Italian sunshine. So it proved. Italy were as bad as I expected them to be and Wayne Pivac’s side took full advantage to move to within a game of a Grand Slam.
It was a ruthless performance in the first half in Rome. The tempo and accuracy of the Welsh game was far too much for Italy to contend with. At times, Wales made it look easy and watching the game you could have been confused for thinking it was a training session. Italy’s poor discipline didn’t help them, but defensively Wales were very clever.
They allowed Italy to attack from deep and they just fanned the field by not committing too many men to the breakdown. The result was it made Italy’s attack very ineffective. Wales were patient in defence and waited for the mistakes.
Dan Biggar had a superb first half and played a huge role in getting Wales into spaces with his passing. He hardly kicked possession away but when he did, he did it very well indeed.
His pass to Josh Adams for the first try looked simple, but its execution was perfect and it allowed Josh a simple finish in the corner.
Dan was just as good for 20 minutes or so in the second half before making way for Callum Sheedy. Wales took their tries well and looked to run away with it, but, as bad as Italy were, their resilience was always going to be there and so it proved with that try from Monty Ioane.
Unfortunately for them, the game was over as a contest after 20 minutes. Josh was very busy and took his try well, but he will be kicking himself about the try that wasn’t. He should have scored in the second half, but his technique was poor and he ended up in touch.
It was also great to see Sheedy get his first Wales try. It was well-deserved because he has been impressive in this Championship coming off the bench for Dan.
The partnership that pair have going on at fly-half shows Wales have a few tricks and plays up their sleeves. They are not as one dimensional as many, myself including, had suggested they were.
France’s defeat at Twickenham means Wales are now the only team who can win a Grand Slam. That plays into their hands.
France are a wonderful team and for long periods yesterday, I thought they were going to be too good for Eddie Jones’ men.
They showed at Twickenham what sorts of threats Wales will have to counter to complete a clean sweep. Wales can do it and I think the experience in the squad right now is vital.
Since the autumn, we’ve talked a lot about Wayne giving the young guns a chance to play. Louis has been on fire and Callum has been excellent. Don’t forget Kieran Hardy either.
But while they all deserve praise, the spine of the Wales team is made up of Ken Owens, Alun Wyn, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Dan, Jonathan Davies, North and Liam Williams. All these guys are British & Irish Lions with huge experience.
Their knowledge of the Test arena and how to operate in the build-up to huge matches will now come into its own this week with a Grand Slam game with France on the horizon.
Wales won’t be able to cut loose in Paris like they did in Rome. Everyone knows it’s going to be a tight game.
Wales’ power game is improving and that bodes well. Italy are a very poor side, but the only thing they do have going for them is a bit of physicality in the forwards.
Wales demolished them up front and you could see that clearly with the lineout drives and rolling mauls they got going. Both of Ken’s tries came from those positions and I’m sure he would have been furious when he was taken off with a hat-trick there for the taking!
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know Wales should pick pretty much the same side for the France game.
The only areas of debate is at scrum-half and lock. I’d stay with Gareth Davies at scrumhalf because even if Tomos Williams is back fully fit after his hamstring injury, it is a big call for him to come straight back in and start a Grand Slam game. I thought Gareth was good against Italy.
At lock it is a tough call between Cory Hill and Adam Beard to partner Alun Wyn. That really is a 50/50 call. If I was pushed, I’d just go with Adam with Cory on the bench.
It would mean Jake Ball’s appearance as a replacement in Italy would be his last for Wales. If that does prove to be the case, finishing on 50 caps is not a bad way to end.
Jake has been a great servant to Welsh rugby. He might go back to Australia to see his family with another Grand Slam and that would be a brilliant send off.
The team have come so far in such a short space of time and Wayne and all the players need to be given a lot of credit for that.
So, too, do the assistant coaches Stephen Jones, Jonathan Humphreys and Gethin Jenkins. They are in charge of attack, the forwards, and defence respectively and all three areas have improved immensely since the autumn. That upward trajectory will need to continue for France.
Apart from the Italy game, Wales have been underdogs in all of their matches so far and France will be favourites this weekend.
I do think we will find out a lot about France’s mental strength when they meet Wales because after losing to England, previous French sides would have given up the ghost.
I don’t think Fabian Galthie’s class of 2021 will do that and they have been given added grit by the arrival of Shaun Edwards. I’m still backing Wales all the way.
If they do win in France it will be one of the most memorable Grand Slams of recent times and complete a turnaround that no one saw coming.
“Wales won’t be able to cut loose in Paris like they did in Rome. It’s going to be tight”