FURY AT ‘SICK’ PLANE GESTURE
...BUT BLUEBIRDS SNATCH LAST-GASP WIN:
IT’S two wins out of two for Wales, but to be honest, I don’t think Warren Gatland will have learned a huge amount from that win in Rome.
Wales looked like a side who hadn’t played together and making so many changes didn’t really give each individual the best opportunity to shine.
I thought Thomas Young had some strong moments, but I am sure he would have had many more in a stronger line-up, playing with more familiarity.
It meant nobody was really able to put forward a strong case to face England in the next round, but there were a few who I would keep in there for the Cardiff clash in two weeks time.
BACK THREE
IMPRESSIVE in Paris, Josh Adams again showed his attacking qualities; Liam Williams was threatening, while Jonah Holmes also had a decent match. But I fully expect George North to return to the side, even though I thought he had a mixed game generally against France.
MIDFIELD
I SUGGESTED in last week’s column, that Owen Watkin could replace Hadleigh Parkes and I thought he went well against Italy. He carried with purpose, was strong in defence and took his try well. I would keep him in there alongside Jonathan Davies.
HALF-BACKS
Call me old school, but going back to my days at Pontypool, I like a scrumhalf who does the basics well.
When you have a nine who has a sharp pass, kicks intelligently and is a clever tactician, the rest of your game follows suit and I think Aled Davies showed those strengths against Italy.
Yes, there were a number of occasions when he had to dig deep into the ruck to get the ball and it meant Wales struggled for fluidity, but overall I thought he looked the part.
Certainly, his kicking game is more accurate than Gareth Davies’s.
If you are asking me who I think Gatland will pick against England, I’d say either Gareth Davies or Tomos Williams, but I’d go for Aled Davies.
Outside him, I didn’t think Dan Biggar did himself any favours. It was as if he was trying too hard, trying to go away from his natural game, almost trying to outdo what Gareth Ans- combe does. Anscombe had some nice touches when he came on and with Rhys Patchell – who I’d like to see given another chance – still recovering from injury, I think it will be Anscombe back in the No. 10 jersey to face Eddie Jones’s men.
FRONT FIVE
The scrum was solid enough. Italy are not the scrummaging force when Castrogiovanni and Co were there, but they still have a decent set-piece. Wales did pretty well in that area, although there was plenty going on to try to con the referee throughout.
That said, I’d stick with the front row that started at the Stade de France - Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis.
The question mark I have is over Adam Beard. He is one for the future, but I don’t think he is quite ready and Wales have had some line-out issues over the last two matches. I’d go with Jake Ball to partner Alun Wyn Jones in the engine room.
BACK ROW
For the second week running, all three back-rowers stood out.
Josh Navidi underlined his versatility, winning the man-of-the-match award with another dynamic allround display, with and without the ball.
Young had a fine game on his Six Nations debut, while Aaron Wainwright again showed his talent, giving Wales another carrying option.
But Navidi, Moriarty and Tipuric were outstanding against France and it would be a huge surprise if they weren’t picked en bloc again.
GRAHAM PRICE’S WALES TEAM TO FACE ENGLAND: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.