A much-needed victory... but a few changes required to give the French a run for their money
AFTER everything the Wales players have gone through on and off the pitch, for what seems like months, a win, no matter how it is contrived and who it’s against, is a boost to the team and brings much-needed confidence back into the dressing room.
No-one will be fooled by the depth of the challenge facing Warren Gatland’s side this weekend, though.
We need to bring the best aspects of our game against Italy and build on it against a rampant France team who are on a roll, and chasing the Six Nations title, after humiliating England.
There are some changes to the starting XV Gatland can make which I feel would enhance the prospects of Wales pulling off an unlikely victory in Paris.
But one of those most definitely would not be at number nine, where Rhys Webb brought aspects to the jersey I feel we haven’t seen from a Welsh scrum-half for some time.
He displayed proper leadership and his sharpness in getting the ball away from the ruck was pivotal in helping Wales get into a comfortable early lead, the kind of luxury we don’t see too often.
Much has been made already of Webb’s kicking game. I’m not sure if ironic is the correct word, but against England we put the man-of-thematch award in the hands of their full-back Freddie Steward with aimless kicking straight down his throat.
Against Italy, the kicker himself was man of the match, and rightly so because Webb’s efforts were timed to perfection and enabled Wales to have a proper chase.
From one of them, Italy made an error and Rio Dyer was able to go over for his try. This kind of precision kicking will be even more important against France, not only to force them into mistakes but also to ensure we don’t just give free rein to their brilliant backs.
Their mix of powerful ball-carrying forwards, coupled with the flair they possess behind, means we could even be on the wrong end of a hiding.
Let’s put it this way - I was confident enough to predict a win in Italy, one of the few I suspect. I won’t be putting my head above the parapet in being quite so bold for France away this weekend.
But Wales don’t travel without hope and I think some changes to the starting XV can help to that end.
Starting with the backs, Louis Rees-Zammit must come back in, he offers pace and undoubted finishing ability out wide and I’d pick him ahead of Josh Adams, who hasn’t been at his best.
I’d have left the rest of the back
three alone, but Liam Williams is injured so there’s no option but a Leigh Halfpenny recall, I feel. ReesZammit could be an option at 15, but I fear the French would target him and Halfpenny is a more secure last pair of hands.
He’s reliable under the high ball and I felt Halfpenny did OK against England the previous time out, to be honest.
The half-backs stay the same, Webb and Owen Williams, but I do feel Nick Tompkins needs to come back into the centre, probably in tandem with Joe Hawkins.
Tompkins is one of those players who has a busy game and his enthusiasm seems to bring off the best in those around him.
Up front Wyn Jones disappointed me against Italy, not so much at scrum time, more in terms of missed tackles. So Gareth Thomas it is for this one.
The other change I would have made is in the back row where young Christ Tshiunza could bring muchneeded bulk to the pack.
Trust me that is something we are going to need against this heavyweight French eight.
I found it rather strange to learn Warren Gatland had released Tshiunza back to his club Exeter because he would have been perfect for this one, chosen at six ahead of Jac Morgan.
However, leave it as it is, Morgan, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau as the back-row trio.
Will that XV be good enough to stop this French juggernaut? Probably not is the honest answer to that.
However, what started as a pretty awful Six Nations campaign took an upturn last weekend and let’s hope Wales have kept the best until last, which they often did during Gatland’s first reign as coach, and build on the Italy win by giving France a right old fright and run for their money.