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Gatland rolls the dice again with six changes to latest Wales team

16 Mar 2023

(Photo by Danilo Di Giovanni/Getty Images)

Warren Gatland has unveiled a Wales team to take on France away with six changes from last Saturday’s Roman success over Italy. The Welsh were 29-17 round four winners last Saturday and their side to finish the Guinness Six Nations championship against the French now has another raft of alterations.

Liam Williams’ injury has allowed Louis-Rees Zammit to come off the bench for a full-back start and there is also a changed midfield partnership with George North, another sub in Rome, named in a combination with Nick Tompkins. Mason Grady and Joe Hawkins miss out. The other backline switch sees Dan Biggar restored to No10 with Owen Williams dropping to the bench.

In the pack, Alun Wyn Jones is also back with Daffyd Jenkins named as a sub, and Aaron Wainwright is also recalled at the expense of Jac Morgan. On the bench, Bradley Roberts takes over as reserve hooker from the injured Scott Baldwin, while Leigh Halfpenny is also included following the naming of Rees-Zammit as the starting No15.

Gatland said: “Last weekend was really important for us getting a win in the Six Nations and building a bit of confidence. It was a step in the right direction but there is still a lot for us to work on. We have worked hard on a few things in terms of tidying some of the defensive lapses that we have made and getting some of those things right. We are still working hard on our attack.

“France last weekend put in probably one of the best performances seen in a long, long time. They are the number two team in the world. They bring a really physical approach to the way they play and they have tended to start well. So that is the important thing.

“We have got to go out there and start well, make sure we are in that arm wrestle with them and give ourselves that opportunity. They are a team that kicks the ball a lot, so we have also got to make sure that our backfield is right and we have got to be good in the air.”

Wales team (vs France, Saturday – 2:45)
15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw– 24 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 48 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys / Gweilch– 112 caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 26 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 6 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 106 caps)
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys / Gweilch– 39 caps)
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 47 caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 90 caps) captain
3. Tomas Francis (Ospreys / Gweilch– 70 caps)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 45 caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys / Gweilch – 157 caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dregiau– 36 caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys / Gweilch – 92 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 99 caps)

Replacements:
16. Bradley Roberts (Dragons / Dreigiau – 4 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch– 20 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd– 49 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 5 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerl?r – 8 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd– 44 caps)
22. Owen Williams (Ospreys / Gweilch– 6 caps)
23. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 98 caps)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 9 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 9 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 9 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 9 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 9 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍