[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 5: France vs Wales (18/03/2017)

[FrenchFan]

Le XV de départ : Dulin ; Nakaitaci, Lamerat, Fickou, Vakatawa ; (o) Lopez, (m) Serin ; Gourdon, Picamoles, Sanconnie ; Maestri, Vahaamahina ; Slimani, Guirado (cap), Baille.

Remplaçants : Chat, Ben Arous, Atonio, Le Devedec, Chouly, Dupont, Trinh-Duc, Huget.

Vahaamahina's return is positive. He's been excellent. Maestri will not be a first starter for much longer IMO. Struggling with missed taclkes and dodgy defensive positioning (same at Toulouse!). I'd have the young basque of Clermont Arthur Iturria in ahead of Maestri because he's a talent ball in hand and in the line-out. And he's a basque. Never seen a basque walk away from a fight...

Huget should have been in ahead of Vakatawa who was not 100% fit (bandaged leg) v Italy. Yohann is a much better defender. This is one area Wales will target. Biggar will bombard Vakatawa's wing and things should happen

Sanconnie is another target on his 2nd cap. Bit inexperienced agst Warburton & CO. Charles Ollivon would have been ideal for this game but he's out injured. Chouly :huh: is useless in rucks might as well leave him on bench.

Good to see continuity in the HBs with Lopez and the Kid Serin.

Tight, physical game expected.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I've been impressed by Serin so far he looks like he is going to be a class player but I still can't work out how a player who doesn't play 15s for a club gets picked for internationals. Howley needs to take note of England, who despite thrashing Scotland last week has made changes as the better players are available!

 

[ALJ]

I've been impressed by Serin so far he looks like he is going to be a class player but I still can't work out how a player who doesn't play 15s for a club gets picked for internationals. Howley needs to take note of England, who despite thrashing Scotland last week has made changes as the better players are available!

I like the look of Serin too I must admit.

As for the England comparison - I don't think it really works.
England are bringing back two proven internationals who both did well on their return.
You can't compare that to wanting Wales to include players with none or very few caps.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I like the look of Serin too I must admit.

As for the England comparison - I don't think it really works.
England are bringing back two proven internationals who both did well on their return.
You can't compare that to wanting Wales to include players with none or very few caps.

Yeah your right but we never going to know how good they are unless they are given a chance.

 

[JJFlash]

I like the look of Serin too I must admit.

Yes, Serin is good, but Dupont, the scrum half on the bench will be even better.
France are not short of good scrum halves if we include Machenaud and Parra.
This match is a tough one to call and I too would rather have seen Huget instead of Vakatawa but if the French pack can dominate then they should win, but only by a few points.

 

[Reiser99]

Please give us a better game guys. Weekend has not got off to a great start.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

For ****s sake why do they give Eddie Butler a free license to do his quasi-poetic ****e at the start of each coverage...MAKE IT STOP

 

[ratsapprentice]

Eddie Butler?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Eddie Butler?

Yes - thanks!

 

[The5thOfficial]

Please give us a better game guys. Weekend has not got off to a great start.

I hear that! That game (Scotland v Italy) was like watching paint dry in parts!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Is this wind band composed of 6 year olds?

 

[ThebigARena]

Come on Wales

- - - Updated - - -

Not a great start ken

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We look strangely lethargic

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

What goes through your head when you're the leading contender to be lions hooker and your first throw goes awry...

"****************************tt"

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

If thats deliberate its a yellow, it wasn't though.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

If thats deliberate its a yellow, it wasn't though.

Wales are setting a new world record for the number of deliberate knock ons this tournament

 

[munstermuffin]

Super try. Lovely kick

 

[ncurd]

Get the feeling if France carry on this way Wales will be in for a kicking.

 

[ThebigARena]

Good inventive try . Someone take jiffy off the commentary

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Jiffy sounds like a chicken who's been grabbed by the throat.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Why dies Jonathan Davies sound like Yoda?