[2025 Six Nations] France vs Wales - 31/01/25

[Which Tyler]

Promote Gats out of harms way...
Appointment Howley as Head Coach

 

[dirty harry]

No one is expecting wales to beat France, or even be that competitive but we can do better than this.

Can we?

Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Jenkins, Refell, Morgan and Botham are 15kg per man less than their counter parts,

Thomas isn't a 10, Tompkins is ****, Watkin got injured, Adams isn't himself, William's is old...

Our squad is kids and has beens.

 

[dirty harry]

Could be the game of the round. I think Wales surprise and win! Feels weird saying that when they are playing Italy. They have fallen so far.

No chance can wales beat Italy in Italy!

 

[dullonien]

Look at how different the Ospreys are playing recently as an example of a change of coach/change of philosophy can have. They've gone from looking like Wales in attack, with no shape or ideas, to playing with pace, width, and purpose.

I'm not saying they'll start beating Leinster and win the URC, but it shows how supposedly 'poor' players can look decent, if not good when they're well coached and have a gameplan that suits them.

 

[Amiga500]

******. I can accept being second best to a very, very good side. But there were syatematic issues across the pitch. There is just no sign of any shape, structure or gameplan. The players are playing with one hand behind their back.

I get why your frustrated - it's like me watching Ulster!

But in a game often defined by inches Wales are yards off all across the pitch in personnel. That adds up to what you see tonight.

Can't get quick ball in tight carries cos not big enough. Centres can't sit defences down cos neither big enough or skilful enough. Backrow and centres can't run through them. Then any attempt to go wide just sees the defence bypass the dummy runners.

Then rucks are behind the gainline which means slow ball.

It's a vicious circle with no easy fix.

 

[Bluemoon]

Gats is not a miracle worker, there is not a lot he or anyone else can do here, France are one of the toughest teams in the world, there simply isn't the players with quality especially in key positions, hopefully Wales can show a bit more against other sides.

I just can't agree Jimbo. Coaches set the tone and the culture. This impact ms on habits, the motivation and then the belief. They support player development, ambitious goals and create good environments to learn. They'd work over time with welsh clubs (not just in 6N periods). Good coaches help players improve and to build on strengths working as a team.

I've said before we won't win a WC with this team, but we should be at least converting points with the possession and time we had in red zone / 22 today.

 

[dirty harry]

Look at how different the Ospreys are playing recently as an example of a change of coach/change of philosophy can have. They've gone from looking like Wales in attack, with no shape or ideas, to playing with pace, width, and purpose.

I'm not saying they'll start beating Leinster and win the URC, but it shows how supposedly 'poor' players can look decent, if not good when they're well coached and have a gameplan that suits them.

I mad this exact comment 2 weeks ago. Ospreys and Scarlets have started winning games without dominant pack etc...

It's sad Gatland went the opposite way

 

[Welsh Exile]

Can we?

Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Jenkins, Refell, Morgan and Botham are 15kg per man less than their counter parts,

Thomas isn't a 10, Tompkins is ****, Watkin got injured, Adams isn't himself, William's is old...

Our squad is kids and has beens.

Yeah and who's picking these players?

 

[OllyM97]

That really was a tedious watch. I know it was only the first game against a really poor side but I thought France looked mediocre. Ntamack's red card was utter stupidity. Yet again the French players look miles off the players that they are for their club sides - bar Dupont, obviously. There's absolutely no reason why England can't have a real go at them next week. France's attacking shape was shambolic for a lot of that game. As for Wales…. only two words - Wooden Spoon. I think Italy beat them next week and I don't think it's that close either.

 

[dirty harry]

Yeah and who's picking these players?

Who can pick better players?!?!?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Who can pick better players?!?!?

I can.

 

[dirty harry]

That really was a tedious watch. I know it was only the first game against a really poor side but I thought France looked mediocre. Ntamack's red card was utter stupidity. Yet again the French players look miles off the players that they are for their club sides - bar Dupont, obviously. There's absolutely no reason why England can't have a real go at them next week. France's attacking shape was shambolic for a lot of that game. As for Wales…. only two words - Wooden Spoon. I think Italy beat them next week and I don't think it's that close either.

No chance we beat Italy next week!

 

[dirty harry]

I can.

Ok, let's try that...

Let's start at loosened, who is better that Gareth Thomas?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Ok, let's try that...

Let's start at loosened, who is better that Gareth Thomas?

I'm mainly picking up on your point that Thomas isn't a 10 and Watkins/Tompkins.

 

[dullonien]

I get why your frustrated - it's like me watching Ulster!

But in a game often defined by inches Wales are yards off all across the pitch in personnel. That adds up to what you see tonight.

Can't get quick ball in tight carries cos not big enough. Centres can't sit defences down cos neither big enough or skilful enough. Backrow and centres can't run through them. Then any attempt to go wide just sees the defence bypass the dummy runners.

Then rucks are behind the gainline which means slow ball.

It's a vicious circle with no easy fix.

I still don't agree. The gameplan appeared to be to throw the ball 25m back to a static pod of players who maybe tipped on and made 5m, pitting us 15-20m behind the gainline. Rince, repeat, kick poorly!

Gats knows one way of playing, and it's attritional. The Lions looked almost as poor in attack 3 years ago, were they also lacking quality players?

As ever, I'm not suggesting we actually have loads of world class players; but they're capable of much, much better.

Compare that performance with some of the 'minnows' at the world cup, yes they're often outgunned and sometimes lose heavily, but often they look well coached to maximise their strengths and at least fire some shots and put some decent stuff together even if mistakes, or fitness issues scupper them. I can't say that for Wales, and we have better players available.

 

[dullonien]

Ok, let's try that...

Let's start at loosened, who is better that Gareth Thomas?

Given that France started an 'unfit' Atonio in their starting 15, Rhys Carre would offer us some carrying grunt that we're despiratly lacking. But Gat's basically drove him out of Wales!

 

[dirty harry]

I'm mainly picking up on your point that Thomas isn't a 10 and Watkins/Tompkins.

That's fair...

Thomas is a **** kicker of a ball, I've said that for 4 years. He's 27, not a 10, and a club ball player.

 

[IT157]

Danny Biggar thinks the game against Italy is the biggest match in Welsh rugby for the last 15-20 years.

I mean I know they need to get a win. But I would think World Cup semi finals and winning Grand Slams/6 nations tournaments are bigger games.

 

[Amiga500]

Gats knows one way of playing, and it's attritional. The Lions looked almost as poor in attack 3 years ago, were they also lacking quality players?

As ever, I'm not suggesting we actually have loads of world class players; but they're capable of much, much better.

The first is a fair point.

But I don't think it'll make a significant difference swapping him out. I don't think a coaching setup of Jesus, John the baptist and Mohammed could work any miracles with what's in Wales at the minute!

 

[IT157]

That's fair...

Thomas is a **** kicker of a ball, I've said that for 4 years. He's 27, not a 10, and a club ball player.

Damn. Didn't realise he was that old.