[2025 Six Nations] Italy vs Wales - 08/02/25

[Half Pint]

I can see a lot of 'head coach' role swaps later this year.
Gatland - already one foot out the door
Townsend - looks on shaky ground, not getting results
Borthwick - possibly saved his skin by one point, but still not safe if we see Bannockburn come to Twickenham
Easterby - being replaced by a returning Farrell, but might want to take the reins somewhere else rather than be a #2?
Galthie - IMHO is underperforming with the talent at his disposal, wouldn't be surprised if the FFR give him the boot

 

[Rinkadink]

So if there's some theoretical swaps, which ones?

Townsend to England, Borthwick to Scotland?

Easterby to France, Galthie to Ireland?

Gatland to pasture?...

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

How Gatland is continuing to play ben Thomas at 10 is beyond me.

Italy were the far superior side.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Bring back halfpenny, Roberts, North and Adam Jones, that'll sort it.

 

[AlRums]

Bring back halfpenny, Roberts, North and Adam Jones, that'll sort it.

With or without their Zimmer frames?

 

[JonoCymru]

With or without their Zimmer frames?

With. They'd still win. Against our current team that is!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

With or without their Zimmer frames?

Adam Jones 10 pints in and a kebab down could still do a job on the current front row I recon. Might give up a little mobility as he's not the livewire running around he used to be.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Adam Jones 10 pints in and a kebab down could still do a job on the current front row I recon. Might give up a little mobility as he's not the livewire running around he used to be.

I was saying to my brother he could handle just coming on for scrums I reckon. Just need a fake blood replacement to happen every time there's a scrum but Bomb could do it.

 

[AlRums]

I was saying to my brother he could handle just coming on for scrums I reckon. Just need a fake blood replacement to happen every time there's a scrum but Bomb could do it.

I believe harlequins may be able to help you on that one.

 

[The Seeker]

This is the only Six Nations game I called correctly this weekend. Kudos Italia.

 

[dullonien]

I believe harlequins may be able to help you on that one.

Assume you're referencing Dillon Lewis? Another crazy decision from Gats given our issues in the position. He's never going to compete for Lions squads, but he's an experienced player to have around.

 

[AlRums]

Assume you're referencing Dillon Lewis? Another crazy decision from Gats given our issues in the position. He's never going to compete for Lions squads, but he's an experienced player to have around.

No I was jesting by refering to bloodgate and Welsh Exile comment "I was saying to my brother he could handle just coming on for scrums I reckon. Just need a fake blood replacement to happen every time there's a scrum but Bomb could do it."

 

[Flankers' paradise]

Apart from tighthead, where the cupboard is genuinely bare, ww do have options in those other positions.

Not sure why Teddy Williams didn't start over Rowlands, he made a big difference after coming on. Fender looks like a future international at the Ospreys. Greene is a great prospect coming through.

Not lots of options at 10, but obviousy Dan Edwards would have been a better option to start. Jarrod Evans should be in the squad too.

We have more options at centre than I can remember in a long time. James will get better. Joe Roberts started to settle last season before a bad injury. Llewellyn should be playing now. Grady could still make it as a centre, although unlikely given his rugby intelligence and passing is below par. Ben Thomas is a better centre than 10, but his confidence is likely shot now for this season, needs to go regather himself at Cardiff. Then there's a couple of youngsters in Macs Page, Hennessey and Ackerman who look like top prospects. Edit. there's also Hawkins who looks like he's be available again soon, though another who needs to regroup after his horror move to Exeter! Edit edit, there's also Johnny Williams who would do a job now with his physicality.

You are right, and I cannot understand for the life of me how Johnny W isn't in the squad, but I just meant in the current squad

 

[Duct Tape]

? Another crazy decision from Gats given our issues in the position. .

Looks like you won't need to be concerned about that going forward.