Wales v Fiji

[Welsh Exile]

We have to win this. Have to. Have to beat Australia as well really and the deluded optimist in me thinks we will. Shame Jenkins is injured which means Gatland will start Beard (who's off to Montpellier at the end of the season) but at least we have Rowlands back (who was rested over the summer)

As I was reliably informed, Fiji will have their oversea players back for this and the ones that played against Scotland will be more battle hardened so this will be a much tougher test. Not sure who he'll go for at 3, 6, 12 or one of the wings but I reckon Gatland will go for something like

Thomas Lake Thomas
Beard Rowlands
Plumtree Morgan
Wainwright

Tomos
Anscombe
Grady
Thomas
Llewellyn
Dyer
Winnett

Subs: Elias, Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Reffell, Bevan, Costelow, Rogers

Personally I'd start Smith and Tshiunza in the row and I think Reffell is to good to leave out so screw back row balance I'd throw him in over Plumtree. Anscombe is a better 10 than Costelow but I'll be amazed if he makes it through the series let alone to the 6N so I don't see the point personally.

 

[IT157]

We have to win this. Have to. Have to beat Australia as well really and the deluded optimist in me thinks we will. Shame Jenkins is injured which means Gatland will start Beard (who's off to Montpellier at the end of the season) but at least we have Rowlands back (who was rested over the summer)

As I was reliably informed, Fiji will have their oversea players back for this and the ones that played against Scotland will be more battle hardened so this will be a much tougher test. Not sure who he'll go for at 3, 6, 12 or one of the wings but I reckon Gatland will go for something like

Thomas Lake Thomas
Beard Rowlands
Plumtree Morgan
Wainwright

Tomos
Anscombe
Grady
Thomas
Llewellyn
Dyer
Winnett

Subs: Elias, Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Reffell, Bevan, Costelow, Rogers

Personally I'd start Smith and Tshiunza in the row and I think Reffell is to good to leave out so screw back row balance I'd throw him in over Plumtree. Anscombe is a better 10 than Costelow but I'll be amazed if he makes it through the series let alone to the 6N so I don't see the point personally.

Does that mean he won't be picked going forward once he's in France? That's a shame for Wales because he's been one of their best and most consistent performers the last couple of years.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Does that mean he won't be picked going forward once he's in France? That's a shame for Wales because he's been one of their best and most consistent performers the last couple of years.

I don't know if this is a troll or not but yes, he'll still be available for Wales.

 

[IT157]

I don't know if this is a troll or not but yes, he'll still be available for Wales.

Not a troll.

 

[Saintjay]

If it wasn't for Beard, Wales wouldn't have a single British Lion in the squad. Staggering that three years ago they had 12.

 

[dullonien]

No idea what to expect from this game. I'm quietly hopeful that Gatland will pick a decent side, without half the backs playing out of their club positions like on the Aus tour, which will certainly help.

Fiji will be much improved from their trouncing by Scotland, but I would hope that Wales can start getting some results under their belt after a very poor run of form.

Despite an up and down start to the season for the Welsh regions in the URC, there have been plenty of standout performances from the individuals in this squad, who should be coming into this Autumn with plenty of confidence.

I'm going to the game, so hoping for a good entertaining game and a Welsh W.

 

[Welsh Exile]

No idea what to expect from this game. I'm quietly hopeful that Gatland will pick a decent side, without half the backs playing out of their club positions like on the Aus tour, which will certainly help.

Fiji will be much improved from their trouncing by Scotland, but I would hope that Wales can start getting some results under their belt after a very poor run of form.

Despite an up and down start to the season for the Welsh regions in the URC, there have been plenty of standout performances from the individuals in this squad, who should be coming into this Autumn with plenty of confidence.

I'm going to the game, so hoping for a good entertaining game and a Welsh W.

Interestingly (well mildly) is that pundits like Cuthbert and Graham Price are leaving Ben Thomas out of the starting 15. I think he's nailed onto start given Gatlands "he's the best back in wales" chat but I do like the sound of James at 12 with Llewellyn just outside him but I'll be happy with Ben Thomas at 12 to be fair.

 

[dullonien]

Yeah, I'd be happy with either at 12. James could be a revelation at 12 in his own right. Just great that we may finally have 2 very good, and different options at 12.

Shame our options at 10 are so limited.

 

[IT157]

This article wants to give Wales hope saying it was the domestic teams best weekend in years, but some context is needed, considering the teams they actually faced that weekend. Hardly world beaters.

United Rugby Championship: Wales lift from best weekend in three years

BBC Sport Wales assesses a successful final weekend of the first block of games in the United Rugby Championship.

www.bbc.com

 

[Welsh Exile]

This article wants to give Wales hope saying it was the domestic teams best weekend in years, but some context is needed, considering the teams they actually faced that weekend. Hardly world beaters.

United Rugby Championship: Wales lift from best weekend in three years

BBC Sport Wales assesses a successful final weekend of the first block of games in the United Rugby Championship.

www.bbc.com

Baby steps, mate. Baby steps.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The regions are better this year, think all have improved on the same time last season except Scarlets who have three log points less.

Gatland has history of doing a lot with little from them also, although I'm not sure how well this translates to today's game.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I'm going to go for ugly 5 point win. Both teams to score in the 20s.

We'll then smash Australia, claim we're back, then finish 5th in the 6N

 

[dullonien]

Sounds as of Griffin, Rowlands, Beard and Reffell will start in the pack, with Tomos Williams, Anscombe, Thomas, Llewellyn, Grady, Murray and Winnett in the backs.

I'd be quite happy with that if true. Certainly a bold selection anyway.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Kin hell, WOL got a leaked team right for once.

Wales XV: Cameron Winnett; Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Blair Murray; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow

 

[dullonien]

Happy with the starting 15, aside from the innevitable selections of Gareth Thomas and Adam Beard.

Really not a fan of 6-2 split on the bench, especially as it hasn't allowed a much deserved space for Eddie James, who could have offered some real impact and a different approach if required. Although Gats still could have had him instead of Costellow, with Thomas covering 10 and 15.

Interested to see how that backline goes though, full of potential!

 

[Welsh Exile]

Other than the fact our two 10s should be Jarrod Evans and Ioan Lloyd (and Tshiunza should play instead of Beard) and Smith should probably start (and James should at least be on the bench) that's pretty good. Should keep this loss within a score or 2.

 

[NotTooAmused]

 

[Welsh Exile]

"IMPACTS"

Like it.

 

[AlRums]

Wales head coach Warren Gatland bids to avoid worst losing run

Wales take on Fiji on Sunday looking to end a nine-Test losing streak and avoid matching the worst run of results since 2003.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Kin hell, WOL got a leaked team right for once.

Wales XV: Cameron Winnett; Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Blair Murray; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow

Nicky Smith has played really well for Tigers this season. I thought he would be starting.