Wales v Italy 6 Nations - Saturday 1st Feb 2020 - match thread

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Wales v Italy match thread

Wales



Italy





Teams:

Wales:

L Halfpenny (Scarlets); J McNicholl (Scarlets), G North (Ospreys), H Parkes (Scarlets), J Adams (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Northampton), T Williams (Cardiff Blues); W Jones (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), D Lewis (Cardiff Blues), J Ball (Scarlets), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), A Wainwright (Dragons), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Bath).

Replacements: R Elias (Scarlets), R Evans (Scarlets), L Brown (Dragons), C Hill (Dragons), R Moriarty (Dragons), R Webb (Toulon), J Evans (Cardiff Blues), N Tompkins (Saracens)


15. Matteo Minozzi (Wasps) – 16 caps
14. Leonardo Sarto (Benetton Rugby) – 34 caps
13. Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby) – 29 caps
12. Carlo Canna (Zebre) – 39 caps
11. Mattia Bellini (Zebre) – 22 caps
10. Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby) – 54 caps
9. Callum Braley (Gloucester) – 5 caps

1. Giosuè Zilocchi (Zebre) – 2 caps
2. Luca Bigi (c) (Zebre) – 24 caps
3. Andrea Lovotti (Zebre) – 40 caps
4. Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Rugby) – 117 caps
5. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby) – uncapped
6. Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby) – 22 caps
7. Jake Polledri (Gloucester) – 13 caps
8. Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby) – 36 caps

Replacements

16. Federico Zani (Benetton Rugby) – 13 caps
17. Danilo Fischetti (Zebre) – uncapped
18. Marco Riccioni (Benetton Rugby) – 7 caps
19. Marco Lazzaroni (Benetton Rugby) – 4 caps
20. Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby) – 26 caps
21. Giovanni Licata (Zebre) – 8 caps
22. Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre) – 36 caps
23. Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby) – 23 caps

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I only read yesterday that WillGriff John used to play in the back row - that must be going back a while though.

It sounds like they've been looking for more from him outside the scrum:

"We went up to Sale to watch WillGriff John a few times and I was delighted to see what he does at the set-piece," said Humphreys.

"We went up a couple of weeks later to have a coffee with him and talk about the game.

"There were some areas we wanted him to work on outside the set-piece and he's certainly done that.

"We all know his background as a back-rower and he's worked hard on what he can do outside the scrum. He's a huge man and he wanted to play for Wales.

"He's made those improvements and at 27 he's a great age profile."

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18189157.brown-six-nations-contender-thanks-dragons-scrum-work---wales-coach/

[maestegmafia]

He could be a great addition.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah spotted him a while back and thought he could have been at least included in the squad for the 6N last year, which never came and he extended his Sale contract to 2021. I think he'd also be a good addition to a region, you need a like-for-like in most position nowadays. Dillon Lewis could be a very good player, but the rate in which he goes backwards in the scrum is unbelievable.

[mikey_dragon]

Decent.

I do get the feeling Leon Brown will start, judging by comments by Humphreys.

Haha that would trigger a lot of pathetic people from Scarlets and Blues - it'll big-time trigger them.

[RiscaGame]

I would start John, from what I have heard about him and have Brown as a finisher.

Trouble is, you can't test somebody without playing them. Pivac ought to know what he is getting off Lewis and I would suggest John and Brown are the way to go.

As an aside, I liked the comment from Humphreys about ensuring our tightheads are scrummaging straight.

[maestegmafia]

I would start Tompkins for certain.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

'Elliot Dee’s run of 18 successive Wales Tests is in doubt because a rib injury has prevented the Dragons hooker from taking a full part in training ahead of the Six Nations opener against Italy.

The 25-year-old from Newbridge has featured in every international since being an unused replacement in the 2018 autumn encounter Australia.'

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18192592.dee-major-doubt-wales-six-nations-opener/

[maestegmafia]

Elyas time to prove yourself

[RiscaGame]

Real shame if Dee didn't make it, although I have no issue with Elias. The issue I had, was people (person) thinking that for some reason, he deserved to replace Dee as the back up hooker.

[maestegmafia]

Real shame if Dee didn't make it, although I have no issue with Elias. The issue I had, was people (person) thinking that for some reason, he deserved to replace Dee as the back up hooker.

I rate Dee highly, Elias too, but Dee has the second slot behind Ken.

Though it would be good to see Elias get more time on the pitch

[maestegmafia]

Jiffy’s Wales XV for Italy

Johnny McNicholl; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, WillGriff John, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Shingler, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric

[Guest]

Halfpenny is in excellent form. He should start.

[maestegmafia]

Halfpenny is in excellent form. He should start.

The Article alludes to trying a few new players out over ones we know all about.

Of all the teams I’ve seen so far by pundits and players I like this the most.

[Guest]

I don't think it's sensible to start two uncapped players in the back 3. McNicholl is a very experienced player so won't need the time that Rees-Zammitt does. McNicholl has also been injured and in terrible form this season. Halfpenny is probably in the best form of his life. I wouldn't look to cap new players in this position if LRZ is going to be given his chance. McNicholl on the bench for me as cover.

[maestegmafia]

McNicoll offers a similar style to Williams and has shown great form

[Guest]

I'm allowed my opinion maesteg. Thanks.

McNicholl has not played well this season, particularly since the Barbarians game.

[Cyril]

All the Welsh players (even the English ones) are in ‘great form’ according to Maes. Who would be a selector?

[Guest]

I'm allowed my opinion maesteg. Thanks.

McNicholl has not played well this season, particularly since the Barbarians game.

And so is he.

[Cyril]

Oracle, you do know that TAFKAM decides who has an opinion, don’t you?

[mikey_dragon]

All the Welsh players (even the English ones) are in ‘great form’ according to Maes. Who would be a selector?

To be fair I've never heard him say Aled Davies was in great form, so there is an element of consistency and truth here. And right, it's why we leave it to the big boys like Pivac.

[Guest]

I'm allowed my opinion maesteg. Thanks.

McNicholl has not played well this season, particularly since the Barbarians game.

And so is he.

[Guest]

Looks like the WRU has copied England's 'Rising Songs'.

It's a good little insight in to the Wales camp. Looks like an exciting environment to be in and nice to see faces like Warburton and Bobby there as well. Pivac looks a natural. Hope the transition goes well in all honesty we have to be joint favourites with England for this tournament.

[Cyril]

It was Rising ‘Sons’, not ‘Songs’. Otherwise it wouldn’t have made a lot of sense with the play on words.

I’d put Wales slightly below Ireland in terms of ‘favourites’ with a probable finish of 3rd/4th. They’ll likely improve though.

[Guest]

Thanks for the correction. It would be interesting to see how well your predictions have gone since you started making them in 2012 Cyril. I bet England are on for their 8th title in a row

[maestegmafia]

Barry John also looking at Zammit and Adams with Big George at 13.

So many articles selecting North at outside center you almost have to see it as set in stone. Unless it is a ruse..?

[Cyril]

I doubt it’s a ruse. If you need to play mind games before a home game against Italy something is badly wrong.

[maestegmafia]

BBC Squad selector is up and running, can’t be far away now...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51268603

[No 7&1/2]

You'd surely expect that Tompkins starts on saturday ahead of North? Would be bizarre to see anything else given hes been persuaded to follow the wales route.

[maestegmafia]

You'd surely expect that Tompkins starts on saturday ahead of North? Would be bizarre to see anything else given hes been persuaded to follow the wales route.

I agree, I can’t see why you would add players to the squad you have no intention of using.

Williams and Tompkins could be a very good partnership with both on form

[Cyril]

I’d have thought so too. Not sure North has the skill set or rugby nous to play that position at international level except in an emergency. He’s never struck me as a particularly intelligent player in a rugby sense, rather relying on his physical attributes. I would have thought they would go with Turncoat Tompkins, unproven as he is at that level.

It’s only Italy anyway.

[maestegmafia]

Steve Hansen on Pivac

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51262779

[LondonTiger]

You'd surely expect that Tompkins starts on saturday ahead of North? Would be bizarre to see anything else given hes been persuaded to follow the wales route.

I agree, I can’t see why you would add players to the squad you have no intention of using.

Williams and Tompkins could be a very good partnership with both on form

Sorry for ignorance, but which Williams?

[maestegmafia]

You'd surely expect that Tompkins starts on saturday ahead of North? Would be bizarre to see anything else given hes been persuaded to follow the wales route.

I agree, I can’t see why you would add players to the squad you have no intention of using.

Williams and Tompkins could be a very good partnership with both on form

Sorry for ignorance, but which Williams?

Owen Williams

I like the backline playing with a creative 12. Whilst there is nothing wrong with Parkes I like the way we play when you have another player who can get the ball moving.

This might be a good game to bring Williams in and see if he can get back to the form he has been showing previously.

[LondonTiger]

I think Williams has had just 3 games (two of them from the bench) for Gloucester and from what I saw looked pretty ropey.

[maestegmafia]

I think Williams has had just 3 games (two of them from the bench) for Gloucester and from what I saw looked pretty ropey.

Ropey is maybe a bit harsh but yes he’s only had a few games after two seasons troubled with injuries

In form he is a huge potential.

[LondonTiger]

Perhaps rusty is better

He is likely to end up being your Billy Twelvetrees - a lot of largely unfulfilled promise - unless something happens soon.

[RiscaGame]

Steve Hansen on Pivac

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51262779

Interesting read that.

[maestegmafia]

Perhaps rusty is better

He is likely to end up being your Billy Twelvetrees - a lot of largely unfulfilled promise - unless something happens soon.

Different in wales as the player pool is not so large. Realistically England have 10 players vying for a shirt when wales would have four or five max.

Maybe 36 could have cut it as an England player if there weren’t so many alternatives around him. I guess Farrell as a 12 was just a better option

[maestegmafia]

Who's the quickest in the squad then?

Asked about going toe to toe in a race Adams against Zamster he said "I don't think I will, either! I will pick my battles.

"I've no shame saying it, that if we did, he would win. He's very quick, to be fair to him."

[Guest]

You'd surely expect that Tompkins starts on saturday ahead of North? Would be bizarre to see anything else given hes been persuaded to follow the wales route.

I agree, I can’t see why you would add players to the squad you have no intention of using.

Williams and Tompkins could be a very good partnership with both on form

Neither has played very much rugby. Williams has only just returned to fitness.

Despite that, I'd like to see Owen Williams given another chance at 12. Hopefully against Scotland who are likely to be a bit of a shambles this year.

[Guest]

LRZ is definitely the quickest in the Welsh team.

Only Luke Morgan and Ashton Hewitt look like they would be in his league/as fast as him in Wales. It's a big asset for a modern day winger.

[RiscaGame]

Interesting that you think Hewitt is fast.

[maestegmafia]

WOL expected Wales team:

Leigh Halfpenny; George North; Nick Tompkins; Hadleigh Parkes; Josh Adams; Dan Biggar; Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones; Ken Owens; Leon Brown; Jake Ball; Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Aaron Wainwright; Justin Tipuric; Taulupe Faletau.

[maestegmafia]

Midday they are announcing the squad. I like the look of that team. With  Zamster and maybe Webb with Williams as halfback/centre bench to come on and change things up.

The forwards I’d imagine to be Rob Elias John Hill and Navidi

Bit of a trials match..

[maestegmafia]

12 o clock can’t come fast enough today

[chris_501]

WOL expected Wales team:

Leigh Halfpenny; George North; Nick Tompkins; Hadleigh Parkes; Josh Adams; Dan Biggar; Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones; Ken Owens; Leon Brown; Jake Ball; Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Aaron Wainwright; Justin Tipuric; Taulupe Faletau.

I'm still undecided on who joins Adams on the wings, but other than that, its the team I would select. I think that backrow looks brilliant.

[Guest]

Navidi apparently injured for most of the tournament.

[Guest]

Well that's a bit underwhelming! Not many new starts there. Safety first.

[Guest]

It's a good team. No complaints considering it's Italy and the injuries. Expect Gareth Davies to be recalled for the next fixture with Webb missing out.

[Guest]

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