Wales vs Italy September 5th Cardiff

WALES v ITALY at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 5th September 2015 – Kick Off: 5pm
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)


TV Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales


Tickets for the Wales v Italy warm-up match are available to purchase at the official WRU eTicketing website with prices from £20 – £35.



History

Italy and Wales have played each other at rugby union since 1994. A total of 22 matches have been played, with Wales winning 19, Italy winning two and one drawn match.[1]



Wales Team

15 L Halfpenny
14 A Cuthbert
13 C Allen
12 S Williams
11 G North
10 D Biggar
9 R Webb
1 G Jenkins
2 K Owens
3 T Francis
4 J Ball
5  D Day
6 J King
7 S Warburton
8 T Faletau.

Reps: 16 K Dacey, 17 P James, 18 A Jarvis, 19 L Charteris,  20 R Moriarty,  21 G Davies,  22 R Priestland,  23 M Morgan.





Italian Team

15 Andrea Masi
14 Leonardo Sarto
13 Luca Morisi
12 Gonzalo Garcia
11 Giovanbattista Venditti
10 Tommaso Allan
9 Edoardo Gori
1 Michele Rizzo
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Quintin Geldenhuys
5 Josh Furno
6 Alessandro Zanni
7Francesco Minto
8 Sergio Parisse (capt)

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Valerio Bernabo', 20 Samula Vunisa, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Luke McLean.

I won't put the team I up I would like to see until after he names the squad tomorrow but I think we need to give some of the big names another hit out then use bench wisely.

First game against Ireland we had mainly 3 rd choices starting, yesterday it was mainly Fitch choices, so will we see some more of the second choices start against Italy?

Changes from Saturday, Anscombe (at 15 if fit), Priestland, Davies, Baldwin, James, Charteris, and King?

I am guessing that those who make the squad but haven't played yet will get a start.

Warburton cameo.

Gareth Davies and Priestlabd to start.

maestegmafia wrote:Gareth Davies and Priestlabd to start.

Is this definite or your pick?

wayne wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Gareth Davies and Priestlabd to start.

Is this definite or your pick?

I think it's likely to happen. They need a run out.

maestegmafia wrote:

wayne wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Gareth Davies and Priestlabd to start.

Is this definite or your pick?

I think it's likely to happen. They need a run out.

Cheers Maes, the player I would like to see play is Samson, and also to give Tomas another few minutes, with the scrummaging prowess of Italy it will give those 2 the exposure they need.

wayne wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

wayne wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Gareth Davies and Priestlabd to start.

Is this definite or your pick?

I think it's likely to happen. They need a run out.

Cheers Maes, the player I would like to see play is Samson, and also to give Tomas another few minutes, with the scrummaging prowess of Italy it will give those 2 the exposure they need.

Aye but I don't think Samson will be risked before the Uraguay match. I think we'll see Francis start and Jarvis bench as yesterday in Dublin.

I would like to see Baldwin start, probably rest Gethin, who I thought looked at his very best on Saturday. Start with James, Evans on for the last twenty-thirty minutes.

I'm not sure who will be the locks, I'd be keen to start AWJ and Charteris but bring AWJ off early doors.

Warburton needs a run, Moriarty too and Toby will want to play in sure. Maybe King on the bench and rest tips and lyds...!

As I said Davies and Priest to start. Scott and Tyler in the centre.

North is a very for back three as is Halfpenny. Maybe Amos too?

I am unsure as to who I would pick back three until I know what we have?

I'm pleased somebody else agrees with me and have 6 props, I want Samson to start as I want to make sure he is fit enough, I also agree with a lot of your selections, some of these players need play time to get a lot of the rustiness out of the system

wayne wrote:I'm pleased somebody else agrees with me and have 6 props, I want Samson to start as I want to make sure he is fit enough, I also agree with a lot of your selections, some of these players need play time to get a lot of the rustiness out of the system

Aye

I don't think the warm up games are good for much more than match fitness, battle hardness and getting your head straight and out of the training paddock.

That's why I really believe yesterday's match will be very good for both Ireland and Wales.

A lot of how this squad will be made up will depend on how the injured are coming along such as Lee, Williams and now Anscombe..

He may have to select a different squad that he would have if these guys were fully fit.

Anscombe is a worry. His performance against Ireland a few weeks back encourage many of us to feel assured of his being a positive presence in the squad.

Realistically we would be lucky to field a team for anything with only one first choice or even squad player injured. We are in good stead of we are only missing foxy.

Reports on Lee are promising, Anscombe and Williams less so, they may be recovering well but time is running out.

We could go in to the England match without either.

Even if they are all fit for the England game they would have had very little game time at all.

Did Wales pick up many injuries on Saturday? I thought the team came off unmarked?

Will Warburton be fit for the next game?

Will Priestland get a run at 10 for the next game or will he bill bench again? Who is 3rd choice 10 if either Biggar or Priestland get injured?

bedfordwelsh wrote:Even if they are all fit for the England game they would have had very little game time at all.

If they make the squad and miss the England game they still have the Fiji game before we face the wallabies...

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Even if they are all fit for the England game they would have had very little game time at all.

If they make the squad and miss the England game they still have the Fiji game before we face the wallabies...

Putting them out against Fiji would be a big ask physically, would he carry them that far into the tournament? We will soon find out tomorrow I guess.

Yes lunchtime tomorrow we will know everything.

I think he will.

I have a thought that one of the front row positions might get cut to allow room for an extra back as injury cover.

A firm and for Anscombe and Williams make our squad look more threatening.

Maes,

if he does cut a front rower I do feel it will be a t/head and he will then use James or Jenkins if need be.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Maes,

if he does cut a front rower I do feel it will be a t/head and he will then use James or Jenkins if need be.

Asi keep explaining to you I don't think either of those guys can legally be selected as tightheads and both will struggle having not played that position since before the scrum rules changed.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Maes,

if he does cut a front rower I do feel it will be a t/head and he will then use James or Jenkins if need be.

Asi keep explaining to you I don't think either of those guys can legally be selected as tightheads and both will struggle having not played that position since before the scrum rules changed.

So just because you keep explaining it to me I can't have an opinion on it. Legally on match day you are correct but if James is nominated as the tighthead for that day then its ok.

If there is a timescale that in which they must have played there then fine but all it says is that a player must have experience in that position, it doesnt say within the last x amount of years or under new laws etc. As I mentioned I hope he takes 6 props 3 each side but if he takes 5 I think it will be 3 loose and 2 tight.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Maes,

if he does cut a front rower I do feel it will be a t/head and he will then use James or Jenkins if need be.

Asi keep explaining to you I don't think either of those guys can legally be selected as tightheads and both will struggle having not played that position since before the scrum rules changed.

So just because you keep explaining it to me I can't have an opinion on it.  Legally on match day you are correct but if James is nominated as the tighthead for that day then its ok.  

If there is a timescale that in which they must have played there then fine but all it says is that a player must have experience in that position, it doesnt say within the last x amount of years or under new laws etc.  As I mentioned I hope he takes 6 props 3 each side but if he takes 5 I think it will be 3 loose and 2 tight.

I have looked and there is no timescale as I can see, so it depends on the referee/world Rugby's definition of experience.

I would presume that having played the position within the new laws at least would be the requirement.

You presume but not sure so again down to coaches refs etc

bedfordwelsh wrote:You presume but not sure so again down to coaches refs etc

And the coaches see james and Jenkins ranked as tughtheads behind Andrews, so that would mean with all players fit and well that they are sixth or seventh options at best.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:You presume but not sure so again down to coaches refs etc

And the coaches see james and Jenkins ranked as tughtheads behind Andrews, so that would mean with all players fit and well that they are sixth or seventh options at best.

If it was a one off game then I agree but as he will be trying to juggle his options I think its an option they will consider. I guess the over riding factor is how much faith they have in Lee being fully fit.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:You presume but not sure so again down to coaches refs etc

And the coaches see james and Jenkins ranked as tughtheads behind Andrews, so that would mean with all players fit and well that they are sixth or seventh options at best.

If it was a one off game then I agree but as he will be trying to juggle his options I think its an option they will consider.  I guess the over riding factor is how much faith they have in Lee being fully fit.

If the coaches were thinking of playing a loose head as a tighthead they would have experimented with it in advance of the selection date.

I think james and Jenkins are considered as our loosehead options and not as possible tightheads.

I would go with the following xv

James
Baldwin
Francis
Davies
Charteris
Moriarty
Warburton
Faletau

Davies
Priestland
North
Williams
Morgan (subject to him being in squad)
Amos
Morgan (subject to him being in squad

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:You presume but not sure so again down to coaches refs etc

And the coaches see james and Jenkins ranked as tughtheads behind Andrews, so that would mean with all players fit and well that they are sixth or seventh options at best.

If it was a one off game then I agree but as he will be trying to juggle his options I think its an option they will consider.  I guess the over riding factor is how much faith they have in Lee being fully fit.

If the coaches were thinking of playing a loose head as a tighthead they would have experimented with it in advance of the selection date.

I think james and Jenkins are considered as our loosehead options and not as possible tightheads.

They are obviously our 1st and 2nd choice looseheads but if he only takes 5 props then they may well be considered as options at tighthead if need be. All will depend on his selection and how they feel Lee is progressing.

Wales will cull the following 7 today:

Andrews
Jones (prop)
Ball
Day
Anscombe
Allen
Cuthbert

For Italy here's my shout

15 Amos
14 Walker
13 Williams
12 T Morgan
11 North
10 Priestland (don't ask why!)
9 Davies
8 Talupe
7 Warburton
6 Moriarty
5 Charteris
4 Davies
3 Francis
2 Baldwin
1 James

Cymru Am Byth

RubyGuby wrote:Wales will cull the following 7 today:

Andrews
Jones (prop)
Ball
Day
Anscombe
Allen
Cuthbert

Jones (prop) had already been ruled out hadn't he, Day and Allen yes I agree with. I am not sure if he will take Amos and Walker and think Cuthbert may sneak in, its a straight fight between Davies and Ball. I will be very surprised if Anscombe is dropped especially with doubts still surrounding Liam Williams.

Anscombe not dropped just too risky with injury

I meant Evans the prop not Jones BW can't seem to edit posts on my ipad

Well the word cull you used would be in my mind associated more with being dropped than ruled out through injury. Has there ben any news on him, i know he was getting assessed on the weekend.

If we can put six tries on Italy, then I expect you fellers will beat them like they owe you money.

If we can blast them away this year, then it would be nice to see us go for it again. We'll see Gatland's intentions with his backrow selection.

I meant Evans the prop not Jones BW can't seem to edit posts on my ipad

George Carlin wrote:If we can put six tries on Italy, then I expect you fellers will beat them like they owe you money.

Like the turn of phrase there

Have just heard that some of the players who didn't make the cut will be included in the squad against Italy on the weekend. Can't see the point in that myself.

So who do you guys want to see play Italy?

bedfordwelsh wrote:Have just heard that some of the players who didn't make the cut will be included in the squad against Italy on the weekend.  Can't see the point in that myself.

I take it that's allowed then?

I agree with you. Why arrange a warm-up game and then not use it to 'warm-up' the players who will be taking part in the tournament? Seems a bit odd (unless you're worried about injuries and just doing the minimum to honour commitments).

I find that statement by WG very strange, if players not selected in the squad are NOT allowed contact with the squad. How can they be selected for the Italy match?
Then yet he surely wouldn't say it if it wasn't true, or would he?

I think it would be good to see the following

James
Owens
Francis
Ball
Day
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau
Davies
Priestland
North
Williams
Allen
Cuthbert
Amos

Jenkins
Baldwin
Jarvis
Davies
King
Williams
Biggar
Morgan

bedfordwelsh wrote:Have just heard that some of the players who didn't make the cut will be included in the squad against Italy on the weekend.  Can't see the point in that myself.

Looks like the bazzers are doing the same...

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_75186,00.html

maestegmafia wrote:I think it would be good to see the following

James
Owens
Francis
Ball
Day
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau
Davies
Priestland
North
Williams
Allen
Cuthbert
Amos

Jenkins
Baldwin
Jarvis
Davies
King
Williams
Biggar
Morgan

Maes,

I would most probably start King, put Amos om in place of North and give Morgan a start at XV.

Who could cover 8 if need be?

King is possible 8 cover

maestegmafia wrote:King is possible 8 cover

If that's who they have in mind then maybe he should be given a bit of time there on Saturday.

Or Warburton ala Pocock/Hooper for the ozzies

maestegmafia wrote:Or Warburton ala Pocock/Hooper for the ozzies

Is was muted when he first came onto the scene that he could be a future No8, gues it would be a way of getting him and Tipuric on field at same time.