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Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (20/09/2015, 14:30)
Pool A, Round 1
Referee: Romain Poite
Teams
Wales: TBA
Uruguay: TBA
Feel sorry for Uruguay they are in for a long tournament of just getting utterly whipped without much prospect of even having a tight game due to the nature of the group.
I think Wales will put out their strongest side. I know it'll mean that we'll essentially be putting out our first choice side in all four pool games (maybe a few changes here and there), but we need to hit the ground running against England, and giving the side a good run-out v Uruguay is therefore important imo. The intensity won't be there from Uruguay, so injuries should be unlikely.
There's a few areas of interest regarding selection. Is Gatland considering a Warbs+Tips backrow against England? Selection for this game might hint at what he's planning. Who's our first choice 9? Gareth Davies is my bet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the three start v England, thus in this game too. Has Cuthbert been given his last chance? Has Ken Owens done enough in the warm-ups to start ahead of Scott Baldwin? I was underwhelmed with Owens, he's usually more accurate with his throwing, and more involved in the loose. That could have opened the door for Baldwin to start.
This is what I'd pick:
01 Gethin Jenkins
02 Scott Baldwin
03 Samson Lee
04 Luke Charteris
05 Alun-Wyn Jones
06 Sam Warburton
07 Justin Tipuric
08 Taulupe Faletau
09 Gareth Davies
10 Dan Biggar
11 Eli Walker
12 Jamie Roberts
13 Scott Williams
14 George North
15 Liam Williams
16 Ken Owens
17 Paul James
18 Tomas Francis
19 Bradley Davies
20 Dan Lydiate
21 Mike Phillips
22 Rhys Priestland
23 Matthew Morgan/Halam Amos.
I think Wales will put out their strongest side. I know it'll mean that we'll essentially be putting out our first choice side in all four pool games (maybe a few changes here and there), but we need to hit the ground running against England, and giving the side a good run-out v Uruguay is therefore important imo. The intensity won't be there from Uruguay, so injuries should be unlikely.
There's a few areas of interest regarding selection. Is Gatland considering a Warbs+Tips backrow against England? Selection for this game might hint at what he's planning. Who's our first choice 9? Gareth Davies is my bet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the three start v England, thus in this game too. Has Cuthbert been given his last chance? Has Ken Owens done enough in the warm-ups to start ahead of Scott Baldwin? I was underwhelmed with Owens, he's usually more accurate with his throwing, and more involved in the loose. That could have opened the door for Baldwin to start.
This is what I'd pick:
01 Gethin Jenkins
02 Scott Baldwin
03 Samson Lee
04 Luke Charteris
05 Alun-Wyn Jones
06 Sam Warburton
07 Justin Tipuric
08 Taulupe Faletau
09 Gareth Davies
10 Dan Biggar
11 Eli Walker
12 Jamie Roberts
13 Scott Williams
14 George North
15 Liam Williams
16 Ken Owens
17 Paul James
18 Tomas Francis
19 Bradley Davies
20 Dan Lydiate
21 Mike Phillips
22 Rhys Priestland
23 Matthew Morgan/Halam Amos.
My problem with having tips on the bench is, what's the point if we're too far behind by this time he comes on? Whilst having impact off the bench is important, our best players need to be starting imo, and someone of the quality of Tipuric needs to be on the field from the start. He's got the potential to be THE best openside in the world given his all round skillset. We should have him starting, and look to start games with a bang.
Whilst I wouldn't describe Lydiate as an impact sub, what he can offer off the bench is a ferocity in defence, someone who can come off the bench and defend a lead.
Re Phillips. I think Gatland has altered his stacking patterns based on Webb at 9, hence Phillips' absence from the initial WC squad. So I think we'll see Gareth or Lloyd as first choice, potentially with Phillips coming off the bench. I don't see Phillips leapfrogging both into first choice.
With respect Mojopin, an 'explosive' 'game changer' would hardly be my first choice of words to describe Dan Lydiate! I think I know what you mean though..