6N's! Wales V Italy! Do you think by choosing Rhys Thomas over Adam Jones may backfire? Italy forwards are...

Question

very good!

Answer 1

Relax. Gats, knows a thing or two about the front row. He was once a world class front rower, I doubt he has overlooked anything.

You will be fine as long as you fire up early and get on top of them, stay in their face and let them know they are in for a thumping right from the first whistle.

Italy have come a long way, but aren't known for playing the full 80, particularly when behind on points. Early points through smart field position and clinical set pieces with no errors is all that is needed. Will be a good chance to really hammer the defence sets for the full 80, can't let Italy get comfortable or even dream of competing - no room for loose open play and no prisoners taken. Crush them in the first 20 and play hard but smart for the rest of the game.

Answer 2

personally he is no fool and he is basically telling adam jones your position is not guaranteed and saying to thomas here is your chance and of course telling us that its all playing and testing.  so he's in a win win position.

I think thomas will raise his game and i hope wales win of course.

Answer 3

It really could Thomas was pushed around by SA earlier in the year and the Italians will be just as tough if not tougher

Answer 4

hard to tell, Adam Jones would have seemed more appropriate given his size but Rhys Thomas is no pushover.

Think it'll be a pretty convincing win for Wales though :)

Answer 5

I think Italy will come out guns blazing to try and get a win, but I think Gatland has done well so far with his decisions. A few have been surprising but they have worked. As someone else just said, Thomas can always be replaced , personally I would have rather  had Adam to start. Nevermind , hopefully we'll get another win under our belts!!!!!

COME ON WALES!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Dosent mater Wales will win this quite easly i recon.

Answer 7

Everything Warren's done so far has raised an eye brow or two ?!?!

But he has my entire confidence!!!

The Azurri forwards are good Whoever we put up against them.

If we keep the ball away from their forwards we nulify their advantage!!

We've Never played a forward based game!! So quick ball out to the backs and our running style will win it !!

Answer 8

i am 50/50 on this,jones more experienced but we must bring on the youngsters.WALES 35PTS- 15PTS ITALY.

Answer 9

it may backfire but we do need to find someone who can scrummage on that side. All the best props in Wales play on the otherside of the scrum; Gethin Jenkins, Iestyn Thomas, Duncan Jones so we need to try more options if Adam is injured. I think playing Rhys Thomas from the start against one of the best front rows in the world may be too risky and I would prefer to see him come on for the last twenty minutes if we were safe by then but he can be replaced if he's struggling.

Answer 10

The Italy coach is very astute.and their confidence is going to be up after their last two more than decent performances...They will be looking for their first win, and who knows - they probably have a more than even chance..but hey hoo..we are not the best team in he world quite yet so any expectations on our part are silly..Fairly relaxed about the rest of the tournament tbh.

Don't really mind if gatland uses it to experiment.

Answer 11

i think wales will win because they have a much better backline however i see the italian forwards being very competitive against wales

Answer 12

I don't have a 'problem' (concern yes, doubts yes) with RT at 3, i do have HUGE concerns about there being no tight-head on the bench and the fact that Geth is our cover at tighty :(

Italy have 2 world class front rows, and in the second half if we are not clean and clear, we could end up with no set piece ball.

Gat is a top coach though, so I trust in him. Doesn't mean we shouldn't question him LOL.

Answer 13

Warren Gatland is the Rugby equivalent of Jose Mourinho. He's mercurial, makes unusual decisions but always seems to get it right. I trust his judgment.

Answer 14

The Coach has exceeded expectations to date and we can only hope that this ploy will prove successful. However, Italy have shown how good they are upfront and it will take a good Welsh team to beat them.