Blame Welsh rugby in general. All those committee men who don’t want change. The disbanded national academy in 2015. Which idiot had the casting vote on that one? What were they thinking!
Hi Christian, Good news Toby is back. Totally agree with you the squad have only trained 5 times, exactly what Alex Cuthbert said. Lets see what happens on Saturday, being Welsh I'm going for a win. My self I still don't think Warren Gatland is at fault here, I still blame the WRU. Doesn't matter if we change the coach we will still be in the same boat, it's a new team and only trained 5 times for the six nations. Lets wait and see.................... Catch you soon mate take care
Hi mate, yeah, great to see Toby back. I think you’re right that a lot of the blame lies at the feet of the WRU, but I think a lot of it also has to fall at Warren Gatlin’s desk too. It’s a whole mess 😂 Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst as always, mate. Hope you’re keeping well enjoy the game.
He hasn't exactly got world class talent to choose from. I'm not implying he shouldn't take responsibility but he's hardly inherited a team as good as the 2008 squad. Alot of that 08 squad went on the 09 lions tour. There's no welsh player good enough to challenge for a lions shirt this tour.
We don't have the players to win the tournament, but we definitely have the players to win a few games and be competitive in 3/5 matches. I don't get people's point of view on this, in that for almost all the greatest coaches in all sports, there comes a time when it just stops working. (Look at Guardiola in football), it doesn't mean that Gatland isn't a good coach and it definitely shouldn't affect his legacy, but sometimes you just need a new voice, with no associations or baggage. Gatland sounds totally deflated in interviews, on a different level obviously, but just look at the difference in the Ospreys, Toby Booth sounded depressed in every interview and the performance of the players reflected that, in 6 weeks, same players, the performance are transformed.
I've got a hunch Wales will take it, hopefully we will see some attacking rugby get some confidence back they really are not a bad side it's got to come through surely 🙏. I just wish Gats would give Dan Edwards a start let's throw caution to the wind.
Great video as always - I think Wales will sneak it but Ben Thomas is an odd one at 10 again ....looking forward to seeing what Eddie James can do though - suprised at Faletau given his lack of game time but he must be fit enough if they choose him. Thought the front five did well against France so glad they have not changed anything.
Thanks, Dewi👍🏼 Yeah, agreed about Thomas and I am also looking forward to seeing James. As for Faletau he’s proven time after time that as long as he’s fit, he still got the quality even if he’s lacked in game time
Thanks for the vid Christian. Alas, I’m so frustrated. Much the same side. Italy are a good team and underestimate them = no respect. I here 14 losses in a row coming
The team on paper should be good enough to win, Italy have improved and will be very tough, put simply if we lack attack like last week we will lose, the other problem is Wales will be desperate to win and that could have a negative effect, cannot understand why Roberts was not playing and Ben does not look comfortable at 10, but there we are, I don't want us to lose, but I think we will, Gatland calls lately have been all over the place and I just don't get it, I know the boys will give it their all and some sunshine will do them the power of good, but I'm not confident of a win and neither are the team.
Yeah, you’re right, mate. You can have a question the heart of the players, but I do question whether the Gatlands heart is in it. Everything seems scattergun and it changes from block to block. Still no idea what he’s trying to do and as I’ve always maintained the same as you, Ben Thomas is not a 10
I hyped myself up to watch the France game again (I should get a life but …) and to my surprise I found a bit more to be positive about despite the awful score. Once I got over the emotional angst of the first viewing I was hoping that I could look more objectively- the set pieces were solid, the defence looked sound- 4 tries were off the wing, which suggests that the centre held. That pack of French beasts failed on all but a couple of occasions to dominate our scrum. (Let’s not talk about the referee).The attack- still not much there but I’m hopeful of a competitive and dare I say victorious outing in Rome. I can see the eyes rolling now…. And we might keep losing….until the day we don’t. Cymru Ambeth.
Fairplay Cassandra, I can’t fault your dedication and love the positive attitude👌🏼 I really do hope you’re right and we can make a real big improvement from last weekend. No matter what we always support the boys🏴
Ironically given the score line against france wales defence did look organised and hard working.. the set piece especially the scrum looked solid considering how weak its looked previously yet held its own against one of the biggest and powerful pack in world rugby so goes to show just how effective a quality coach can do when brought in like adam jones who in a week seemed to work miracles with welsh scrum which i thought was going to be demolished against french scrum.. lineout also functioned so against possibly 2nd best team in the world wales had a solid platform to work from giving them plenty of opportunities to play in attack.. and there lies the biggest concern for wales in my opinion? Attack!! .. the welsh attack was as uninspiring and predictable as it gets .. the only possitves from the attack that only seemed to go latteral from touchline to touchline was the continuity of ball retention in contact leading to multiphase play at times 20 plus phases with zero turnovers against a well organised french defence that looks for jackle opportunity.. but no ground is made when welsh attack is only latteral making no ground.. its painful to watch how predictable it was and that is on howley no one else.. adam jones has to stay involved cos of huge scrum improvement , defense ok but wales desperately need a quality forward thinking attack coach including intricate set plays introduced because wales look like the easiest team to defend against by a country mile..
Yeah, really good assessment. Unfortunately, I think everyone’s to blame the coaches are setting up the players to fail but if you watched Squidge’s video his analysis shows just how poor Wales players off the ball too which makes it so easy for defenders to read the attack If you haven’t seen it, go and check it out you’ll enjoy it 👍🏼
@TheWelshSportsPodcast yes i watched that squidge vid today and youre right it was dissapointing to see how players off the ball made it easy for france to predict and defend against by welsh players not at the very least holding up hands to at least look like are about to recieve the ball which is lazy and poor cos as we know any effective attack play also adds deception to that attack to hold and commit defensive players for other attacking players to exploit. Ire do deception so well during their attacking plays.. im not happy with howley though and squidge vid did expose warren ball plays in place which we simply cannot resort to as its so predictable and old hat.. im sick of metioning how desperate wales are for a quality accurate 10 who is brave enough and has the vision to mix things up like biggar did whose little intricate chips over top into space of an organised rush defence including high ball to put pressure on fullback which biggar did so well and mostly regathered his own kick resulting in 20 plus metres gained for wales to set up another attck.. those plays by biggar was a fine art and needs to be included into welsh attack or pick up and goes by the forwards around the rucks when in possession to keep a defence honest and commit their forwards to create more space out wide .. but all wales did against france after contact was to spin ball straight out phase after phase 20 plus times resulting in going nowhere but touchline to touchline resulting in france not over commiting after contact cos they knew wales would spin ball straight out allowing france to flood the field of play with defenders.. its worryingly predictable and seeing that gats has had more than enough time we still look to offer nothing in atrack of serious note.. interestingly there was one paticulour play that wales got in behind france down the touchline and the inter passing by wales was great to see with just good old fashioned on the shoulder support play popping the ball in and out of contact which wales look just so natural in that environment.. but getting in behind teams is the problem and thats why overly structured play doesnt suit Wales.. lets be honest the reason gats was successful with wales last time wasnt cos of lighting up defences with brilliant plays it was cos we had an incredible defence due to edwards and enough big ball carriers including in midfield to cause damage and win collisions and gainline playing a structured game plan.. that will not work today.. we need a differant approach to get in behind a defence to at least give wales the opportunity to play an attack that suits them with tempo.. easier said and done i know.. the constant reshuffling players in and out of match day squad isnt helping either especially at 10 and players out of position.. apologies long reply
Should have picked. Edwards 10 James 12 Roberts 13. Would have brought Mee in as Well to add some pace to our back there. Thomas still on the bench after getting a yellow card Assaratti came on gave pens away. Rowland was terrible again.
I knew Gatland would persist with Thomas at 10 and Tompkins at 13 with Adams and Williams at wing and fullback. Another damage limitation team setup with no ambition to attack which is ultimately destined for us to fail again. How do people keep blaming the players when it's clearly Gatland and Howley holding them back massively with their dinosaur tactics. Another agonising 80 minutes awaits for us
Yeah, I still can’t wrap my head around people defending Gatland. Not only the record speak for itself, but the fact that there’s been a marked decline in the performances
I never thought I'd say or want this but I hope we get absolutely spanked this WE. It would force the WRU into sacking this woefully inept coaching team. Their selection is baffling and outright ignorant.
I would love to see this coaching staff go too. They just stubborn and outdated but I still hope we get the win for the players to get some reward for all the hard work they’ve put in. Even if we win Saturday, we won’t win any other games so hopefully they will still sack the coach😬
They got smashed against France and he’s kept more or less the same side!! Not one attacking pass was thrown from our back line but yet one change and that was through injury 🤯🤯
One thing I'll say, make the most of seeing Faletau in a Welsh jersey. This will be his last 6 Nations and potentially last test match given his blighted injury record over the last 4 or 5 years.
What we need is a win, never mind the performance aspect, so it would have been good to see Anscombe, Teddy Williams and Llewelyn. Toby’s got the experience but his best now is not his best from 3 yrs ago. And I agree : Tompkins is a good club player, but he’s not an X factor player to go up against Menoncello. The italians are going to target the midfield, with the centres they’ve got, and I can see them getting the upper hand there on saturday. Negri & Lamaro as ball carriers; we need the equivalent, if not more. Omg, we so need to start well, psychological edge, and close the game out in the last 20. And prefer the 3 points above kicks to the corner if the rolling maul is not doing too well
Yes, spot on and I really love your point about taking the three while they’re on offer. We can’t break teams down yet they’re insistent on turning down three points and going for the try. We need to just start taking on offer and building up scoreboard pressure that way.
Nice video Christian but i do feel that T.Flaetau's selection is more of a wing and prayer from Gatland than anything based on merit i think his selection actually weakens the Welsh backrow Overall Gatland has had to pick players that did ok last week [sounds very funny saying that after Wales got a 43-0 drubbing ]As his initial squad selection was so weak.. I would like to say Wales have a victory But realistically i don't see that even as a slim possibility Italy have to many proven class players throughout their entire team While Wales are very reliant on aging players Who are not as good as they once where Italy will [unfortunately] win quite easily by 12 points minimum
Thank you mate 👍🏼Yeah, I completely get your point Dave. to be honest that’s my feelings about Toby’s selection but I have seen him enough times come back from injury and be instantly top quality. The doubt for me is his body handle it 😬
I don't see any coaches names being mentioned as successors to gatlan change for changes sake is pointless and historically proven to be so,it does vindicate the previous coach Pivac to some extent ,we have seen this in the past with the great side of the seventies ,there were many occasions when we couldn't buy a win,I remember Wales being thrashed by Scottish and Irish sides when they themselves were struggling and of course England and France,we had a great run right through the last decade under Gatlan he does love working with the Welsh team and seams to enjoy being in Wales that's a big plus,and I don't see any world class coach putting up their hand to take the job over.
Not unexpected - so glad to see eddie james in there, would love to have seen roberts or max out side of him. I would have also preferred Dan edwards starting but I guess theres some consistency in there. I would have called up morgan morse , I feel its a risk putting toby in without much current rugby under his belt -big ask of him. Lastly i would have started murry not adams and maybe hathway on bench
Yeah, that’s fair. I would’ve loved to have seen Max in this game. I think that would’ve been a great battle and I would’ve also like to see Edwards in the team. I would hundred percent keep Adams though , didn’t have his best game against France, but he will be better in this game no doubt
It's just 10 and 13 now that bother me now (out of the available squad). Edwards at 10, Thomas at 12 and James at 13 I think is actually pretty good. Tompkins should be nowhere near the 23.
Not picking Llywen for the national team gets worse and worse with theese odd square peg round hole center combonations gatland is making up seemingly on the spot.
No idea why he keeps playing Tompkins out of position. I get he likes a big 12 but he should have just chucked Joe Roberts in at 13. We're likely to lose anyway so why not roll the dice.
The Selection is still wrong the Best Front Row is on the Bench and the No1 Fly half in Wales 🏴 is also benched no place for Tommy Refell I’m not surprised
Menoncello and Brex look unstoppable when they get their grove on, but best of luck Wales👍 Why no Max Llewelyn? Or Rio Dyer? Looks like Wales will be kicking then?
Yeah Menoncello is absolute quality to be fair. I really do love the way he plays. The partnership can really cause Wales to issues. No idea why Llewelyn isn’t involved. It’s a real head scratcher 🤷🏻♂️
the England loss against Ireland lifted my spirits a little bit for some reason, if the boys can sneak it against Italy it will be a good effort against worthy opponents
Great stuff as usual Christian, thanks. It is true that Gatlanf WAS a truly world class coach……he just isn’t one NOW. I don’t wish any malice toward the man, I feel kinda sorry for him. It’s like a player who’s doing his best but isn’t really up to it. The blame lies with the people who keep putting him out there despite the obvious. It must be said tho, that Gatland is a ruthless professional who will cast players aside without remorse if it suits him. So maybe considering his salary he doesn’t need that much pity😝. Yes, the WRU suck! Yes the game is shot to bits from top to bottom! And yes, no one can wave a magic wand and polish a turd. BUT I’m convinced that a country with 4 professional rugby teams, and regular exposure to top quality competition doesn’t have to be this shit! Australia were in the same boat as us 12 months ago, but have pulled themselves out of it with astute appointments. France have massively underachieved in the past, but have only converted their wealth of talent into sustained success because the right men were appointed at the top. Fiji have players spread out all over the globe and come together like an invitation side for internationals……but they beat the likes of us because their coaching staff understand how to maximise their talent. Benetton are well funded, but realistically Italy don’t have the playing resources that we do, but they’re better than us! The WRU takes a LOT of money off fans for the privilege of supporting Wales. There has to be some justification for their salaries at some point.
Yeah, really great comment Rob. Your points are so true across the board. I like you wish the man no ill will but his days have gone as a top quality coach Your point about Australia is one that I think is really important. How quickly they managed to turn it around just by getting the right coach in is quite eye-opening and should serve as a bit of a blueprint to the idiots that run the game in Wales.
Should have Picked. Rogers Max Mee Roberts James Williams Faletau Morgan Morse Plumtrre Jenkins Thomas Parry Smith. Subs Thomas Dee John Williams Basham Williams Thomas Adams.
Ben Thomas is not a centre, and based on 1 game he's not a 10 either, at international level. Tomos Williams is too slow and we need a bigger and more dynamic 9. Tompkins is doing what he does badly, so we are so weak in the midfield. Howleys useless tactics mean he should be the first to be fired, but Gatland will never turn on him. So they will all go if they lose on Saturday, after the 6N we will need a whole new team. But the WRU will not pick the best coach. I dunno I feel like its all futile tbh. Welsh rugby in such a mess across the board, it makes little difference anyway.
Is fair to say things are pretty bleak at the moment but look how quickly Australia have managed to turn things around. They were in a very similar position to us less than a year ago.
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastwell let's hope they can put thus right on Saturday Christian. Hopefully faleteu will create a bit more go forward in the carry, drag defenders into the ruck and allow us to add some deception in the back line. Not convinced at 10 with Ben Thomas being a better 12 but let's get behind the boys and keep our fingers crossed.
He’s having a good season to be fair to him. I still think he makes some bad defensive decisions and I think Rogers is one of the few shining lights in that attack at the moment and for me, I’d still find it really difficult to drop Josh Adams. Wasn’t at his best against France, but he still at top class operator.
Isn’t doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result the sign of madness ?. Had OW been available, he would have undoubtedly been selected. Cant see this backline doing anything different from last week.
The selection is awful again our backrow is so undersized we'll get smashed again, and Thomas at 10 doesn't work Gatland and the coaching staff need to go how much more embarrassment do we have to take i didnt watch the French game because i new what the score was going to be and We won't beat Italy either
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastyes have to agree with you re both, I know Grady is injured but I feel that Ben will come good, just like his father Pat he is a 100% committed, ok different sports but hes got guts, think he will try to play a bit and get the big Italian backs running around then bring on Edward's to finish the job with Ben replacing Tompkins! Especially if the pack plays like last week! Glass half full as always!
Sorry to say a narrow win by Wales would be the worst possible outcome. i am not being negative but i think that 5 or 4 heavy heavy defeats may drive change in the WRU and let be honest we need that - too many times the 'sticking plaster solution' has negated the need for change in the Welsh rugby structure.
From bad to worse a fly half that does not play that position for his region and a back row that's too small for internationals.We all know there are better Welsh players out there,Mr Garland picking his favourites again.
I think its sh1t or bust for wales, i think theyl go for it and let loose, same with England, can see them both winning, it would make the championship more interesting, especially if the scots can beat ireland👍
Unfortunately im going to be very negative again. Tompkins at 13 isnt going to work, He cant tackle and give us no forward ball and Thomas at 10 again ... Its obviously not working why does Gatland keep thinking it will?? Howleys attacking shapes and tatics are worse than the previous attacking coach .... Another area we are going back in. We need all the luck in the world and even then we need to be at our best. Id love to see Wales win but im not confident at all. Italy but 10. But Gatland and his best friend Howley still need to go after the 6Ns. Also if Wales lose to Italy and Georgia Beat Netherlands this week Georgia will go above us in the world ranks.
Yeah, I agree with everything you’ve said, Richard. It’s hard not to be negative when we’re in the current situation that we are. Yeah, I read that Georgia thing. Very depressing😂
If we play like we did last week Italy will beat us ,, again , ( I hate to say it but ) I feel Italy are now slightly better than wales 😢, there’s no urgency with wales we are very lazy and pretty clueless in the way of creating chances, no1 is running at angles to get over gainlines,,, if we get wooden spoon gats gotta go it’s as simple as that , he done so well in our GS years and robbed of WCF but there only so much a man can do with the players we got and the players he picked ,,, seems we are losing the sprit of the game for some reason ,, the 90s team were better than this one
Why Rowlands it's clear to me dafydd Jenkins is never international level it baffles me how he's picked there's several better at the ospreys it's just that Jenkins plays in England he assumed to be at international level
Can’t say I agree with you about Daf Jenkins. Get through a mountain of work in every performance and you need players like that to do the jobs that no one else does
Didn't think I'd ever say this, but I hope we lose against Italy, so that Gatts will have to go, and definitely, the so called attack coach, Howley, and then I personally hope that Pat Lam , gets the job of head coach.
For me Rowlands is easily the best lock, that’s why he’s Gatland’s first choice in that position. Older now but was a great find for Wales. IMO constantly blaming a coach is dumb. Gat’s is a proven world class coach, now working with a team in transition. Pivac was already throw under a bus and that achieved what? Shut up and let Gatland get on with it!
Gutland once was world-class yes but for me the game has passing by. Granted, the players aren’t as good as he once had and they have to shoulder some of the blame. But to see a coach lose 13 games in a row and say let him get on with it is also very dumb in my opinion.
@ Three games in the last 6 nations could have gone either way. Namely England Scotland and Italy. IMO Wales are not as way off as the results look. Who’s out there to do better and it’s disruptive to continually call for him to be sacked! Pivac was binned for similar reasons, it’s got the team nowhere!
Look at where Australia were before Joe Schmidt came in. Practically the laughing stock of international rugby Looking like they bouncing back to compete at the top table again. a lot can change in a short space of time with some new ideas
@ I get it but that didn’t work in Wayne Pivac’s case. Gatland could be on the way to building a really sound squad and we’ll ruin that by chopping off the progress. I do understand the counter arguments though. I suppose I haven’t lost faith in him. 😂😂🏴🏴🏉🏉
Come on Wales make us proud 😢
It's absolutely heartbreaking
No,no,no!!!! Edwards 10 and max L 13 FFS .....JUST FUCKIN GO FOR IT MUNN 🫣😡
agree. would have been the perfect opportunity to get max in
Louis Hennesy and Eddie James in centre, Max Lewellyn and Hathaway on wing, Tom Rogers full back.
Blame Welsh rugby in general. All those committee men who don’t want change. The disbanded national academy in 2015. Which idiot had the casting vote on that one? What were they thinking!
Yeah agree mate. Empty suits running the game. I think Rodger Lewis was the one who got rid of the academy. Clown
Hi Christian, Good news Toby is back. Totally agree with you the squad have only trained 5 times, exactly what Alex Cuthbert said. Lets see what happens on Saturday, being Welsh I'm going for a win. My self I still don't think Warren Gatland is at fault here, I still blame the WRU. Doesn't matter if we change the coach we will still be in the same boat, it's a new team and only trained 5 times for the six nations. Lets wait and see....................
Catch you soon mate take care
Hi mate, yeah, great to see Toby back. I think you’re right that a lot of the blame lies at the feet of the WRU, but I think a lot of it also has to fall at Warren Gatlin’s desk too. It’s a whole mess 😂
Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst as always, mate. Hope you’re keeping well enjoy the game.
I genuinely dont get why so many fans act like Gatland should take no responsibility for results when he's the head coach.
Yeah, I can’t wrap my head around it either, mate. Very strange.
Lack of world class talent can't be blamed on Gatland. We said Pivac was a bad coach when he wasn't
He was just dealing with an ageing team.
He hasn't exactly got world class talent to choose from.
I'm not implying he shouldn't take responsibility but he's hardly inherited a team as good as the 2008 squad. Alot of that 08 squad went on the 09 lions tour. There's no welsh player good enough to challenge for a lions shirt this tour.
We don't have the players to win the tournament, but we definitely have the players to win a few games and be competitive in 3/5 matches. I don't get people's point of view on this, in that for almost all the greatest coaches in all sports, there comes a time when it just stops working. (Look at Guardiola in football), it doesn't mean that Gatland isn't a good coach and it definitely shouldn't affect his legacy, but sometimes you just need a new voice, with no associations or baggage. Gatland sounds totally deflated in interviews, on a different level obviously, but just look at the difference in the Ospreys, Toby Booth sounded depressed in every interview and the performance of the players reflected that, in 6 weeks, same players, the performance are transformed.
Yeah, I’m not asking him to go and win a Grand Slam. I’m asking him not to lose 14 games in a row 🤷🏻♂️
This will be an exciting game and I hope we win 🏴
Yeah I agree
At the risk of sounding horribly negative, I rather hope we don’t win. I’m completely convinced that we cannot improve with Gats and Howley in charge.
Good balanced review as always 👍🏼
Cheers 🤙🏼
Thanks
Thank you David 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
What’s your feeling for the game tomorrow?
I've got a hunch Wales will take it, hopefully we will see some attacking rugby get some confidence back they really are not a bad side it's got to come through surely 🙏. I just wish Gats would give Dan Edwards a start let's throw caution to the wind.
Nice one Christian great video again mate not sure I’m looking forward to post match video tho
Cheers Adrian. Hopefully is a happy one for a change 😂👀
How the hell is Tompkins playing I really don’t understand
Me either Rob. I’ve never understood his selection for Wales
Great video as always - I think Wales will sneak it but Ben Thomas is an odd one at 10 again ....looking forward to seeing what Eddie James can do though - suprised at Faletau given his lack of game time but he must be fit enough if they choose him. Thought the front five did well against France so glad they have not changed anything.
Thanks, Dewi👍🏼
Yeah, agreed about Thomas and I am also looking forward to seeing James. As for Faletau he’s proven time after time that as long as he’s fit, he still got the quality even if he’s lacked in game time
Thanks for the vid Christian. Alas, I’m so frustrated. Much the same side. Italy are a good team and underestimate them = no respect. I here 14 losses in a row coming
Cheers V I hope not my friend. I can’t stomach many more losses 🥹
The team on paper should be good enough to win, Italy have improved and will be very tough, put simply if we lack attack like last week we will lose, the other problem is Wales will be desperate to win and that could have a negative effect, cannot understand why Roberts was not playing and Ben does not look comfortable at 10, but there we are, I don't want us to lose, but I think we will, Gatland calls lately have been all over the place and I just don't get it, I know the boys will give it their all and some sunshine will do them the power of good, but I'm not confident of a win and neither are the team.
Yeah, you’re right, mate. You can have a question the heart of the players, but I do question whether the Gatlands heart is in it. Everything seems scattergun and it changes from block to block. Still no idea what he’s trying to do and as I’ve always maintained the same as you, Ben Thomas is not a 10
PAT LAM IS ONLY OVER THE BRIDGE
I hyped myself up to watch the France game again (I should get a life but …) and to my surprise I found a bit more to be positive about despite the awful score. Once I got over the emotional angst of the first viewing I was hoping that I could look more objectively- the set pieces were solid, the defence looked sound- 4 tries were off the wing, which suggests that the centre held. That pack of French beasts failed on all but a couple of occasions to dominate our scrum. (Let’s not talk about the referee).The attack- still not much there but I’m hopeful of a competitive and dare I say victorious outing in Rome. I can see the eyes rolling now…. And we might keep losing….until the day we don’t. Cymru Ambeth.
Fairplay Cassandra, I can’t fault your dedication and love the positive attitude👌🏼 I really do hope you’re right and we can make a real big improvement from last weekend. No matter what we always support the boys🏴
@
We will 🐦🔥
Ironically given the score line against france wales defence did look organised and hard working.. the set piece especially the scrum looked solid considering how weak its looked previously yet held its own against one of the biggest and powerful pack in world rugby so goes to show just how effective a quality coach can do when brought in like adam jones who in a week seemed to work miracles with welsh scrum which i thought was going to be demolished against french scrum.. lineout also functioned so against possibly 2nd best team in the world wales had a solid platform to work from giving them plenty of opportunities to play in attack.. and there lies the biggest concern for wales in my opinion? Attack!! .. the welsh attack was as uninspiring and predictable as it gets .. the only possitves from the attack that only seemed to go latteral from touchline to touchline was the continuity of ball retention in contact leading to multiphase play at times 20 plus phases with zero turnovers against a well organised french defence that looks for jackle opportunity.. but no ground is made when welsh attack is only latteral making no ground.. its painful to watch how predictable it was and that is on howley no one else.. adam jones has to stay involved cos of huge scrum improvement , defense ok but wales desperately need a quality forward thinking attack coach including intricate set plays introduced because wales look like the easiest team to defend against by a country mile..
Yeah, really good assessment. Unfortunately, I think everyone’s to blame the coaches are setting up the players to fail but if you watched Squidge’s video his analysis shows just how poor Wales players off the ball too which makes it so easy for defenders to read the attack
If you haven’t seen it, go and check it out you’ll enjoy it 👍🏼
@TheWelshSportsPodcast yes i watched that squidge vid today and youre right it was dissapointing to see how players off the ball made it easy for france to predict and defend against by welsh players not at the very least holding up hands to at least look like are about to recieve the ball which is lazy and poor cos as we know any effective attack play also adds deception to that attack to hold and commit defensive players for other attacking players to exploit. Ire do deception so well during their attacking plays.. im not happy with howley though and squidge vid did expose warren ball plays in place which we simply cannot resort to as its so predictable and old hat.. im sick of metioning how desperate wales are for a quality accurate 10 who is brave enough and has the vision to mix things up like biggar did whose little intricate chips over top into space of an organised rush defence including high ball to put pressure on fullback which biggar did so well and mostly regathered his own kick resulting in 20 plus metres gained for wales to set up another attck.. those plays by biggar was a fine art and needs to be included into welsh attack or pick up and goes by the forwards around the rucks when in possession to keep a defence honest and commit their forwards to create more space out wide .. but all wales did against france after contact was to spin ball straight out phase after phase 20 plus times resulting in going nowhere but touchline to touchline resulting in france not over commiting after contact cos they knew wales would spin ball straight out allowing france to flood the field of play with defenders.. its worryingly predictable and seeing that gats has had more than enough time we still look to offer nothing in atrack of serious note.. interestingly there was one paticulour play that wales got in behind france down the touchline and the inter passing by wales was great to see with just good old fashioned on the shoulder support play popping the ball in and out of contact which wales look just so natural in that environment.. but getting in behind teams is the problem and thats why overly structured play doesnt suit Wales.. lets be honest the reason gats was successful with wales last time wasnt cos of lighting up defences with brilliant plays it was cos we had an incredible defence due to edwards and enough big ball carriers including in midfield to cause damage and win collisions and gainline playing a structured game plan.. that will not work today.. we need a differant approach to get in behind a defence to at least give wales the opportunity to play an attack that suits them with tempo.. easier said and done i know.. the constant reshuffling players in and out of match day squad isnt helping either especially at 10 and players out of position.. apologies long reply
Should have picked. Edwards 10 James 12 Roberts 13. Would have brought Mee in as Well to add some pace to our back there. Thomas still on the bench after getting a yellow card Assaratti came on gave pens away. Rowland was terrible again.
Be nice to have Reece Webb again for this game, he took us to victory 2 years ago in Cardiff against Italy.
serving a 4 year ban that in all reality has ended his career.
Still our scrum looked better!😊
😁😁
I knew Gatland would persist with Thomas at 10 and Tompkins at 13 with Adams and Williams at wing and fullback. Another damage limitation team setup with no ambition to attack which is ultimately destined for us to fail again. How do people keep blaming the players when it's clearly Gatland and Howley holding them back massively with their dinosaur tactics. Another agonising 80 minutes awaits for us
Well said
Yeah, I still can’t wrap my head around people defending Gatland. Not only the record speak for itself, but the fact that there’s been a marked decline in the performances
I never thought I'd say or want this but I hope we get absolutely spanked this WE. It would force the WRU into sacking this woefully inept coaching team. Their selection is baffling and outright ignorant.
I would love to see this coaching staff go too. They just stubborn and outdated but I still hope we get the win for the players to get some reward for all the hard work they’ve put in. Even if we win Saturday, we won’t win any other games so hopefully they will still sack the coach😬
I think Nick Tompkins is a decent club player and internationally against lesser nations but he is not big enough or good enough against top sides.
Yeah agreed
They got smashed against France and he’s kept more or less the same side!! Not one attacking pass was thrown from our back line but yet one change and that was through injury 🤯🤯
The definition of insanity mate😂🤷🏻♂️
One thing I'll say, make the most of seeing Faletau in a Welsh jersey. This will be his last 6 Nations and potentially last test match given his blighted injury record over the last 4 or 5 years.
🥹🥹🥹
What we need is a win, never mind the performance aspect, so it would have been good to see Anscombe, Teddy Williams and Llewelyn.
Toby’s got the experience but his best now is not his best from 3 yrs ago. And I agree : Tompkins is a good club player, but he’s not an X factor player to go up against Menoncello. The italians are going to target the midfield, with the centres they’ve got, and I can see them getting the upper hand there on saturday. Negri & Lamaro as ball carriers; we need the equivalent, if not more.
Omg, we so need to start well, psychological edge, and close the game out in the last 20. And prefer the 3 points above kicks to the corner if the rolling maul is not doing too well
Yes, spot on and I really love your point about taking the three while they’re on offer. We can’t break teams down yet they’re insistent on turning down three points and going for the try. We need to just start taking on offer and building up scoreboard pressure that way.
I’m sort of worried for this young Welsh side against top notch fit as hell New Zealand teams or South African teams
Me too
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Why lets take one step at a time
Nice video Christian but i do feel that T.Flaetau's selection is more of a wing and prayer from Gatland than anything based on merit i think his selection actually weakens the Welsh backrow Overall Gatland has had to pick players that did ok last week [sounds very funny saying that after Wales got a 43-0 drubbing ]As his initial squad selection was so weak.. I would like to say Wales have a victory But realistically i don't see that even as a slim possibility Italy have to many proven class players throughout their entire team While Wales are very reliant on aging players Who are not as good as they once where Italy will [unfortunately] win quite easily by 12 points minimum
Thank you mate 👍🏼Yeah, I completely get your point Dave. to be honest that’s my feelings about Toby’s selection but I have seen him enough times come back from injury and be instantly top quality. The doubt for me is his body handle it 😬
Nice one Christian
🤙🏼thanks for watching
I don't see any coaches names being mentioned as successors to gatlan change for changes sake is pointless and historically proven to be so,it does vindicate the previous coach Pivac to some extent ,we have seen this in the past with the great side of the seventies ,there were many occasions when we couldn't buy a win,I remember Wales being thrashed by Scottish and Irish sides when they themselves were struggling and of course England and France,we had a great run right through the last decade under Gatlan he does love working with the Welsh team and seams to enjoy being in Wales that's a big plus,and I don't see any world class coach putting up their hand to take the job over.
Not unexpected - so glad to see eddie james in there, would love to have seen roberts or max out side of him. I would have also preferred Dan edwards starting but I guess theres some consistency in there. I would have called up morgan morse , I feel its a risk putting toby in without much current rugby under his belt -big ask of him. Lastly i would have started murry not adams and maybe hathway on bench
Yeah, that’s fair. I would’ve loved to have seen Max in this game. I think that would’ve been a great battle and I would’ve also like to see Edwards in the team. I would hundred percent keep Adams though , didn’t have his best game against France, but he will be better in this game no doubt
It's just 10 and 13 now that bother me now (out of the available squad).
Edwards at 10, Thomas at 12 and James at 13 I think is actually pretty good.
Tompkins should be nowhere near the 23.
Yeah, Tompkins shouldn’t be in this team to be honest, but gats loves to be stubborn
Not picking Llywen for the national team gets worse and worse with theese odd square peg round hole center combonations gatland is making up seemingly on the spot.
Yeah, hundred percent agree with you mate
Hi Christian, maybe this time, maybe?🤞
Maybe 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Wales to win
Oh hang on
TOMPKINS IS PLAYING
i shall cash out bow thank you
😂😂😂👏🏼
No idea why he keeps playing Tompkins out of position. I get he likes a big 12 but he should have just chucked Joe Roberts in at 13. We're likely to lose anyway so why not roll the dice.
Yeah agreed. They have also played together at club level. Tompkins is overrated to me
Joe Roberts is injured. Even I know that, and I'm exiled in California!
@@garethdavies2538He's not injured. Pretty sure he's been training with the squad this week
He’s definitely not injured, Gareth. Gatland even spoke about him in the press conference.
I think it could end up being an open game, optimistic Wales can do it.
The Selection is still wrong the Best Front Row is on the Bench and the No1 Fly half in Wales 🏴 is also benched no place for Tommy Refell I’m not surprised
Menoncello and Brex look unstoppable when they get their grove on, but best of luck Wales👍
Why no Max Llewelyn? Or Rio Dyer? Looks like Wales will be kicking then?
Yeah Menoncello is absolute quality to be fair. I really do love the way he plays. The partnership can really cause Wales to issues.
No idea why Llewelyn isn’t involved. It’s a real head scratcher 🤷🏻♂️
the England loss against Ireland lifted my spirits a little bit for some reason, if the boys can sneak it against Italy it will be a good effort against worthy opponents
Yeah that could be an interesting end to the competition
Great stuff as usual Christian, thanks. It is true that Gatlanf WAS a truly world class coach……he just isn’t one NOW. I don’t wish any malice toward the man, I feel kinda sorry for him. It’s like a player who’s doing his best but isn’t really up to it. The blame lies with the people who keep putting him out there despite the obvious. It must be said tho, that Gatland is a ruthless professional who will cast players aside without remorse if it suits him. So maybe considering his salary he doesn’t need that much pity😝.
Yes, the WRU suck! Yes the game is shot to bits from top to bottom! And yes, no one can wave a magic wand and polish a turd. BUT I’m convinced that a country with 4 professional rugby teams, and regular exposure to top quality competition doesn’t have to be this shit! Australia were in the same boat as us 12 months ago, but have pulled themselves out of it with astute appointments. France have massively underachieved in the past, but have only converted their wealth of talent into sustained success because the right men were appointed at the top. Fiji have players spread out all over the globe and come together like an invitation side for internationals……but they beat the likes of us because their coaching staff understand how to maximise their talent. Benetton are well funded, but realistically Italy don’t have the playing resources that we do, but they’re better than us!
The WRU takes a LOT of money off fans for the privilege of supporting Wales. There has to be some justification for their salaries at some point.
Yeah, really great comment Rob. Your points are so true across the board. I like you wish the man no ill will but his days have gone as a top quality coach
Your point about Australia is one that I think is really important. How quickly they managed to turn it around just by getting the right coach in is quite eye-opening and should serve as a bit of a blueprint to the idiots that run the game in Wales.
Thanks for taking the time to reply Christian. Keep the great content coming👍🏻
Thanks for taking the time to watch and share your thoughts, mate. I really do appreciate the community on the channel🤙🏼🏴
Lose again Gats Howley Farshaw Humprhries should be sacked like Jenkins was.
Agreed
A proper fresh start
Should have Picked. Rogers Max Mee Roberts James Williams Faletau Morgan Morse Plumtrre Jenkins Thomas Parry Smith. Subs Thomas Dee John Williams Basham Williams Thomas Adams.
Ben Thomas is not a centre, and based on 1 game he's not a 10 either, at international level. Tomos Williams is too slow and we need a bigger and more dynamic 9. Tompkins is doing what he does badly, so we are so weak in the midfield. Howleys useless tactics mean he should be the first to be fired, but Gatland will never turn on him. So they will all go if they lose on Saturday, after the 6N we will need a whole new team. But the WRU will not pick the best coach. I dunno I feel like its all futile tbh. Welsh rugby in such a mess across the board, it makes little difference anyway.
Is fair to say things are pretty bleak at the moment but look how quickly Australia have managed to turn things around. They were in a very similar position to us less than a year ago.
Perhaps we should go for Joe Schmitd if only but let's see what happens tomorrow 🤞.
Attack needs to play much flatter and the forwards need to get over the gain line far more for us to win. I am not confident.
Yeah agreed. Far to deep and not pace coming on to the ball against France
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastwell let's hope they can put thus right on Saturday Christian. Hopefully faleteu will create a bit more go forward in the carry, drag defenders into the ruck and allow us to add some deception in the back line. Not convinced at 10 with Ben Thomas being a better 12 but let's get behind the boys and keep our fingers crossed.
Let's see if we can keep it to under 40 this time 💪
👀👀😂
The Wales team? Is it a family team? Mainly the Thomases and the Williamses with a few friends around? Would you also be a Thomas or a Williams?
Christian, do you think Josh Hathaway deserved a shot for the Italy game??
He’s having a good season to be fair to him. I still think he makes some bad defensive decisions and I think Rogers is one of the few shining lights in that attack at the moment and for me, I’d still find it really difficult to drop Josh Adams. Wasn’t at his best against France, but he still at top class operator.
How many premiership watchers would pick Tompkins over Llewellyn at 13?
That’s a great question, actually👌🏼
We're the laughing stock of rugby at the moment it's time the players stand up and be counted.gatland needs to put zulu on Friday night.
Stand up the Men of Harlec 🏴
Isn’t doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result the sign of madness ?.
Had OW been available, he would have undoubtedly been selected.
Cant see this backline doing anything different from last week.
Yeah, I agreed about Watkin and yes, I think Gatland has actually lost his mind at this point, so many strange decisions it’s the only explanation😂
The selection is awful again our backrow is so undersized we'll get smashed again, and Thomas at 10 doesn't work
Gatland and the coaching staff need to go how much more embarrassment do we have to take i didnt watch the French game because i new what the score was going to be and
We won't beat Italy either
I think the back row is one of our few sting points tbh
Ben Thomas is like Mason Grady, utter garbage
Neither of them are garbage mate. Ben playing out of position. Not his fault
@TheWelshSportsPodcast
Both second class at best. Too many in welsh rugby not worthy of a professional contract
@@TheWelshSportsPodcastyes have to agree with you re both, I know Grady is injured but I feel that Ben will come good, just like his father Pat he is a 100% committed, ok different sports but hes got guts, think he will try to play a bit and get the big Italian backs running around then bring on Edward's to finish the job with Ben replacing Tompkins! Especially if the pack plays like last week! Glass half full as always!
Sorry to say a narrow win by Wales would be the worst possible outcome. i am not being negative but i think that 5 or 4 heavy heavy defeats may drive change in the WRU and let be honest we need that - too many times the 'sticking plaster solution' has negated the need for change in the Welsh rugby structure.
Yeah, I agree with your larger point about the WRU, but I’m really hoping for a win just for the players to feel some relief from all that pressure
From bad to worse a fly half that does not play that position for his region and a back row that's too small for internationals.We all know there are better Welsh players out there,Mr Garland picking his favourites again.
Who’s the back row that’s to small?
@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Botham is a beast but no 6. We need giant aggressive players at 6 and 8 to make meters
Wooden spoon decider v England at the principality 🤔
😂😂👀👀
Gatland and Howley have to go
add the "Humph" to that list ....................along with the whole of the W R effing U - "Druan arnom bois bach"
Agreed with all the above 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
Wales and England are 2/1 to win, got to be worth a punt on a double, i am anyway, banging a fiver on it.
I like the positivity. Is it wrong that I still want you to lose because you’re bet because you need England to win? 😂😂😂
I think its sh1t or bust for wales, i think theyl go for it and let loose, same with England, can see them both winning, it would make the championship more interesting, especially if the scots can beat ireland👍
You no what you’ll be winning 😅😅😅
F all
Unfortunately im going to be very negative again. Tompkins at 13 isnt going to work, He cant tackle and give us no forward ball and Thomas at 10 again ... Its obviously not working why does Gatland keep thinking it will?? Howleys attacking shapes and tatics are worse than the previous attacking coach .... Another area we are going back in. We need all the luck in the world and even then we need to be at our best. Id love to see Wales win but im not confident at all. Italy but 10. But Gatland and his best friend Howley still need to go after the 6Ns. Also if Wales lose to Italy and Georgia Beat Netherlands this week Georgia will go above us in the world ranks.
Yeah, I agree with everything you’ve said, Richard. It’s hard not to be negative when we’re in the current situation that we are.
Yeah, I read that Georgia thing. Very depressing😂
If we play like we did last week Italy will beat us ,, again , ( I hate to say it but ) I feel Italy are now slightly better than wales 😢, there’s no urgency with wales we are very lazy and pretty clueless in the way of creating chances, no1 is running at angles to get over gainlines,,, if we get wooden spoon gats gotta go it’s as simple as that , he done so well in our GS years and robbed of WCF but there only so much a man can do with the players we got and the players he picked ,,, seems we are losing the sprit of the game for some reason ,, the 90s team were better than this one
It is not easy being a coach they are not on the pitch it is the players that need to get their act together and stop giving penalties away
The coach decides the game plan and patterns though which have not been good
No pace on the wings now LRZ has gone .
Yeah, none of the back three have real express pace anymore. Let’s hope they use their streetsmarts 👀😂
First
😂
Why Rowlands it's clear to me dafydd Jenkins is never international level it baffles me how he's picked there's several better at the ospreys it's just that Jenkins plays in England he assumed to be at international level
Those Welsh players at Exeter really need to move for the sake of their careers. I don't mind where as long it's not Newcastle or Dragons.
Can’t say I agree with you about Daf Jenkins. Get through a mountain of work in every performance and you need players like that to do the jobs that no one else does
Didn't think I'd ever say this, but I hope we lose against Italy, so that Gatts will have to go, and definitely, the so called attack coach, Howley, and then I personally hope that Pat Lam , gets the job of head coach.
For me Rowlands is easily the best lock, that’s why he’s Gatland’s first choice in that position. Older now but was a great find for Wales.
IMO constantly blaming a coach is dumb. Gat’s is a proven world class coach, now working with a team in transition. Pivac was already throw under a bus and that achieved what? Shut up and let Gatland get on with it!
Gutland once was world-class yes but for me the game has passing by. Granted, the players aren’t as good as he once had and they have to shoulder some of the blame. But to see a coach lose 13 games in a row and say let him get on with it is also very dumb in my opinion.
@ Three games in the last 6 nations could have gone either way. Namely England Scotland and Italy. IMO Wales are not as way off as the results look. Who’s out there to do better and it’s disruptive to continually call for him to be sacked! Pivac was binned for similar reasons, it’s got the team nowhere!
Look at where Australia were before Joe Schmidt came in. Practically the laughing stock of international rugby Looking like they bouncing back to compete at the top table again. a lot can change in a short space of time with some new ideas
@ I get it but that didn’t work in Wayne Pivac’s case. Gatland could be on the way to building a really sound squad and we’ll ruin that by chopping off the progress.
I do understand the counter arguments though. I suppose I haven’t lost faith in him. 😂😂🏴🏴🏉🏉