Wales prompted to stick to young weapons in Paris
Warren Gatland has actually been informed to keep the faith with the similarity Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady in Paris next weekend.
Former worldwide James Hook thinks the set, and other young members of the team, will gain from the experience of the environment at the Stade de France, as Gatland wants to build towards the World Cup.
Analysing the weekend’s action for Scrum V, Hook said: “I’d stick to mixes such as Hawkins and Grady. I’d desire them to head out and experience that environment in France versus a first-rate group.
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“They’re going to make errors, they’re twenty years old.”
Fellow expert Tom Shanklin included: “They’re still finding out. They’re brand-new to worldwide rugby. They’re going to make errors. But I can see a future in them and I like what I see.
“It’s about the mix working also. But you have actually likewise got to go to these huge places. These loud places to gain from it. To feel comfy in it. It is various playing in front of 75,000 individuals than it is playing in front of 6,000.
“It’s part of the experience and part of the growing curve for them.”
Victory in Rome was the very first win of the campaign for Wales, and Shanklin confesses Gatland’s side are most likely to discover life hard in Paris on Saturday.
“From what we can see, it’s going to be a hard ask,” he included. “We’re not where France are at the minute. We’re in a building stage. We wish to see enhancement and it’s going to be difficult. But as long as we keep going and keep enhancing every video game, I believe we can be happy.
“But it’s going to be a hard ask to go there.”
Woodward: Wales and England in 6N department 2
Sir Clive Woodward says there are now 2 clear departments in the Six Nations, lumping in Wales and England with Italy.
Last weekend saw Woodward’s previous side humbled at home by France, while Ireland edged previous Scotland to keep their Grand Slam hopes well and really alive.
By contrast, England and Wales have actually carried out improperly throughout the competition and with simply months to precede the World Cup begins, Woodward thinks there is a clear quality space in the northern hemisphere competitors.
“After this result individuals will appropriately ask concerns over whether England can contend at the World Cup. England can’t fret about the World Cup now,” Woodward composed in his Daily Mail column. “They need to focus completely on and off the pitch on being competitive with Ireland this weekend. Nothing else requires discussing.
“Another hammering is totally possible. This Six Nations has actually revealed that there are now 2 departments.
“England remain in department 2 with Wales and Italy.
“Ireland, France and Scotland remain in the leading tier. They are fitter, more powerful and have the ability to have fun with ability that England, Wales and Italy cannot match.
“English rugby remains in huge problem. My guidance to (Steve) Borthwick — having actually remained in a comparable position in 1998 — is to make certain he finds out the ideal lessons and prepares to take some strong criticism strongly on the chin.”
Owens excited to get ‘out of the goldfish bowl’
Wales skipper Ken Owens says the group will delight in being “out of the goldfish bowl” today as they begin preparations for today’s clash with France.
After protecting a very first win of the competition in Italy on Saturday, Wales are set to spend today on the Mediterranean coast in Nice, and Owens thinks it will offer the group a chance to take their minds far from the different subplots surrounding Welsh rugby at the minute – and enable them to totally concentrate on taking on a widespread France side.
“Justin Tipuric said it was about getting back to enjoying it, and I felt we did that,” he said.
“There has actually been a lot going on in the last 6 or 7 weeks on and off the field. We’ve worked hard in the group, and it was good to see that enjoyment, working hard for each other when we were under the pump. We will grow from this.
“We will go to Nice now and have four or five days’ preparation out of the goldfish bowl, which will be great.
“We will concentrate on the rugby, work hard and turn up in Paris trying to get a win.
“There has perhaps been a bit of confidence lacking over the last few weeks, but we were patient and we problem-solved.
“Italy didn’t disappoint, but we stuck to our game-plan. The first half was pretty much ideal with what we wanted to do, but the second half early on, they won some collisions and showed how talented they are.”
Crowley takes aim at officials
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley launched a stinging broadside at referee Damon Murphy following key decisions he felt went against his side in the 29-17 defeat to Wales in Rome.
Crowley felt his team should have been awarded a penalty try when centre Juan Ignacio Brex was halted from scoring by fly-half Owen Williams, insisting the Wales man was offside when he made the tackle.
However, after a check with the TMO, the decision went in favour of the visitors.
“How can a team give away 17 penalties, not be warned once five or six of those on their own line,” the Italy head coach told Virgin Media in reference to Wales‘ penalty count.
“Then not awarding of a penalty try to us in the first half. It was clear that number 10 [Owen Williams of Wales] was offside when he tackled [Juan Ignacio Brex].
“Then they didn’t even review the two guys that were cleaned out in the backfield when we broke. So there’s a lot of bloody frustration.”
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Dawson slams England stars following France humbling
World Cup winner Matt Dawson launched a scathing attack on Steve Borthwick’s England side following their hammering at the hands of France at the weekend, and insists ‘none of them are world class’.
Writing in his BBC column, Dawson said: “I don’t care who you put in the side, we are not good enough and that is quite deflating.
“There’s been plenty discussed over the past few years about how many world-class players we have and how we’re going to challenge for the World Cup.
“But viewing France and Ireland, England are simply not at the races in terms of top-tier internationals.”
While Dawson believes Maro Itoje and Jamie George are talented players, he added: ‘Unfortunately, you cannot say any of the England players are world class at the moment.’
Farrell wary of wounded England
Meanwhile, Ireland boss Andy Farrell says he expects a response from England in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland are one game away from completing a stunning Grand Slam after easing to a 22-7 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, and Farrell is in no doubt that England will be keen to dash his side’s hopes.
“They will certainly be hurting and, I mean, it’s a perfect opportunity to come and spoil the party,” Farrell.
“That’s the reality, so that will be a massive motivation for them. Is that bigger motivation than what we’re going to experience playing at home for our Grand Slam game on St Patrick’s weekend? We’ll see.
“It will mean everything because I feel that the group are ready for that.
“But those words mean nothing over the next five or six days because we have actually got to go out there and perform against what’s going to be a very motivated England side.
“So we will need to be at our best. That’s what we expect of each other.”
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