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'He is a big man, we're up against big men': The reason why Wales have made one change to Grand Slam-chasing pack and shaken-up their bench
Grand Slam-chasing Wales coach Wayne Pivac has explained the thinking behind his recall of Adam Beard to the starting XV for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations game in France while also changing up half of his bench.
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Second row Beard sat out last weekend’s round four win away to Italy, Pivac claiming the Wales forward had been left feeling banged up from his February exploits in the wins over England, Scotland and Ireland.
However, rather than stick with Cory Hill, who started in the Stadio Olimpico pack, Pivac has shown his loyalty towards Beard who will scrum down in Paris alongside skipper Alun Wyn Jones.
“We think Adam has been playing well up until the rest last week. He is a big man, we’re up against big men,” explained the Wales coach about why he is backing Beard to deliver at the Stade de France.
“He has done a great job running the lineout, as Cory did in the game against Italy. It’s just a switch for those two – and Cory has played well in the games where he has come off the bench and had real impact. So we would like that combination to continue.”
TEAM UPDATE: The Wales team is up…#FRAvWAL #SixNations https://t.co/BIQrwIPwG8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 18, 2021
The inclusion of Beard is the only change to the Wales starting XV, but the demotion of Hill to the bench is one of four changes to the replacements from the game in Italy. Hill, Nicky Smith, James Botham and Tomos Williams are all included as reserves with Rhys Carre, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright and Lloyd Williams missing out.
“Nicky Smith coming in, it’s really one of experience in an area of the game,” said Pivac regarding why he has gone for the 38-cap front row as his reserve loosehead rather than stick with Carre. “The propping exchanges, they [France] have got some big men.
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“Experience is going to come into it and we are looking at fine margins in these sorts of games. Really that experience is what we went for in that position. James gives us good coverage across the back three (in the pack). He is a young guy full of energy, as they all are at this time as you can imagine.
“Early in the week we named Gareth (Davies at scrum-half) and it was just a matter of whether Tomos would be ready in time to take some part. That was cleared up Tuesday afternoon, so Tomos comes onto the bench.”
While Saturday’s Grand Slam decider will be a new experience for Pivac, the Kiwi is buoyed by so many of his players and staff having been in this position before. For instance, of the starting XV, only Louis Rees-Zammit wasn’t around when the Welsh won the 2019 Grand Slam under Warren Gatland and that knowledge is proving comforting.
“Everybody is excited. It’s a great week. You have seven weeks to get here and it has finally come and we can openly talk about what is at stake. We are very lucky that in our changing room we are going to have 14 of the starting 15 that won a Grand Slam before and certainly there is plenty on the bench that have as well and plenty in the management. There is a lot of experience to call in in these situations which is a good place to be really.
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“The team is very focused. They have worked very hard and as you can see throughout the tournament we have sort of built as we have gone. You don’t become the perfect team overnight, it takes time and we are nowhere near perfect.
“We know that but certainly we have got our own motivation and with the amount of guys who have been in this position before, it’s not new to them and certainly they are very focused on an 80-minute performance this week without worrying about any external motivation.”
France’s Grand Slam hopes were dashed by defeat in England last Saturday, but they can still win the title as they also have a back match versus Scotland to play. Pivac accepts they will be dangerous opponents.
“They are a very good side. We know that from the two games we have had against them. I thought they played well and controlled that game (against England) for large parts and were probably desperately unlucky at the end.
“Look, we know we are going to be in for a very big challenge. They have quality right across the park. They come up with some great plays – the try from the lineout (at Twickenham) was an excellent play so we are going to have to have our wits about us.
“They bring a lot of attacking threats and they have also got a very good attacking kicking game. Our back three in particular are going to have a lot of work to do.”
TEAM LINE-UP: Fabien has shaken up the bench for Wales with some heavy artillery. #fravsco #SixNations https://t.co/OcwWnzMxQ3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 18, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
8 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
8 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
8 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
8 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments