Wales slumped to a 24-45 loss to France on Sunday to set up a wooden spoon decider against Italy this weekend.
Despite France's vulnerabilities, Warren Gatland's selections perhaps showed a resignation to this fate, with established centre partners Nick Tompkins and George North inexplicably dropped in favour of an experimental approach, whilst there seemed to be little or no thought given to how his side would deal with the French juggernaut subs bench.
Ultimately, his side “capitulated” in the final quarter of the game when either side unloaded their finishers, as Wales conceded three tries without any prospect of firing back. Here's how TRP reporter Tom Jeffreys rated the players in a difficult day in Cardiff:
1. Gareth Thomas – 5
Warren Gatland scapegoated the scrum's struggles for Wales' inability to find a lead in the first half, and Thomas was penalised twice, once against the head to give France points against the run of play.
2. Elliot Dee – 6
A late call up to the starting lineup proved an anti-climax. His lineout throwing is better than Elias', so his initial dropping was controversial, but vindicated these doubts given Wales' lineouts was a rare area of consistency. Nonetheless, the potential reason he was removed, the scrum, was exposed.
3. Keiron Assiratti – 5
One of a few new Welshmen this tournament who has surpassed expectation, but was too quiet yesterday, perhaps overwhelmed by the sheer size of his opposition. Three tackles and no metres carried in 44 minutes isn't enough impact.
4. Will Rowlands – 6
A selection that represented Gatland's efforts to fight fire with fire which was perhaps a naïve ploy given the French pack's size, but Rowlands was still solid, carrying well. At a time when his side needed a spark, a nimble charge provided it, only for Gareth Davies to knock on.
5. Adam Beard – 6
Epitomised Wales' performance. Top class in the first half with maul disruptions, breakdown turnovers and keeping the ball alive before Dyer's opener. He was then unable to assert himself in any meaningful way in the second half.
6. Dafydd Jenkins – 7
A first ever professional start at six, leading a side at 21-years-old as pressure reaches insurmountable levels, and yet still taking it in his stride. To do all this and still overpower the biggest pack in the tournament would've been close to superhuman, his 26 tackles represented a valiant attempt.
7. Tommy Reffell – 8
Once again Wales' best player. Two more jackals added to a tournament tally of eight, and continued to show an added element to his game with a powerful line and effortless offload in the build up to Joe Roberts' try. Played 30 minutes through a knee injury but his removal at the 56th minute mark coincided with Wales' collapse.
8. Aaron Wainwright – 5
Like many who have stepped up for Wales this tournament, subdued. Dropped a ball that could've seen Dyer under the posts, and let an enticing crossfield kick bounce in to touch.
9. Tomos Williams – 6
A measured performance in which the basics were done well, most evident in his cheat line to latch onto Watkin's break and score, his presence was undoubtedly missed as his side capitulated.
10. Sam Costelow – 7
Likewise, Costelow's removal was a turning point. His wide array of kicks both attacking and territorial were foiled by an inability to exit after his departure. Gatland asked him to add an attacking element to his game and he is showing tangible signs of improvement with key involvements for Williams' and Roberts' tries.
11. Rio Dyer – 7
In the wake of Louis Rees Zammit's shock exit, Rio Dyer has looked every bit a top quality test match winner. His aerial work has shown clear improvement, and his try was an excellent finish from nothing.
12. Owen Watkin – 6
There was no outstanding quality, it seemed, that justified his shock selection over Nick Tompkins. Showed delightful footwork and acceleration to create Williams' try, but struggled in defence, being bumped off by both French centres.
13. Joe Roberts – 6
Much like his centre partner, was good in an attack that provided minimal possession and territory for an attacking player. His try was finished with genuine power, even if the ball should've gone, but as his head coach said, taught a lesson in linespeed by his counterparts.
14. Josh Adams – 5
A backline as inexperienced as this needs its pedigreed players to shoulder big responsibility, which Adams did not. A very quiet tournament with no tries so far, his only memorable moment in this game being dumped by opposite man Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
15. Cam Winnett – 5
That wasn't really Adams' fault though, but Cam Winnett's given the hospital pass in Wales' own 22. He's taken to international rugby effortlessly but yesterday was his first slip up, with a kick hit straight out and a missed tackle for Fickou's try.
Substitutes – 3
International rugby games are won and lost in a bench's impact and Wales' was monstered by France's. The dilemma lies in the tactics, not the players.
None of Wales' more robust forwards were saved for the end of the game despite France's known disposition to a 6-2 split, whilst their only player of experience – Gareth Davies – dropped the ball at a key time and was charged down.
The centres were exposed in the outside channels, begging the question, where was George North in any capacity?
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