Gatland can – and will – ring back George North, who did not play in this fixture after being either dropped or rested, depending on your opinion on the controversial selection in midfield. In truth, the centre duo of Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts were not the problem and with a try apiece more than justified the Kiwi’s bold decision.
The burning, brutal issue was the devastation inflicted when the replacements came on and analysing the respective benches that should not have been a shock. Fabien Glathie could bring on 20st front-rowers with notches already on their creaking belts. But Gatland, with a commendable eye to the future, had to whistle for Evan Llloyd, a hooker called into the squad after the late withdrawal of Ryan Elias who has not yet even started a first-class match and who was a backrower just a few years ago.
Lloyd is a fine young prospect and merely an example of the small pool, but all those years of Wayne Pivac relying on the old hens and not blooding the chicks have now come home to roost. Wales must have patience, but with that humble wooden utensil looming over their heads like the sword of Damocles, the next week will be all about the present and certainly not the future.
Match details
Scoring sequence: 3-0 Costelow pen, 3-3 Ramos pen, 8-3 Dyer try, 10-3 Costelow con, 10-6 Ramos pen, 10-11 Fickou try, 10-13 Ramos con, 15-13 Williams try, 17-13 Costelow con, 17-18 Le Garrec try, 17-20 Ramos con, 22-20 Roberts try, 24-20 Costelow con, 24-23 Ramos pen, 24-28 Colombe try, 24-30 Ramos con, 24-35 R Taofifenua try, 24-37 Ramos con, 24-40 Ramos pen. H-T: 17-20
Wales: C Winnett; J Adams, J Roberts (Grady 61), O Watkin, R Dyer; S Costelow (I Lloyd 56), T Williams (Davies 56); G Thomas (Domachowski 70), E Dee (E Lloyd 70), K Assiratti (Lewis 44), W Rowlands (Martin 70), A Beard, D Jenkins (c), T Reffell (Mann 56), A Wainwright.
France: L Barré; D Penaud, G Fickou, N Depoortère (Moefana 70), L Bielle-Biarrey; T Ramos, N Le Garrec (Lucu 70); C Baille (S Taofifenua 51), J Marchand (Mauvaka 51), U Atonio (Colombe 51), T Flament, E Meafou (R Taofifenua 51), F Cros (Boudehent 70), C Ollivon (Roumat 62), G Alldritt (c).
Referee: L Pearce (RFU)
Attendance: 71,242
