“We just need to find that balance,” said Warren Gatland, by way of explanation after the voluntary jettisoning for this weekend’s Test against Scotland of three of his most trusted lieutenants for three of his most promising youngsters. In so doing, he replaces 360 caps’ worth of experience with 10, or a depletion of a shade under 117 caps per player. Less a balancing act, more a wild seesaw.
That said, the theory is compelling. For Alun Wyn Jones (168 international caps), Taulupe Faletau (101) and Justin Tipuric (91) come Dafydd Jenkins (two), Christ Tshiunza (three) and Tommy Reffell (five). The incomers bring all the vibrancy and chutzpah one might expect of youth, not to mention the athleticism. All three ply their trade the other side of the bridge in England. Jenkins and Tshiunza are at Exeter, both the Chiefs and the university; Reffell is at Leicester, just the Tigers.
