Tandy opts against swinging the axe in calculated gamble

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- By STEFFAN THOMAS

FTER Wales were torn apart 48-7 by England, many expected Steve Tandy to swing the axe.

Instead, the Wales boss has chosen subtle surgery over wholesale change ahead of an even more daunting test against France at the Principality Stadium. It is a calculated gamble - and one that will be ruthlessly exposed if it backfires.

France are arguably a more formidable foe than England and if Fabien Galthie’s side are as physical and as slick with the ball as they were when they eased past Ireland last week then Wales are in for a long afternoon at the Principality Stadium this Sunday.

A lack of powerful ball carriers capable of running into heavy traffic and making post-contact metres has been a consistent weakness over the past couple of years.

This is why Tandy has opted for Rhys Carre over Nicky Smith.

Carre is not as strong a scrummager as his counterpart but is an explosive carrier capable of making dents with ball in hand.

It is also a sensible move to start Tomas Francis alongside Carre.

Francis is the strongest scrummaging tighthead in the squad by far and Archie Griffin's exuberance is far better suited coming off the bench.