sport news ALEX BYWATER: Wales' decision to leave out Nick Tompkins and George North is ... trends now
The messaging from the Wales camp on Wednesday contravened the facts staring everyone square in the face.
Nick Tompkins and George North haven't been dropped, we were told. Next on the crib sheet was that games in the Six Nations – the jewel of the northern hemisphere's rugby crown – aren't being sacrificed in favour of experimentation and player development.
Despite the rhetoric, it was hard not to leave the Vale Resort at the least confused and at the most staggered by the Wales team selection for Sunday's crunch Cardiff encounter with France.
Head coach Warren Gatland's decision to leave out established centre pairing Tompkins and North altogether despite them being fully fit is a huge call. It certainly comes at an odd time and, on the surface, is one of the most baffling Wales selection calls for many years.
Owen Watkin and Joe Roberts, who has just one cap to his name, have been chosen in midfield.
Wales centre George North has been left out for their Six Nations showdown against France
The experienced Nick Tompkins has also not been selected by head coach Warren Gatland
The decision to not select Tompkins and North robs an already hugely inexperienced squad of a total of 155 caps. As a Test centurion, North is one of the current party's key figures.
In a struggling side, he has been playing well too. If he had been in poor form, you might understand his absence. But North has not and as Wales' most physical back, he is tailormade to tackle a juggernaut French side packed full of power. Instead, he will spend the week holding tackle bags.
Both Tompkins and North should – and surely will – feel hugely hard done by.
Their growing partnership was one of the highlights of Wales' World Cup campaign last year.
'I don't think they have been dropped. They are not injured,' said Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw, seemingly contradicting himself on Tompkins and North's non selection.
The decision to drop the duo despite them being fully fit is a big call from Gatland (pictured)
A Test centurion, North is one of the squad's key figures and has also been playing well
'They were disappointed. There is always a risk in every selection. We don't want to sacrifice (games). I expect to win every game I coach in. The fans are proud Welsh people and want to see the team win and so do I as a coach. We're doing our best on the field.'
Gatland said: 'There are a few changes to the team as there are some players that deserve an opportunity. It will be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday, particularly up front.
'We know they will start hard and it is about us staying in the fight, having good line-speed defensively, and keeping our discipline. We are looking for an 80-minute performance. We are excited to be back at home for our last two matches and looking
