Who will be there in 4 years time?

You can bet your bottom dollar that Wales will have a more cohesive unit than any of the other 6N teams in the next world cup due to the age of the current crop.

These are who I think will be around in 4 years time providing they are fit and playing well enough to be in the squad. I will put a question mark next to any "possibles".

The front row is our biggest concern. We need to make sure that Craig Mitchell, Ken owens & Ryan Bevington can become as good as Geth, Jones & Rees before they retire.

I really can't see our current first choice front rown being pushed all the way for another 4 years. They have carried so many injuries between them. It wouldn't be a good idea for their own well being.

We have lots of young backs coming through so I think the wings will be OK but also Halfpenny could go back to 14 if we have a quality 15 available. I am quite interested to see how Hanno Dirksen of the Ospreys develops. He's playing good rugby there at the moment and will be eligible for Wales next year.

15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. George North
13. Jon Davies
12. Jamie Roberts
11.
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Mike Phillips - ?
8. Toby Faletau
7. Sam Warburton
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Luke Charteris - ? (more likely Bradley Davies)
4. AWJ
3.
2.
1.

after next week we will be thinking about 4 months time.

leigh halfpenny wing? the likes of prydie, stoddart fullback?

1. Ryan Bevington/Scott Andrews
2. Richie Hibbard/Ken Owens
3. Craig Mitchell/Simon Gardiner
4. Bradly Daveis/Ian Evans
5. AWJ/ Reed
6. Lydiate/McCusker
7. Sam/Tipuric
8. Faletau/ Ben Morgan
9. Lloyd Willias/Rhys Webb
10. Priestland/M Morgan/Tovey
11. Tom Prydie/ Cuthbert
12. Jamie Roberts/Scott Williams
13. JD/Ashley Beck
14. George North
15. Halfpenny/ Stoddart

Its not looking too bad is it.

Jenkins and Jones are both 30, they just might still be around for 2015.

Sorry missed backup for North, Kristian Phillips, Dan Fish, Dirkson could all be there in four years time. Adam possibly may make it as a prop 34 isnt too bad,

The basis of a team for the next four years has been built. There are some exciting young players coming through at the regions. Mitchell and Gardiner need to start getting game time more and more although a stint in the AP will improve craigs scrummaging.

Although its very early I also like the look of Cuthbert at Cardiff he looks very exciting Tom James and Czjekai will still be around as well. There also a very good yound second row at the blues whose name escapes me at teh moment.

TycroesOsprey wrote:Sorry missed backup for North, Kristian Phillips, Dan Fish, Dirkson could all be there in four years time. Adam possibly may make it as a prop 34 isnt too bad,

The basis of a team for the next four years has been built. There are some exciting young players coming through at the regions. Mitchell and Gardiner need to start getting game time more and more although a stint in the AP will improve craigs scrummaging.

Although its very early I also like the look of Cuthbert at Cardiff he looks very exciting Tom James and Czjekai will still be around as well. There also a very good yound second row at the blues whose name escapes me at teh moment.

cooke? the u20 captain?

TycroesOsprey wrote:1. Ryan Bevington/Scott Andrews
2. Richie Hibbard/Ken Owens
3. Craig Mitchell/Simon Gardiner
4. Bradly Daveis/Ian Evans
5. AWJ/ Reed
6. Lydiate/McCusker
7. Sam/Tipuric
8. Faletau/ Ben Morgan
9. Lloyd Willias/Rhys Webb
10. Priestland/M Morgan/Tovey
11. Tom Prydie/ Cuthbert
12. Jamie Roberts/Scott Williams
13. JD/Ashley Beck
14. George North
15. Halfpenny/ Stoddart

Its not looking too bad is it.

Damn straight - that is a great team, and god knows how many others will up it to the standard of the internationals - there could yet be a few gems coming through. And better news? A strong Wales means Ireland will have to up it to stay with them!

walesworldcup wrote:You can bet your bottom dollar that Wales will have a more cohesive unit than any of the other 6N teams in the next world cup due to the age of the current crop.

A bold statement that does not take into account the expected post world cup restructuring of England and the young players already in the side.

I would also expect Ireland to retire some older guys and bring in some youth.

Four years is a long way away. Its whether Wales can now go on to develop the current side and perform well consistently that is the more pertinent question.

[quote="walesworldcup"]You can bet your bottom dollar that Wales will have a more cohesive unit than any of the other 6N teams in the next world cup due to the age of the current crop.

I'm not sure I agree with you, Wales certainly have alot of youngsters comming through but England have just as many if not more. I think both teams have a bright future ahead.

welshy824 wrote:

TycroesOsprey wrote:Sorry missed backup for North, Kristian Phillips, Dan Fish, Dirkson could all be there in four years time. Adam possibly may make it as a prop 34 isnt too bad,

The basis of a team for the next four years has been built. There are some exciting young players coming through at the regions. Mitchell and Gardiner need to start getting game time more and more although a stint in the AP will improve craigs scrummaging.

Although its very early I also like the look of Cuthbert at Cardiff he looks very exciting Tom James and Czjekai will still be around as well. There also a very good yound second row at the blues whose name escapes me at teh moment.

cooke? the u20 captain?

James Downs is coming through this year, McCaulay Cook and the other U20s lock Cory Hill are also there?

Just look at the team Wales will be able to field for our first 6Ns game in Ireland in 2012.

Team for the Six Nations

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees/Huw Bennett
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Luke Charteris
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys Preistland
11. Morgon Stoddart
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathon Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Paul James
17. Matthew Rees/Huw Bennett
18. Bradley Davies
19. Ryan Jones
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Stephen Jones (if retired, James Hook)
22. Scott Williams

For the next WC we could have

1. Ryan Bevington (the new Gethin )
2. Ken Owens (the new Matthew Rees)
3. Adam Jones (he'll still be around
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Luke Charteris (Bradley Davies)
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Preistland
11. Morgan Stoddart
12. Jamie Roberts (hope he isnt still thinking of retiring early)
13. Jonathon Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

wales606 wrote:

welshy824 wrote:

TycroesOsprey wrote:Sorry missed backup for North, Kristian Phillips, Dan Fish, Dirkson could all be there in four years time. Adam possibly may make it as a prop 34 isnt too bad,

The basis of a team for the next four years has been built. There are some exciting young players coming through at the regions. Mitchell and Gardiner need to start getting game time more and more although a stint in the AP will improve craigs scrummaging.

Although its very early I also like the look of Cuthbert at Cardiff he looks very exciting Tom James and Czjekai will still be around as well. There also a very good yound second row at the blues whose name escapes me at teh moment.

cooke? the u20 captain?

James Downs is coming through this year, McCaulay Cook and the other U20s lock Cory Hill are also there?

Not sure if its cook Im sure the name begins with S but I cant remember, I watced him in a couple of academy games and he was standout. Having said that Cooke has been outstanding for the u20s so maybe.

NOT HOOK THANK THANK THANK YOU!!!!!!! KEEP HIM AWAY FROM WALES FROM NOW ON please, please please.

wales606 wrote:Just look at the team Wales will be able to field for our first 6Ns game in Ireland in 2012.

Team for the Six Nations

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees/Huw Bennett
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Luke Charteris
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys Preistland
11. Morgon Stoddart
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathon Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Paul James
17. Matthew Rees/Huw Bennett
18. Bradley Davies
19. Ryan Jones
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Stephen Jones (if retired, James Hook)
22. Scott Williams

For the next WC we could have

1. Ryan Bevington (the new Gethin )
2. Ken Owens (the new Matthew Rees)
3. Adam Jones (he'll still be around
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Luke Charteris (Bradley Davies)
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Preistland
11. Morgan Stoddart
12. Jamie Roberts (hope he isnt still thinking of retiring early)
13. Jonathon Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

I've looked. So what?

Bitter Beer wrote:

walesworldcup wrote:You can bet your bottom dollar that Wales will have a more cohesive unit than any of the other 6N teams in the next world cup due to the age of the current crop.

A bold statement that does not take into account the expected post world cup restructuring of England and the young players already in the side.

I would also expect Ireland to retire some older guys and bring in some youth.

I would say there's a fair chance most of the below players will still be there in 2015 for Ireland, if they haven't been suprassed by some of the younger crop.

15 Rob Kearney (28) / Felix Jones (29)
14 Tommy bowe (31)
13
12
11 Keith Earls (27) / Andrew Trimble(30)
10 Jonny Sexton (30)
9 Conor Murray (25)
8 Jamie Heaslip (32)
7 Sean O'Brien (28)
6 Stephen Ferris (29)
5
4
3 Mike Ross (34) ?
2 Rory Best (33) / Sean Cronin (29)
1 Cian Healy (27)

roddersm wrote:

Bitter Beer wrote:

walesworldcup wrote:You can bet your bottom dollar that Wales will have a more cohesive unit than any of the other 6N teams in the next world cup due to the age of the current crop.

A bold statement that does not take into account the expected post world cup restructuring of England and the young players already in the side.

I would also expect Ireland to retire some older guys and bring in some youth.

I would say there's a fair chance most of the below players will still be there in 2015 for Ireland, if they haven't been suprassed by some of the younger crop.

15 Rob Kearney (28) / Felix Jones (29)
14 Tommy bowe (31)
13
12
11 Keith Earls (27) / Andrew Trimble(30)
10 Jonny Sexton (30)
9 Conor Murray (25)
8 Jamie Heaslip (32)
7 Sean O'Brien (28)
6 Stephen Ferris (29)
5
4
3 Mike Ross (34) ?
2 Rory Best (33) / Sean Cronin (29)
1 Cian Healy (27)

Rodders in Wales even the regional coaches are talking about letting international players spend more time with the welsh team as a squad, so hopefully all the good work put in pre RWC won't go to waste as it did back in 2009 post GS