Wales backline for Six Nations

First topic message reminder :

If Jamie Roberts is injured or not firing on all cylinders then I would like to see Henson return to 12. Against England in August and last night for the Blues he still showed he can play well without any form or run of matches.

The Jamie Roberts crash ball is only effective sometimes and it doesn't free up the backline. Henson's flat passing and offloading can bring the likes of JD2, North & Halfpenny into space and make Wales a threat again.

I believe JD2 is the most potent threat in the backline at the moment and should be the first back on the teamsheet. I would like to see North remain on the wing, but involve himself as much as possible. Halfpenny does a great job at fullback and I would play him there until Stoddart recovers, but he must be more involved as he was great last night.

I would pick:

15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. JD2
12. Henson
11. Cuffbutt
10. Priestland / Hook (depends how well Hook continues to play at Perpignan)
9. Phillips

20. Williams
21. Hook / Priestland
22. Byrne / Roberts

From what i've seen Byrne has been playing quite well. Hes not at his best like he was in 08/09 but hes got his big boot back. I'd like to have him in the squad.

Regarding Hook, its not looking great
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/16436340.stm

Can't really blame Perpignan they're near the bottom of the table so they'll have to have all of their class players available. I also admire the way Hook is handling it, its his job and hes got to get on with it if he isn't released.

Oh well gc, it will just show how much Gatland thinks of Hook one way or another.

He will have to be released for the IRB window but if Gatland sticks by his guns then he won't be included.

Surely the freezing camps would be more useful for the forwards. Maybe he'll make an exception for Hook, id be scared going into this 6 nations with just Priestland and Biggar as the 10s. Or could we see Stephen Jones brought in for his experience.

I agree Hooks position is a tenuous one. He hasn't been spectacular at Perpignan, no where near his best. So Wales aren't missing out massively.

We gave plenty of good cover at flyhalf, centre and fullback.


Though reading the article it doesn't say that USAP will not release him, just that he doesn't expect them to.

What has always baffled me is that when a club is happy to release a player outside of a designated IRB international window, that some nations jumped up management company, designed to service the clubs benefactors can intervene.

If a club chooses to release a player then they should not be prevented from doing so by anyone.

Do we really have good cover flyhalf though? Priestland is obviously first choice but behind him its hard to say who should be picked. Most people would agree that Biggar has basically played himself out of contention. While Tovey, Stefan Jones, Morgan etc... are all untested and inexperienced. I think Gatland will need to pick an experienced 10 whether it be Stephen Jones or Hook.

I'd be a lot less worried seeing Stephen Jones on the bench than seeing Hook there.

Personally if Gatland picks Hook then I think we will see Priestland and Biggar (should be Tovey) picked as our 10s and Hook then just selected as a squad player.

If he doesn't pick him then the 10s will be Priestland Jones and Biggar (should be Tovey)

I can't see Gatland going into the 6 Nations without both Jones and Hook

Agree bedford personally I hope he picks Jones as we've seen Hook at his best at FH and when he's playing at that level he keeps makign mistakes and people keep saying - Ohh he needs more time there, he hasn't played 10 often enough, it the team he's in, or the service he's recieving'.

It's one of the reasons I'm so annoyed that Scotland have called Shingler up as he could have been a very good contender for Priestland in a few years.

I do hope though that if Gats sees Biggar as the back up (and I'm not his biggest fan) then he keeps with him through the 6N and the Summer tour and doesn't drop him and blame him for a loss like last time.

Priest,

I am not overly bothered about the Shingler issue admittedly not seen lot of him but we have enough players there to develop anyway who IMO are all ahead of him.

As for sticking with Biggar then I couldn't agree more, if he's picked then give him the backing and support he needs rather than just dropping him if he has a bad game.

personally I think he could be a lot better than some of our back-ups but that's debatable, I just would have liked him in the mix especially as he can play centre as well.

But still our backline is coming along, it'll be interesting to see what form Byrne's in as an on-form Byrne behind Halfpenny with Henson and Liam Williams waiting in the wings and Stodds recovering gives us a lot of depth in a position we were badly struggling in - and hopefully Beck can bring his regional form to the international scene then we have Roberts, JD2, Henson, Beck and Hook challenging with Hughes and Williams waiting in the wings.

Priest,

Reports say Byrne is on quite decent form but those reports seem to be few and far between.

I hope so as he's been shocking for quite awhile, but an on-form Byrne will be a useful member of the squad

Watching Liam Williams playing against Northampton (ive seen other games as well) i can't honestly see why anyone would have him in the squad yet. He quite simply isn't ready for the 6 nations.
His kicking is nowhere near good enough to be an international fullback , let him develop with the Scarlets and put him the summer tour squad.

go,

He seems to be having bit of a mare 2nd half so it could well cost him. We have Halfpenny who would be my 1st choice, Byrne is on good form according to reports (scored today) so maybe it will be them to.

No harm in Wales being in training squad for the experience etc.

Byrne got two tries today for Clermont, against Aironi I know but good to see him getting in on the action at least.

JD looked strong today.

Cymro,

Can't see past him and Roberts myself for the centre slots.

Yea as much as id like to see Beck involved i can't see him ousting those two.

go,

I've no doubt Beck will be in squad maybe at expense of Sc Williams and who knows might get capped through the tournamnet.

Martyn Thomas deserves at least a chance in the Poland Training camp.

I am not sure if he's naming an extended squad for Poland or just his 6 nations squad.

If its an extended squad then I guess we could see the likes of Thomas, Tovey, Beck, Shingler, Day and Webb as ones who haven't had much involvement if any with the squad.

There there are still the likes of Cuthbert, Tipuric and Lewis Evans and A Jones who have had limited involvemnet with the squad in the past

Bedford and Cymro, if both are fit then I have no doubt that the centre pairing will stay as Roberts and JD2; but as good a player as Jamie Roberts is, I'm sure Jonathan Davies would play better in the Test arena with Ashley Beck inside him. He works best with a playmaker with him in midfield.

One thing's for sure, Ashley Beck more than deserves the chance to show what he can do in the Wales jersey.

lp,

Don't dis-agree with you at all on Beck but Roberts and davies have also played well together.

I am sure we would all like to see Beck given his chance and some would say aginst Italy but we know what happened few seasons ago when we had whole sale changes.

I am sure he will get a chnace of the bench maybe or certainly on summer tour but dare I say if we had our A Side we might have better idea.

Bedford, it wouldn't surprise me if Gatland has Ashley Beck down for a debut at home this Six Nations (not against France, mind). Lansdowne Road - even the new Lansdowne Road - is no place to give a player his first cap. Unless he's Irish!

I thought Martyn Thomas was very poor tonight in Perpignan as was brew. I do rate Adam Hughes though and would not be surprised if he gets a chance sooner or later, punches well above his weight, very quick too.

Maes,

We were poor all round tonight in the main, Brew done himself no favours and is behing Halfpenny and Cuthbert I feel for the vacant wing slot.

Hughes and beck have been form centres in Wales so far but can't see both being involved in the 6 Nations - heard on Radio Wales squad being announced mid-week.

Gats had said the 21st, maybe they have made their decisions...???

I think Beck has moved ahead of Williams, Jon Davies still looks very good, Roberts needs a very good come back game. Henson did little to impress, but to be fair Parks gave him the ball once...

It amazes me that Parks is playing rugby at anything above pub level he is awful, hasnt got a clue what he is doing and absolutely refuses to tackle...

Lydiate was not having a great game tonight either... He'll be in the team im sure but needs a kick up the backside. Warburton and Faletau will join him...

Second row looks interesting I think Adam Jones is the best second row in wales by a yard or two and has to be in the team, possibly with Brad Davies.

Front row is smiler, Geth and Adam, Ken Owens needs game time and is second shot in my mind as hooker. Andrews and Bevington both look good as back up.

Byrne played well, getting two tries in an absolute demolition of Airioni. Lloyd williams and Webb have had good games, havent seen Bayonne this weekend to know how Phillips did.

Hook didn't play.

1. Geth
2. Rees
3. Adam
4. Adam
5. Brad
6. Danny
7. Warbs
8. Toby
9. Mike
10. Rhys
11. North
12. Beck
13. Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. Paul James
17. Owens
18. Aaron Shingler
19. Ryan Jones
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Steven Jones
22. Lee Byrne/Jamie Roberts

Maes,

Even Lydiates one poor game this season is still way above any other 6 at the moment.

I still struggle to understand how little recognition the guy gets but if the likes of Shingler can come through and give him competition then thats better all round for everyone.

maestegmafia wrote:1. Geth
2. Rees
3. Adam
4. Adam
5. Brad
6. Danny
7. Warbs
8. Toby
9. Mike
10. Rhys
11. North
12. Beck
13. Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. Paul James
17. Owens
18. Aaron Shingler
19. Ryan Jones
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Steven Jones
22. Lee Byrne/Jamie Roberts

Maes,

Thought S Jones had shocker when came on today and as much as I would like to see that back 3 I still think he will go with Hlafpenny Byrne north

I agree its great competition, I really like Shingler though, i think he will be very useful, still a young lad too...!

I thought he was a mixed bag. Good and bad when he came on. But in general over the last few weeks he has been good.

Biggar played well for the Ospreys on Friday, but i wouldnt include him due to the way he has played for most of the year. He needs more time at regional level.

Stephen Jones is the best option to Priestland.

I would encourage Tovey or even Steffan Jones's inlusion over Biggar at the moment. I think we will gain more in the long term by getting a few more youngsters like them in the squad, Biggar has been there before.

Play it right and there will be five or six good young flyhalfs with some international experience vying for the ten shirt.

I wouldnt have Biggar anywhere near the team. I would much rather Steffan Jones, was Tovey injured for tonights game vs perpignan?

I thought the Cardiff game was a turgid affair. Warburton had a good game and so did lualala but other than that it was a kickfest which parks won but I cant help feeling the Blues would have been better with Sweeney.

As for Gav he was more involved at full back with Parks at 10. Defensively though he had his positioning correct even if he was moved to the outside channels in the defensive line. He also was prepared to work and looked like he was enjoying himself on the pitch. However he didnt get much chance to shine but then nobody did in the cardiff backline, you cant play rugby if the ball is being wellied by the fly half all the time.

I agree...

Cuthbert had a shocker against Lon Irish. His hands are bad and he struggles under the high ball. He looked to have lost his confidence before halftime. Im scared to think what would happen against Ireland at Landsdowne Road.
I don't want to see him start.

Tovey has been carrying a knock for past few weeks so was rested, with Byrne playing well and scoring yesterday and with Cuthbert having a mare I think thats most probbaly sttled Gatlands mind on his back 3.

North Byrne Halfpenny

I would say that Cuthbert has done enough good to warrant a squad place this season.

If it is between him and Liam Williams I would take Williams

Previously Gatland has always named a smaller 28 man squad for the actual tournament so if if sticks with that then I reckon players like Williams, Hook and Henson will stand a better chance than say Cuthbert and Brew who are out and out wingers.

Brew wasn't THAT bad , he put in some massive hits and scored our only try. Was a very odd game to judge anyone on though really.

His chip and smash was a cracker

Loved it , their number 9 didn't know what hit him

According to this it's not looking good for JR how true it is is anybodies guess.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/01/14/cardiff-blues-and-wales-receive-fresh-bad-news-on-jamie-roberts-injury-91466-30124081/

He's not likely to get a game before the Six Nations - do we risk bringing him straight in against Ireland ?

Munkian,

I suppose it all depends on how he reacts/responds in the training camp when they get together.

It would be a risk I think if he hasn't had any game time before the Ireland game though.

Beck and JD it could well be then or will Gatland revert back to old type (hope not) and get Hook in there.

If he is 100% fit in training then I cant see any problem in playing him and he is probably doing some training now.
What he and others do in their region is important but how they perform in the Welsh training camp is what will get them into the first XV

Cymro,

Agree and a bit of rest won't do him any harm but would nice to get at least one competitive game under his belt leading into it.

Get him in a fridge in Spaaallllla isn't it ? Tidy

Ok time to chip in on this topic, now a few weeks have passed.

15 Leigh Halfpenny
Playing well for the blues and kicking his goals, I'd pick him for his pace at Full Back and let him kick the goals for Wales.

14 George North
Still has dodgy moments in defense though they are becoming more infrequent, Wales don;t have an abundance of quality wingers to challenge him.

13 Jonathan Davies
I'm not convinced by his form, but he always plays better at 13 and when he's not alongside Jamie Roberts, who tends to over shadow him.

12 Ashley Beck
The form 12 in Wales at the moment, scoring a lot of tries and really pushing hard, if we assume Jamie Roberts is going to be injured for the opening game, then Beck is our guy.

11 Alex Cuthbert
If your picking the form winger in Wales then it's Alex, scoring tries all season, thank god he's already played for Wales because I'd be worried England might be sniffing around.

10 Rhys Priestland.
Stephen Jones is in poor form, as is Tovey, Biggar is still dodgy, so Priestland walks into the squad.

9 Dwayne Peel
I have seen him recently playing for London Irish and he is the only Welsh scrum half who isn't faffing about at the base of the rucks pointing at the ball and talking to the ref. The ball is there Peel gets the back line moving. He is playing well again (at last), so lets use him. He is only 30 as well, so could be around till the next World Cup.

Off the Bench

Rhys Webb
Second form scrum half in Wales, has an eye for a gap, and releases the ball quickly most of the time, needs a few games from the bench for Wales to bed in and get used to things.

James Hook
Versatile, and a good option to open Ireland up at 13 late in the game if needed.

Scott Williams
Just in case Beck finds the step up to international rugby a bit tough at the start.

AlynDavies wrote:
9 Dwayne Peel
I have seen him recently playing for London Irish and he is the only Welsh scrum half who isn't faffing about at the base of the rucks pointing at the ball and talking to the ref. The ball is there Peel gets the back line moving. He is playing well again (at last), so lets use him. He is only 30 as well, so could be around till the next World Cup.
.

Peel doesnt play for London Irish

Thats Darren Allison

wales606 wrote:Thats Darren Allison

Sorry I meant I saw him play for Sale AGAINST London Irish....
I failed there a bit, lol.