Jamie Roberts out injured for 6 months.

Announced on Twitter he needs surgery on his knee, reports indicating it'll be for around 6 months. Massive blow for the Blues, and Wales, though it will give Ashley Beck or Scott Williams a chance to stake a claim for the 12 spot on the tour to Australia.

That's not good - I hope this is exagerated as if it's true he could have problems for the rest of his career considering how physically he plays

Hope he has a speedy recovery, but plenty of talent to step in for Wales.
Shame for the blues they just sacked the next best 12 in Wales

Here's a link to ESPN http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/162354.html?CMP=OTC-RSS#&tw_p=twt

Says he injured his knee playing against Racing Metro but it was just enough better to get him through the 6N's but seems that in doing so he's done serious damage to it.

viewtothegym wrote:Hope he has a speedy recovery, but plenty of talent to step in for Wales.
Shame for the blues they just sacked the next best 12 in Wales

Yup I mean Henson is a ready made replacement for him! Ohh wait...

Wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. Constantly puts his body on the line, so this has to be expected at some point.

Damn those ice cubes!!

Quite obvious that the injury affected his form in the 6N. Great chance for Beck and Scott Williams. JD to play at 12 now.

Would like to see Beck given a chance against the Baabaas - hopefully he can prove himself to play against Aus - though Scott Williams is the safe choice for now.

Hope he gets better soon. Hes never had much luck in a Blues shirt :/

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Here's a link to ESPN http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/162354.html?CMP=OTC-RSS#&tw_p=twt

Says he injured his knee playing against Racing Metro but it was just enough better to get him through the 6N's but seems that in doing so he's done serious damage to it.

FFS, i knew it!

I'd like to see Becky given a go

Hope he recovers soon, he seems quite unlucky with injuries. Will this be Davies chance to play at 12 for Wales?

Rory, if Scott Wiliams is selected then it will be JD 12 SW 13. If Beck is selected it will be Beck 12 JD 13.

No, because then we have a hole at 13. Davies has really adapted to that position so I for one want him to stay put. I think Beck has a lot to offer at 12 and would like to see him given the opportunity. Scott Williams is also injured, but not sure how serious it is.

I agree with everyone that Davies should play at 12 and then probably Williams at 13. However, I would like to see Beck play at 12, its opened up for him and he's in better form that Williams. Davies has been settled at 13 so I personally would have 12. Beck and 13. Davies, but couldn't argue with 12. Davies and 13. Williams, they looked good together against England. Hope Roberts is back sooner, and we can get him playing in the AI.

wales606 wrote:Would like to see Beck given a chance against the Baabaas - hopefully he can prove himself to play against Aus - though Scott Williams is the safe choice for now.

It would be good to have a look at Beck as we know what Scott can bring at this level.

It will be very interesting to see if the time on the ball Beck seems to have at Regional level transfers to the international arena. If it does then Dr's injury may yet end up being a bit of good luck. If Beck can step up he might be the Henson Mark2 that Gatland would ideally like to have at 12.

Ouch, thats going to hurt Wales downunder.

On the bright side he'll get a much earned rest.

Someone mentioned a few weeks ago that gatland should try North at centre, would this not be a good opportunity?

I think it would be worth taking a look at North at 12. He did very well to set up the try against Ireland from midfield. Also think 1/2p is a better at wing and could move across, how's Stoddart's return going?

Biltong, it's been discussed a couple of times on here. There was a bit of a divided camp; those that thought, on paper, it seems like a great idea as he's got the physicality, line speed, ability to run angles and support lines etc; then there were those that were annoyed that yet again a player gets good in one position and he's instantly touted as the saviour of a different position. I tend to agree with the latter. He's a really good winger so I'd leave him where he's good rather than mess around with him (like we've done with Hook and The One We Do Not Mention).

Griff I can accept that, who else would be in the same mould as Roberts, he has been phenominal at 12, so don't think he will be easy to replace.

Considering that Davies isn't a crashball runner and more the gap hitting type, you would need someone that is quite physical there.

biltongbek wrote:Someone mentioned a few weeks ago that gatland should try North at centre, would this not be a good opportunity?

We have lots of centres - not as many international wingers.

Without Stoddart it would mean starting Byrne, or Liam Williams

Bil, I like the look of Scott Williams who has replaced Roberts a few times in the world cup and this 6N. Not as big as Roberts, and not quite the crash-ball merchant, but still big enough to get the job done. Him and Davies at 12 and 13 are the centre combo at the Scarlets, with Priestland their 10, so I think the familiarity and patterns of play could work well at international level.

Failing that, Ashley Beck is doing very well as mentioned by others. A bit more of a running 12 than Roberts (as in he looks for gaps) he's not small either so hopefully we wouldn't lose that midfield presence too much.

The idea of North at 13, is a good one IMO. He seems to set up more tries, rather than finish them himself.

12) Davies
13) North

That would be devastating.

Griff di he not also replace davies in one of the games during the world cup?

This is devastating to be honest. Roberts at 12 with JD2 at 13 has really developed.

JD2 is too important at 13 for wales, im sure he'd make a great 12 aswell, but frankly, hes too important at 13 to move to 12.

Scott Williams also injured, the door's open for Beck. Im quite excited about that to be honest, Beck at 12. JD2 at 13. North & Cuthbert can crash the ball up the middle off their wings (which is actually what we've done most of the 6nations - utilising Roberts in wider channels) and Beck can act as a crashball if hes needed too, although he wont get the Roberts type go-forward.

As long as JD2 is not moved from 13, I dont think we can go too far wrong, perhaps people will start to realise what Roberts does bring aswell as just crashball running over the games he'll miss.

Like been said will give others such as Sc Williams or Beck an extended run in the team on tour and poss even AI's

biltongbek wrote:Griff di he not also replace davies in one of the games during the world cup?

Yes I think he did on occasion Bil. I guess that means he's quite versatile! He played 12 with JD at 13 against Namibia and got 3 tries that day.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The idea of North at 13, is a good one IMO. He seems to set up more tries, rather than finish them himself.

12) Davies
13) North

That would be devastating.

I like the sound of him playing Centre, at least you know where he is and he'll be easier to defend against.

North came through age-grade rugby as a 13 (i think - definitely a centre anyway) so its not a crazy idea, I just think we should keep players in their current position if they're playing well and there is replacements elsewhere who have shown the qualities you'd ask for the step up to test-level rugby.

Roberts was a wing at first for Wales until Gatland moved him,
But Gatland unlike the ospreys has a knack of spotting where players are suited best.

As Mr Jones said.

"DON'T PANIC, DON'T PANIC!"


all the best against the Aussies

HERSH wrote:As Mr Jones said.

"DON'T PANIC, DON'T PANIC!"


all the best against the Aussies

Whose panicking ? Beck is looking good as is Daffydd Hewitt. You also have Adam Hughes at the Dragons who should be given a go - maye not against the Aussies but maybe in the Autumn.

Mike Phillips did well as a centre for the lions

Not nice when someone is out injured for 6 months but we are at the end of the season and he should be back for October at the start of next season, he is only missing the Australia tour really and lets be honest quite a few of Wales World Cup players are going to be off that tour "injured" anyway.

No real problems, in fact the 6 months rest will probably do him the world of good.

Munkian - I'd say Warren has looked better than Hewitt, not to mention Hughes and Beck, true Williams hasn't looked as good and is injured now but he's shown up very well for Wales when he's been needed.

Moving North to centre even just for a couple of games might not be a great idea. He's already picked up a few niggling injuries and getting him to play crash-ball like Roberts may end up doing him a mischief too.

Roberts' size and style of play may be starting to go against him. Wales should try and ensure that doesn't happen to North. He's already played a lot of rugby for a young lad. His size could limit his career if not well managed.

Hope Roberts makes a full recovery soon. He's a good lad and while he's never regained his Lions form he was starting to make an impact again.

North isn't as one dimensional as Roberts though - I don't think he would make a good 12, but a very good 13.

If used properly Roberts isn't one dimensional - it's just Wales seem to be obsessed with popping passes to him and seeing how many players he can run through

Can someone show me how roberts was one-dimensional this 6nations?

13. JD2 - he must stay there, he's become integral to the umbrella rush defence Wales employ, along with Lydiate who leads the line-speed at the ruck, JD2 leads the line-speed on the outside to cut off the attacks and force them back inside to the welsh backrow/Phillips/Roberts. He has also become a second outlet and pivot in the wider channels when teams rush Priestland (as happened in the last 3 games of the 6nations).

11/14. North - he stays on the wing for me along with Cuthbert. He's excellant there, why move him when we have 3 test-level centres and Beck who shows the same potential? Both do a lot of work coming off their wings in-field and do a lot of the crashball work off 1st phase attacking.

I don't see how Roberts ISN'T one dimensional. His game is to bosh through the middle - something he is usually very good at.

Another player told to play with an injury rather than just get it mended earlier. Six months is the penalty. At least he played a decent part in the GS but why let him play on afterwards and aggravate his knee in a totally rudderless performance in Glasgow?

Beck will probably get his debut in Australia. Whatever the case Davies stays at 13. Beck has played at 12 his entire pro career and Scott Williams scored the winner from 12 at Twickers.

"Someone mentioned a few weeks ago that gatland should try North at centre, would this not be a good opportunity?" -- Biltonbek, I first saw North at age grade rugby for Wales -- at 13. I'd be amazed if he doesn't play at 13 for Wales sometime within the next 12 - 18 months.

I echo the sentiments above. A talent and a lovely bloke his presence will be missed. Great opportunity for Beck, I think Scott Williams is also injured.

What a shame Henson has lost his contract with the Blues. He should have grabbed this opportunity with both hands.

This is something that Roberts needed to get fixed, it was certainly affecting his game in the 6N especially against England.

Of the other candidates: JD2, Scott Williams, Beck and Hook. All are primarily 12s but only JD2 has the pace to play 13 at Test level.

I would play Sc Williams at 12 if fit or at a push Beck but he seems a bit lacking in pace for test level (what do the Ospreys supporters think?). The other alternative is as other posters have said is to play North at 13 but that leaves a void at wing or fullback. I suppose Byrne or Hook could fill in at 15.

Wanna bet Gatland takes Henson and Hook as centre cover anyway? I guess Biggar will get called up as fly-half cover too. Not a bad option I suppose, he has the potential to play well in the current welsh set-up provided Gatland tells him to kick the ball less often.

I reckon we'll see Biggar and Beck start in the Babas game

Morgannwg wrote:Wanna bet Gatland takes Henson and Hook as centre cover anyway? I guess Biggar will get called up as fly-half cover too. Not a bad option I suppose, he has the potential to play well in the current welsh set-up provided Gatland tells him to kick the ball less often.

I would be amazed if Henson gets selected. He has done nothing on the pitch for the Blues to suggest he is even worth a pro contract at present.

AlynDavies wrote:Not nice when someone is out injured for 6 months but we are at the end of the season and he should be back for October at the start of next season, he is only missing the Australia tour really and lets be honest quite a few of Wales World Cup players are going to be off that tour "injured" anyway.

No real problems, in fact the 6 months rest will probably do him the world of good.

Alyn,

I hope we are not missing many, I think we need to go out there with the strongest squad possible and try get a win or two.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:Not nice when someone is out injured for 6 months but we are at the end of the season and he should be back for October at the start of next season, he is only missing the Australia tour really and lets be honest quite a few of Wales World Cup players are going to be off that tour "injured" anyway.

No real problems, in fact the 6 months rest will probably do him the world of good.

Alyn,

I hope we are not missing many, I think we need to go out there with the strongest squad possible and try get a win or two.

Yes, this trip has been touted since before the GS as top priority, that which is to break the SH hoodoo away. Now's as good a time as ever to take that next step. The strongest possible squad will be required, let's hope that Roberts is the only high profile name missing and be thankful that we have ample cover in midfield. The SH tours cannot take a back seat, now or ever if you want your side to be considered world class.

3 kicks
16 passes
221meters run with ball
34 tackles
Not bad stats for mr one dimensional roberts