Wales team for baa-baa's

In the build up to the tour down under, against probably the form team of world rugby Wales face what should again be a decent Barbarians outfit. I would like to see the team mixed up a bit for this one so that way everyone is prepared for international rugby after the shocking disposition they have had from regional rugby. That said here is what I would go with:

15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Liam Williams
13. Jonothan Davies
12. Scott Williams
11. George North
10. James Hook
9. Mike Phillips
8. Ryan Jones
7. Sam Warburton(c)
6. Aaron Shingler
5. Luke Charteris
4. Bradley Davies
3. Craig Mitchell
2. Ken Owens
1. Paul James

Subs: Adam Jones, Matthew Rees, Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, Rhys Priestland, Ashley Beck, Lloyd Williams.

The best available squad should go to Aus. Gethin Jenkins, Dan Lydiate, Ian Evans and Alex Cuthbert get a rest and should hopefully all be fit to tour. Will likely be Warburtons first game back from injury. I do not think this game will be capped as it was last time, but Wales will be looking to win whilst playing the open running game.

15. Lee Byrne
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Scott Williams
12. Ashley Beck
11. Liam Williams
10. Dan Biggar/James Hook
9. Lloyd Williams
8. Ryan Jones
7. Justin Tipuric
6. Aaron Shingler
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Bradley Davies
3. Craig Mitchell
2. Matthew Rees (c)
1. Paul James

16. Rhys Gill
17. Ken Owens
18. Luke Charteris
19. Rob McCusker/Turnball
20. Rhys Webb
21. Dan Biggar/James Hook
22. Adam Hughes/Adam Warren/Daffydd Hewitt

This game is outside the international window, so players outside of Wales will unlikely be released by their clubs.

1. Ryan Bevington
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Craig Mitchell (if released)/ Joe Rees?
4. Luke Charteris
5. AW Jones
6. Aaron Shingler
7. Justin Tupiric
8. Ryan Jones (rather see a new 8) (c)
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Stephen Jones (i have a feeling about this)
11. George North (move to 13, 60m)
12. Ashley Beck
13. Scott Williams (JD needs a rest)
14. Harry Robinson
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Ken Owens
17. Paul James
18. Brad Davies
19. Andy Powell (Sale are good with Powelly)
20. Rhys Webb
21. Dan Biggar
22. Liam Williams

I prefer your team 606. It gives some of the players plenty of rest and recovery, something which, we should all agree upon, is a necessity in professional sport.

What makes them the form team of world rugby?

I really dont see what the fuss is about Mitchell. I think Buck is already a better Tighthead.

Also that Joe Rees looks a hell of a prop as well.

Anyone but Scott Andrews though mushroom... (shudders) anyone!

Yeah I never did see what the fuss about Andrews was about. If he can get capped it really is saying something.

For me the key role of any Tighthead is always in the Scrum. Mitchell cant scrumage and neither can Andrews. Buck has already shored up the Dragons set piece which was in tatters since Rhys left for the Scarlets.

Rees and Gardiner are also options to explore.

One thing is clear though, Gatland needs to look at this position because unless we have 2 quality tightheads we will struggle if one gets injured. Gats needs to think ahead a bit too for the next World Cup.

Agreed mate. Although i do think that Mitchell is getting much better. Playing with Exeter in the English Prem is really helping his scrummaging.

TH is our achilles heel. Gats needs to really look at it going forward.

15. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
13. J Davies
12. Beck
11. North
10. Biggar
9. Lloyd Williams
8. R Jones (capt)
7. Tipuric
6. Shingler
5. Charteris
4. B Davies
3. A Jones
2. Rees
1. Bevington

16. Owens
17. James
18. Evans
19. Faletau
20. Webb
21. Priestland
22. Liam Williams

15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

15 Liam Williams
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Lee Rees
10 Steve Shingler
9 Rhys Webb
8 Ryan Jones (C)
7 Martyn Williams
6 Aaron Shingler
5 Luke Charteris
4 James King
3 Sam Hobbs
2 Ken Owens
1 Ryan Bevington

AlynDavies wrote:15 Liam Williams
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Lee Rees
10 Steve Shingler
9 Rhys Webb
8 Ryan Jones (C)
7 Martyn Williams
6 Aaron Shingler
5 Luke Charteris
4 James King
3 Sam Hobbs
2 Ken Owens
1 Ryan Bevington

Hobbs is not a THP

Dont really need anymore lock covers, and King is unlikely to start over someone like Reed who has been in the squad

Steve Shingler has no chance.

Dirksen isnt qualified

Bishop?!!! Why?

AlynDavies wrote:15 Liam Williams
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Lee Rees
10 Steve Shingler
9 Rhys Webb
8 Ryan Jones (C)
7 Martyn Williams
6 Aaron Shingler
5 Luke Charteris
4 James King
3 Sam Hobbs
2 Ken Owens
1 Ryan Bevington

Seriously?

Nugget was great in his prime but on the verge of retirement what good would starting him do? Why not give Turnbull or Tipuric a run out, two names who are actually part of the future rather than the past?

Shingler at 10? Has he even been playing 10 recently. Can't see what he's done to earn a place myself.

Is Hobbs a tighthead? Or for that matter deserving of a start?

Who's Lee Rees?

Why, god why, Bishop?

Is Dirksen even Welsh-qualified by then?

I would like to see.

James, Owens, Joe Rees, Charteris, Evans, Shingler, Tuperic, Ryan Jones, Webb, Tovey, Alex Cuthbert, Ashley Beck, Jon Davies, North, Liam Williams.

Bench: Rhodri Jones, Hibbard, Bradley Davies, McCusker, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Harry Robinson.

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets or Andrew Bishop - Ospreys
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

?? Wait for what?

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets or Andrew Bishop - Ospreys
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

?? Wait for what?

Just wondering when Neil Halfpenny played for the Blues

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets or Andrew Bishop - Ospreys
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

?? Wait for what?

Just wondering when Neil Halfpenny played for the Blues

Ahhhh I see where you are coming from ............... didnt he play very well against Glasgow!

Knowsit17 wrote:Seriously?

Nugget was great in his prime but on the verge of retirement what good would starting him do? Why not give Turnbull or Tipuric a run out, two names who are actually part of the future rather than the past?

Shingler at 10? Has he even been playing 10 recently. Can't see what he's done to earn a place myself.

Is Hobbs a tighthead? Or for that matter deserving of a start?

Who's Lee Rees?

Why, god why, Bishop?

Is Dirksen even Welsh-qualified by then?

I'm not sure about Dirksen to be honest i thought it was Febuary.

I'd like Martin to get his 100 caps and it would give the press something to talk about before the game.

Shingler has played fairly well for London Irish so why not bring him into the fold and have a look at him.

Sam Hobbs is a massive lump, though I accept your correct maybe Jo Rees would be better to start the Barbarians game.

Lee Rees is a very talented player from Llandovery and the Scarlets, we don;t know much about him yet but from what Iv'e seen we might have another Shane Williams on our hands.

I picked Bishop because he has been out in the cold for a long time and should be given a chance, in the squad.

I'm not even sure if it'll count as a capped international yet so Martyn may not reach the century even if he played. I still wouldn't consider him personally, it'd be more for his sake than the team's which shouldn't be the case. I mean, at this point what a 100th cap and some press babble going to do for Wales?

I'm still firmly against rushing players like Rees and Robinson into a Welsh jersey when they've barely gotten any gametime for their region.

I don't rate Bishop as international class. Undoubtedly a good club player but not really looked that good for Wales when he's had the chance.

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets or Andrew Bishop - Ospreys
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

?? Wait for what?

Just wondering when Neil Halfpenny played for the Blues

Ahhhh I see where you are coming from ............... didnt he play very well against Glasgow!

Fairly sure there was no one called Neil in that team

Toohey wrote:What makes them the form team of world rugby?

They are the most settled team after the world cup out of the tri-nations with minimal changes/retirements. They had two games post world cup where they tried out another midfield, 10. O'Connor, 12. Barnes; which could be their best midfield right now. Not forgetting they are still tri-nations champs. They now have a strong scrum. I think this Aus team will take Australia back to number one in world rugby over the next decade.

Pardon my ignorance guys but who is Joe Rees? The Osprey that has played about 3 games or am I thinking of sombody else? I think Gatlands best bet for winning this game is to not introduce too many new players into the squad. He already did that during the world cup and 6 Nations, so I am thinking players who have had limited game time like Hook, Mitchell, Shingler, L.Williams and Paul James will get the nod for this one. Some of them are experienced and all will know the drills via their previous national squad training.

If he's taking an extra prop though, i'd like to see Rees instead of Andrews or Rhodri Jones.

Or Buck. Definitely not Andrews, can't believe he has ever got a cap or contract. I think we are quite covered in the loosehead, so no need for Rhodri just yet. Rather see Gill given another go first.

Must admit i haven't seen Buck play or at least i haven't focused on him, but he seems to be impressing a lot of people, so yea another option at least. Andrews should have been loaned out to London Welsh or something a couple of season ago, next year he's going to be exposed greatly.

It is a shame injury halted his development. He's a big strong guy who is coming along nicely. Needs to keep improving his game which he will do as the Dragons first choice. Gatland taking him on tour to try and give us more tighthead options will help him a lot.

1. Bevvington
2. Hibbard
3. Gardiner
4. Read
5. Day
6. Shingler
7. Navidi
8. Turnbull
9. Webb
10. Tovey
11. Brew
12. Beck
13. Bishop
14. Robinson
15. Liam WIlliams

16. Andrews
17. Burns
18. A Jones
19. Lewis Evans
20. Gareth Davies
21. S Morgan
22. Czjekai

Im assuming its only welsh based players. There is also the whisper that most of the team will have already gone to Australia as the first test is only a week later so it will be a completly developmental side with Howley in charge as a warm up for his role next season. So Assume nobody playing in France or England or in the likely first 22. A few of these players will then fly out to join the squad for the brumbies game and as back up.

Really? hmmm, that's something to consider then. A completely 2nd rate team will be put out if that's the case. Or they could push it and fly to Aus in the night or a day later. As for France based players point, I guess that only includes players in the teams that make the Top 14 play-off places. Heineken Cup is over by then.

I think the french and English players should be available but would mostly be considered for the first team so will already be in Australia. You might see Beck given a run at centre and then fly out with a couple of others like Webb maybe hibbard and Bevvington for the match against the Brumbies.

I asked this question a while ago but still have not recieved an answer.

Why is wales the only country that award test caps for matches vs the Barbarians?

biltongbek wrote:I asked this question a while ago but still have not recieved an answer.

Why is wales the only country that award test caps for matches vs the Barbarians?

This match wont be capped

They have only done it a few times, for special occassions.

biltongbek wrote:I asked this question a while ago but still have not recieved an answer.

Why is wales the only country that award test caps for matches vs the Barbarians?

Can't remember seeing your question. As far as I know, Wales have only done that once . The reason for that....well I'm guessing Gatland wanted to give a number of young or inexperienced guys extra caps to their name. Not sure it made any difference in the performance or tactics of the team though because they still played barbarians rugby.

We are playing the Brumbies are we? Good shout by Gatland and the WRU. Anyone know our tour itenerary then?

Morgannwg wrote:Pardon my ignorance guys but who is Joe Rees? The Osprey that has played about 3 games or am I thinking of sombody else? I think Gatlands best bet for winning this game is to not introduce too many new players into the squad. He already did that during the world cup and 6 Nations, so I am thinking players who have had limited game time like Hook, Mitchell, Shingler, L.Williams and Paul James will get the nod for this one. Some of them are experienced and all will know the drills via their previous national squad training.

I think your mistaking him for someone else, jo Rees is the monster 19 stone prop who has been anchoring the scrum for the Ospreys all season, while Adam Jones has played for Wales in the Heinaken European Cup, he is the guy who smashed Salvatore Perugini in the scrums who had 80+ caps for Italy. He has played 15 times for us this season.

AlynDavies wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Pardon my ignorance guys but who is Joe Rees? The Osprey that has played about 3 games or am I thinking of sombody else? I think Gatlands best bet for winning this game is to not introduce too many new players into the squad. He already did that during the world cup and 6 Nations, so I am thinking players who have had limited game time like Hook, Mitchell, Shingler, L.Williams and Paul James will get the nod for this one. Some of them are experienced and all will know the drills via their previous national squad training.

I think your mistaking him for someone else, jo Rees is the monster 19 stone prop who has been anchoring the scrum for the Ospreys all season, while Adam Jones has played for Wales in the Heinaken European Cup, he is the guy who smashed Salvatore Perugini in the scrums who had 80+ caps for Italy. He has played 15 times for us this season.

Sure you dont mean Aaron Jarvis - he has been deputising for Adam in most of the games.

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets or Andrew Bishop - Ospreys
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

?? Wait for what?

Just wondering when Neil Halfpenny played for the Blues

Ahhhh I see where you are coming from ............... didnt he play very well against Glasgow!

Fairly sure there was no one called Neil in that team

Ahhh the "penny" dropped........ or is that the "halfpenny"
LEIGH .............sorry

Toohey wrote:What makes them the form team of world rugby?

Fans from Wales have a reptutation known even from my country for the proudness . We say sometimes greater is the committed fans by the team, than is the team by the game. But this is some small joke

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:

wales606 wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:15. Liam Williams - Scarlets
14. Alex Cuthbert - Blues
13. Scott Williams - Scarlets or Andrew Bishop - Ospreys
12. Jon Davies - Scarlets or Beck - Ospreys
11. Andy Fenby - Scarlets
10. Dan Biggar - Ospreys
9. Gareth Davies - Scarlets
8. Ryan Jones - Ospreys
7. Justin Tipuric - Ospreys
6. Aaron Shingler - Scarlets
5. Luke Charteris – Dragons
4. Bradley Davies - Blues
3. Craig Mitchell – Exeter
2. Matthew Rees (c) - Scarlets
1. Paul James - Ospreys

16. Rhys Gill – Saracens
17. Ken Owens - Scarlets
18. Dominic Day - Scarlets
19. Josh Turnball - Scarlets
20. Rhys Webb - Ospreys
21. Steffan Jones - Dragons
22. Neil Halfpenny - Blues or Beck - Ospreys

Wait what?

?? Wait for what?

Just wondering when Neil Halfpenny played for the Blues

Ahhhh I see where you are coming from ............... didnt he play very well against Glasgow!

Fairly sure there was no one called Neil in that team

Ahhh the "penny" dropped........ or is that the "halfpenny"
LEIGH .............sorry