Who from your region do you think should make the Welsh Squad...???

First topic message reminder :

Howley will name the squad on the 23rd of October. In advance of this there will be a trip to spala again for the lads to chill their boots.

So, who from your region do you think should make the squad? Who has played well so far for your team...???

maestegmafia wrote:

TJ wrote:Rees? He is playing and playing well for my region ( Edinburgh) and is welsh IIRC

Rees is doing well at Edinburgh but I feel his skill set is limited to a quick pass and little more. We need a more rounded scrum half to take pressure off the young inexperienced international flyhalfs we have on offer for Wales.

Corrwg, Im lost, please explain, " a more rounded scrumhalf"? and who has it ?
Please explain what you think you mean, "Rees has a quick pass and a little more", emphasis "a little more"
So which of the YOUNGER, of the INEXPERIENCED scrumhalves, whom coincidently, are YOUNGER than the flyhalves, whom do you think, can take pressure off the young inexperienced flyhalfs, in a tight international game against one of the Southern Hemisphere teams ?

Morgannwg wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

TJ wrote:Rees? He is playing and playing well for my region ( Edinburgh) and is welsh IIRC

I agree, when he is behind a pack that holds it's own he is as good as anyone, he outplayed Williams playing for the BaaBaas against a Wales select team but Williams still went to Aust! Edinburgh picked up a very good scrum half for this season as seen at Cardiff in the RABO.

For some reason Rees will not get picked just like Peel, they probably told Gatland where to go, who knows?

Because Peel is past it. Rees and Roberts were 2 good scrum halves that left Wales because they were ousted by younger players for no more than political reasons, (L. Williams and T. Knoyle).

Both those lads have their faults, Rees can pass a ball but does little more, a bit like a welsh Peter stringer, Martin Roberts gets petulant and annoys referees.

Both have had chances and never really cemented themselves as the best way forward for the management.

Umm morg u make a statement no one else has made and then when asked for proof u say other people will have proof. I think u need help with putting forward a conclusive case

maestegmafia wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

TJ wrote:Rees? He is playing and playing well for my region ( Edinburgh) and is welsh IIRC

I agree, when he is behind a pack that holds it's own he is as good as anyone, he outplayed Williams playing for the BaaBaas against a Wales select team but Williams still went to Aust! Edinburgh picked up a very good scrum half for this season as seen at Cardiff in the RABO.

For some reason Rees will not get picked just like Peel, they probably told Gatland where to go, who knows?

Because Peel is past it. Rees and Roberts were 2 good scrum halves that left Wales because they were ousted by younger players for no more than political reasons, (L. Williams and T. Knoyle).

Both those lads have their faults, Rees can pass a ball but does little more, a bit like a welsh Peter stringer, Martin Roberts gets petulant and annoys referees.

Both have had chances and never really cemented themselves as the best way forward for the management.

I don''t agree regarding Rees, he played very well for Wales and does far more than pass the ball, he lost his place due to the long (12 weeks?) ban for an alleged eye infringement on Harley and Williams took over as Phillips back up. I still believe he is a better option than Williams, the twice I have seen him against Williams (BaaBaas and Cardiff) he has been well on top. The only down side Rees can give away a few penalties which may count against him in Gatland's eyes?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Umm morg u make a statement no one else has made and then when asked for proof u say other people will have proof. I think u need help with putting forward a conclusive case

Is this a discussion forum or a court of law?

Don't be a drag, just be a Queen.

maestegmafia wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

TJ wrote:Rees? He is playing and playing well for my region ( Edinburgh) and is welsh IIRC

I agree, when he is behind a pack that holds it's own he is as good as anyone, he outplayed Williams playing for the BaaBaas against a Wales select team but Williams still went to Aust! Edinburgh picked up a very good scrum half for this season as seen at Cardiff in the RABO.

For some reason Rees will not get picked just like Peel, they probably told Gatland where to go, who knows?

Because Peel is past it. Rees and Roberts were 2 good scrum halves that left Wales because they were ousted by younger players for no more than political reasons, (L. Williams and T. Knoyle).

Both those lads have their faults, Rees can pass a ball but does little more, a bit like a welsh Peter stringer, Martin Roberts gets petulant and annoys referees.

Stop wriggling and try and answer the questions you seem to know nothing about !
Wonder why its only you that has a negative opinion on Rees.
Obvious you know nothing on Rees game, he reads the game very well, and is one of the best defensive 9s playing in Rabo or the Avivva, and his game management is second to none ! Oh and yes he can pass quick ball !
Corrwg, i still want answers on the other questions you have avoided answering !

Morgannwg wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Umm morg u make a statement no one else has made and then when asked for proof u say other people will have proof. I think u need help with putting forward a conclusive case

Is this a discussion forum or a court of law?

Don't be a drag, just be a Queen.

No its not a court of law, im just trying to establish why ud say roberts was let go for political reasons when i, and a lot of other scarlets fans had never heard that. It seems a strange claim to make if uve got nothing to back it up with, and im sorry to say, it makes it appear almost groundless.

But if u say why u said this then the rest of the forum can evaluate it and discuss it and create a good discussion

Rees appears to be playing with a point to prove.

I can understand why - it was poor the way he got dropped from the Wales squad (as Howley/Gats publicly blamed him and Biggar for our defeat to Fiji), and then baffling why the Blues got rid of him when they only had an underperforming Williams at SH - they needed competition if nothing else (ignoring the fact that Rees is at least equal to Williams, and in my and most peoples eyes, better)

Just to be pedantic, we drew against Fiji.

glamorganalun wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

TJ wrote:Rees? He is playing and playing well for my region ( Edinburgh) and is welsh IIRC

I agree, when he is behind a pack that holds it's own he is as good as anyone, he outplayed Williams playing for the BaaBaas against a Wales select team but Williams still went to Aust! Edinburgh picked up a very good scrum half for this season as seen at Cardiff in the RABO.

For some reason Rees will not get picked just like Peel, they probably told Gatland where to go, who knows?

Because Peel is past it. Rees and Roberts were 2 good scrum halves that left Wales because they were ousted by younger players for no more than political reasons, (L. Williams and T. Knoyle).

Both those lads have their faults, Rees can pass a ball but does little more, a bit like a welsh Peter stringer, Martin Roberts gets petulant and annoys referees.

Both have had chances and never really cemented themselves as the best way forward for the management.

I don''t agree regarding Rees, he played very well for Wales and does far more than pass the ball, he lost his place due to the long (12 weeks?) ban for an alleged eye infringement on Harley and Williams took over as Phillips back up. I still believe he is a better option than Williams, the twice I have seen him against Williams (BaaBaas and Cardiff) he has been well on top. The only down side Rees can give away a few penalties which may count against him in Gatland's eyes?

Glam

He did a good job for Wales in 2010 (?) coming on and shifting ball. But at both Wales and Blues he was outplayed by Lloyd Williams. We we were all calling for Williams to be selected ahead of Rees for the blues and to be back up to Phillips.

Williams has not set the pitch alight this season, neither have the other young challengers. Maybe Rees is the best option as a reserve. Quick ball might be all we need. But I always see him as a short term stand in not a long term option.

Luckily there is still a few weeks of rugby pre AI Squad announcement.

I would rather have Rees for his fast delivery than Phillips. the SH first job is to get the bal moving. Philips is too slow and is often caught in possession or sends hospital passes

I agree, TJ.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Just to be pedantic, we drew against Fiji.

I knew I'd get it wrong, and it was either that we drew or played Samoa (I was typing quick). At least the record is now set straight! Cheers LP

It was still a shocker of a performance though, wasn't it?

Yup it was - but it was partly down to too many changes, and another part us unable to deal with the Fijian physicality in the breakdown, and Biggars inability to impress himself on the backs or manage the game - but it was still shocking to just soley blame him and Rees - especially as Biggar was very inexperienced and Rees had less than 20 caps.

And to blame them publicly, as well. That should never happen.

I thought it was Ryan Jones who gave away a penalty in front of the posts who was given a good balling out?

To be fair though Biggar in particular didn't play well, he hasn't played Wales yet, in any opportunity.

A good telling off publicly probably helped keep Biggars feet on the ground a bit, give him something to work for for the future...

Seems to have worked very well too. He is starting to consistently perform for the Ospreys. Maybe he can start doing it for Wales.

A good telling off in private would have done that too, Maes. I think it's poor for any coach to give a public dressing-down to a player.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:A good telling off in private would have done that too, Maes. I think it's poor for any coach to give a public dressing-down to a player.

I disagree that this was ever an issue but I'm not really sure what relevance this has to anything. We all criticise these guys far worse than the coaches on a public internet forum site. Some of us on many Public forum cites, it is not as though the players don't know how we, or the coaches feel about them. Biggar, Rees or Roberts or any other player suggested in the posts above would be selected on form unless there was a misdemeanor preventing their selection.

I don't think any welsh player, no matter how hard they have pushed the boundaries of acceptable sporting professionalism recently has been castigated for any errant conduct.

We know Gatland and his coaches are honest men that answer all questions openly, often too frankly and we criticise them for it.

In my mind it is all in the past and only good has come of it, Biggar is now a better player and more likely to be successful flyhalf for Wales and for the Ospreys.

I agree with Luckless - It was very unprofessional, particularly making it clear that they would be exculded from future squads.

Maes there's a huge difference between being slated by fans (who tend to be hugely reactionary) and strangers whose knowledge of rugby is variable and have no personal knowledge/influence of the player, to the coach coming out to the press and whole rugby world and panning their performance instead of doing it in the changing room with the rest of the squad. This is a person (coach) that the player has a very close relationship with, and there should be mutual respect between both (to a certain degree), the coach is also in a position of great power and responsibility as well.

It seems to me that I'd greatly prefer my manager to take me aside and have a word with me if she thought I'd underperformed, rather than post it all over facebook and the world that I was rubbish at my job and I was responsible for the team underperforming.

I also think you can see this in Biggar/Rees were they both lost form and (seemingly) confidence afterwards for half a season/whole season and it's only been recently that their picking it back up (Biggar last season, Rees this).

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I agree with Luckless - It was very unprofessional, particularly making it clear that they would be exculded from future squads.

Maes there's a huge difference between being slated by fans (who tend to be hugely reactionary) and strangers whose knowledge of rugby is variable and have no personal knowledge/influence of the player, to the coach coming out to the press and whole rugby world and panning their performance instead of doing it in the changing room with the rest of the squad. This is a person (coach) that the player has a very close relationship with, and there should be mutual respect between both (to a certain degree), the coach is also in a position of great power and responsibility as well.

It seems to me that I'd greatly prefer my manager to take me aside and have a word with me if she thought I'd underperformed, rather than post it all over facebook and the world that I was rubbish at my job and I was responsible for the team underperforming.

I also think you can see this in Biggar/Rees were they both lost form and (seemingly) confidence afterwards for half a season/whole season and it's only been recently that their picking it back up (Biggar last season, Rees this).

I do see your point. But dealing with what a coach says about you whether public or private is part and parcel of sport, we have all dealt with it whether not making the school first fifteen or if you are talented enough the national squad.

But what is you point about this? Do you have a problem with Gatland because of this?

Maybe a more pertinent point is that in Rees's nine caps for Wales we lost seven drew one. Biggar Won Five, drew one lost four.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Yup it was - but it was partly down to too many changes, and another part us unable to deal with the Fijian physicality in the breakdown, and Biggars inability to impress himself on the backs or manage the game - but it was still shocking to just soley blame him and Rees - especially as Biggar was very inexperienced and Rees had less than 20 caps.

Totaly agree smirnoff-
Biggar and Rees were scapegoats for Howlers and Gatlands poor game-plan and tactics in that game.
The forwards were out-muscled, poor selection in some positions and no- game-plan, other than go blind and kick the ball away for position. The whole team were poor in that game.
Howler was out of order to point the finger at the halfbacks, he did it, to defer the blame onto them for his inadequaties !

Howley told biggar to 'go away and re-invent your game' what a complete t*** !! he was following howleys orders in the game, which became an unchangeable plan 'a' which had no chance of working, and biggars execution of the plan fell apart because the team performance negated the plan! plus rees and biggar needed help from senior players, didn t come.

This has also happened to hook in the past, although i have never been a fan of him at 10. howley should have gone ages ago.

At the time of this unprofessional slating , the ospreys management did come out and say they were happy with biggars performance for the ospreys and they said (humphreys)at no time had howley or anyone else come to them to discuss re-inventing biggars game.

Ospreys also said biggar had the qualities needed and he would continue strengthening his game over all areas, as you would expect from a young player.

next scenario when biggar was picked, howley again came out, this time before the game , to announce he had told biggar 'exactly what he was to do' and we saw biggar totally humiliated by not being allowed to take one kick, his strength , confidence building by getting points on the board( like all 10's need this momentum) as i said , howley , what a t*** he hasnt got a ****ing clue.

Be honest , how many backs moves have we got? how often do we change to suit the game? double t*** !!!!!!!

gavstar wrote:Howley told biggar to 'go away and re-invent your game' what a complete t*** !! he was following howleys orders in the game, which became an unchangeable plan 'a' which had no chance of working, and biggars execution of the plan fell apart because the team performance negated the plan! plus rees and biggar needed help from senior players, didn t come.

This has also happened to hook in the past, although i have never been a fan of him at 10. howley should have gone ages ago.

At the time of this unprofessional slating , the ospreys management did come out and say they were happy with biggars performance for the ospreys and they said (humphreys)at no time had howley or anyone else come to them to discuss re-inventing biggars game.

Ospreys also said biggar had the qualities needed and he would continue strengthening his game over all areas, as you would expect from a young player.

next scenario when biggar was picked, howley again came out, this time before the game , to announce he had told biggar 'exactly what he was to do' and we saw biggar totally humiliated by not being allowed to take one kick, his strength , confidence building by getting points on the board( like all 10's need this momentum) as i said , howley , what a t*** he hasnt got a ****ing clue.

Be honest , how many backs moves have we got? how often do we change to suit the game? double t*** !!!!!!!

Someone, that knows what they are talking about.
Totaly agree with you mate !
And remember Howley told Biggar BEFORE the Barbarians game in which he was starting, he was not included in the Oz Tour.
Howley should be no where near an International side

excuse the expletives, i'm not usually like this, but lets all call it like it is, with the quality we have, and the success we've had WITHOUT a way to change the plan, other than relying on " good to see shane coming in looking for work" good god!! international coach!!, imagine what we could do with decent game changing tactics!! campaign starts here, howley out !!!!!!

i'm going to watch the telly, before i explode!

Just reading the post Edinburgh victory interview with Dragons Coach Darren Edwards.

He has a lot to say about Toby Faletau, who during the Six Nations Australia tour took some criticism on these threads. Many calling for Ryan Jones to take the 8 shirt. With Lydiate's injury that may have resolved itself, though with excellent repeat performances by Aaron Shingler is Faletau's place really assured...?

Read Below

“I thought Toby was outstanding,” said Edwards.

“That the best game I have ever seen him play for the Dragons in the contact area.

“And attitude-wise, there were some amazing cover-back tackles from him.

“Some of his shots, the collisions were outstanding.

“He was really good.

“What you are seeing is a 21-year-old really becoming a force. His game is coming together really well.

“We could do with Toby firing on all cylinders and, with Dan out, there’s another element to his game now that we need to happen.

“I think he’s up for the challenge.”

Edwards acknowledges that Faletau was finding his way back slowly at the start of the season after being forced home early from Wales’ tour of Australia with a broken bone in his hand.

“He had a delayed start to pre-season and it was a bit of catch-up at the start,” he explained.

“He only had 20 minutes in one pre-season friendly.

“It’s pleasing for me to see Toby playing so well now.

“You sometimes forget he is only 21.

“He’s up there in that world scene, which is great, but there’s so much more to come from him, in a good way.

“The guy’s attitude is fantastic and there’s so much in him to come out.

“So it’s great for us and Wales.”



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/10/02/toby-faletau-firing-on-all-cylinders-as-dan-lydiate-targets-february-return-91466-31953108/#ixzz28GWXxtgL

maestegmafia wrote:I thought it was Ryan Jones who gave away a penalty in front of the posts who was given a good balling out?

To be fair though Biggar in particular didn't play well, he hasn't played Wales yet, in any opportunity.

A good telling off publicly probably helped keep Biggars feet on the ground a bit, give him something to work for for the future...

Seems to have worked very well too. He is starting to consistently perform for the Ospreys. Maybe he can start doing it for Wales.

Maes: You are correct, the penalty was given against R Jones against Fiji but it was S Jones that banged into the back of Ryan that caused the penalty. The team put out that day seemed like a stitch up for certain players on the day i.e., Ryan, Brew, Biggar and Rees, Gatland fielded D Jones and I Gough in the second row (hardly dynamic) never to be seen again and the back row was Lydiate playing 7, R Jones 6 and J Thomas 8 (all three not in their best positions) and an out of form Bryne at full back. Gatland took away R Jones's captaincy and he still picked him for the next match (after studying the match stats).

glamorganalun wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I thought it was Ryan Jones who gave away a penalty in front of the posts who was given a good balling out?

To be fair though Biggar in particular didn't play well, he hasn't played Wales yet, in any opportunity.

A good telling off publicly probably helped keep Biggars feet on the ground a bit, give him something to work for for the future...

Seems to have worked very well too. He is starting to consistently perform for the Ospreys. Maybe he can start doing it for Wales.

Maes: You are correct, the penalty was given against R Jones against Fiji but it was S Jones that banged into the back of Ryan that caused the penalty. The team put out that day seemed like a stitch up for certain players on the day i.e., Ryan, Brew, Biggar and Rees, Gatland fielded D Jones and I Gough in the second row (hardly dynamic) never to be seen again and the back row was Lydiate playing 7, R Jones 6 and J Thomas 8 (all three not in their best positions) and an out of form Bryne at full back. Gatland took away R Jones's captaincy and he still picked him for the next match (after studying the match stats).

Why is everyone dwelling on this fiji game from nearly three years ago?

I suppose we have long memories and Gatland not always picks the best team and blames others when it goes wrong as he did in this game. This may have an impact on the Lions selections picking players out of position and players not on form and injured.

If I was to select a Welsh side it would be the Ospreys pack except Toby(replace Bearman) in at 8 and the Scarlets backs minus Preistland replaced by Biggar/Hook. I assume Halfpenny is still injured.

Gatland was making some questionable decisions back then...! But we are in better shape now.

I dont think you are too wrong there. Close call on Beck or Scott Williams will be made over the next few weeks, likewise Warbs and Tipuric, and how Jones, Faletau and Shingler fit the mix.

I would say that James and Jenkins will be the choice looseheads though the Ospreys reserve Props look like the best back up.

Biggar vs Priestland is a tough call, Biggar is edging it, but minus kicking duties its a close call. Hook is in great form at USAP.

come on !!! biggar edging it!!! priestland is nowhere near it, blinkers off , biggar has totally nailed it. hook is not playing at the same level.

using a 10 without using his kicking ability, we may as well totally re-write the skill set for the position with the way howleys got us playing, and just put someone there who can pass to the left and right without dropping the ball!!!

I know its a wind up maes, has to be, nobody could be that blinkered not to see how far ahead biggar is.

Remember these words, for Wales 'Think team, not club, not players you like, best for the team, best for Wales'

Where are the true rugby men on here, join me and get rid of howley!!!!!!

gavstar wrote:come on !!! biggar edging it!!! priestland is nowhere near it.

Where are the true rugby men on here, join me and get rid of howley!!!!!!

With Posters like the mafia who hasnt got a clue about the game, and is a supporter of Howlers, we could be banging our heads against a brick wall.

I think Gatland really learnt his lesson in the Italy game 2 or 3 seasons ago where he made wholesale changes and we nearly came a croper.

He still has a (good) habit of throwing a few youngsters in to the mix the nucleus of the squad/team is pretty solid these days.

I haven't seen anything of Paul James, Rhys Gill or Gethin Jenkins to make a decision on who should play loosehead, but Bevington would be a fine place to start as far as I'm concerned, if none of them are pulling up trees.
I think Hibbard has developed his game to the point where he is the natural selection at hooker.
I think we can safely assume that Adam Jones will be (more than) filling the number 3 shirt.
Is there much debate in the 2nd row? Bradley Davies has looked busy, but in a battered pack, and AWJ and Ian Evans seem to tick all the boxes.
Lydiate is a big loss, but now almost guarantees a place for last seasons player of the year for me, Ryan Jones. At..........8!
Yes, I think we need to be honest and say that our style has always been about quick ball and footballers, not bruising ball carriers, which is why I would play
6. Shingler
7. Tipuric
8. Ryan Jones

9 would be Phillips. Webb hasn't done as well as I was convinced he would early on in the season, but will come good as the season progresses.
We have a decent stock of potential outside Halves at the minute, but I've been really impressed with Biggar, all of last season, and an early season blip in a mis-firing team aside, he's the clear choice to have an opportunity.
He's obviously gone away and worked on his speed/footwork as he is regularly making half/breaks and looks composed when through the defensive line.
Not wanting to bang on (and typing on an iPhone)so I'll just post my team for your ridicule!:

1. ?
2. Hibbard
3. A Jones
4. Evans
5. AWJ
6. Shingler
7. Tipuric
8. Ryan Jones
9. Phillips
10. Biggar
11. Cuthbert
12. Beck
13. Roberts
14. North
15. Halfpenny.

16. ?
17. Owens
18. Jarvis
19. Warburton
20. B. Davies
21. Knoyle
22. J Davies
23. Priestland.

Higher,

On the whole I agree with that, I don't think we should play Shingler and Tipuric for me one or the other. If Tipuric starts then I would go for

Tips
Faletau
R Jones

if Shingler starts then I would go for

Warburton
Jones
Shingler

Hibbard splits opinion but he seems in good form also why Beck over Davies, I think JD and Roberts form a very effective combo.

I'd have Shingler at blindside, Tipuric at openside and either Toby or Ryan Jones at number eight.

Midfield, I'd have Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies.

I suppose Phillips will be our scrum half, but he's lucky that no one else is playing at the top of his game.

Dan Biggar has to start at ten.

I do think playing Shingler and Tipuric at same time is bit of a gamble but then again Lydiate Faletau and Warburton was a very young and untried combination which turned out pretty well.

Again the one could thing is that we now have options, a few seasons back we all knew it would be R Jones and JT due to few other options.

Hi Bedford, I think the Beck call, came from a lot of frustration watching two very similar centres smash their heads against a brick wall out in Australia, and get no change from it. He came on,made a Half break, and then offloaded for a try with his first touch. I know that's not enough to make a decision on, and is quite knee jerk, but I was never overly sold on the JD/JR combo before that either. I think if Beck had carried last seasons form into his one, it would be a bit easier to push my case also. He's played well so far, he's just not quite there yet.
We bring our big wings into the line so often, I think we can afford a little subtlety at 12.
As for the back row, looks like we're spoiled for choice a little.
I would just enjoy watching Shingler and Tipuric run teams ragged with their work-rate

And they're both fantastic in the loose, Higher Ground.

Beford, I still shudder when Jonathan Thomas's name is mentioned in relation to the national side!

Indeed luckless, relentless work at the opposition breakdown, and both have the ability to pick up and charge on from our rucks. I think it could be a real winner.
They are marginal picks though, as long as the spine of the team is in place, we have the luxury of picking from quite a few decent back row combos.

All thinking along similar lines.

I have watched Paul James at the REC three times and he is in good shape, he is a definitely worth selection. Gill i have seen Highlights of, I watched the Sarries Leicester match back in mid sept. He handled Dan Cole very very well. Gethin has been on the bench as Toulon want a scrummager in sheridan. He comes on around fifty minutes and does his usual flanker/prop/man phenomenal Super Geth job turn overs, ball skills and plenty of tackles. He is still our first choice.

Reserve scrum half I think Knoyle is the best option but not many agree. I have taken some ridiculous stick for it but I stick to my guns.

Centres and Locks we have four very good options in both pairings and it is a tough call. I think most combinations would work we are very lucky.

maestegmafia wrote:Gethin has been on the bench as Toulon want a scrummager in sheridan. He comes on around fifty minutes and does his usual flanker/prop/man phenomenal Super Geth job turn overs, ball skills and plenty of tackles. He is still our first choice.

If Toulon aren't happy with his scrummaging, shouldn't that be a cause for concern? Maybe he'd be better coming off the bench for Wales too.

We could literally be putting out a bench with Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins sat on it. That is a nice thought.

But it's not exactly like we have scummaging players in the vein of Sheridan to battle Geth for his spot - as a result Geth is clearly head and shoulders above any other Welsh option - James is good though.

I just don't think it's true that Gethin is 'head and shoulders above any other Welsh option'. Rhys Gill really impressed me when he played for us last season (against Ireland and I think against the Baa-Baas) and if he's holding his own against Dan Cole, he's not doing too badly. Put it this way: would you rather have a loosehead who's starting for one of the best sides in the Jeff or one who isn't starting for his club in the Top 14?

If I had to choose based on what I've seen so far....

1. Gill
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. I. Evans
5. AWJ
6. Ryan Jones
7. Tiperic
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Biggar
11. Cuthbert
12. Roberts
13. JD2
14. North
15. Liam Williams

16. Jenkins
17. Owens
18. James
19. B. Davies
20. Shingler
21. Webb
22. Priestland
23. Prydie

24. Bevington
25. Hibbard
26. Jarvis
27. Lou Reed
28. Warburton
29. Turnbull
30. Knoyle
31. Patchell
32. Dan Evans

Some contentious calls in there, but I'd want to reward some early season form and get some players the experience of training with the big boys. Overall a pretty young squad though.

And whoever thinks JR/JD2 are too similar as players for wales, you need to actually watch them play together and not just spout out regurgitated nonsense from some pundits. JD2 has been the best 13 wales have had since shanklin was at his peak, the fact that he plays 12 for the scarlets would suggest his skillset is wide, and it probably says more about Scott williams being unable to turn his head and see the huge overlaps outside him meaning he usually decides to gung-ho it himself.

Tiperic & Biggar have been playing well. Without Halfpenny to take the kicks I wouldnt trust Priestland to be honest & Liam Williams deserves a shot at FB.

Paul James as back-up tighthead because hes still better than any others (excl the injured Mitchell) despite being a typical loosehead.

Shinglers been very impressive and between him and Ryan Jones you've got a spare lock in there!

otherwise pick away.

ps. regarding Richie Rees..... i still dont really know what happened there, seems a lot of ideas its Lloyd William's father as the reason hes starting for the blues rather than his skill set. And I wouldnt be surprised, he looks flimsy and weak at regional level but he can have his impressive moments. he needs to physically strengthen and find some consistency.

I liked Rees when he came on the scene and was challenging Phillips for wales, I havent seen his game change, if anything he's tightened it up a little and his defensive game is excellant. Edinburgh have a real player there, and he'll probably be available all season.

also, I've been touting Gil for a couple of years, hes like a Paul James & Gethin's lovechild loosehead baby.

Regarding Lloyd Williams it is remarkable how much peoples thoughts on him have changed.

https://www.606v2.com/t16761-welsh-scrum-half

Maes, I dont think hes terrible liek some have said, but I have thoguht he looks a little weak in comparison to other no.9s. He definitely has strengths to his game, and perhaps its a case of other teams analysing his weaknesses, or the blues generally being so inconsistant so far this season, but he hasnt looked that good!

I wouldnt admit him to the scrapheap just yet though, hes only young.

I was bigging up Webb last season, but hes made some rookie mistakes in games so far this season. It just goes to show that people are too quick to hype up players and shoot them down. A lot of the players at the regions are very young and still maturing physically aswell as learning the game at the highest levels they've reached so far in their careers, there will be learning curves and mistakes, we have to accept that with the state of current affairs.