Wales Squad for 2013 Six Nations

First topic message reminder :

Six Nations 2013: Wales name five uncapped players


Wales interim coach Rob Howley has named five uncapped players in a 35-man squad for the RBS Six Nations.
With four front-line locks ruled out with injury, James King (Ospreys) and Andrew Coombs (Dragons) have been called up for the first time.

They are joined by Blues back-rowers Josh Navidi and South Africa-born Andries Pretorius, who qualifies on residency, and Ospreys wing Eli Walker.
Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate and Bradley Davies are injured.
Charteris is out for the season, but Davies, Wyn Jones and Lydiate could return for the latter stages of the tournament for the defending champions.
Wales Six Nations fixtures


v Ireland - 2 February, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (13:30 GMT)
v France - 9 February, Stade de France, Paris (17:00 GMT)
v Italy - 23 February, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (14:30 GMT)
v Scotland - 9 March, Murrayfield, Edinburgh (14:30 GMT)
v England - 16 March, Twickenham, London (17:00 GMT)


Versatile forward Ryan Jones has been included despite dislocating his thumb on Sunday, raising doubts over his availability for the opener against Ireland in Cardiff on 2 February.

Back in the squad is full-back Lee Byrne of Clermont Auvergne, who was overlooked for the autumn internationals, but there is no place for 19-year-old Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell.

Howley has named an experienced contingent in the front row, which is bolstered by the return to fitness of Adam Jones (Ospreys) and Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), who feature alongside Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Paul James (Bath), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Ryan Bevington (Ospreys).


"We have put together a very experienced squad and complemented that by rewarding the in-form players with a call-up," said Howley.

"The players in the squad have been playing really well and we have been pleased with their individual performances.

"We have a group of players who know how to win big matches and have experienced success. We are adding to that players who have stood out and performed well for the regions this season."
King, a former Wales Under-20s cap, has impressed for Ospreys this season and will vie for a second-row berth with 28-year-old Coombs.

In the back row, Sam Warburton, who has been named as captain, is selected alongside the experienced Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) and Josh Turnbull (Scarlets).

In the backline Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues) and Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) will contest the number nine jersey. They will be joined at half-back by Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and James Hook (Perpignan), with Rhys Priestland (Scarlets) unavailable for selection because of injury.
The 2012 Grand Slam Champions begin the defence of their title against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium, before facing France in Paris the following weekend.


WALES SQUAD:

Forwards:
Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys) Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys) Lou Reed (Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Scarlets), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Andries Pretorius (Blues)

Backs:
Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets) Alex Cuthbert (Blues), George North (Scarlets), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Clermont).



Injured Wales players

Ashley Beck (centre) - will miss first two Six Nations games
Huw Bennett (hooker) - targeting return in February
Luke Charteris (lock) - out for the season
Bradley Davies (lock) - unlikely to feature in Six Nations
Ian Evans (lock) - expected to be fit for the Six Nations
James Hook (fly-half) - expected to be fit for Six Nations
Aaron Jarvis (prop) - out for the season
Alun Wyn Jones (lock) - will miss start of Six Nations
Ryan Jones (lock/back-row) - expected to miss start of Six Nations
Dan Lydiate (flanker) - set to return in February
Rhys Priestland (fly-half) - out for the season
Aaron Shingler (flanker) - set to return in January

But anyway at slightly shorter than me about 6'3/4 and weighing in at what 105kg's he is hardly a modern day lock!!!

maestegmafia wrote:It would be interesting to see if someone could pick positive points on the negative selections...?

For example Gethin does do well in the loose. Turnbull looked classy twenty months ago. Lloyd Williams looked a real prospect at the start of his blues career.

Is this some sort of riddle? Possitive and negative are binary opposites so it is not possible to answer your question. The forementioned are spoke of in a negative manner for good reasons.

It is no good looking classy or a real prospect 12 months ago when you happen to be gash right this minute. Just saying like...

Risca Rev wrote:Why have two people said Coombs hasn't played lock this season? One of you is a Dragons supporter too. I'm surprised he is in, but he has been playing well for us (and yes at lock).

When I said Coombs isn't playing at lock at regional level I meant that generally that is not his starting position. He's been playing all over, including lock, but that's not his main position for the Dragons. That's why I'm surprised.

Morgannwg wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:It would be interesting to see if someone could pick positive points on the negative selections...?

For example Gethin does do well in the loose. Turnbull looked classy twenty months ago. Lloyd Williams looked a real prospect at the start of his blues career.

Is this some sort of riddle? Possitive and negative are binary opposites so it is not possible to answer your question. The forementioned are spoke of in a negative manner for good reasons.

It is no good looking classy or a real prospect 12 months ago when you happen to be gash right this minute. Just saying like...

Trying to be clever doesn't suit you mate. Stop trying to pick fights.

Binary opposites used in that context is distinguishable and as you can see by the acknowledgement of the proposition in the following post...!

pioden gorllewin wrote:also can't understand why mark jones is joining the coaching team for the 6 nations. the scarlets backline have been pretty shocking under him this year. no creativity, poor execution of moves and appalling hands. especially when you consider the backline he has to work with. he hasn't proven anything at regional level and he's now in the welsh mix.


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/01/15/former-ospreys-coach-sean-holley-in-line-for-scarlets-post-91466-32607413/

Mark Jones was decent enough as a straight line runner - but I don't ever remember him even being involved in any 'moves', let alone creating and designing any.

Maybe 'backs coach' is actually 'kick chase coach'. Jenks boots it up in the air and Mark Jones shouts 'chase it'.

The Sean Holley news is disturbing.

Griff wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Why have two people said Coombs hasn't played lock this season? One of you is a Dragons supporter too. I'm surprised he is in, but he has been playing well for us (and yes at lock).

When I said Coombs isn't playing at lock at regional level I meant that generally that is not his starting position. He's been playing all over, including lock, but that's not his main position for the Dragons. That's why I'm surprised.

Rev is right. I just checked back all of the teams sheets on my Dragons app (Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!) and Coombes started the first game against Zebre at lock and then started the Mogliano game and Christmas games (Blues, Ospreys), then Connacht at lock. Hadn't really noticed! Call myself a fan

Overall I am quite pleased with the squad, yes there are a few interesting decisions but same old same old.

Positives for me are: inclusion of Navidi, Walker and Byrne

Negatives: Pretorius and Turnball- Neither have shown any form over this season, much rather have Lewis Evans, and if we wanted another option at 8 I would say ieuan jones (I think) the youngish lad who has played at 8 for the dragons, as he looks good.

In regards to scrum halves, it was what we all expected, would rather have Davies from the Scarlets or Jon Evans but neither would be starting choice.
Although if I had to pick one of Brynmor's sons it wouldn't be the one in the welsh squad that's for sure!

Now Gethin Jenkins, strange to think a year or so ago we found him irreplaceable and were begging for him to be fit for the WC, the only problem with him now is his lack of gametime which means he has been unable to gain form.

Second rows- this area is a bit weak but all depends on fitness, King has looked classy, never rated Reed, haven't seen Coombs enough. Hopefully the other options will be fit enough for selection. I am glad that Howley didn't pick Kohn as sounds like a journeyman and personally after giving the English banter about overseas players I wouldn't feel comfortable with it myself.

The other talking point is the Backrow, currently I can see it being
6) warbs (as much criticism he is getting, he is finding some form now)
7) Tipuric
8) faletau (getting too much criticism, has been playing well for the dragons albeit a few knock ons)

But yeah overall pretty pleased

maestegmafia wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:What has Mark Jones done it is not as if the have won any HC games as the Blues.

No but there isn't too much wrong with their attack. Until two weeks ago they were second in the magners league and justifiably so with good back play as their main weapon. As many have said if they had had a decent pack they would be a team to be reckoned with.

Yes the Scarlets have a good attacking back line, is that down to M Jones, no the current coaches picked up the good work by the previous coach i.e., N Davies.

glamorganalun wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:What has Mark Jones done it is not as if the have won any HC games as the Blues.

No but there isn't too much wrong with their attack. Until two weeks ago they were second in the magners league and justifiably so with good back play as their main weapon. As many have said if they had had a decent pack they would be a team to be reckoned with.

Yes the Scarlets have a good attacking back line, is that down to M Jones, no the current coaches picked up the good work by the previous coach i.e., N Davies.

I thought he had been skills coach since his retirement? that was two years ago. Which would mean that he has done some good work for the Scarlets...!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8885654.stm

maes:

mark jones started off as skills coach, which unfortunately saw a down turn in our in the players skill set. Fans got pretty frustrated at the amount of knocks ons, and general poor play that butchered chances for us over the last two seasons. Since Nigel left for Gloucester Mark was installed as Backs coach, and to be fair our backline play has been pretty poor. We basically been shipping the ball side ways without any penetration this season. Mark is a great guy to talk to, very passionate and articulate about the game. However with only a few years coaching under his belt, I'd say it's too early for him to be promoted up the than national team.

Howley's a learner.

Who do you appoint:

The best man who has ambitions for your job

Or

A man who's no threat...

"Mark is a great guy to talk to, very passionate and articulate about the game."

These are great points you make and they are generally the reasons for the powers that be in Wales appointing people who are not actually up to the job. Mark, Howley and the prime plumb of all Holley just go on about the same thing every time you hear them. Rugby changes from year to year, its a dynamic game that requires analytical and dynamic thinking, something Lancaster is great at. Wales continue to play 2011 rugby. We continue to give jobs to the boys because they are personable and nice lads. It's just typical welsh mismanagement that is endemic in our culture and all out organisations. Dai Young, Nigel Davies and Lyn Jones aside I would have SH coaches at our regions and national sides every time. It's funny where those 3 are now though isn't it!

But when they were here, if you would have suggested any of them be given a Wales job 80% of Welsh fans would say you were nuts!

They were still inexperienced Glas and at best I'd have them alongside a SH coach for Wales - Dai and Nigel have showed up well in the Aviva and Lyn is doing his best with a limited lot. All 3 are head, shoulders and a few more above Howley who's been given charge of our national team!!!! - Howley transfers his anxieties onto the team and that is really inhibiting their performances.

pioden gorllewin wrote:maes:

mark jones started off as skills coach, which unfortunately saw a down turn in our in the players skill set. Fans got pretty frustrated at the amount of knocks ons, and general poor play that butchered chances for us over the last two seasons. Since Nigel left for Gloucester Mark was installed as Backs coach, and to be fair our backline play has been pretty poor. We basically been shipping the ball side ways without any penetration this season. Mark is a great guy to talk to, very passionate and articulate about the game. However with only a few years coaching under his belt, I'd say it's too early for him to be promoted up the than national team.

I think players are to blame more than coaches. Aled Thomas at flyhalf shipping ball he can't kick is more at fault than whether the backline can or can't play well. You look so much more fluent with Priestland there. It's a shame Jordan Williams isn't available to play ten.

No platform = No chance for backs - For Wales read Scarlets - Simples

Hi all...Looking at the squad, remind me...is 3 specialist centres the norm? Considering we use Jamie R as a battering ram and he keeps getting knocks was this right and do we therefore expect the experiment of George at centre during the 6N?

Hi, Ianto. I'm guessing that they'll have Hook on the bench as cover for both outside half and centre.

Is it dangerous only taking 2 genuine 10s ?

I guess they could call Patchell or Wellies up if there are injuries.

I also hope we get to see Halfpence on the wing in his natural position

Looks like some really top backs but can be exposed up front.

red_stag wrote:Looks like some really top backs but can be exposed up front.

This is why I hoped we'd take Gough and Kohn(?) to give us some muscle untill injuried players come back.

I think Ireland will beat us up front, maybe not in the scrum but in the lineout and contact area

Whose the likely stand in 10 in ROG is away for a while ? (he probabably won't be as he's infront of an 'independant' Irish citing commission)

"Looks like some really top backs but can be exposed up front.."

Ireland's pack might well have the better of us even if we were at full strength, but without our second rows and without Lydiate, I'm nervous. If, as the Beeb seem to be saying, Ian Evans, Hibbard and Ryan Jones will all be available against Ireland, maybe we'll just about manage to put out a pack that can compete.

BlueNote - Irelands pack are not exactly world beaters - Every time we play them all I hear about is their much vaunted pack - Their 2nd rows are no better than any pair we can put out and IMO we are a match in the front row. They have a lot of huff and puff as we have seen in the last few games we've played them but I think we still have a stronger pack.

The likely #10 if ROG is missing will be either Paddy Jackson (Ulsters starting flyhalf) or Ian Madigan (Leinsters backup flyhalf/fullback)

I don't think the Irish pack has had the better of us for a while has it ?

The best props in their regions are from overseas.

They are missing POC too

RubyGuby wrote:BlueNote - Irelands pack are not exactly world beaters - Every time we play them all I hear about is their much vaunted pack - Their 2nd rows are no better than any pair we can put out and IMO we are a match in the front row. They have a lot of huff and puff as we have seen in the last few games we've played them but I think we still have a stronger pack.

You're not wrong. Journalists get lazy and trot out same analysis all the time. Times have changed. We wont have Paul O'Connell, David Wallace, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Denis Leamy, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris etc.

Our pack is ok not world beating. Wales usually have a good pack. Just saying this year it looks less impressive.

red_stag wrote:The likely #10 if ROG is missing will be either Paddy Jackson (Ulsters starting flyhalf) or Ian Madigan (Leinsters backup flyhalf/fullback)

I like him, good young player though my girl friend says 'It looks like his Mammy has knitted his hair'

BTW when I say Wales pack can be exposed I am think more against France, England and injury permitting the Scots too.

I'm with you Stag - Some people are bigging Ireland up and they are in more transition than Wales. Irelands back 5 is uncertain as is their midfield and SH - Tommy Bowe is a huge loss along with Ferris etc.

red_stag wrote:BTW when I say Wales pack can be exposed I am think more against France, England and injury permitting the Scots too.

Spot on - We are hoping Lydiate and co are back for these games.

Im actually excited by the uncertainty.

Usually we know exactly what team Ireland will send out and how they will do (plucky runners up).

No harm in having our hand forced to some extent. We must be the easiest team to analyse.

You just try to run the ball too often for my liking - against a tired Arg that's fine but against tight defences in the 6 Nations it can be suicide. It should be interesting all the same and a defeat for us would be of greater harm than a defeat for you IMO as you can rectify v England in Dublin next up whilst we may face a whitewash under the guidance of Howley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck

red_stag wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:BlueNote - Irelands pack are not exactly world beaters - Every time we play them all I hear about is their much vaunted pack - Their 2nd rows are no better than any pair we can put out and IMO we are a match in the front row. They have a lot of huff and puff as we have seen in the last few games we've played them but I think we still have a stronger pack.

You're not wrong. Journalists get lazy and trot out same analysis all the time. Times have changed. We wont have Paul O'Connell, David Wallace, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Denis Leamy, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris etc.

Our pack is ok not world beating. Wales usually have a good pack. Just saying this year it looks less impressive.

Hold on - Ferris definitely not back and O'Brien is out too???

Ruby, Healy and Best are phenomenal, and Ireland will always put out a strong back 5 of the scrum; if Ferris and O'Brien are out as well as POC then maybe less so than we're used to. If we have Hibbard and Ianto, and RJ in there somewhere, I will feel a lot better about it.

red_stag wrote:BTW when I say Wales pack can be exposed I am think more against France, England and injury permitting the Scots too.

Scotland will have quite a say in how the tournament pans out. They're not the gimme some English posters seem to think they are, even at Twickenham, and both Ireland and Wales have to travel to Murrayfield.

O'Brien could be back but I wouldn't play him. Has only 5 appearances this season and others are playing better than him. Might get his 6th appearance of season this weekend.

Ferris is 100% absent for the Wales game but is hoping to be back fit for the 3rd or 4th match of the tournament. But he has only 3 appearances this season and I dont like rushing these guys back.

It gives substance to the fact that some players are near guaranteed international rugby in Ireland.

If Ferris and O'Brien are out that evens things up, back row wise. Both massively powerful players. O'Brien has even given Dan Lydiate a torrid time in previous match-ups.

Game on again!

Knowing Kidney, O'Brien probably will play but O'Connell and Ferris are definitely ruled out.

red_stag wrote:Knowing Kidney, O'Brien probably will play but O'Connell and Ferris are definitely ruled out.

Stop teasing!

As they say in Latin, I am just "adepto vestri excusandas excusationes in diluculo"

RubyGuby wrote:They were still inexperienced Glas and at best I'd have them alongside a SH coach for Wales - Dai and Nigel have showed up well in the Aviva and Lyn is doing his best with a limited lot. All 3 are head, shoulders and a few more above Howley who's been given charge of our national team!!!! - Howley transfers his anxieties onto the team and that is really inhibiting their performances.

That's the impression I got from a layman's point of view. It's nice to hear that as a Psychiatrist you have the vocabulary to present intuitive notions as scientific facts.

Sorry, couldn't resist

That's ok Glas - it's just my professional way of saying he's a fxxing Toxxer

That's a bit harsh. I'd say he's more of a c*nt.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:That's a bit harsh. I'd say he's more of a c*nt.

Great player though

No question.

Reading the interview with Howley in the WM today Howley stated Lydiate and Beck should be back for the France game (second game), they are not in the initial squad! Does this mean they will bomb out a 6 and another back? This is likely to mean two guys with no caps have little or no chance of getting a cap?

The other story in the WM today is Mark Jones is being replace by S Holley!!!!!!!!

I thought this news would cheer up our Scarlets supporters and the Ospreys supporters!

hahahahaha Holley to the Scarlets means the end of the Welsh boys up west... JD2, North, Knoyle, RP, Williams, Williams...

OH SHOITE THATS A LOT OF WELSH BOYS HE'LL BE INFLUENCING!!!!

Ryan Jones, Ian Evans and Hbbard should be back for the Ireland game according to the BBC - just incase no one has posted it

Thank F for that.

James Hibbard Jones
Evans Jones
King Faletau Warburton(c)

With Bevington, Rees, Reed and Tipuric on the bench.

Looks half decent.