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

Glas a du wrote:So beating the BaBaas is now a notable achievement? Come off it!

How do you come to that conclusion?

Because its noted as a win for Howley as caretaker coach.

Glas a du wrote:Because its noted as a win for Howley as caretaker coach.

And Wales did win that match and that is the only match that he has one...!

I would say it was noted not celebrated.

It was a warm up game, it shouldn't be recorded.

It shouldn't have been a capped Test match. It was only given that status so Martyn Williams could get his 100th cap, which is really poor.

Glas a du wrote:It was a warm up game, it shouldn't be recorded.

And in the post above it was noted and not celebrated as any sort of a triumph.

I agree it was only a capped international to give testimony to a modern Welsh great, Martyn Williams. Rightly so after all he has returned for Wales he deserved a great send off.

No, wrongly so. He earned 99 caps.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:No, wrongly so. He earned 99 caps.

I think over the years the WRU did far to little to thank the lives given to the cause of Welsh rugby by so many great players. They sacrificed all they had, family, jobs, time and in the old days money, all for the Welsh Rugby cause.

I am very happy to see players like Martyn Shane rewarded in some way by the WRU now.

So many players drifted into the abyss never notably thank for their huge contribution.

maestegmafia wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:No, wrongly so. He earned 99 caps.

I think over the years the WRU did far to little to thank the lives given to the cause of Welsh rugby by so many great players. They sacrificed all they had, family, jobs, time and in the old days money, all for the Welsh Rugby cause.

I am very happy to see players like Martyn Shane rewarded in some way by the WRU now.

So many players drifted into the abyss never notably thank for their huge contribution.

There's something in that, but I might resist the temptation to open the violin cases for them.

They've earned way above average salary, and thus been able to avoid getting real jobs, well into their 30s. They deserved their successes but were also well remunerated during periods of playing very mediocre stuff. They've also traveled around the globe for free, played sport in front of 80k+ crowds etc etc.

Shane is a one-off, a genuine 'legend' - the fact that Martyn Williams earned 100(99?) caps says as much about the quality of other Welsh opensides as it does about his abilities. (Accepting, of course, that on the occasions when we played well enough to have the luxury of a 'link' player at 7, he came into his own).

He didn't earn the 100th. He was called back into the squad especially for the Baa-Baas match which had never been a Test match in the past. It was a sop and he should have turned it down.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:He didn't earn the 100th. He was called back into the squad especially for the Baa-Baas match which had never been a Test match in the past. It was a sop and he should have turned it down.

Gwyn Jones would have! Now, he was class. Genuine.

Could of, Should of would of... Didn't happen. Didn't change the world or all our fortunes... Not really sure its worth your twisted Undies mate...!

I just don't like seeing a Wales cap cheapened, that's all.

Damn right bruthah.

Who messed up this thread about Wales in 2013 by talking about Martyn Williams and Baabaas games anyway????

Out of order.

when's the team announced?

tatterd wrote:when's the team announced?

Tomorrow

It's announced on Thursday.

Grand Slam winning second row Ian Evans has handed Wales some overdue good news on the injury front by putting himself in contention to face Ireland on Saturday.

Evans, who has not played since hurting his knee against Samoa on November 16, came through a training session on Friday with no adverse reaction, giving himself a chance to make the Six Nations opener at the Millennium Stadium.

The Ospreys lock will be closely monitored in the next few days, but with Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies all sidelined, coach Rob Howley will be crossing his fingers that Evans’ progress continues.

Playing him after so long out would clearly be a risk, but the Wales management, who have delayed their team announcement until Thursday, believe they could well get at least an hour out of a player who offers priceless experience in the engine room and specialist prowess in the lineout.



Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/01/28/lock-ian-evans-in-contention-for-wales-v-ireland-six-nations-clash-91466-32690631/#ixzz2JHD9VcTD

Ireland team announced tomorrow, Wales team on Thursday.

Will the Ireland line up influence Howley? Will he even realise?

Or does Gatland just send him an emailed selection anyway?

Casartelli wrote:Ireland team announced tomorrow, Wales team on Thursday.

Will the Ireland line up influence Howley? Will he even realise?

Or does Gatland just send him an emailed selection anyway?

Cas,

Has he delayed the team selection as reports said it was to be announced tomorrow

BBC suggests Thurs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21221223

but who knows. Maybe they're trying some 'mind game' tactics. Sure to work.

Casartelli wrote:Damn right bruthah.

Who messed up this thread about Wales in 2013 by talking about Martyn Williams and Baabaas games anyway????

Out of order.

Sorry

What does everyone think of Evans attempting to be fit?

IMHO the same position Warbs, Roberts and Jenkins were in against Argentina and they were demolished. Plus what happens if he is forced off early causing us to rejig and use our bench options?

IMHO Evans hasn't played in near 6 months, how much use will he be first up??? Get him into the Ospreys shirt and ready for game 3 or 4, otherwise we could end up with 2 kids for the entire tournament!!

blues,

I would normally agree with you if the likes of Charteris AWJ and Davies were fit but they not and I think needs must.

Lets hope that Howley at least gets his bench cover right this time in case like you said he isn't fully ready or blows up etc etc

I think I'd go with the kids from the off though, at worst they'll prove out of their depth and we can arrange cover for round 2, at best they look good and Evans can take his time to recover properly and return in a week or two.

Either way both Coombs and King are on form, and are playing well, they will be in far superior shape to Evans who at best will be rusty and tire early on.

I can see that point to Blues and guess we will just have to wait and see but I really feel that if we don't get a win on Saturday then we really will be battling it out for he spoon.

If we lose we will be going to Paris on back of 8 defeats then still have Italy and Scotland away.

Amen there brother!

To add to the difficulties there is the responsibility of Howley to allow a lot of players exposure to give them a chance of a seat on the plane in the summer.

IMHO starting Evans will only hamper his chances, and if this were any other year (and knowing our squad) I would be looking at rebuilding toward 2015, allowing Andrews/Mitchell gametime, giving a scrummie exposure, giving Biggar the nudge over Hook etc.

This Ireland game is a must for Wales, and therefore 2 young locks would prove far more useful from the off as a half fit half cooked Evans.

I see it 2 ways...

Evans starts well but has to go off early, giving us a decent start but with a weakened finish.

or

Evans is forced off early throwing our gameplan and bench options into dissaray.

Whereas starting the 2 kids together gives them a unity that theyre in the same boat, a confidence that theyre not alone in this and will settle each others nerves. The one that starts with Evans will be far more nervous than starting together!!

Well we all know if an under-cooked Evans starts he'll be injured within 10 minutes (yes, the same knee).

Well anyway my front 5 would be;

1. James
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. Kohn
5. Jones

Bench; Jenkins, Owens, Andrews, King, Evans.

I'd start with Evans and Kohn - We have Ryan and Reed ready in the wings if Ianto doesn't make it and I dont think he'd be considered if he wasn't 100% fit. I don't believe in this few games for the Ospreys bullshxx to get match fitness - that's a red herring to me.

Coombs has played pretty well in tough circumstance. King has been great against all opposition and he has played against some good teams, Toulouse and Tigers.

King would be fine by me as a back up with Ryan

There were a couple guys rushed back in the Autumn and some of them got injured again, even Ian was one of them. I just see that re-occurring. Knee and back injuries are the worst. I

I think Wales need to get the balance right on the bench. If ryan Jones is fit he covers the back row too. I dont think Ian Evans deserves a starting place ahead of any of the other selected players.

I would go for:

1) Paul James
2) Richard Hibbard
3) Adam Jones
4) Olly Kohn
5) Ryan Jones
6) Sam Warburton
7) Justin Tupuric
8) Toby Faletau

A powerful front five who can carry. Kohn is known as a destrcutive player for Quins and can do the business around the Field. Also at 6' 7" and 22 stone we could really destruct the Irish scrum.

Line-out options would also be improved with; Tupuric, Faletau, Kohn & jones as potential recievers.

A really mobile back row against most likely; O'brien, Henry & heaslip will be needed. I also like the look of Mike Mc Carthy. A very aggressive player and i think Kohn would stand up to him in particular well.

Backs for me on form would have to change. I dont expect them to look like this but i cant help but think North could do with a mighty kick up the backside. He is tending to wait in the wings (literally).

I would choose:

9) Phillips
10) Biggar (confident at the moment, kicking out of hand well and has improved his temprement and running game massively)

11) Halfpenny
12) Roberts (has showed some decent form for the blues in the heineken)
13) JD ( hoping he gets back to his best soon)
14) Cuthbert
15) Byrne (very confident playing with Clermont. Offers great lines, a huge boot and great under the high ball)

Subs are a real pickle to pick. Some tough decisions.

16) Rees
17) Jenkins
18) Mitchel
19) Aaron Shingler
20) James King
21) Tavis
22) James Hook
23) George North

With two sevens in the starting team and Ryan able to cover 8 I went for Shingler and King. Both can cover 2nd row and back row. If Ryan Jones was Injured Warbs could still mover there.

Bloody tough picking that.

Permian1988 wrote:I think Wales need to get the balance right on the bench. If ryan Jones is fit he covers the back row too. I dont think Ian Evans deserves a starting place ahead of any of the other selected players.

I would go for:

1) Paul James
2) Richard Hibbard
3) Adam Jones
4) Olly Kohn
5) Ryan Jones
6) Sam Warburton
7) Justin Tupuric
8) Toby Faletau

A powerful front five who can carry. Kohn is known as a destrcutive player for Quins and can do the business around the Field. Also at 6' 7" and 22 stone we could really destruct the Irish scrum.

Line-out options would also be improved with; Tupuric, Faletau, Kohn & jones as potential recievers.

A really mobile back row against most likely; O'brien, Henry & heaslip will be needed. I also like the look of Mike Mc Carthy. A very aggressive player and i think Kohn would stand up to him in particular well.

Backs for me on form would have to change. I dont expect them to look like this but i cant help but think North could do with a mighty kick up the backside. He is tending to wait in the wings (literally).

I would choose:

9) Phillips
10) Biggar (confident at the moment, kicking out of hand well and has improved his temprement and running game massively)

11) Halfpenny
12) Roberts (has showed some decent form for the blues in the heineken)
13) JD ( hoping he gets back to his best soon)
14) Cuthbert
15) Byrne (very confident playing with Clermont. Offers great lines, a huge boot and great under the high ball)

Subs are a real pickle to pick. Some tough decisions.

16) Rees
17) Jenkins
18) Mitchel
19) Aaron Shingler
20) James King
21) Tavis
22) James Hook
23) George North

With two sevens in the starting team and Ryan able to cover 8 I went for Shingler and King. Both can cover 2nd row and back row. If Ryan Jones was Injured Warbs could still mover there.

Bloody tough picking that.

Good team. I would choose North over Cuthbert, who is far from a complete player, and don't think Tavis is worth a bench spot. Unless DB has a stormer, I would like to see JH at 10 at some stage, as he is in great form too.

Permian1988 wrote:

1) Paul James
2) Richard Hibbard
3) Adam Jones
4) Olly Kohn
5) Ryan Jones
6) Sam Warburton
7) Justin Tupuric
8) Toby Faletau


9) Phillips
10) Biggar (confident at the moment, kicking out of hand well and has improved his temprement and running game massively)

11) Halfpenny
12) Roberts (has showed some decent form for the blues in the heineken)
13) JD ( hoping he gets back to his best soon)
14) Cuthbert
15) Byrne (very confident playing with Clermont. Offers great lines, a huge boot and great under the high ball)

I like the look of that XV. The only change I'd make is Shingler for Warburton at blindside, but seeing as he's already been announced as captain there's no way Howlers will leave him out.

There's not much between North and Cuthbert, but of the two I'd say North would offer more off the bench, so like you I'd start with Cuthbert.

15-9 Halfpenny, North, JD2, Roberts, Walker, Biggar, Phillips
1-8 James, Hibbard, Jones, Evans, R Jones, King, Faletau, Warburton

16-23 Jenkins, Owens, Mitchell, Coombes, Tipuric, L Williams, Hook, L Williams.

Walker is a good call...! A very good one.

If i were coach there is part of me that would be tempted to select a backline of

Byrne
Halfpenny
Jd2
Roberts
Walker
Biggar
Phillips

With North, Hook and Lloyd on the bench. With the concept of brining North on a outside centre for a while, maybe Davies moving to inside centre.

Upfront

James, Hibbard, Jones with Evans And King

Backrow I like the idea of Tips and Warburton with Toby

Bench would be Bevington, Rees, Kohn and Ryan, with the backs mentioned above.

Ireland are afraid of our huge backline, every thread alludes to that and it has been the reason we have beaten them of late. We should not dismantle it for this game - Walker is very hot and there may be an opportunity for him from the bench but for now I like the idea of North and Cuthbert running at Earls, Gilroy and Zebo and Jamie ploughing through the middle etc

RubyGuby wrote:Ireland are afraid of our huge backline, every thread alludes to that and it has been the reason we have beaten them of late. We should not dismantle it for this game - Walker is very hot and there may be an opportunity for him from the bench but for now I like the idea of North and Cuthbert running at Earls, Gilroy and Zebo and Jamie ploughing through the middle etc

Very valid point. Could even make a case for Halfpenny on the bench now that Byrne is back. No backline would fancy him, Roberts, JD2, North and Cuthbert charging at them.

It's just worked so well against Ireland and their knowledgable fans on here have mentioned it continuously. I think Ireland are actually a little afraid of Wales - just a little, perhaps wary is a better word but if those backs fire with Biggar and a secure platform we could see us perform well. Its about time we destroyed a decent side and this is an opportunity. Of course we might lose - its Wales after all

I really do want Byrne at 15. I like 1/2P, but Byrne cutting lines off Roberts and/or Davies' shoulder really appeals to me.

That said, I don't think Howley will pick Byrne in the 23.

Byrne also has a great defensive boot on him

RubyGuby wrote:Ireland are afraid of our huge backline, every thread alludes to that and it has been the reason we have beaten them of late. We should not dismantle it for this game - Walker is very hot and there may be an opportunity for him from the bench but for now I like the idea of North and Cuthbert running at Earls, Gilroy and Zebo and Jamie ploughing through the middle etc

On the other hand, if we do that and North and Davies play like they have been for the Scarlets, the ghost could be well and trully laid to rest in the first half and Ireland will have a big psychological advantage in the second. Having said that, that's why I went for North. Ireland wont have forgotten the way he splatted McFadden. Ireland should be Poopie scared of Eli Walker in the form he's in for different reasons. Is Biggar a good enough kicker to drop Halfpenny for? Would you drop Halfpenny to make room for Byrne if going for Walker? Do you put Halfpenny on the wing with Burn and North in the back three with Walker and Liam Williams on the bench to tear it up in the last quarter? What lovely problems to have

The problem is Howley's in charge...

Shaun Edwards says his loyalty to Wales and Warren Gatland is not in question after missing out on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.


Lions coach Gatland appointed England's defence coach Andy Farrell in that role for this year's tour.

Edwards, who was Gatland's Wales defence coach for the 2008 and 2012 Grand Slams, was Lions defence coach on the 2009 tour of South Africa.
But he said: "There is no way my loyalty will be questioned."
Continue reading the main story, “I am not going to forget what Warren Gatland has done for me over the last ten years.”

Gatland is absent for Wales' Six Nations campaign due to his role as British and Irish Lions head coach, while Rob Howley continues as interim Wales coach for the tournament.

Edwards was seen by many as a favourite to fill the Lions defence coaching role for the three-Test series against the Wallabies after Wales' Grand Slam success in the 2012 Six Nations. The former Great Britain rugby league international was part of the coaching team that guided Wales to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup. But Gatland appointed Farrell, who was part of the England coaching set-up which beat New Zealand 38-21 at Twickenham in the autumn, to the post.

Farrell, a former rugby league team-mate of Edwards at Wigan, will be joined by Howley, as attack coach, and forwards coach Graham Rowntree in Gatland's Lions backroom team. Edwards worked alongside Gatland at London Wasps when the club won two Heineken Cup titles.

"Obviously, everybody wants to go on a Lion tours, as a player and as a coach," said Edwards. "But the decision has been made. Gats has made his decision and obviously I am abiding by it. "I am not going to forget what Warren Gatland has done for me over the last 10 years. "Most of the things I have achieved as a coach, have been through him and through his help.

"He has been a great mentor for me and hopefully, he will continue to be that in the future. "He has made a decision that went against me, but as I have said there is no way my loyalty will be questioned."

Edwards quit his consultancy role at London Irish in January to concentrate on his duties with the Wales national team.

While the Lions are in Australia, Edwards will assist caretaker coach Robin McBryde on Wales' tour to Japan. Wales play Japan on 8 June in Osaka and then 15 June in Tokyo, while the Lions tour to Australia, via an opening game against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, is from 1 June-6 July.

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) - 50/50 to start Six Nations
Aaron Jarvis (prop) - out for the season
Alun Wyn Jones (lock) - will miss start of Six Nations
Ryan Jones (lock/back-row) - 50/50 to start Six Nations
Dan Lydiate (flanker) - set to return in February
Rhys Priestland (fly-half) - out for the season
Eli Walker - doubt for Ireland

maestegmafia wrote:Shaun Edwards says his loyalty to Wales and Warren Gatland is not in question after missing out on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Thats just what somebody who WAS questioning his loyalty would say!!

MM, I thought Ian Evans had given wales 'a late fitness boost' a la the beeb?

I'd take a 2nd row combo of Kohn/King with Evans/Ryan Jones on the bench.

That'd allow us to use the 6/7 Warbs/Tips combo effectively without them getting bogged down too much helping out their lightweight second row (which we will be if we dont start natural second rows).

After seeing the Irish backline, I hope we see

9. Phillips
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. JD2
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

thats a big backline, but theyre not slow. Gilroy & Zebo could really struggle against a backline that big. Darcy's become a bit of a weakness at 12 at test level too.

Comfort wrote:MM, I thought Ian Evans had given wales 'a late fitness boost' a la the beeb?

I'd take a 2nd row combo of Kohn/King with Evans/Ryan Jones on the bench.

That'd allow us to use the 6/7 Warbs/Tips combo effectively without them getting bogged down too much helping out their lightweight second row (which we will be if we dont start natural second rows).

After seeing the Irish backline, I hope we see

9. Phillips
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. JD2
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

thats a big backline, but theyre not slow. Gilroy & Zebo could really struggle against a backline that big. Darcy's become a bit of a weakness at 12 at test level too.

Just read this:

BBC Sport wrote:Wales are due to make a decision on two more Ospreys, Ryan Jones and Ian Evans, in the next 24 hours.
But Jones (thumb) and Evans (knee) took a full part in training on Monday.
"We had a really good blow out and we are going to wait to see how they react over the next 24 hours," said Shaun Edwards, defence coach, at mid-morning on Monday.
"We will then have a better idea of whether they are up for selection.

Ahhh, I'm never sure about these late calls, sometimes they backfire anyway, I must have imagined Evans had been declared fit if they havent yet made the call.