Wales Squad for 2013 Six Nations

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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

dragonbreath wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You'd think the BBC would know we're not playing England at Twickenham this season - and that Sam Warburton doesn't play for the Scarlets!

Seems they have re read and edited your amendments...

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You'd think the BBC would know we're not playing England at Twickenham this season - and that Sam Warburton doesn't play for the Scarlets!

I know. Its been commented on before but the standard of online journalism is a disgrace. Do these people actually get paid for knowing nothing ot even caring enough to check their "WORK"

I could do that gis a job

Do editors even exist anymore.

dragonbreath wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You'd think the BBC would know we're not playing England at Twickenham this season - and that Sam Warburton doesn't play for the Scarlets!

I know. Its been commented on before but the standard of online journalism is a disgrace. Do these people actually get paid for knowing nothing or even caring enough to check their "WORK"

I could do that gis a job

Tell me about it!

The problem these days is that there are no (or very few) specialist journalists who know one sport inside out. They all sort of do the rounds, jack of all master of none so to speak.

dragonbreath wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You'd think the BBC would know we're not playing England at Twickenham this season - and that Sam Warburton doesn't play for the Scarlets!

I know. Its been commented on before but the standard of online journalism is a disgrace. Do these people actually get paid for knowing nothing ot even caring enough to check their "WORK"

I could do that gis a job

Do editors even exist anymore.

The standard is appalling. It's disgraceful that the average poster on here could write a better article without the resources they have, and I'm sure would do it for free. Sports journalists have a fantastic job, but a lot of the time their work seems lacklustre!

Here's my team, for what it's worth:

Paul James
Hibbard
Adam
Evans
Ryan (if fit)
Shingler
Tipuric
Faletau

Phillips
Biggar
Halfpenny
Roberts
JD2
North/Cuthbert – can’t decide. Cuthbert is a bit more prolific at the mo.
JPR

Having North or Cuthbert on the bench could be add a good bit of impetus if there’s an injury. Could shuffle 0.005p to fullback, and then North/Cuthbert to the wing, etc.

My concern is firstly if Ryan is fir for 2nd row duty, but secondly whether he would be better at 8. While I love Faletau I think he's struggling in some aspects of the game. Maybe I just don't see what I'm meant to see. But just getting over the gain line is not all that we want. Safe hands at the base of the scrum is needed and he often struggled there, seems to knock on a fair bit, etc.

21 votes now, so approaching statistical significance, yet almost half are happy with this squad.

Can't be ar*ed with polls Glas!

That's why this country is going to the dogs.

Griff,

R Jones is out for 3-4 weeks so definately out of the Ireland game

Feck!

Doh!

OK then, panic stations. Haven't seen much of James King so maybe put him in? Or Lou Reed. I'm really surprised by Andrew Coombs getting in. He doesn't even play 2nd row at regional level?!

Thought Lloyd Peers might have got a sniff. Seems a good prospect.

I've decided - Ianto and Lou Reed for me.

Ianto isn't fit!

bedfordwelsh wrote:I voted not very happy with a few things and here they are.

Lewis Evans should have been included ahead of either Turnbull, Navidi or Pretorious

Johnny Evans (or anyone) should have been included ahead of Knoyle and/or Ll Williams.

That said glad for Coombes though didn't realise he was 28 and good to see Byrne and Walker included.

I am guessing the likes of AWJ and Lydiate can be added at a later date if fit.

With that in mind and with only R Jones having been ruled out of the Ireland game so far here is the team I would and what I think Howler will pick in brackets.

James
Hibbard
Jones
Evans
King
Shingler
Faletau
Tipuric (Warburton)

Phillips
Biggar

North
Sc Williams (Roberts)
JD
Halfpenny (Cuthbert)

Byrne (Halfpenny)

Jenkins, Rees, Turnbull, Navidi, Ll Williams Hook Li Williams (Byrne)

If its 23 man squad add Mitchell to the bench

Tipuric will not get selected over Warburton. Seeing that Warburton has been made captain. ( I guess he must know something about Howley) Seeing that Tipuric is a better player than Warburton.

Gethin Jenkins? I thought he was out with an injury. Another love child of Gatlands, i guess.

I would of thought that Howley would of used this 6ns to bring on players for the 2015 rugby world cup. Will Mike Phillips be around for the 2015 rugby world cup?

I am mostly happy - glad Walker has got a look in.

Lewis Evans really should be in before Pretorious - hes on good form, is the Dragon's Captain AND is Welsh FFS !

Wish we had brought in Gough and the big Quins lock though. Gough has tons of experience and grunt and the Quins palyer look like a unit. Would have strengthend our pack and taken some hits and dished them out too.

Not sure how Lloyd Williams has been selected....well I do and it certainly isnt on merit.

I hope Patchel gets his chance in the summer along with some of the younger Dragons players - Gus, Amos, Steffan Jones, Adam Hughes etc

Glas a du wrote:Ianto isn't fit!

Eh?! Why has he been named then? I guess in the hope that he'll be ok later in the tournament?

Sod it, stick Lloyd Williams in at lock. Lifting is allowed now in the lineouts so he'll be much easier to hoist up than Ian Evans. It will be like Dwarf Tossing!

Maj

With a lions tour on the horizon Howley is not going to drop the older players to build, use your nogging!!!

Rees, Jenkins, James, Jones, Jones etc are all looking to push for a place, why drop them for youngsters???!!!!

WHY THE FUKK HAS LLOYD WILLIAMS BEEN SELECTED????!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!?!?!

The problem is that most of our injured players are not due back until midway through the 6Ns, so AFTER we have played France and Ireland.

FRONT ROW

Gethin Jenkins hasn't played since the autumn (when he barely played) and didn't play much before. I would have rather seen Gill at this point to be honest.

It is good to see Mitchell and Adam back, we should at least have strength at prop now.

Hibbard has been immense this season, while Rees and Owens have been very anonymous - I really hope Hibbard is fit to smash the Irish pack in place of a weakness at lock.

1. Paul James
2. Richard Hibbard/Matthew Rees
3. Adam Jones

16. Matthew Rees/Ken Owens
17. Ryan Bevington
18. Craig Mitchell

Overall, a strong part of the squad


Second Row

Oh dear.

King deserves his call-up and has looked good at lock

Meanwhile it is make do with what we have left, there is still a chance Ryan Jones will make it, but it's unlikely - meanwhile Ian Evans won't have played since the Autumn, but, I fear we will need him against Ireland

4. Lou Reed
5. Ian Evans (James King)

19. James King (Andrew Coombes/Shinger if he recovers)

If Ian Evans doesn't make it, we will have nobody to call the lineouts either

Backrow

Getting a bit desperate to find another no8 really. Pretorious has had a very mixed season and most Blues fan would consider him a 6, not an 8. Two seasons ago he may well have challenged Lydiate's 6 shirt, but not anymore. Pretorious being gone may be a bit of a blessing for the Blues, as it will give Copeland a run, although he would have been useful at 6 if Paterson doesn't return soon.

Josh Turnball has done nothing for his shirt, Lewis Evans would have been a better choice

Josh Navidi on the other hand is well deserving of his place, I don't think I would mind seeing him at 6 for Wales (perhaps not 7 yet) he has been outstanding for the Blues all season, and i'm sure time with Wales will help him improve further. Not good news for Blues fans though

Warburton has been returning to form, meanwhile Tipuric and Faletau are also in good form. With Shingler yet to return and Dan Lydiate and Ryan Jones absent, I think we will have to play both 7s rather than risk an inexperienced Navidi.

6. Warburton (c)
7. Tipuric (needed for the lineout aswell)
8. Faletau

20. Josh Navidi (although I expect it to be Turnball :/)

Scrum Half

Lloyd Williams is a joke who is struggling to keep a Blues shirt based solely off his reputation when his competition is Lewis Jones, who is a distinctly average SH who can often be dire. I would rather see Rhys Webb/Jon Evans/Gareth Davies/anybody who has played rugby before/my nan at SH for Wales.

Knoyle is pretty average and capable of some dire games.

Phillips is the ONLY option, he is a good option, and loves playing Ireland. If Phillips is injured you might want to put a heavy bet on Ireland to win.

9. Phillips

21. Knoyle (never to take to the field in 400 minutes)

Flyhalf

Only 2 selected, this decision is very easy

10. Dan Biggar

21. James Hook

Centre

Roberts has finally been putting in some good performances for the Blues, and although Scott Williams is playing well, Roberts is vital to the Welsh defence and when on form he can be devastating.

12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies

21. James Hook

Back 3

Glad to see Byrne given a chance given his excellent form. I would consider him 2nd choice FB with Halfpenny 3rd choice wing.

Walker deserves to be in the squad, but I would not be comfortable with him getting capped, his defence is dire, unless he can improve in training he should not be considered unless there are a lot of injured.

11. George North
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

23. Lee Byrne

With Lee Byrne being in the squad, will he play 15 and Half penny at 10. or do you think that Byrne will be on the bench?

Cuthbert and North on each wing isn't working.

Tipuric must be fist name on sheet.

Byrne at 15, Halfpenny 14.

Would be good to see raw IN FORM talent Walker on bench.

EnglandRose wrote:Cuthbert and North on each wing isn't working.

Tipuric must be fist name on sheet.

Byrne at 15, Halfpenny 14.

Would be good to see raw IN FORM talent Walker on bench.

Would be good to see the IN FORM talent of Eli Walker START. and either North or Cuthbert on the bench. Or better still dropped from the squad and AN Other talented winger be brought in instead.

I just don't know what the selectors are looking at sometimes. How you can pick Pretorius over Evans I don't know? How is Lloyd Williams in over Davies at the Scarlets? Where is Gill? I don't understand how some players get picked and others don't.

All I'm going to say is what most others have said. How the fudge-in-hell are Knoyle, Lloyd Williams and Pretorious in the squad? All useless. Williams has been suspended lately and Pretorious is always injured. When both play they're rubbish. Not pleased with this squad. It contains too many rubbish player and most others are rusty. They clearly haven't learnt their lessons from the autumn.

Will the tactics change? I doubt it. The selection is sh1te players don't so what leads you to believe anything else will?

For Ireland we haven't got much choice but to go with something along the lines of:

Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar, Phillips - Faletau, Tipuric, Warburton, King, Reed, Jones, Hibbard, James.

Hope Hibbard is available. We lose him and we defintely have no chance.

I voted not very happy with a few things. Those things are:

Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) - Rhys Gill
Andrew Coombs (Dragons) - Gough
Josh Turnbull (Scarlets) - Olly Kohn**
Andries Pretorius (Blues) - Lewis Evans? Andy Powell? I'm assuming R Jones won't be used at 8.....

Backs:
Lloyd Williams (Blues) - Richie Rees

**had no idea he was WQ until that article, but having read that I can't say Im disappointed, the guys a real physical presence in the 2nd row for Quins, if we're putting out a lightweight back row he could in theory slot in nicely for the time being.

Josh Navidi (Blues) - I'm undecided over, he really puts himself about in a good way but i dont think he has the physicality for 6 at the top HC level, let alone test rugby.

Eli Walker - looked electric at times, defence is poor, but he's young, it could be a good experience. They could have brought in another centre/flyhalf instead.

Griff wrote:Here's my team, for what it's worth:

Paul James
Hibbard
Adam
Evans
Ryan (if fit)
Shingler
Tipuric
Faletau

Phillips
Biggar
Halfpenny
Roberts
JD2
North/Cuthbert – can’t decide. Cuthbert is a bit more prolific at the mo.
JPR

Having North or Cuthbert on the bench could be add a good bit of impetus if there’s an injury. Could shuffle 0.005p to fullback, and then North/Cuthbert to the wing, etc.

My concern is firstly if Ryan is fir for 2nd row duty, but secondly whether he would be better at 8. While I love Faletau I think he's struggling in some aspects of the game. Maybe I just don't see what I'm meant to see. But just getting over the gain line is not all that we want. Safe hands at the base of the scrum is needed and he often struggled there, seems to knock on a fair bit, etc.

Griff:

I just had a look on the Wales on line site and picked the team and my first pass was almost identical to the team you selected (I had Byrne at FB) but like you I changed Faletau to R Jones and put King in the second row. I dropped North for 1/2 Penny on the wing.

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.

I like it Maesteg, damning with faint praise!

Coombes - sometimes you don't notice he's ginger
Lloyd Williams - that was a beautiful break his brother made in Toulon
Mathew Rees - overcame disappointment of the Celtic Warriors folding
Navidi - his father was an Iranian wrestler donchaknow
Pretorius - looks like Kevin Petersen's big brother

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.

Preistland is not selected because he is injured

The other selection not covered here is Mark Jones to the coaching team. Mark is a really nice bloke but like Howley and McBryde has minimal experience in coaching at club level, why bring him in to the Wales set up? Is this a Gatland selection to pick so called coaches that offer no threat to his position? S Holley and others has better qualifications than any of the current Welsh coaching team. Interesting nobody is involved from the Ospreys!

Glas a du wrote:I like it Maesteg, damning with faint praise!

Coombes - sometimes you don't notice he's ginger
Lloyd Williams - that was a beautiful break his brother made in Toulon
Mathew Rees - overcame disappointment of the Celtic Warriors folding
Navidi - his father was an Iranian wrestler donchaknow
Pretorius - looks like Kevin Petersen's big brother

Unfortunately, Owen Williams is not Lloyds brother, that would be Tom Williams...he doesn't really play for the blues anymore

I just don't understand at all, how has Lloyd Williams merited a call up????

For a start he has been woefull at club level all season, then gets a red and has been sidelined for 6 weeks, yet Ritchie Rees and Martin Roberts play out of their skins and nothing!!! Jon Evans at the Dragons has been far better also and Davies at the Scarlets, I could understand criticism of the 4 of those players but to overlook all 4 for Lloyd frickin Williams who is behind all 4 in every way possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then theres Gethin Jenkins, hasn't played this season, was thrown to the wolves during the Autumn because he hadn't played all season and he hasn't played since!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhys Gill has been playing superbly for Saracens in a winning team who are competitive in the AP and Europe, but hey why would Wales want players who are winning rugby matches????????????????????????????????????

Is Andrew Coombs and Turnbull lock or back row cover??? Neither have played lock this season and surely Shanks at the Dragons deserves to be there as a back row option over both, and Pretorious, infact I'd bet my money on Evans over the three of them at a little 3 on 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could forgive not selecting Gill as he's not based in Wales if it weren't for Mitchells et al selections, even though Mitchell/Phillips/Hook have all been injured too?!?!?!?!

I could understand Pretorious selection for a bit of bulk if Shinglar/Coombs etc weren't selected over Shanks or even Gough/Adam Jones (I know they are old but they'd still do a job, and Jones has been pretty good this year)

I just don't get it, why select in part some forward thinking to deserving players like Walker,Navidi,King and revert to type with the likes of Lloyd Wiliams,Pretorious??!?!

S Holley and others has better qualifications than any of the current Welsh coaching team

WHOA WHOA WHOA calm the fudge down!!!!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:S Holley and others has better qualifications than any of the current Welsh coaching team

WHOA WHOA WHOA calm the fudge down!!!!!!

I did not say go for Holley I just said he has far more experience than Howley, McBryde and Mark Jones put together. What has Mark Jones done it is not as if the have won any HC games as the Blues. The biggest problem at the Ospreys was Johnson, god help Scotland.

Tipuric will not get selected over Warburton. Seeing that Warburton has been made captain. ( I guess he must know something about Howley) Seeing that Tipuric is a better player than Warburton.

Gethin Jenkins? I thought he was out with an injury. Another love child of Gatlands, i guess.

I would of thought that Howley would of used this 6ns to bring on players for the 2015 rugby world cup. Will Mike Phillips be around for the 2015 rugby world cup?[/quote]

Maj,

I know he won't thats why I said in brackets would be what Howler would pick and Warburton was in brackets.

Didn't realise Jenkins was injured but named him on bench James is our No1 Bevington will take Jenkins' place if he's out.

Not worried about Bevington he's been very good recently

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.

I've said it before, but why not pick a team based on players who are actually in form and playing with confidence? We may lose, but I'd rather lose with a new team, than keep losing with the same old one. In which case, I would play:

Lee Byrne - an ACTUAL fullback
Leigh Halfpenny
Jonathan Davies (captain)
Jamie Roberts - limited time, but limited options
Alex Cuthbert
Dan Biggar

Mike Phillips

Ryan Jones - if fit
Justin Tipuric
Aaron Shingler - if fit
James King
Ian Evans
Adam Jones
Richard Hibbard - if fit
Ryan Bevington

Gill/James/Bevington have been our form LH, Jenkins for all his class hasn't had any game time. No matter how good you are, no gametime will always decrease your playing standards. From the squad, I'd go with for Ireland:

1. James
2. Hibbard
3. Jones
4. Reed
5. Evans - If fit has to play.
6. Warburton (C) - Showing some decent form for the Blues and played well there when Tips came on against NZ.
7. Tips - Best 7 in the country, arguably in the NH atm. Class act and good in the lineout, has to play.
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Biggar
11. 1/2p - Best position for me
12. Roberts
13. JD2
14. Cuthbert - Defensive frailties aside, he's consistently scored tries for us in the last 12 months, and looked great vs OZ on tour. Scoring for the Blues also with little chance to get his hands on the ball. Deserves his test spot.
15. Byrne - Fantastic season so far for Clermont. Form 15, deserves his test spot back.

16. Bevington
17. Owens
18. Andrews - Mitchell only just returned and Andrews has impressed at intl and club level this season.
19. James King
20. Shingler
21. Knoyle
22. Hook
23. North - Could cover the outside centre spot if needs be but will be a great impact player from the bench.

Liam

I think I'm with you except for Cuthbert, when he gives ground away for fun like that at club level he'll be a liability at Int level, especially as the Welsh set peice woll be awfull and he won't have a platform, I would much prefer the better all rounder in North!!!

My team personally would be all about form, about which players are playing, playing well and winning at top teams...

Gill (monstrous scrummager and hard worker)
Hibbard (wrecking ball)
Jones (destructive in the scrum)
Reed (only guy fit)
Adam Jones (not winning but still playing well, and it is dire times!)
Warburton (Tips better but no natural 6)
Tipuric (OMG)
Falatau (no real contest... Delve!!!)
Roberts/Davies/Evans (slicker and better distribution)
Biggar (good form and we may need his boot for some position)
Cuthbert (great strike runner)
Roberts (defencive leader, we'll need that without a platform)
JD2 (need I say more)
North
1/2p (point machine)

Jenkins
Andrews
Owens
Shinglar
Phillips
Hook
Williams
Byrne

I know Byrne is in great form and has a monster left boot but unless you have the gameplan liking CA it won't be utilised well.

Phillips is a weapon that can do some damage late on, similar to Hook.

Seeing Jenkins and Owens come off the bench would be great, and for me Shinglar beat Evans to the bench because he can cover lock pure and simple!!

Liam I think that is a good team though I would swap Lou Reed for James King, he looks the form player of the two for me...!

I'm surprised Olly Kohn hasn't been called up.

maestegmafia wrote:Liam I think that is a good team though I would swap Lou Reed for James King, he looks the form player of the two for me...!

I agree tbh. I just think Reed will get the nod considering he's played intl rugby before but King has played well for the O's this season and he'd get my nod imo.

glamorganalun wrote:

Griff wrote:Here's my team, for what it's worth:

Paul James
Hibbard
Adam
Evans
Ryan (if fit)
Shingler
Tipuric
Faletau

Phillips
Biggar
Halfpenny
Roberts
JD2
North/Cuthbert – can’t decide. Cuthbert is a bit more prolific at the mo.
JPR

Having North or Cuthbert on the bench could be add a good bit of impetus if there’s an injury. Could shuffle 0.005p to fullback, and then North/Cuthbert to the wing, etc.

My concern is firstly if Ryan is fir for 2nd row duty, but secondly whether he would be better at 8. While I love Faletau I think he's struggling in some aspects of the game. Maybe I just don't see what I'm meant to see. But just getting over the gain line is not all that we want. Safe hands at the base of the scrum is needed and he often struggled there, seems to knock on a fair bit, etc.

Griff:

I just had a look on the Wales on line site and picked the team and my first pass was almost identical to the team you selected (I had Byrne at FB) but like you I changed Faletau to R Jones and put King in the second row. I dropped North for 1/2 Penny on the wing.

Great minds Alun! I didn't notice Byrne in the squad somehow so probably would have gone for him. He's playing well and is an out and out fullback. I've since been told that Ian Evans and Ryan are now out so that's another spanner in the works. Agree re 1/2p on the wing. He's much more of a wing for me. He's done admirably filling in, but I think he's better running them in and skipping down the touch line than creating from the middle of the park with all that space. Also, not sure that his kicking is that good. Although I think he's being directed to keep it infield when kicking, so maybe he's not as bad as I think.

VinceWLB wrote:I'm surprised Olly Kohn hasn't been called up.

Considering he announced to the world he is welsh qualified and wants to play for wales today rather than when he was a kid i am not surprised... Its more likely media hype to sell copy than a real story mate...

It's like the late 1980s all over again. Eccentric selections and wild inconsistency. Capable of a RWC semi one minute then losing to Romania the next....

Sort of exciting. But not in a particularly good way.

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).

Casartelli wrote:It's like the late 1980s all over again. Eccentric selections and wild inconsistency. Capable of a RWC semi one minute then losing to Romania the next....

Sort of exciting. But not in a particularly good way.

What loads of BS

Rev

I havn't seen Coombs at lock this season!!! He has covered there during games but havn't seen him named there.

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/