Wales Tour of Japan

First topic message reminder :

I know there was a thread on this somewhere, but it's been swamped.

Wales Lions - likely replacements

Halfpenny - Liam Williams
Cuthbert - Walker, Robinson
Davies - Williams, Maule
Roberts - Beck, Hewitt
North - Owen Williams (gutted for Mike Poole)
Phillips - Aled Davies, Tavis Knoyle
Jenkins - Gill
Hibbard - Myhill
Jones - Mitchell
AW Jones - Lou Reed
Ian Evans - King, Kohn
Lydiate - Ieuan Jones
Warburton and Tipuric - Thomas
Faletau - Bearman

What do you think? Anybody else you'd like to see tour Japan?

Wales Training Squad:
Forwards: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Blues), Lou Reed (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Blues), Josh Navidi (Blues).
Backs: Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Aled Davis (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Steven Shingler (London Irish).

LATEST WRU PRESS RELEASE:




Wales Training Squad Update

Wales have called Cardiff Blues outside half Rhys Patchell and Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Sam Parry into their training squad for the tour of Japan but Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland has been ruled out of the tour.

Priestland aggravated his Achilles tendon in the warm-up of the Scarlets’ RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final on Friday evening and will miss the two-test tour.

Patchell, 19, who has scored 147 points in 22 appearances for the Blues this season and Haverfordwest born Parry, joined up with the training squad when they met for the first time this morning.

Ken Owens, Scott Williams and Liam Williams who picked up knocks in the defeat to Ulster, will continue to be monitored by the National Squad medical team.

Rhys PATCHELL (CARDIFF BLUES - Uncapped)
DoB: 17.05.93. 6’2” / 1.88m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
International record: Uncapped

Sam PARRY (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Uncapped)
DoB: 17.12.91. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 11lbs / 107kgs
International record: Uncapped.

Further update:

Scott Williams out. Will not be replaced in the squad.

Further update:

Ken Owens confirmed out, won't be replaced. 27 man squad TBA.

Cheers Munkian:

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WELSH RUGBY UNION:
WALES ANNOUNCE JAPAN TOUR SQUAD

Cardiff Blues lock Bradley Davies will lead Wales in the forthcoming two-test tour of Japan.

The 26-year-old was named captain as Head Coach for the Japan tour Robin McBryde reduced his initial training squad down to a 27-man touring party.

The squad includes nine uncapped players including Ospreys duo Dafydd Howells and Dan Baker and Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell.

Props Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs) who all featured for Wales in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations are joined by Saracens’ Rhys Gill and Rhodri Jones (Scarlets).

Uncapped pair Emyr Phillips (Scarlets) and Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) are named as hookers.

Davies returns to the squad after missing the Six Nations campaign due to injury and is named alongside Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Lou Reed (Blues) and James King (Ospreys).

Baker, 20, who featured 25 times for Swansea in the Principality Premiership this season, joins Scarlets duo Aaron Shingler and Rob McCusker and Blues captain Andries Pretorius.

Lloyd Williams (Blues) and Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) are named at scrum-half alongside Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and Patchell at fly-half.

In the backline Ospreys trio Ashley Beck, Jonathan Spratt and 18-year-old Howells are joined by Blues duo Owen Williams and Harry Robinson, Liam Williams (Scarlets), Tom Prydie (Dragons) and Steven Shingler (London Irish).

Wales face Eddie Jones’ Japan in Osaka on June 8th and then in Tokyo on June 15th and McBryde has been impressed with his squad over the past ten days.

“We’ve had the training squad together for more than a week and we’ve been impressed,” said McBryde.

“They have really put the effort in and stepped up as we have asked them to. Everyone in the training squad put their hand up for selection making our jobs much harder.

“It’s a chance for these players now to experience the international test environment and put their marker down.
Wales Squad:

Forwards: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Blues), Lou Reed (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Blues).

Backs: Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Steven Shingler (London Irish).

Risca Rev wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Japan's form has taken a bit of a dip because they are trying to produce more of their own players instead of capping foreigners.

Are they? Considering they recently capped Craig Wing, I think if that was true then that wouldn't have happened.

Yes, they definitely are. John Kirwan selected 10 foreign-born players in his 2011 World Cup squad and many of them were first team starters. This didn't go down particularly well, but his teams put together some good performances, and he might have got away with it he'd broken Japan's World Cup duck and won a match. He didn't.

Eddie Jones has said at press conferences he was asked to develop more local talent, and you can see the evidence is in his starting line-ups. As LeinsterFan4life says, though, this has meant taking a step backwards, and they have yet to take a two steps forward. Jones has been particularly critical of the standard of Japanese university rugby, which is supposed to be one of the main feeder programmes for professional sides and the national team.

This doesn't mean no foreign born players will ever be selected again. Wing looks a cut above the usual previously uncommitted player in Japan so Jones would be remiss not to select him.

Very true Rugby Fan. Jones has been taking huge criticism from the media lately for the performances which is understanble because his teams have been losing to Fiji and Tonga development teams in the Pacific nations cup.

There has been a big drop in performances in the last couple of years when you consider they won the PN cup in 2011. It was good to see them being competitive against Wales though.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Very true Rugby Fan. Jones has been taking huge criticism from the media lately for the performances which is understanble because his teams have been losing to Fiji and Tonga development teams in the Pacific nations cup.

There has been a big drop in performances in the last couple of years when you consider they won the PN cup in 2011. It was good to see them being competitive against Wales though.

The Japanease can't have it both ways, if they want local boys picked then they are going to be smaller and weaker than Kiwi's and Islanders.

In that last 20 minutes it was really noticeable that they were falling off tackles, and not holding their defensive lines.

Harry Robinson bumped a few over trying to tackle head on, him and Will Harries are the smallest guys in Welsh rugby ATM!So Japan never stand a chance if they come up against North or Tuliagi
Thought we played poorly yesterday, Rob picked the wrong team.
But all that aside a very good win for such a weak side.

Ok not the best performance on the weekend and yes they are youngster but they should do better than they did. I feel our scrums could have been a bit stronger and our back row was just so unbalanced. James king was an awful 7, he didn't run a 7s line of the back of scrums which showed at the breakdown.
So I want to make changes to the team because it can't be that close again.
Here is my 15 for Saturday:
1. Rhys Gill
2. Emyr Phillips
3.Craig Mitchell
4. Bradley (c)
5. Coombs
6. Baker
7.Navidi
8. Pretorious
9. LLoyd Williams
10.Bigagr
11. Howells
12. Adam Warren
13. Owen Williams
14. Robinson
15. Liam Williams

Rhys Gill was the best sub to come on off the bench, made a real impact and Bevington had a chance and didn't perform as well as he can. So it's Rhys's turn.
Crag instead of Scott, net mainly because Scott done anything wrong, he played well actually but Craig offers more at scrum time
Lou reed looked slow around the pitch so I would prefer coombs at lock and a change at 6. Coombs played well but he is a better lock and should be there Saturday.
The back row was just awful Mccusker didn't really offer any go forward and Pretorius is a good ball carrier (he looks a lot bigger as well than when I last saw him). I think Dan Baker and Pretorius would give our pack a lot more go forward and they both actually play in those positions.
And i'm not even going to get into James King, easy to say Navidi is the obvious choice.

The only change in the backs would be Spratt because he offered nothing in attack at all and Adam Warren is quick, strong and a good defender, he has been away with the 7's so he has had a lot more experience of late.
Only good thing about last Saturdays games was Bradley Davies and our back 3.

Jhamer25 wrote:Ok not the best performance on the weekend and yes they are youngster but they should do better than they did. I feel our scrums could have been a bit stronger and our back row was just so unbalanced. James king was an awful 7, he didn't run a 7s line of the back of scrums which showed at the breakdown.
So I want to make changes to the team because it can't be that close again.
Here is my 15 for Saturday:
1. Rhys Gill
2. Emyr Phillips
3.Craig Mitchell
4. Bradley (c)
5. Coombs
6. Baker
7.Navidi
8. Pretorious
9. LLoyd Williams
10.Bigagr
11. Howells
12. Adam Warren
13. Owen Williams
14. Robinson
15. Liam Williams

Rhys Gill was the best sub to come on off the bench, made a real impact and Bevington had a chance and didn't perform as well as he can. So it's Rhys's turn.
Crag instead of Scott, net mainly because Scott done anything wrong, he played well actually but Craig offers more at scrum time
Lou reed looked slow around the pitch so I would prefer coombs at lock and a change at 6. Coombs played well but he is a better lock and should be there Saturday.
The back row was just awful Mccusker didn't really offer any go forward and Pretorius is a good ball carrier (he looks a lot bigger as well than when I last saw him). I think Dan Baker and Pretorius would give our pack a lot more go forward and they both actually play in those positions.
And i'm not even going to get into James King, easy to say Navidi is the obvious choice.

The only change in the backs would be Spratt because he offered nothing in attack at all and Adam Warren is quick, strong and a good defender, he has been away with the 7's so he has had a lot more experience of late.
Only good thing about last Saturdays games was Bradley Davies and our back 3.

Mitchell and Warren are injured, I think Mitchell may have come home. I would likely leave Pretorious on the bench and give Baker his chance at eight, he looks really good and will likely be a regular 8 at the Ospreys next season. I agree regarding Nalvidi coming in though.

Shifty wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Very true Rugby Fan. Jones has been taking huge criticism from the media lately for the performances which is understanble because his teams have been losing to Fiji and Tonga development teams in the Pacific nations cup.

There has been a big drop in performances in the last couple of years when you consider they won the PN cup in 2011. It was good to see them being competitive against Wales though.

The Japanease can't have it both ways, if they want local boys picked then they are going to be smaller and weaker than Kiwi's and Islanders.

In that last 20 minutes it was really noticeable that they were falling off tackles, and not holding their defensive lines.

What do you mean they cant have it both ways?? Whats wrong with trying to develope Japanese payers? Its not like they were world beaters with rejected kiwis. This way the public can get behind the team more.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:What do you mean they cant have it both ways?? Whats wrong with trying to develope Japanese payers? Its not like they were world beaters with rejected kiwis. This way the public can get behind the team more.

Well they pushed Scotland hard in the World Cup, and won the Pacific Nations Cup a few years ago. If they want to develop a team of natives they need to be patient. Jones is a tósser but he is a good coach.

Shifty wrote:Well they pushed Scotland hard in the World Cup, and won the Pacific Nations Cup a few years ago. If they want to develop a team of natives they need to be patient. Jones is a tósser but he is a good coach.

They didn't play Scotland, the team they pushed hard for 60 minutes was France. Scheduling meant they sent out a second-choice against New Zealand and got hammered. Kirwan fancied his chances against Tonga and Canada but lost to the first, and could only draw against the second.

It was a team of "natives" which beat a Scotland XV, including at least eight full internationals, in 1989.

Rugby is a distant third behind baseball and football in Japan The IRB wants to see the country develop because there aren't many footholds in Asia, especially when compared with those two sports.

Kirwan was asked by the JRFU to build a winning team. He concluded that Japan didn't have a good player development programme and he didn't have the luxury of time to change it. Consequently he went for eligible foreigners to raise professional standards. It's not the size difference which kills Japanese rugby - thought it shouldn't be ignored - it's old-fashioned training methods and a lack of ambition.

The drawback of many foreign players is that, even after three years of residency, they don't speak Japanese. It makes it hard for crowds to connect with them or see them as role models. When Kirwan couldn't win a match in New Zealand, the JRFU concluded that the costs of sticking with that strategy were too high. Unfortunately, they haven't given Jones a lot of scope to make the necessary root and branch changes either.

Rugby Fan wrote:

Shifty wrote:Well they pushed Scotland hard in the World Cup, and won the Pacific Nations Cup a few years ago. If they want to develop a team of natives they need to be patient. Jones is a tósser but he is a good coach.

They didn't play Scotland, the team they pushed hard for 60 minutes was France. Scheduling meant they sent out a second-choice against New Zealand and got hammered. Kirwan fancied his chances against Tonga and Canada but lost to the first, and could only draw against the second.

It was a team of "natives" which beat a Scotland XV, including at least eight full internationals, in 1989.

Rugby is a distant third behind baseball and football in Japan The IRB wants to see the country develop because there aren't many footholds in Asia, especially when compared with those two sports.

Kirwan was asked by the JRFU to build a winning team. He concluded that Japan didn't have a good player development programme and he didn't have the luxury of time to change it. Consequently he went for eligible foreigners to raise professional standards. It's not the size difference which kills Japanese rugby - thought it shouldn't be ignored - it's old-fashioned training methods and a lack of ambition.

The drawback of many foreign players is that, even after three years of residency, they don't speak Japanese. It makes it hard for crowds to connect with them or see them as role models. When Kirwan couldn't win a match in New Zealand, the JRFU concluded that the costs of sticking with that strategy were too high. Unfortunately, they haven't given Jones a lot of scope to make the necessary root and branch changes either.

I love the ambition of Japanese rugby and the will to succeed but they need to be more patient. This is going to take time. They want to be within the top 10 within 2 years, which is great that they are aiming high.. but I think a more realistic goal would be to get to 12th within 2 years and then maybe top 10 by 2019 for their world cup.

maestegmafia wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Ok not the best performance on the weekend and yes they are youngster but they should do better than they did. I feel our scrums could have been a bit stronger and our back row was just so unbalanced. James king was an awful 7, he didn't run a 7s line of the back of scrums which showed at the breakdown.
So I want to make changes to the team because it can't be that close again.
Here is my 15 for Saturday:
1. Rhys Gill
2. Emyr Phillips
3.Craig Mitchell
4. Bradley (c)
5. Coombs
6. Baker
7.Navidi
8. Pretorious
9. LLoyd Williams
10.Bigagr
11. Howells
12. Adam Warren
13. Owen Williams
14. Robinson
15. Liam Williams

Rhys Gill was the best sub to come on off the bench, made a real impact and Bevington had a chance and didn't perform as well as he can. So it's Rhys's turn.
Crag instead of Scott, net mainly because Scott done anything wrong, he played well actually but Craig offers more at scrum time
Lou reed looked slow around the pitch so I would prefer coombs at lock and a change at 6. Coombs played well but he is a better lock and should be there Saturday.
The back row was just awful Mccusker didn't really offer any go forward and Pretorius is a good ball carrier (he looks a lot bigger as well than when I last saw him). I think Dan Baker and Pretorius would give our pack a lot more go forward and they both actually play in those positions.
And i'm not even going to get into James King, easy to say Navidi is the obvious choice.

The only change in the backs would be Spratt because he offered nothing in attack at all and Adam Warren is quick, strong and a good defender, he has been away with the 7's so he has had a lot more experience of late.
Only good thing about last Saturdays games was Bradley Davies and our back 3.

Mitchell and Warren are injured, I think Mitchell may have come home. I would likely leave Pretorious on the bench and give Baker his chance at eight, he looks really good and will likely be a regular 8 at the Ospreys next season. I agree regarding Nalvidi coming in though.

I heard about Craig having a shoulder injury but Rob Mcbryde said he should be alright by the second test but I haven't heard anything about Warren, gutted if he is injured.
I only moved coombs from 6 to lock really because Lou Reed isn't up to it. I would rather Pretorius on the pitch rather than Lou Reed. But no I do agree I would also like to see Baker have a run at 8.
But whatever happens changes must be made.

We need the strongest team available IMO - Other posters are right, Gill made a difference, Reed is well off the pace, McCusker is awful. Possibly Tavis to start to get some game time but we need a stronger set piece. Bradley Davies is also not Captain material. He's a nice lad but is not tactically up to that role. We should have kicked a straightforward penalty in the first 5 mins to settle things down. Pretorius looked very good when he came on and he strengthened our carrying options etc

I had high hopes for Spratt when I saw this footage of him playing for Taranaki
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6lh1k_spratt-1st-2nd-tries-taranaki-v-nor_sport#.UbTwX_lORR0

But he has been poor since

Spratt was taking on too much, trying too hard if you like, he needs to concentrate on the basics first and not start running into gaps that are not there.

I agree that Reed and Spratt weren't up to it. Warren or Shingler for Spratt and Coombs in to lock with Balvidi in at openside. We need a ball winner at the breakdown.

I'd also swap Gill and Bevington round.

Might be wrong about Mitchell, be great to have him available if he's fit.

Just seen a couple of photos of Craig Mitchell training, so he should come in though Bubba Andrews didn't do much wrong.

I think we should go a bit stronger this week, still playing some of the youngsters, but going back to players playing in their proper positions (like Coombs) and Navidi at 7.

That's great news Risca...!

Apparently Biggars not looking in great shape. 

Maybe Patchell will take the ten shirt.

See you can't trust gingers. He'll be taking your wife's knickers next...

Glas a du wrote:See you can't trust gingers. He'll be taking your wife's knickers next...

Bad experience with Neil Jenkins???

Would def start:

Gill at L/Head
Coombs into 2nd row
Navidi at open

Andrews is going well still and surprising a lot of people (me included) but would be good to see Mitchell get a decent amount of gametime, if (and I hope) it is a more comfortable game than last week then give Patchell a decent run as well.

WALES:
Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Blues), Bradley Davies (CAPT) (Blues), Lou Reed (Blues), James King (Ospreys), Josh Navidi (Blues), Andries Pretorius (Blues).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Rhys Patchell (Blues), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys).

Still some odd selections but I guess its about giving these lads a shot.

Good to see Gill and Navidi start but why drop Coombs he was one of the bright lights again last weekend.

I guess they are really trying to bring Lou reed up at pace. He is what, sixth or seventh choice at lock for Wales.

Glad king is playing. Nalvidi should make a huge difference.

Mitchell on the bench. Good to see he has pulled through his injury.

maestegmafia wrote:

Glas a du wrote:See you can't trust gingers. He'll be taking your wife's knickers next...

Bad experience with Neil Jenkins???

He had the worst of it...

Decent team, better than last week

Coombes is the only player I would have started, except maybe replacing Spratt with someone.

Pleased for Prydie. Should never have been picked as a teen. But looks a good prospect now.

Is Scott Williams injured and Andrew Bishop past it? I would just prefer some more experience in midfield to orchestrate things. It might seem a bit ridiculous but a marshall or go to player like Sonny Parker would help to bring these players together - Probably Bishop would have been my choice - I just feel its asking too much from these inexperienced players if things start going wrong. I appreciate there are pros and cons in both arguments but I would have preferred a stronger back bone and fail to see what Reed is bringing or King from the position he's playing in. Coombs should be in there.

Coombs offered more than Reed last week. I don't mind King getting a go at 6 after that debacle last week when he was made to play 7. I'm surprised he dropped McCusker mind.

Ruby, it looks like the brief they gave Robin McBryde was to blood as many new / young players as possible in these two Tests. I don't think they thought losing to Japan was a possibility, which is as disrespectful as it is dangerous. (For a perfect example of how certain they were that victory was a given, see the decision to kick an early penalty to the corner instead of at goal.)

Norfolklass wrote:Pleased for Prydie. Should never have been picked as a teen. But looks a good prospect now.

If you are good enough you are old enough, it was only his injuries that have kept him away

I commented on that decision last week luckless - Bradley is not captain material and it sais a lot about the coaches that they have given him this key role. Pretorius is far more intelligent around the park and perhaps Biggar could have been given the captains arm band   
 

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Ruby, it looks like the brief they gave Robin McBryde was to blood as many new / young players as possible in these two Tests. I don't think they thought losing to Japan was a possibility, which is as disrespectful as it is dangerous. (For a perfect example of how certain they were that victory was a given, see the decision to kick an early penalty to the corner instead of at goal.)

I think it is more they don't really care if they lose, as such (Gats said something similar about the Lions with the non-test games), it is more about finding out who is up to what and how players fit in etc.

Looking at this team I can't shake the feeling that the changes are not tactical but pre-planned (a bit like in the AIs), giving both Gog and Andres a run at number 8, but making sure Baker is on the bench both times to gain experience.  Howells starting last week and benching this week for Prydie etc has a similar feel to it.  Although I have a feeling Howells or Patch may come on in the centre at some point, maybe with Sanjay going off (if things are going well), Prydie dropping back, and O Williams slotting in on the wing.

RubyGuby wrote:I commented on that decision last week luckless - Bradley is not captain material and it sais a lot about the coaches that they have given him this key role. Pretorius is far more intelligent around the park and perhaps Biggar could have been given the captains arm band   
 

They said it was a toss up between Coombes and Davies, should have gone with the ginger.

The better option would be to have taken Lewis Evans who has captained his region many times and a much better backrow player than some of their other picks.

munkian wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:Pleased for Prydie. Should never have been picked as a teen. But looks a good prospect now.

If you are good enough you are old enough, it was only his injuries that have kept him away

I disagree. For me he looked out of his depth at the time of his initial selection. Being capped so young did him (and Tom James) no favours. He looks a far better player now.

He did rather well against SA

Lewis Evans is a good shout although I thought his game went off the boil a little in the latter part of the season. Difficult to tell sometimes. Morgan Allen is another who I think has a lot to offer

RubyGuby wrote:Lewis Evans is a good shout although I thought his game went off the boil a little in the latter part of the season. Difficult to tell sometimes. Morgan Allen is another who I think has a lot to offer

If they wanted to take a youngster at number eight then Allen should have gone.  After all he is ahead of Baker in the pecking order at the Liberary.

Norfolklass wrote:

munkian wrote:

Norfolklass wrote:Pleased for Prydie. Should never have been picked as a teen. But looks a good prospect now.

If you are good enough you are old enough, it was only his injuries that have kept him away

I disagree. For me he looked out of his depth at the time of his initial selection. Being capped so young did him (and Tom James) no favours. He looks a far better player now.

Tom James was never going to be good enough, he had no rugby brain. Prydie was a great player as a teenager and ridiculously quick. His biggest problem was being out injured for 18 months.

Prydie had a very good season which has gone under the radar a bit. He was the Rabo 3rd highest points scorer behind Madigan and Pienaar, and ahead of Biggar. Not bad company to be keeping. He kicked only half the conversions of Pienaar which is not surprising when kicking for a team towards the bottom of the league who would score a lot less tries than the likes of Ulster. Not a bad feat when playing as a wing/full back. 

Like others have alluded to, it is playing regularly that has probably allowed him to get back to good form. Sitting on the O's bench is bound to affect a player's form. Glad we picked him up and hope he kicks on (but hope he doesn't do a runner when/if his stock rises sufficiently!).

I found him frustrating to watch this season. He'd look quality in some games but in others he'd look like he couldn't be bothered.

It's not always easy playing wing for the Dragons, Luckless. Just ask Chavanga!

I think it's great to have Lyn Jones at the Dragons  - I think he will attract more quality as well as organising the coaching etc much better

RubyGuby wrote:I think it's great to have Lyn Jones at the Dragons  - I think he will attract more quality as well as organising the coaching etc much better

Definitely, Lyn Jone is a very well respected coach. He has proved he has a talent for changing teams fortunes, just look at how well he did with London Welsh.

COME ON WALES !!!!

Griff, there was one game this season where Prydie played full back. Chavhanga was on the left wing and had barely had a touch. The opposition (I can't remember who) kicked and it was gathered by Prydie and he had Chavhanga outside him. Did he give him the ball? Did he bullocks, he hoisted a garryowen!

Injuries aside, we really wasted Chavhanga's talents during his time here.

Deffo, his first touch of the ball against Keerrrdifff (re-scheduled game) and he scored

Deffo, his first touch of the ball against Keerrrdifff (re-scheduled game) and he scored

I'm not saying he's a world beater just yet, Luckless. But for me a lot of the good things the Dragons did this season (bearing in mind that most things were poor!) involved Prydie, often in a link up with Dan Evans. The two of them together have been good for the Dragons. 

He's got plenty of room for improvement. I guess it can be frustrating playing behind a beaten pack, especially at wing or fullback where the ball doesn't come out to you very often. This is compounded by us not having the most creative of centres - until the end of the season where  Robling and Wardle provided a glimpse of things to come. With Tuilagi you know the ball's not going wide!

Anyway, back to the thread. Go Wales!

It was only frustrating because when he's good, he makes it look so easy. We know what he's capable of.

Morning!

Anyone else up?

This is quite surreal - an all Japanese male voice choir singing the Welsh national anthem Yng Gymraeg perfectly.  Just goes to show the power of music.   The Japanese anthem is something else...beautiful.