Wales 6 Nations bolters

So who are they going to be?

In the forwards I would bet that Kristian Dacey and Lewis Evans are possibly bolters

In the backs, Dan Evans, Jason Tovey (with Patchell possibly injured?) and Jordan Williams also seem likely. Possibly Hanno Dirksen if he is qualified.

Barring injury I can't see there being any bolters.

The team pretty much picks itself these days. We may see Adam Jones and Mike Phillips dropped and / or replaced to the bench but I very much doubt it.

The only real question is are Wales hungry this season?

They took a half arsed attitude into the 6 Nations last year against Ireland and were humiliated, after 41 minutes they were losing 30-3 at home!

I'm happy it's Italy first up at home to be honest, a solid team, but not great at scoring points. It should be ideal for working out the creases, and clearing the cob webs.

Ireland in Dublin next with Wayne Barnes as the referee, that match has got controversial shambles written all over it.   

France next at home with Allan Rolland as the referee, whomever made that call has a real sense of humor after what happened in the World Cup!

Then we have a trip to Twickenham with Romain Poite as the referee who is probably one of the very worst for refereeing the scrumages.

Then Scotland at home.   

IT could be a bad season for Wales!   

Hey, lets not start blaming the ref till AFTER the match, eh ?   

Lewis Evans SHOULD be in the squad but Rob Mcklusterf*ck is bound to be there as he's a turk.

I'm guessing Doc and Scot will be in the centre - hopefully JD2 will be fit at some point.

Rest of the team picks itself really - except Mikey will be starting 9 with Brynmor's 2nd coming behind him.

Shifty wrote:Barring injury I can't see there being any bolters.

The team pretty much picks itself these days.  We may see Adam Jones and Mike Phillips dropped and / or replaced to the bench but I very much doubt it.  

The only real question is are Wales hungry this season?  

They took a half arsed attitude into the 6 Nations last year against Ireland and were humiliated, after 41 minutes they were losing 30-3 at home!

I'm happy it's Italy first up at home to be honest, a solid team, but not great at scoring points.  It should be ideal for working out the creases, and clearing the cob webs.  

Ireland in Dublin next with Wayne Barnes as the referee, that match has got controversial shambles written all over it.    

France next at home with Allan Rolland as the referee, whomever made that call has a real sense of humor after what happened in the World Cup!  

Then we have a trip to Twickenham with Romain Poite  as the referee who is probably one of the very worst for refereeing the scrumages.

Then Scotland at home.   

IT could be a bad season for Wales!   

If there are to be any bolters then hopefully it's the guys layed out in the OP. Hopefully we've seen the last of the Turks worst players and guys like Pretorious and premiership players. I'm sick of the novelty caps being given out.

We took a beating from Ireland last year which came as no surprise when looking at the back-row on each team. Ireland had a big, strong back-row all fit and firing. Shingler was picked to start at 6, no idea why. Warburton wasn't on form either and right now he's injured. He was also crap against Australia so I'd like to see the form 7 picked, and that's either Tipruic or Evans.

Barnes is pretty good ref, but does seem to make a few glaring errors. As for Rolland, I thought he was retiring? From what I've seen in the last year he's well past it so I've no idea why he's back into the fray and in that fixture.

JD2 is out the entire 6N   

Devalued England win  


EDIT

Ah, could be back last 2 games. But then he'll have had no game time

We ended the autumn with Williams and North in the centre, I think we should continue with that. If Roberts is available let him try and force his way back in.

I think what Wales need to find is some bulky ball carriers for the mid-field.

The Saint wrote:We ended the autumn with Williams and North in the centre, I think we should continue with that. If Roberts is available let him try and force his way back in.

Who would you have on the wings ?

I'd still pick Roberts and Scott Williams, leave North on the wings because the lack of quality there means theres no natural replacement.

We do need to get more depth in wings before RWC, I know they have kind of tried to but they keep getting injured

munkian wrote:

The Saint wrote:We ended the autumn with Williams and North in the centre, I think we should continue with that. If Roberts is available let him try and force his way back in.

Who would you have on the wings ?

Cuthbert and either of Jordan Williams, Liam Williams, Hanno Dirksen, Eli Walker, Hallam Amos; whoever is playing the best I reckon. If Dan Evans gets picked and we're light on the wing, maybe they'd consider playing Halfpenny there.

Interesting point about injuries. Dirksen has just come back from a long-term spell. Walker has an operation on what was causing him to have a re-occurring injury...and then during the autumn he gets cropped in the same place.

Dirksen a no for me - seems like a bit of a git and can see him getting riled up and doing something stupid

For all Walker's potential he seems to be made of glass.

Amos injured ATM but could come good I reckon

Sanjay is a better 15 but dont see Halfpence being moved

A backline of 12. Jamie Roberts , 13. Scott Williams, 11. George North, 14. Cuthbert is a very big and lets say obvious threat. Well let's just say there is an attacking threat there but it might be to one dimensional.
I think it could pay of against the likes of Scotland, Italy and England (If Manu is out) but BOD and Marshall are very good defenders and attackers just like France.

Bolters for me are:
Samson Lee (if he gets game time of the bench or a start against Italy)
Scott William, if he maintains his best form
Justin Tipuric needs to start end off, would be the biggest bolter imo
The starting back row has to be the one on form:
6. Ryan Jones, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Toby Falateu
the amount of pressure those three are capable of putting on at the break down would be a nightmare for opposing teams.

I think Jordan Williams can go a long way. I guess there's also Prydie and Robinson, I don't think either are that special though. How about Brew?

Brew was a great player for the Dragons but not an International player- not the style of game Wales play anyway

Prydie injured ATM, May be biased but Dan Evans has been on great form for the Dragons - a good attacking 15

Bluddy hell everyone is always injured, didn't know about Prydie or Amoe

Don't think its TOO long term, Amos should be a few weeks, not heard on Prydie

Guess depends what your definition of a bolter is? I don't think there will be any complete bolters like we have seen in the past (Prydie, Walker etc)

The main squad is pretty settled and even some of the fringe players have had some involvement recently.

I am hoping we will certainly see Lewis Evans and Tovey involved but I wouldn't count them as true bolters.

Also I hope the likes of Lee, Amos, J Williams get involved more this year.

Jake Ball would be my bolter but again it depends on the make up of the squad, Davies is injured, Evans seems out of favour at the moment so there is a gap there. Do you fill it with an out and out 2nd rower or use the versatility of say R Jones, Shingler or Coombs.

In answer to the title.

Yes they could be but if England win their first game they will be favourites for the title 

Dirksen isn't he available aftrr January and jake ball my too surprise picks

I don't think Dirksen would be that much of a surprise as he's been talked about for a while, Ball is relatively new on the scene isn't he so he would be seen as bolter.

But Dirksen has been out for a long time and only had a hand full of games where he has showed his class but due to that long injury I think it still could be a surprise

After toady, if Jake Ball isn't in the team i'm protesting   
Bluddy amazing

Jake Ball would be a good shout.

Rhodri Williams ahead of Lloyd Williams would be a good call too. Sampson Lee holding his Bench 18 shirt and getting Adams left overs would be interesting too.

Looks like we will still have a large injury list.

maestegmafia wrote:Jake Ball would be a good shout.

Rhodri Williams ahead of Lloyd Williams would be a good call too. Sampson Lee holding his Bench 18 shirt and getting Adams left overs would be interesting too.

Looks like we will still have a large injury list.

Maes,

Thought you were a Ll Williams fan, I have said for long time that he shouldn't have been anywhere near the Welsh side. Ball has a chance as Davies is injured, Evans still a bit hit n miss and Charteris won't be available for all training sessions etc.

For the squad, Kristian Dacey for the 3rd hooker spot

I personally think its to soon for Dacey

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Jake Ball would be a good shout.

Rhodri Williams ahead of Lloyd Williams would be a good call too. Sampson Lee holding his Bench 18 shirt and getting Adams left overs would be interesting too.

Looks like we will still have a large injury list.

Maes,

Thought you were a Ll Williams fan, I have said for long time that he shouldn't have been anywhere near the Welsh side.  Ball has a chance as Davies is injured, Evans still a bit hit n miss and Charteris won't be available for all training sessions etc.

I think some posters slate Lloyd Williams without due cause, I am far more excited at the prospect of Rhodri Williams though, very intelligent and skilful player.

Rhodri had a hard game vs the Ospreys, Rhys Webb is by a country mile ahead of every playing 9 in Wales
It's clear that Mike Phillips is going to start but we need to start introducing either Rhys Webb or Rhodri Williams. It' a shame that Richie Rees isn't getting much game time at the Dragons because he was in very good form not long ago.

When is the team set to be announces, is it next monday

Webb does look like he has found his form of a couple of seasons ago, he would be ahead of both Williams' at the moment.

Aye webs looking good and has had a few caps already

Webbs the next 9 for me with Owen Williams at 10.

9- Webb
10- O.Williams
11- North
12- Roberts/S.Williams
13- Davies
14-Cuthbert/Derksen
15- Halfpenny

With any of these on the bench

Rhodri Williams
Patchell
Roberts/S.Williams
Owen Williams (B)
Cory Allan
Walker
Cuthbert/Derksen
Dan Evans
Amos

My personal opinion

I like the look of the following:

Jake Ball looks good.
Lewis Evans from us (Dragons).
Dan Evans is playing well for us, creates a lot even in poor conditions which is rare. Perhaps the anti-Halfpenny - could be a good bench option?
I've always liked the look of Gareth Davies at the Scarlets - anyone else think that? Always seems to snipe and make yards on the break. What's his passing game like? Looks 'nippy' to me. I'm over Mike Philllips and not sold on Lloyd Williams.
The Scarlets front row looked pretty good as a unit against a very strong O's pack. Who was that down to? A bit of Samson and a bit of Jake in the 2nd row? If so, get them both in. Who was the Scarlets loosie? Can't recall.

Anyone know when the team is announced then?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25594896

Jamie Roberts injured AGAIN.

IronMike wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25594896

Jamie Roberts injured AGAIN.

I don;t care anymore, it's just ridiculous how many injuries he has. I'm sure we can cope without him.

Scott Williams is better tbh in the AI he was like a rock for Wales when they were poor

I can only assume that players like Roberts and Warburton have very deep long term injuries which they will possibly never overcome, which is why neither play as often as they might like.

Anyway:

12. Scott Williams
13. North

Worth a shot, I suppose, back 3 of Liam Williams, Halfpenny and Cuthbert will have to do.