WALES SQUAD 2014 RBS 6 NATIONS:

First topic message reminder :

WALES SQUAD 2014 RBS 6 NATIONS:

Forwards:
Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton Capt (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)

Backs:
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets

We'll stick him on the wing if you play Brown and Ashton there   

munkian wrote:We'll stick him on the wing if you play Brown and Ashton there   

  

Ouch.

Sad thing is, will probably happen at some point

I don't think Brown will go on the wing. He's pretty much made the 15 shirt his I think. However Ashton is one lucky sod, and with both his potential replacements injured he's there by default.

Do you have any other actual wingers in the squad ?

We do in the Welsh Squad.   

Really, going down that route ?

Why not?   

Work is really slow today, god I hate January.

Fine. Take away Bath's non English qualified players and they'd struggle to give Worcester a game

I didn't get an answer to my earlier question Munk.

Scrumpy wrote:Does Newport recieve the same funding as the other Regions?

If so I think Bath should get some!

We only have one less player after all.

Like Bath need funding ! #WhatSalaryCap

munkian wrote:Like Bath need funding ! #WhatSalaryCap

I could say the same about Newport, the WRU should give their money to the other Regions and make them more competitive in both the Rabo and HC.

You do realise the Dragons are currently the 2nd highest ranked Welsh region right ?

And if a club survival was based on caps earnt then Bath would've been disbanded years ago

munkian wrote:Do you have any other actual wingers in the squad ?

Anthony Watson and Jonny May are options.

nobbled wrote:

munkian wrote:Do you have any other actual wingers in the squad ?

Anthony Watson and Jonny May are options.

Ah, back on topic. Cool, thats Ok then   

munkian wrote:You do realise the Dragons are currently the 2nd highest ranked Welsh region right ?

What a great achievement, you must be proud.  

Pretty sure Bath are happpy to be in the top 6 this season too - pitty theres no Heino next year eh ?

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Bath are happpy to be in the top 6 this season too  - pitty theres no Heino next year eh ?

I can only stand ans stare in awe at the Dragons and Bath....
But don't get too excited - it's just that my local Prem team is Worcester...  

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Bath are happpy to be in the top 6 this season too  - pitty theres no Heino next year eh ?

I'm rather happy and smug that a small club like Bath are able to beat a Region of a whole Country (a Country whos National sport is Rugby Union no less.)
and that we only supply one player less than a Region set up to supply the WRU with players.  

Yes, because Bath only recuit locally nurtured talent...

Gone a bit off topic haven't we? Whats Bath got to do with the Welsh squad?

Sorry, my fault for being side tracked by a WUM.

IronMike wrote:Gone a bit off topic haven't we? Whats Bath got to do with the Welsh squad?

Well we only supply one less player than one of the Regions, so I think we should get a little bit of money of the WRU for supplying that service.

But you right this has gone off topic, so I'll close the door quietly on the way out.  



btw - It's only classed a wum if someone bites or over reacts to a question or an opinion!  

And I bit

So whats the likelihood we'll see a combination of:

10. Biggar
12. Hook
13. North

at some point?

Knowing our luck it will be Priestland at 10   

Hook and North in mid field would be shexy. Possibly a defensive liability though

it be , biggar , Scott , hook Im guessing . would like to see Scott and north even if its just for the Italian game

Hook is hopefully just utility cover. I'd prefer to see Williams and North running out together. BTW is Jordan Williams injured? Not that it should have prevented his selection given the status of this current squad...

Please people don't let idiots ruin this thread. It's about the Welsh team. Just ignore them

Anyway: looks like Warbs is out for the first game (which i don't really see as a loss) which means that hopefully tips get the chance to prove that he can't be dropped from the starting 15. Looks like Gethin is a big doubt as well (for Italy) which is more of a loss but again have a class scrummmager like Paul James to step in. Personally this is the team I would like to see, not the team Gatland will pick though.

1. Paul James - a strong scrummager who might be needed if Adam doesn't pick up his scrummaging form
2. Richard Hibbard - he is irreplaceable at the moment
3. Adam Jones - needs the biggest game he has had all season to regain his form, Samson lee is breathing down his throat which is weird to say because I thought no one would ever be even compete with Adam for the starting spot
4. Alyn Wyn Jones (C) - My captain and always has been, just watch the Ospreys game last week to see what he is capable of
5. Luke Charteris - With Bradley injured and Ian not at his best he is the best option by a country mile, has looked very good when i have seen him this season
6. Ryan Jones - Ryan, Tips and Toby at the break down would be lethal, Dan needs a big impact of the bench to regain his form as well
7. Justin Tipuric - World Class and the best 7 in Wales (and yes that's including Warburton)
8. Toby Falateu - clearly

9. Rhys Webb - Out with Mike as he just doesn't cut it for me any more, he isn't getting any younger and Rhys has been amazing since ha has come back from injury
10. Dan Biggar -  Hard one but he is more consistent and a safer option I feel
11. Alex Cuthbert -  clearly
12. Scott Williams - Has been crucial in our defense the past few games and offer that little bit more than Jamie in his all round game
13. John Davies - it seems his injury ins't as bad as expected  (according from Walesonline) so he seems to be in with a shout
14. George North - clearly
15. Leigh Halfpenny - has set a standard now which i hope he keeps to, hasn't impressed me much at the Blues but maybe that's because myself and Wales for that matter expect a lot from him no

16. Ken Owens, 17. Ryan Bevington, 18. Samson Lee, 19.Andrew Coombs, 20. Dan Lydiate, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Liam Williams

Could be Coombsy at 6, depending on how he goes there on Thursday. He's played more rugby than Jughead. I'd also put Shingler on the bench. I think Gats will start with Phillips and put Webb on the bench.

What annoys me is that the entire coaching staff were at the Ospreys/Saints game watching Bevington get absolutely mullered before being yellow carded. Why the hell is he picked?!

The Saint wrote:Could be Coombsy at 6, depending on how he goes there on Thursday. He's played more rugby than Jughead. I'd also put Shingler on the bench. I think Gats will start with Phillips and put Webb on the bench.

What annoys me is that the entire coaching staff were at the Ospreys/Saints game watching Bevington get absolutely mullered before being yellow carded. Why the hell is he picked?!

Coombs at 6 isn't a bad shout either actually, is he injured at the mo. I've heard he has been in great form though when he has played

I know he will pick mike but he need to get it into his head that's its time to move on from Mike. Rhys webb looks much better this season and has been vital to the Ospreys attack
As for Bevington he ins't the worst scrummager around but he isn't the best either, since Gatland took over it has been clear that he has always loved a mobile prop and Bevington fits into his kind of mold. We defo have Gethin and Paul as first choice loosehead and then it is usually decided by Rhys and Ryan for the third spot, depending on who is more in form. Rhys has been injured and Ryan hasn't been playing to bad but hasn't stepped up to the big games which is why i also have my doubts on him. But due to Rhys being injured I think he gets in because he is use to the set up and has proven to be a safe option on the bench when either Paul or Gethin have been injured.

Lydiate will be picked.

Not sure how many times Gtaland has to underline the fact that certain players, Sam, Dan, Mike, Leigh and Gethin for example, will always get picked if fit.

The make up of the squad makes it clear he is being conservative because he knows the significance of this tournament, while Wales can tolerate a loss of the title, they must be in contention come the last weekend. His teams will reflect this. RJ and Hook will be on the bench.

Gethin has a fantastic 40minutes back from injury for the Blues...unfortunately, he then got injured again.

I would always pick Lydiate and whilst his form isn't great at least he's playing at the moment, Ry Jones will never let us down but hes been injured himself and not much game time so I think that would be bigger risk.

Scrumpy wrote:

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Bath are happpy to be in the top 6 this season too  - pitty theres no Heino next year eh ?

I'm rather happy and smug that a small club like Bath are able to beat a Region of a whole Country (a Country whos National sport is Rugby Union no less.)
and that we only supply one player less than a Region set up to supply the WRU with players.  

How are we a region, when you insist on calling us Newport? Newport is a city (of sorts).

JHamer, Coombsy is fit and playing tomorrow. He just busted his snout last week v Baff, that's all.

As much as I like Lydiate, if he is off form then he shouldn't be starting. I'd love Ryan Jones to start at 6

Jhamer is Foxy really meant to be back in time? I thought it was looking like he may be back for March.

It is March, as far as I know

munkian wrote:As much as I like Lydiate, if he is off form then he shouldn't be starting. I'd love Ryan Jones to start at 6

But what form has Ryn Jones got at the moment? He himself as been or is injued and has had very little game time, at least Lydiate is playing.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:As much as I like Lydiate, if he is off form then he shouldn't be starting. I'd love Ryan Jones to start at 6

But what form has Ryn Jones got at the moment?  He himself as been or is injued and has had very little game time, at least Lydiate is playing.

Forgot about that   

Hmm..Ok. Coomsy has done a job there for the Dragons, he carries more than Dan too

As I said few posts back 6 will be interesting, Warburton seems likely to be ruled out so that makes way for Tips but it also rules out the Warbs/Tips combo.

That leaves us:

Lydiate - Always my choice but currently of form but playing
Shingler - Not know what his form is like but at leats he's fit and playing
R Jones - Injured or on way back from injury and lacking game time
Coombs - Certainly do a job there IMO

Of course Munkian I think we would both pick the same player - iof he was in the squad of course.

Pretty sure Coombsy is in the squad, no ?

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Coombsy is in the squad, no ?

LOL was on about Lewis Evans

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Coombsy is in the squad, no ?

LOL was on about Lewis Evans

You sure you don't mean McGog, Turnbull and/or Petorious?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Coombsy is in the squad, no ?

LOL was on about Lewis Evans

You sure you don't mean McGog, Turnbull and/or Petorious?

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo   

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Coombsy is in the squad, no ?

LOL was on about Lewis Evans

You sure you don't mean McGog, Turnbull and/or Petorious?

Mclusterfupp has no place anyway near the Welsh squad. Turn-who ?

We've seen in the past where players have come into the 6 Nations in poor form but then once within the Welsh set up they get back to their best etc - am hoping this is the case with Lydiate.

To be honest, Lydiate works well with the Welsh pack, so I really can't see why he should have any issues in getting back to his best.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:To be honest, Lydiate works well with the Welsh pack, so I really can't see why he should have any issues in getting back to his best.

He is performing well at the moment, often highest tackle count best ball carrier etc.