My Wales 23 for AIs (SQUAD ANNOUNCED)

I'm picking my current Wales 23 based on form, though I accept it is maybe too soon because we still have the European rugby cup to be played.

15. Liam Williams
14. Hallam Amos
13. Cory Allen
12. Scott Williams
11. George North
10. Dan Biggar

9. Rhys Webb

8. Dan Baker
7. Sam Warburton
6. Taulupe Faletau
5. AWJ (c)
4. Ball
3. Lee
2. Hibbard
1. Jenkins

Reps: Baldwin, James, A.Jones, Charteris/Davies/Evans, Navidi/Tipuric, G.Davies, Patchell, J.Davies.

Not sure who is injured atm, so have included a few options. The rest of the squad though will be the usual. I also think Cuthbert will be picked on the other wing, but he is in some bad form right now, hence being left out of my squad.

Feel free to add and pick apart. We've a few weeks yet.

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Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Nicky Smith, Aaron Jarvis, Rhodri Jones, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Richard Hibbard, Emyr Phillips, Jake Ball, AWJ, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, James King, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (c), Dan Baker, Taulupe Faletau.

Backs:
Mike Phillips, Rhys Webb, Rhodri Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Cory Allen, JD2, JAmie Roberts, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Tom Prydie, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams.

No Adam Jones, Rhys Patchell, James Hook. Nicky Thomas is the only new face.

You guys gotten your tickets in the post yet?

Taulupe Faletau at 6, I cannot see it. Is this the team you would like, or is it the team you think Gatland will go for ?

This is the team I would Like:-

15. Liam Williams
14. Eli Walker
13. John Davies
12. Scott Williams
11. George North
10. Dan Biggar

9. Rhys Webb

8.Taulupe Faletau
7.Justin Tipuric
6.Dan Lydiate/Sam Warburton
5.AWJ
4.Luke Charteris
3.Samson Lee
2.Hibbard
1.Nick Smith

Gatlands probable team:-

15.Leigh Halfpenny
14.Alex Cuthbert
13.John Davies
12.Jamie Roberts
11.George North
10.Rhys Priestland

9.Mike Phillips

8.Taulupe Faletau
7.Sam Warburton
6.Dan Lydiate
5.AWJ
4.Bradley Davies (If he is not injured)
3.Adam Jones
2.Hibbard
1.Gethin Jenkins

disneychilly wrote:You guys gotten your tickets in the post yet?

Those who bought them will have by now.

LD, it's my team. I didn't include Walker or Tips because they're both injured right now. The back-row is the area most up for debate I guess. I think Charteris is injured too.

I was expecting to see Gareth Davies starting a 9 to be honest. Always seems to be on the score sheet multiple times. Webb must be playing exceptionally well!

Dan Baker at 8 is a great shout.

bluestonevedder wrote:I was expecting to see Gareth Davies starting a 9 to be honest. Always seems to be on the score sheet multiple times. Webb must be playing exceptionally well!

Dan Baker at 8 is a great shout.

Gareth davies at 9 is a good shout, but I would prefere the Biggar/Webb partnership that has been pulling up trees in the Pro12. Dan Baker for a bench spot though.

The Saint wrote:LD, it's my team. I didn't include Walker or Tips because they're both injured right now. The back-row is the area most up for debate I guess. I think Charteris is injured too.

Tips and Walker are back for this weekend I think.

What team will we have for South Africa, it is outside the IRB window, does anybody know if any deals have been struck to keep our exiles ?

bluestonevedder wrote:I was expecting to see Gareth Davies starting a 9 to be honest. Always seems to be on the score sheet multiple times. Webb must be playing exceptionally well!

Dan Baker at 8 is a great shout.

I would be too. Webb is playing very well and his double act with Biggar should see Gats go for this option, I agree with it tbh. What I wouldn't agree with is Priestland being in the 23 ahead of what we have.

LD, Unless a deal has been struck where we send England/France players back for the Fiji game, we'll have to go without. It'll be hard to a deal with the greedy PRL. They issued Northampton a fine for releasing North last year.

LordDowlais wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:I was expecting to see Gareth Davies starting a 9 to be honest. Always seems to be on the score sheet multiple times. Webb must be playing exceptionally well!

Dan Baker at 8 is a great shout.

Gareth davies at 9 is a good shout, but I would prefere the Biggar/Webb partnership that has been pulling up trees in the Pro12. Dan Baker for a bench spot though.

Fair point. Probably better to go with the club consistency rather than a new partnership. Davies is a heck of a bench option though. The little scamp. If he makes the 23, I'm excited to see what he can do. Similarly with Baker.

Davies is potentially the best No.9 Wales have produced since Edwards. I've never seen him put a foot wrong a club level. His exclusion from national honours for so long is inexcusable.

You'd start Davies and Biggar, Saints?

It's tempting, but it's probably a safer option to start with Webb and Biggar with Davies on bench. I don't want to be too safe though, that would see us revert back to the usual players who look well out of their depth in the Top 14.

What happened to Cuthbert?

Is Cuthberts form really that bad at the moment, his defence is always bad but then again so is St Georges the untouchable, that said he is in good form and I also like the inclusion of Amos who has had very good start to the season.

Mine for the Oz game would be

Jenkins
Hibbard
A Jones
AWJ
Ball
Lydiate
Faletau
Warburton

Webb
Biggar

North
JD
Sc Williams
Amos

Li Williams

For the Fiji game I would like to see some of the youngsters like have a run but then for the ABs game I would like to see us pick the team that is likely to start against the Boks as we won't have our exiles then so:

ABs & Boks

Jenkins
Baldwin
Lee
AWJ
Ball
Warburton
Faletau
Tipuric

Webb
Biggar

North (he has full release clause)
Allen
Sc Williams
Amos

Li Williams

Amos is a fantastic player who will have a long career playing for Wales, but I am not sure he has the pace for wing at test level? Maybe his future will be at 15 or even 13?

Lots of people are picking AWJ at 5, whilst he is Wales best forward (maybe even best player and should be captain) he does not look comfortable as the main lineout target at test level. With Evans having dropped down a level, Wales badly needs a fit Charteris to play 5, with Ball on the bench.

Sea,

Fair point on AWJ but we won't have Charteris for the Boks game anyway, I really feel now that Gatland whilst shouldn't refuse to pick the exiles he needs to send out a strong warning, for the future if nothing else.

By picking a team to face the ABs from Welsh based players only plus North then to me that's senidng out a pretty strong message.

There's no way St George's tackling is pathetic like you make out Bedford, he's a solid defender. Cuthbert will likely be on the other wing, but he really needs to do something in that Blues shirt.

The Saint wrote:

disneychilly wrote:You guys gotten your tickets in the post yet?

Those who bought them will have by now.

I'm one of them though Saint-maybe taking a bit longer to get to Eire.

Andy Howell's XV: L. Williams, Cuthbert, J.Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar, Phillips, Faletau, Tipuric, Warburton (c), Evans, AWJ, Lee, Hibbard, Jenkins.

Too same ol, same ol for me. The team requires more change.

Rest of the squad (my pick): Pitman, Cudd, Lydiate, Ian Evans, E. Phillips, Roberts, Henson, Priestland, M. Phillips, Cuthbert, Dan Evans (wildcard).

The Saint wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:I was expecting to see Gareth Davies starting a 9 to be honest. Always seems to be on the score sheet multiple times. Webb must be playing exceptionally well!

Dan Baker at 8 is a great shout.

I would be too. Webb is playing very well and his double act with Biggar should see Gats go for this option, I agree with it tbh. What I wouldn't agree with is Priestland being in the 23 ahead of what we have.

LD, Unless a deal has been struck where we send England/France players back for the Fiji game, we'll have to go without. It'll be hard to a deal with the greedy PRL. They issued Northampton a fine for releasing North last year.

Sorry to raise this as its been done to death in the past, but the PRL are not the ones organising an extra international outside of the agreed window. In this case the greedy guys are west of the Severn

They are greedy though. Everything they do is money focused and they lack concern for the good of the game (they even want compensation during the RWC [headscratch]). This factual point has also been done to death. There are no greedy guys west of the severn apart from one individual. Everything our union does is to ensure survival which is difficult when you have less resources than most.

The Saint wrote:There's no way St George's tackling is pathetic like you make out Bedford, he's a solid defender. Cuthbert will likely be on the other wing, but he really needs to do something in that Blues shirt.

His tackling is dire as proved in the last test against SA.

I hope Evans doesn't get the nod ahead of Ball.

lostinwales wrote:

The Saint wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:I was expecting to see Gareth Davies starting a 9 to be honest. Always seems to be on the score sheet multiple times. Webb must be playing exceptionally well!

Dan Baker at 8 is a great shout.

I would be too. Webb is playing very well and his double act with Biggar should see Gats go for this option, I agree with it tbh. What I wouldn't agree with is Priestland being in the 23 ahead of what we have.

LD, Unless a deal has been struck where we send England/France players back for the Fiji game, we'll have to go without. It'll be hard to a deal with the greedy PRL. They issued Northampton a fine for releasing North last year.

Sorry to raise this as its been done to death in the past, but the PRL are not the ones organising an extra international outside of the agreed window. In this case the greedy guys are west of the Severn

lost,

I agree with you its not the PRL its the gredy bar stewards at the WRU, North is the only one with a full release clause so I guess Saints will be facing another fine if he plays against the Boks.

Thought Saints couldn't be fined for it again. Wasn't that why they got fined so much?

Risca Rev wrote:Thought Saints couldn't be fined for it again. Wasn't that why they got fined so much?

A fair one Rev wasn't aware of that.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Thought Saints couldn't be fined for it again. Wasn't that why they got fined so much?

A fair one Rev wasn't aware of that.

I don't know if that is right, they couldn't be fined twice for the same season, I dont know if they can be fined in successive seasons? haven't seen that quoted.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:There's no way St George's tackling is pathetic like you make out Bedford, he's a solid defender. Cuthbert will likely be on the other wing, but he really needs to do something in that Blues shirt.

His tackling is dire as proved in the last test against SA.

I hope Evans doesn't get the nod ahead of Ball.

You sure you aren't thinking about Cuthbert in the first test?

The Saint wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:There's no way St George's tackling is pathetic like you make out Bedford, he's a solid defender. Cuthbert will likely be on the other wing, but he really needs to do something in that Blues shirt.

His tackling is dire as proved in the last test against SA.

I hope Evans doesn't get the nod ahead of Ball.

You sure you aren't thinking about Cuthbert in the first test?

Nope am thinking about North in the last test the one where Li Williams got slated for throwing his body on the line but St George got off scott free from criticism even though it was his feeble tackle Williams was covering

They had an overlap. Anyway, it seems a few plus Andy Howells are basing players form on a test from months ago. I'd rather it based on the here and now.

wayne wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Thought Saints couldn't be fined for it again. Wasn't that why they got fined so much?

A fair one Rev wasn't aware of that.

I don't know if that is right, they couldn't be fined twice for the same season, I dont know if they can be fined in successive seasons? haven't seen that quoted.

I'm only basing it on what I vaguely remember seeing on here, so we'll have to wait and see I guess. I certainly don't have the patience to search it on here or google

Risca Rev wrote:

wayne wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Thought Saints couldn't be fined for it again. Wasn't that why they got fined so much?

A fair one Rev wasn't aware of that.

I don't know if that is right, they couldn't be fined twice for the same season, I dont know if they can be fined in successive seasons? haven't seen that quoted.

I'm only basing it on what I vaguely remember seeing on here, so we'll have to wait and see I guess. I certainly don't have the patience to search it on here or google

Not arguing on this one Rev, I just don't remember seeing this anywhere, What I'm getting at is the fact that Northampton were fined by the PRL once, if it is the only time they will get fined is it much a deterrent to these clubs signing the top welsh players in the future? I don't think so, If he is selected and stays for the Non IRB sanctioned match, I expect Northampton to be fined again.

The Saint wrote:They had an overlap. Anyway, it seems a few plus Andy Howells are basing players form on a test from months ago. I'd rather it based on the here and now.

It was a one on one tackle that North missed and he should have nailed it.

I said earlier on in the thread that I know he is in good form for the Saints and I would also like to see a different approach from bulk on both wings and yes Cuthbert would be the most likely one to make way for lets say Amos but for me Norths defence is still very bad and no worse or better than Cuthberts, he just seems above criticism for some reason at the moment.

I think you're being harsh. Cuthbert could never put in some of the hits that St George has. Anyway, Scott and Liam Williams looking good thus far for Scarlets this evening. Just reinforces my selections really. Halfpenny should have first game...tonight? I think he's on the Toulon bench.

Saint,

We are in agreement in the main, Faletau still our best 8 at the moment but if Baker gets the nod then I don't think putting Taulupe at 6 would benefit. I would rather put Warburton there and then another natural 7 openside.

Webb has to start at 9 he's simply way ahead of others at the moment.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Webb has to start at 9 he's simply way ahead of others at the moment.

BW, I agree, him Biggar and Evans IMO totally out kicked the Blues today allowing us to play in the right areas of the field and continually pressurising them into mistakes
BW also why did you allow Evans to go at 25 and you sign Byrne who is what 34, if you had kept Evans as well I could have understood, no wonder we jumped in when you didn't offer him a new contract, he is a class player IMO.

wayne wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Webb has to start at 9 he's simply way ahead of others at the moment.

BW, I agree, him Biggar and Evans IMO totally out kicked the Blues today allowing us to play in the right areas of the field and continually pressurising them into mistakes
BW also why did you allow Evans to go at 25 and you sign Byrne who is what 34, if you had kept Evans as well I could have understood, no wonder we jumped in when you didn't offer him a new contract, he is a class player IMO.

He is a good player, and he's in my Wales squad too if you scroll up. He was definitely one of our best players for a while, but in the last couple months for us he was badly off form. We also had Amos and Prydie who could play wing and full-back. All of this is probably why he didn't get a contract renewal. Byrne was more of a marquee signing I guess.

We signed Byrne, as we needed experience and we were planning on Hallam Amos being our fifteen when Byrne isn't available. Dan Evans is a good player, but is also prone to making a few howlers that cost us a couple of tries.

Wales might be able to draw on the services of a former age group International prop, who may be free from other committments over the next few months, I believe he lives in the Wigan area.

Halfpenny was alright on his debut for Toulon, nothing special. I'd still have Liam Williams at 15. If Halfpenny starts to play better there may be a spot for him on the wing or bench.

The Saint wrote:Halfpenny was alright on his debut for Toulon, nothing special. I'd still have Liam Williams at 15. If Halfpenny starts to play better there may be a spot for him on the wing or bench.

Liam Williams is twice the fulback than Halfpenny is, if Gatland wants Halfpenny in for his kicking, then put him on the wing instead of Cuthbert, anyway, we have Biggar who is just as good at kicking goals now, so Halfpenny might have to put up with being on the bench for a while.

I'd probably leave out the French based players because I don't know how they're doing or if they've had a lot of game time. Though this is a relatively inexperienced side, I dont believe our starting test players are in good enough form to warrant selection.

1. James
2. Hibbard
3. Lee
4. AWJ
5. Cook
6. Warburton
7. Tipuric
8. Baker
9. Webb
10. Biggar
11. North
12. S Williams
13. C Allen
14. Cuthbert
15. Williams

16. Smith
17. E Phillips
18. R Jones
19. Ball
20. Faletau
21. G Davies
22. Patchell
23. Hook

Cook and Cuthbert in the starting team are howlers if I'm honest... But yeah, I'd leave out most/all of the French based players too.

A fair few new faces being proposed which would be out of character for Mr Gatland. Form or no form, I'd be very surprised if Gatland didn't put North and Cuthbert on his wings, and Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau in the back row.

Would it surprise anyone if we have a whole batch of new faces in the world cup squad? Seemed that way last time round.

I dont think we should be afraid of dropping players who are not performing. But I still guess Jenkins, Adam Jones and others will find their way into the autumn squad.

wanted to wait until the first block of matches of the Guinness to give my input of the players to be selected for the AI, I'm selecting 2 teams and the normally selected extra 8 for the benches
15 Halfpenny, Williams
14 North, Amos
13 Davies Allen
12 Roberts Williams
11 Cuthbert Walker
10 Biggar, Patchell, Priestland
9 Webb, Davies, Phillips
Other backs Hook, we need another centre with Roberts, Davies and Hook not available for SA
1 James, Jenkins, Smith
2 Hibbard, Baldwin, (Phillips) if Owens is not available
3 Lee, Jones, Jarvis
4 Jones, Ball
5 Charteris, Evans Coombs
6 Lydiate, Turnball
7 WRUBurton, Tipuric
8 Faletau, Baker
We need another back row cover, this will not go down very well with some on here, but I would have James King because of his versatility. Can I also add it has been mentioned on here that you have to pick on form against teams like Zebre and Treviso, yet cannot go back to the Summer Tests against South Africa is preposterous.

Said few times now that with the exception of North who has full release clause then against the ABs we should only play players who will be available against the Boks.

Use the exiles for the Oz and Fiji game.