Wales Autumn Tests

With tests against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa we face a very hard Autumn. For me, Australia is a MUST win in the build up to the world cup. Will be nice to see a few young fringe players come in against fiji as well. I think it's interesting on a few decisions that will be made by Gatland and co because their are a lot of question marks on a lot of positions. Team is announced Tuesday morning so this is the team I would like to see:

Hookers
Ken Owens is a favorite of mine and im gutted he's unavailable but is seems that Hibbard has found his form with Gloucester. I'm not 100% sure what other two covers gatland will pick though; will there be new faces or will he stick with he experience of Rees. I would like to see:
Richard Hibbard
Scott Baldwin
Emyr Phillips

Props
There is no doubt that Gatland will stick with Gethin and rightfully so. A big question mark on tight head though for me. Samson hasn't scrummaged very well at the start of the season and had a shocker against Toulon in the European cup. Adam Jones hasn''t recaptured his lions form and i'm starting to feel that he never will. I think the big mans best days are behind him as he can not adapt to the new scrum laws. I only wish Dimitri Arhip was welsh qualified as he has been phenomenal for the Ospreys so far this season.
Gethin Jenkins
Paul James
Nicky Smith (deserves the chance and had the edge over Robe Evans when scrummaging)
Adam Jones
Samson Lee

Locks
Apparently there is a big question mark over who should partner Alyn Wyn Jones but I see a perfect partnership in the making with Jake Ball. However both Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris have returned form injury in recent weeks
Alyn Wyn Jones
Jake Ball
Bradley Davies
Luke Charteris

Flankers
If your a welsh fan you now that Gatland will stick with Lydaite and Warburton. Even though Lydiate has had very little game time I still don't see a Gatland changing his mind. Apart from Tipuric though who could go 7 and Sam 6, is there actually any other contenders for the 6 jersey?
Sam Warburton
Dan Lydiate
Justin Tipuric
Aaron Shingler

Number 8
No doubt Gatland wills tick with Toby against Australia but i would really like to see baker come in against a physical team like South Africa. Pitman could be a surprise package though.
Toby Falateu
Dan Baker

Scrum Half's
If you have been watching the ospreys you now the right man for the 9 jersey is Rhys Webb. But I think Gatland's stubbornness will mean that Mike might start against Australia. I think it's time to look past Mike now and even though it won't happen I would pick the following:
Rhys Webb
Aled Davies (has jumped ahead of Rhodri Williams at Scarlets and rightfully so)
Richie Rees (but will be Mike Phillips)

Outside Halfs
Biggar is the one and only option I see fit enough to play 10. Dan and Rhys Webb deserve the chance and 9/10 for wales
Dan Biggar
Rhys Priestland

Centre's
13 is nailed on with Jonathan Davies but 12 iss very interesting with Scott Williams in great form at the moment. However, I think Jamie has been our most consistent player this year for wales. It's been a long time since all Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams and Jamie Roberts have been all fit to play at the same time but I think Gatland will stick with Jamie and Jonathan Davies.
Jamie Roberts
Scott Williams
Jonathan Davies
James Hook

Wingers
Liam Williams has been in great form with Scarlets and should start at 15 but I still believe we need to make space for Halfpenny in the starting line up. The likelihood is that Gatland will stick with Cuthbert and North but Cuthberts defense for the blues this season hasn't been far from shocking and against the big three he will be exposed. Another option could be Eli Walker who seems has been going well for the Ospreys.
Leigh Halfpenny
George North
Eli Walker
Alex Cuthbert

Fullbacks
Easy pickings in:
Liam Williams
Dan Evans

My Starting XV vs Australia:
1. Gethin Jenkin
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Samson Lee
4. Alyn Wyn Jones
5. Jake Ball
6. Toby Falateu (I think on form, both Toby and Dan deserve chances)
7. Sam Warburton
8. Dan Baker
9. Rhys Webb
10. Dan Biggar
11. Leigh Halfpenny
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Liam Williams

16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Adam Jones, 19. Luke Charteris, 20. Justin Tipuric, 21. Aled Davies, 22. James Hook, 23. Eli Walker

It's seems that Welsh fans have been quite on the build up to this Autumn Series. What are your thoughts on our chances?

I have a feeling that Josh Turnbull will be involved in the squad somewhere, and can also see Dan Evans missing out to Hallam Amos

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I have a feeling that Josh Turnbull will be involved in the squad somewhere, and can also see Dan Evans missing out to Hallam Amos

I did struggle with flanker because there is the obvious 3 that Gatland will pick in Tipuric, Warburton and Lydiate but there had been no other stand outs. Turnball was great vs South Africa and proabably deserves the chance over shingler but he hasn't stood out for the Blues so far. However saying that Shingler hadn't been making any stand out performance up until Toulon yesterday. I'm not sure about Evans though, it would be wrong not to go with Evans.

Turnbull and Cudd over Shingler, Amos over Walker, Patchell over Priestland and get Cory Allen in there to

How big a squad will it be? Prob 35-40 to allow for the non-regional mercs that won't be there for the south Africa game

Not bad, but it has some terrible selections (Aled Davies and Aaron Shingler), I wouldn't pick Hook either. I also reckon Amos should be in there as Cuthbert is poor and Walker hasn't had enough match time, and I don't think he's good enough yet either. Good shout on Dan Evans as I also think he's in line for a re-call.

Your starting XV is the same as mine in the pack, good call . In the backs I went for Webb, Biggar, North, S.Williams, Allen, Amos, L.Williams, as I wanted something different/more effective. If the French club amateurs (as that's how they look compared to their competition playing in Wales) walk into the team again I'd consider boycotting support of team Wales this autumn.