Looking at the Welsh Squad for this years Six Nations

by maestegmafia Mon 5 Jan - 23:18

First topic message reminder :

the Wales team to face England

1. Jenkins
2. Hibbard
3. Lee
4. Jones
5. Ball
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton
8. Faletau
9. Webb
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. JD2
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. Baldwin
17. James
18. Jarvis
19. Charteris
20. Tipuric
21. Phillips
22. Preistland
23. Williams

WALES 2015 SIX NATIONS SQUAD:

Forwards:
Looseheads
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath), Rob Evans (Scarlets)

Tightheads
Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues)

Hookers
Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)

Locks
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro)

Blindsides
Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys)

Opensides
Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)

Number 8
Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Backs:

Scrumhalves
Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets),

Fly halves
Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)

Centres
Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Wings
Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints),

Fullbacks
Liam Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon)

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 5:33

He went for Rhodri on potential I think. Rhodri should be starting when Gareth Davies is away. Aled is really slow and average, but seems to get afforded a lot more opportunities than the others even when he has a bad game. If Gareth isn't injured for much longer I'd have him training in the Welsh squad as choice no.3.

by bedfordwelsh Tue 20 Jan - 18:04

Some of Gatlands selections have always been questionable or left field but in fairness to Rh Williams he hasn't had a bad game for Wales when he has been involved.

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:09

Anscombe is in. No Hook or A.Jones.

http://www.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/253483.html

When is it, 11:30?

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:12

Ah, here you go lads;

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, Capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Backs: Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon).

by Guest Tue 20 Jan - 22:12

No Navidi either, shame for him. Good to see Gareth Davies included, hopefully that means Mike Phillips will be holding bags for most of it.

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 22:13

SCOTT ANDREWS!!! SERIOUSLY?

WTF

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 22:14

Good to see Dacey given a shot though,

I don't know what more Josh Navidi needs to do to get called up tbh

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:14

Well mostly as expected, would have definitely opted for Adam Jones over Andrews, and probably left Morgan in the U20s. Glad Gareth Davies makes it.

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:14

wales606 wrote:Good to see Dacey given a shot though,

I don't know what more Josh Navidi needs to do to get called up tbh

Couldn't agree more. He's long surpassed Tipuric.

by Guest Tue 20 Jan - 22:16

wales606 wrote:SCOTT ANDREWS!!! SERIOUSLY?

WTF

He covers lock now Laugh

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 22:17

I really don't understand how the Blues 4th choice THP is 3rd choice for Wales,

...perhaps he is covering lock....

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 22:18

IronMike wrote:
wales606 wrote:SCOTT ANDREWS!!! SERIOUSLY?

WTF

He covers lock now

You just beat me too it!

He has played about as much at lock for us as he has at THP!

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 20 Jan - 22:30

Really unimpressed and far from surprised by this squad.

Form and game time meant pretty much squat by the looks of it.

by chris_501 Tue 20 Jan - 22:32

Andrews is a shocker, cannot believe he is there.

Also there is no cover for 8 (I don't think King has played there has he?)

Glad to see Gareth Davies and Kristian Dacey in there, not sure there was a need to Tyler Morgan and Corey Allen to be there either.

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:35

Makes the exclusion of Navidi who's done a fantastic job at 8, even more ludicrous.

I don't think Allen is playing that well, but he can at least provide cover for centre and wing. Morgan should be in the U20s to boost our '2nd team', academies without their best players continue to go backwards.

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:36

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Really unimpressed and far from surprised by this squad.

Form and game time meant pretty much squat by the looks of it.

What YOU saying SS?

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 22:37

The Saint wrote:Makes the exclusion of Navidi who's done a fantastic job at 8, even more ludicrous.

I don't think Allen is playing that well, but he can at least provide cover for centre and wing. Morgan should be in the U20s to boost our '2nd team', academies without their best players continue to go backwards.

Cory Allen hasn't played wing, he can play 12 and 13 though.

He has actually been coming into form recently, and his stats were very impressive against Rovigo

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 20 Jan - 22:44

The Saint wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Really unimpressed and far from surprised by this squad.

Form and game time meant pretty much squat by the looks of it.

What YOU saying SS?

I'm saying that the changes form last year are

Forwards:Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Backs:Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan)

Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), James King (Ospreys
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Player in bold are injured, the player in italic are not playing top tier rugby anymore.

Also in the current squad, Cawdor has been selected, yet he is currently on the physio table, and has not put in a full 80 mins since his last injury. Scott Andrews hasn't had much top flight game time either.

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:48

wales606 wrote:
The Saint wrote:Makes the exclusion of Navidi who's done a fantastic job at 8, even more ludicrous.

I don't think Allen is playing that well, but he can at least provide cover for centre and wing. Morgan should be in the U20s to boost our '2nd team', academies without their best players continue to go backwards.

Cory Allen hasn't played wing, he can play 12 and 13 though.

He has actually been coming into form recently, and his stats were very impressive against Rovigo

He could use his Sevens experience and cover there if asked, I'd rather him than Scott Williams (who should start at centre).

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 22:50

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
The Saint wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Really unimpressed and far from surprised by this squad.

Form and game time meant pretty much squat by the looks of it.

What YOU saying SS?

I'm saying that the changes form last year are

Forwards:Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Backs:Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan)

Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), James King (Ospreys
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Player in bold are injured, the player in italic are not playing top tier rugby anymore.

Also in the current squad, Cawdor has been selected, yet he is currently on the physio table, and has not put in a full 80 mins since his last injury. Scott Andrews hasn't had much top flight game time either.

Looks like you got issue with 2 selections? Andrews in there has to be one of the worst decisions in world rugby I agree. Cawdor has shown his capabilities for years now and was arguably the best 9 in Wales prior to injury. It's not the first time a bunch of injured players have been selected (think back to Roberts, Davies and more in the autumn).

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 23:01

I guess it is back to what is fast becoming a tradition,

Praying that Webb, Biggar and Lee stay fit

Oh, and probably Hibbard too...

by wales606 Tue 20 Jan - 23:04

Also

"Morgan, who recently signed a National Dual Contract, has also been named in the Wales U20 squad and he will be released from the senior camp to link up with the age-group side during the campaign."

by Liam Tue 20 Jan - 23:13

I like Anscombe. Think he's a good signing for the Blues and has shown glimpses of brilliance in his short time here and has also declared his desire to play for Wales. Not a problem. However, the problem I have is a young born and bred welsh fly half, who has ousted one of the most promising 10's in England and has nailed down the FH position at a very good Tigers side, turning in match winning performances week in week out isn't in the squad. Beggers belief.

No Navidi. Very disappointing. As a Blues fan, watching him turn up every week and put in the effort and the excellent performances he does and not get rewarded for it is gutting to say the least.

Coombs? James King in again yet hasn't done much for the O's this season. No Dan Evans? Yet again, a frustrating squad whereby the man at the helm claims to favour regional players and picking on form, whilst also emphasising that he wants players to be playing at their regions ignores the players who do as he wishes and put in excellent performances week in week out.

by propdavid_london Tue 20 Jan - 23:20

Liam - Does Owen have the necessary release dates in his contract with Tigers? I wonder if that is the reason for non-selection.

by Coleman Tue 20 Jan - 23:26

Poor Josh. I honestly think he should just go somewhere else and earn big money if he gets the chance now. Gatland is an idiot. Andrews can't get a game for the Blues. But if Lee goes down he'll be on the bench for the England game. This is madness.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 20 Jan - 23:32

The Saint wrote:Looks like you got issue with 2 selections? Andrews in there has to be one of the worst decisions in world rugby I agree. Cawdor has shown his capabilities for years now and was arguably the best 9 in Wales prior to injury. It's not the first time a bunch of injured players have been selected (think back to Roberts, Davies and more in the autumn).

Annscombe is not up to being in the squad IMO. I am not surprised he is there, but he shouldn't be. I am not a fan of Hook, but Hook is playing better at the moment.

Tyler Morgan and Amos are 'extra' additions to the squad from the last 6NS, nobody has dropped out to make way for them. Funny that they are central contracted players and they have had space made for them.

Scott Andrews has no game time, neither does Cawdor.

The form backrower in Wales is unarguable Navidi, yet he doesn't make the squad at all. James King is a good player, but IMO he is not the next best lock or backrow after the rest of the squad.

Even the likes of Foxy (and I do rate him), has played little since the AIs (total of about 161 mins I think)

So I would say I have issues with a fair few of the selections, not just 2.

by The Saint Tue 20 Jan - 23:44

Morgan is going back to the U20s SS. Amos is one of the form choices, so can't see why you disagree with those.

I pretty much agree with you on the rest.

by Liam Tue 20 Jan - 23:45

propdavid_london wrote:Liam - Does Owen have the necessary release dates in his contract with Tigers? I wonder if that is the reason for non-selection.

I'm not too clued up on that sort of stuff sorry, but if i was to take a guess, as the competition falls inside the IRB window there shouldn't be an issue. Just don't understand it really. Hook has also done well at Gloucester. Would have liked Biggar/Hook/Williams as the FH's. Preistland has shown some form recently but has shown time and time again he cannot cut it at International level.

by BigTrevsbigmac Wed 21 Jan - 0:02

Did Gats provide any explanation in his press conference for not picking the form back rower Navidi?

by Guest Wed 21 Jan - 0:15

I do wonder if the coaching staff actually watch any of the regional games.

Unless I'm clueless and can't see that a player who looks to be playing well isn't actually that good? And players who have not even played much are considered to be in form.

by LordDowlais Wed 21 Jan - 0:59

I have to say it, Scott Andrews aside, that to me looks like a very strong squad. I will say it quietly, but I am felling quite confident going into the England game as a supporter.

by Comfort Wed 21 Jan - 1:51

Pretty happy with it overall.

I'd swap the following:

Scott Andrews - Adam Jones
James King - Josh Navidi
Priestland - Owen Williams

I like that anscombes been inolved, its a bit premature granted but he has something about him when he has the ball. He inspires more confidence than Priestland anyway.

Glad to see Rob Evans & Kristian Dacey getting deserved call ups.

Seems most agree with the squad overall, if we had Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Dan Baker fit I'd add them in and I'd say thats the strongest squad we could muster.

by offload Wed 21 Jan - 2:02

LordDowlais wrote:I have to say it, Scott Andrews aside, that to me looks like a very strong squad. I will say it quietly, but I am felling quite confident going into the England game as a supporter.

A few surprises for sure from Gatland.

I have to say though, even without the likes of Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Morgan and Tuilagi - England will be formidable. I'll reserve my judgement until I see both team sheets.

by chris_501 Wed 21 Jan - 2:10

Comfort wrote:Pretty happy with it overall.

I'd swap the following:

Scott Andrews - Adam Jones
James King - Josh Navidi
Priestland - Owen Williams

I like that anscombes been inolved, its a bit premature granted but he has something about him when he has the ball. He inspires more confidence than Priestland anyway.

Glad to see Rob Evans & Kristian Dacey getting deserved call ups.

Seems most agree with the squad overall, if we had Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Dan Baker fit I'd add them in and I'd say thats the strongest squad we could muster.

I agree there. I can see Anscombe on the bench as a genuine 10 and 15 cover, then either JD2 or Scott Williams taking the other bench spot.

The most interesting thing will be to see the makeup of the back 3. Will the form pair of Sanjay and Amos get a go?

by maestegmafia Wed 21 Jan - 2:33

Comfort wrote:Pretty happy with it overall.

I'd swap the following:

Scott Andrews - Adam Jones
James King - Josh Navidi
Priestland - Owen Williams

I like that anscombes been inolved, its a bit premature granted but he has something about him when he has the ball. He inspires more confidence than Priestland anyway.

Glad to see Rob Evans & Kristian Dacey getting deserved call ups.

Seems most agree with the squad overall, if we had Nicky Smith, Ken Owens and Dan Baker fit I'd add them in and I'd say thats the strongest squad we could muster.

I agree.

by chris_501 Wed 21 Jan - 2:49

My team from that would probably be

1. Jenkins
2. Hibbard
3. Lee
4. Ball
5. AW Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton
8. Faletau

9. Webb
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Sc Williams
14. Amos/ Halfpenny
15. Li Williams

16. Baldwin
17. James ( Rob Evans very close)
18. Jarvis
19. Charteris ( Davies very close)
20. Tipuric
21. Gareth Davies
22. Anscombe
23. JD2

by BigTrevsbigmac Wed 21 Jan - 2:55

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Did Gats provide any explanation in his press conference for not picking the form back rower Navidi?

Found it -

Gatland on Josh Navidi omission
"We’ve been impressed with Josh Navidi and if we were to pick another loose forward he’d have been in the frame.

"The question is whether you can step up from club rugby and that’s the question about him."

Well if there is any logic in that explanation I can't see it. It would seem he will never get the nod if I were him I'd go for a pay day abroad.

by maestegmafia Wed 21 Jan - 3:02

It's in reference to when he has been previously included

by Comfort Wed 21 Jan - 3:05

Trev, thats a fair explanation, and then you realise Scott Andrews in the squad, the only tighthead I've ever seen physically picked up and carried backwards in a scrum at club level.....

by BigTrevsbigmac Wed 21 Jan - 3:29

Comfort wrote:Trev, thats a fair explanation, and then you realise Scott Andrews in the squad, the only tighthead I've ever seen physically picked up and carried backwards in a scrum at club level.....

So effectively there are some players no matter what form they show will not be given a second chance at national level and then as you say a strange double standard with Andrews who has shown no form at all.

by Jhamer25 Wed 21 Jan - 3:34

Gatland has no good enough reason to explain why he has picked Scott Andrews. It's completely pathetic. He says he's thinking of depth and developing players but Scott Andrews has shown for a years that he can't scrummage. Adam Jones has been unfairly dumped hear because even though he isn't the scrummaging force anymore, he can still hold out a descent scrum and has been doing for the Blues.

Why have one number 8 then bluddy 5 centers; Cory Allen shouldn't be in the team
Aaron Jarvis like many tightheads lost his scrummaging dominance when the scrum laws changed and got humiliated against Northampton.
If Lee goes down then god help them because Gatland has messed up here
If your looking to develop players look at Nicky Thomas or even Lloyd Fairbother or at the dragons has impressed me at some point when i have seen him

by Comfort Wed 21 Jan - 3:39

Pretty much Trev, for all of gatlands strengths I see him as having a pair of weaknesses:

Favouritism & a stubborn streak. A quick example:

Players who could have kept on delivering at international level have been thrown aside for no real reasons (Delve/Popham/Peel/Adam Jones etc) yet players who are not even in the matchday squads for their regions at Rabo level are selected for the welsh squad (Andrews/Rhodrhi Jones/Prydie).

Consistency in selection is something we'd all be happier with, but I guess every coach will have his fans and detractors with any and all selections. Its all subjective admitedly.

by The Saint Wed 21 Jan - 3:51

Prydie???

by Comfort Wed 21 Jan - 4:05

Saint, back in 2010 when Prydie/Kristian Phillips were both selected for the Welsh squad, Prydie was actually capped and scored in his first test against SA. At this time neither had played for their region (ospreys).

by The Saint Wed 21 Jan - 4:07

chris_501 wrote:My team from that would probably be

1. Jenkins
2. Hibbard
3. Lee
4. Ball
5. AW Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Warburton
8. Faletau

9. Webb
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Sc Williams
14. Amos/ Halfpenny
15. Li Williams

16. Baldwin
17. James ( Rob Evans very close)
18. Jarvis
19. Charteris ( Davies very close)
20. Tipuric
21. Gareth Davies
22. Anscombe
23. JD2

Good team.

by majesticimperialman Wed 21 Jan - 5:20

Just noticed that Adam Jones is not involved in the Wales squad.

What has he done to upset Gatland like that?

by Guest Wed 21 Jan - 6:18

Do you know he wasn't involved in the autumn too madge?

by The Saint Wed 21 Jan - 6:39

Comfort wrote:Saint, back in 2010 when Prydie/Kristian Phillips were both selected for the Welsh squad, Prydie was actually capped and scored in his first test against SA. At this time neither had played for their region (ospreys).

That's true. As with Daffydd Howells (still scratching my head over that one). It isn't the case now. Prydie has moved to Dragons, become a regular starter and is putting his hand up for selection. He can actually feel a little hard done by not being in that squad, and he was last capped years ago. That's why it came across as a silly point.

by majesticimperialman Wed 21 Jan - 6:52

Risca Rev wrote:Do you know he wasn't involved in the autumn too madge?

Yes i do....I thought he was injured. But seems he was not.

by Welly Wed 21 Jan - 6:58

propdavid_london wrote:Liam - Does Owen have the necessary release dates in his contract with Tigers? I wonder if that is the reason for non-selection.

Well he won't be involved in the next 2 weeks of games for Leicester (After ulster) as it is LV cup games and we don't really play regular starters.

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