Looking at the Welsh Squad for this years Six Nations

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)

majesticimperialman wrote:

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.

If you read the hundreds of articles on the matter you'll find out he is considered out of form...

First chance to get on here since squad announcement (damn work) so her's my thoughts:

Overall pretty much as expected but there are few surprises for me:

Adam Jones - thought he would have been in if only for his experience, let's hope we not have to rely on Andrews or Jarvis to much.

James King - I guess I am still missing something as to why he is included especially given Navidis form, who will be our back up No8 if Faletau gets injured.

Gareth Anscombe - My thoughts on his inclusion is already well covered on this thread but I guessed we all knew it was going to happen and he would be rushed in.

Plus points:

Good to see Rob Evans, Hallam Amos, Tyler Morgan and Gareth Davies in the squad, lets hope they get some game time.

The squad he announced hasn't changed what my starting XV would be but bench has changed slightly.

I just want to see Gareth Anscombe go well if he gets on the field, Im sure both of his parents will be proud.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
I just want to see Gareth Anscombe go well if he gets on the field, Im sure both of his parents will be proud.

Yep...good luck to him. Thought he was a potential starting 10 for the AB's when he started at the Blues a few years ago...another reason for Kiwi's to support Wales as well...

By the end of the six nations he will have been playing a full year of virtual non stop Rugby, surely its gotta catch up at some point.

Tman, I was going to support Jared Payne and Joe Scmidt, Are you going to support Anscombe and Gatty?

aucklandlaurie wrote:
By the end of the six nations he will have been playing a full year of virtual non stop Rugby, surely its gotta catch up at some point.

Tman, I was going to support Jared Payne and Joe Scmidt, Are you going to support Anscombe and Gatty?

geez...the pressure of it all...Auckland links strong in both combinations as well....hmmm...can we take them both?

chris_501 wrote: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.

It is interesting though that was the interview with Gatland reveals why Scott Andrews is there. It certainly appears that Adam Jones is valued higher but excluded because wales want to look at other players. We did the same in 2011 with the experienced Martyn Williams. Also interesting to read that Andrews is behind Tomas Francis of Exeter who is injured but Gatland wants him.

I don't think you can justify the selection of Andrews whichever way you look at it Maes.

I can understand Wales wanting to look at other players but for me they would learn far more with Jones in the squad than not. Then if these new players not upto scratch Jones steps in

The Saint wrote:I don't think you can justify the selection of Andrews whichever way you look at it Maes.

I am not justifying it. Just saying it appears that from what Gatland was saying in interview that Andews is about our sixth or even seventh choice tighthead.

Sampson - IN
Adam Jones - RESTED WHILE EXPERIMENTING (quote; "we know what he can do")
Rhodri Jones - INJURED
Tomas Francis - INJURED
Aaron Jarvis - IN
Mitchell -INJURED
Andrews -IN

Not many people talking about Merthyr boy Dacey getting a call up, I am chuffed to bits for him, because for me he has been the form hooker in Wales this season and deserves his chance.

LordDowlais wrote:Not many people talking about Merthyr boy Dacey getting a call up, I am chuffed to bits for him, because for me he has been the form hooker in Wales this season and deserves his chance.

With Owens and Phillips out I guess it was between him and Dee, I would have had both in.

bedfordwelsh wrote:With Owens and Phillips out I guess it was between him and Dee, I would have had both in.

To be honest, I think Dacey should have had his call up before now, he might have had his chance in the AI if it were not for injuries, this boy always breaks the gain line, puts in the hard work in defence and is also quite good in the set piece, he could go on to become a very important player for Wales over the next few years.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Not many people talking about Merthyr boy Dacey getting a call up, I am chuffed to bits for him, because for me he has been the form hooker in Wales this season and deserves his chance.

With Owens and Phillips out I guess it was between him and Dee, I would have had both in.

I'm inclined to agree with Bedford, Dacey and Dee have been in equally sparkling form, while Scott has delivered as ever in everything but the line out.

That said, the hooker is not the only man in a line out, but his throwing doesn't seem that accurate. He can be coached to a better level though.

As an article I read earlier this morning alluded to, the harsh realities of the quantity of analysis at international level means you have to vary your tactics at set piece every couple of games else you'll have been worked out and countered.

Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

He was also pretty dire in the game away in Toulon, which probably didn't help

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

IronMike, I think it is more to do with the fact that he snubbed Gatland's offer of a dual contract.

He would have been better off saying something like welsh based player get preference in close decisions. Or something like that.

Wasn't Owen the only welsh player to start in a Heineken cup quarter final last year. And he nearly beat Clermont pretty much created all our chances and made 2 monster kicks away from home.

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that. He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams. Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach. Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up. He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Pretty outlandish comments by WG and reasons why Owen was not picked. Seems it was an excuse to bring in his fellow countryman at the cost of a genuine Welshman.

mckay1402 wrote:

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that.  He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams.  Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach.  Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up.  He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Cockerill's job is to get the Tigers winning, not to do what Gatland wants

I think we've another example here of why coaches should generally make their selections and shut up. Selection is just an opinion and the WRU pay Gatland for his.

A bit silly to suggest that if Williams had started one particular game things might be different. He seems to have developed a lot at Leicester and has had a good season. This might upset my fellow Welshman - but imo he's also playing in a better team and in a better league than his Welsh rivals!

I've only seen Anscombe play twice at 10 and he looked decent but not outstanding. Frankly I don't care where he's from - if he's qualified he's qualified and over time if he turns out to be our best option at 10 so be it.

lostinwales wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that.  He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams.  Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach.  Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up.  He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Cockerill's job is to get the Tigers winning, not to do what Gatland wants

My issue is not with him putting Williams on the bench if that's what he sees as the right move but that he has made the comments about Gatlands selection after doing so.

offload wrote:I think we've another example here of why coaches should generally make their selections and shut up.  Selection is just an opinion and the WRU pay Gatland for his.

A bit silly to suggest that if Williams had started one particular game things might be different.  He seems to have developed a lot at Leicester and has had a good season.  This might upset my fellow Welshman - but imo he's also playing in a better team and in a better league than his Welsh rivals!

I've only seen Anscombe play twice at 10 and he looked decent but not outstanding.  Frankly I don't care where he's from - if he's qualified he's qualified and over time if he turns out to be our best option at 10 so be it.

Offload, from what I can see, Priestland played against Biggar twice over Christmas, went off injured early in the first game and then overshadowed Dan in the second, he obviously wanted to see Priestland against Williams last weekend, this was denied him because of Cockerill not selecting Williams, let's not also forget Anscombe will be available to Gatland from next Monday until the end of the 6N, Williams will not, he'll miss some of next week and 2 weeks during the 6N when there are breaks. If Williams had played last week and totally outplayed Priestland, there would have been more chance of him being selected.

mckay1402 wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that.  He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams.  Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach.  Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up.  He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Cockerill's job is to get the Tigers winning, not to do what Gatland wants

My issue is not with him putting Williams on the bench if that's what he sees as the right move but that he has made the comments about Gatlands selection after doing so.  

Surely Gatland doesnt make his mind up on players based on 80 minutes of play?

nathan wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that.  He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams.  Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach.  Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up.  He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Cockerill's job is to get the Tigers winning, not to do what Gatland wants

My issue is not with him putting Williams on the bench if that's what he sees as the right move but that he has made the comments about Gatlands selection after doing so.  

Surely Gatland doesnt make his mind up on players based on 80 minutes of play?

If Gatland or anybody else thinks that 2 players are pretty comparable and the opportunity arises that they would be in opposition, and then that is taken from him to compare each other in a match situation, also if these 2 players will NOT have the same bonding sessions with Team Wales, I know who I would pick.
Furthermore, all the games since the beginning of December except for the Sale fixture Williams has been the selected 10, that is games against the likes of Toulon twice, Northampton, Bath, Harlequins so why wasn't he selected against the Scarlets, he cannot use the excuse of resting him because they have a LV game this weekend, I think Cockerill does protest too much.

wayne wrote:

offload wrote:I think we've another example here of why coaches should generally make their selections and shut up.  Selection is just an opinion and the WRU pay Gatland for his.

A bit silly to suggest that if Williams had started one particular game things might be different.  He seems to have developed a lot at Leicester and has had a good season.  This might upset my fellow Welshman - but imo he's also playing in a better team and in a better league than his Welsh rivals!

I've only seen Anscombe play twice at 10 and he looked decent but not outstanding.  Frankly I don't care where he's from - if he's qualified he's qualified and over time if he turns out to be our best option at 10 so be it.

Offload, from what I can see, Priestland played against Biggar twice over Christmas, went off injured early in the first game and then overshadowed Dan in the second, he obviously wanted to see Priestland against Williams last weekend, this was denied him because of Cockerill not selecting Williams, let's not also forget Anscombe will be available to Gatland from next Monday until the end of the 6N, Williams will not, he'll miss some of next week and 2 weeks during the 6N when there are breaks. If Williams had played last week and totally outplayed Priestland, there would have been more chance of him being selected.

Wayne - I'm not advocating for or against Williams. I just think it's a little strange quoting one game as a decision point. I don't put any store by what comes out of Cockerill either - he lives with one of his feet in his mouth. I would hope that the national coach and primary selector would have his finger on the pulse of his fly half options so that he wasn't relying on one head to head.

nathan wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that.  He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams.  Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach.  Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up.  He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Cockerill's job is to get the Tigers winning, not to do what Gatland wants

My issue is not with him putting Williams on the bench if that's what he sees as the right move but that he has made the comments about Gatlands selection after doing so.  

Surely Gatland doesnt make his mind up on players based on 80 minutes of play?

Why not he had made it up on Anscombe before he even played for the Blues

offload wrote:

wayne wrote:

offload wrote:I think we've another example here of why coaches should generally make their selections and shut up.  Selection is just an opinion and the WRU pay Gatland for his.

A bit silly to suggest that if Williams had started one particular game things might be different.  He seems to have developed a lot at Leicester and has had a good season.  This might upset my fellow Welshman - but imo he's also playing in a better team and in a better league than his Welsh rivals!

I've only seen Anscombe play twice at 10 and he looked decent but not outstanding.  Frankly I don't care where he's from - if he's qualified he's qualified and over time if he turns out to be our best option at 10 so be it.

Offload, from what I can see, Priestland played against Biggar twice over Christmas, went off injured early in the first game and then overshadowed Dan in the second, he obviously wanted to see Priestland against Williams last weekend, this was denied him because of Cockerill not selecting Williams, let's not also forget Anscombe will be available to Gatland from next Monday until the end of the 6N, Williams will not, he'll miss some of next week and 2 weeks during the 6N when there are breaks. If Williams had played last week and totally outplayed Priestland, there would have been more chance of him being selected.

Wayne - I'm not advocating for or against Williams.  I just think it's a little strange quoting one game as a decision point.  I don't put any store by what comes out of Cockerill either - he lives with one of his feet in his mouth.  I would hope that the national coach and primary selector would have his finger on the pulse of his fly half options so that he wasn't relying on one head to head.

The coaches put a lot of work into player analysis. But the opportunity to watch a possible selection in a pressure match is important. More so if they are up against the player that they might supercede in the squad.

Gatlands comments are fair in my opinion. Cockerill has always been full of pointless opinion easily lead by the media asking him leading questions to get him to say what they want for a quote.

It is a shame they aren't looking at Owen, he has shown talent since he first emerged and is proving his worth for the Tigers by usurping two England flyhalfs in two seasons at a tender age.

maestegmafia wrote:

The Saint wrote:I don't think you can justify the selection of Andrews whichever way you look at it Maes.

I am not justifying it. Just saying it appears that from what Gatland was saying in interview that Andews is about our sixth or even seventh choice tighthead.

Sampson - IN
Adam Jones - RESTED WHILE EXPERIMENTING (quote; "we know what he can do")
Rhodri Jones - INJURED
Tomas Francis - INJURED
Aaron Jarvis - IN
Mitchell -INJURED
Andrews -IN

I expect Andrews to be holding tackle bags,but if we do get injuries then we really are buggered. Were they actually Gatland's words?

BTW - who the hell is Tomas Francis?

bedfordwelsh wrote:

nathan wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:

IronMike wrote:Gatland on Owen Williams:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Owen Williams dropped out of Wales' Six Nations fly-half running when Leicester left him out of their starting line-up against Scarlets, says Warren Gatland.
The Wales coach named Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and uncapped Cardiff Blue Gareth Anscombe as his tournament 10s.
"The fact he [Williams] did not start [against Scarlets] almost killed that discussion," said Gatland.

Right, that game when the Scarlets were smashed? Never mind the fact that hes also beaten Toulon and a bunch of other clubs who are better than the Scarlets. The fact he didn't start against the Scarlets was the reason he wasn't selected. Sure.

I was just reading Cockerills comments about that.  He must have known Gatland was coming to that match but chose not to start Williams.  Saying he wanted Williams to be picked seems a bit disingenuous when you have just stopped him having the chance to play in front of his national coach.  Having said that I have not seen enough from Anscombe to believe he has deserved a call up.  He has looked pretty average in the matches I've seen him playing.

Cockerill's job is to get the Tigers winning, not to do what Gatland wants

My issue is not with him putting Williams on the bench if that's what he sees as the right move but that he has made the comments about Gatlands selection after doing so.  

Surely Gatland doesnt make his mind up on players based on 80 minutes of play?

Why not he had made it up on Anscombe before he even played for the Blues  

Give it a rest mate. You are in the minority of people that can't see Anscombes' value.

The Saint wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

The Saint wrote:I don't think you can justify the selection of Andrews whichever way you look at it Maes.

I am not justifying it. Just saying it appears that from what Gatland was saying in interview that Andews is about our sixth or even seventh choice tighthead.

Sampson - IN
Adam Jones - RESTED WHILE EXPERIMENTING (quote; "we know what he can do")
Rhodri Jones - INJURED
Tomas Francis - INJURED
Aaron Jarvis - IN
Mitchell -INJURED
Andrews -IN

I expect Andrews to be holding tackle bags,but if we do get injuries then we really are buggered. Were they actually Gatland's words?

BTW - who the hell is Tomas Francis?

A big athletic Exeter tighthead. Welsh lineage.


Gatland said if we have injuries he will bring in Adam Jones. Like you said Scott Andrews is there to train and try to prove his worth.

Welly wrote: He would have been better off saying something like welsh based player get preference in close decisions. Or something like that.

Wasn't Owen the only welsh player to start in a Heineken cup quarter final last year. And he nearly beat Clermont pretty much created all our chances and made 2 monster kicks away from home.

Is that meant to make him amazing or something?

So the minority must just sit in the corner and be quiet hey maes

bedfordwelsh wrote:So the minority must just sit in the corner and be quiet hey maes

No mate, but you have to come to a point where you realise that others just know better...! Ha ha ha...


Seriously though I don't think Anscombe was included before he played for the blues, he has played well and I am happy to see him rewarded with a place in the squad. His game reading, ability and awareness to attack have been very good.

And thats where we have to dis-agree Maes, I think as soon as he was signed by the Blues then he was always going to be included in the Welsh squad. What has surprised me is that as yet he's not been given the DC he's rumuored to be getting.

I also think its Gatlands way of sending a message to the likes of Owen Williams who decided to stay with the Tigers.

Its also been confirmed today that Cuthbert has turned down a DC so will be interesting to see if that affects him in the future.

I am just going to play devils advocate, would you all think, that with Cockerill knowing the 6N is on the horizon, and not playing Owen Williams last weekend, does anybody reckon he purposely affected Owen Williams's chance for selection to give him more of a chance of keeping him for Leicester over the international period ? After all it's not as if Cockerill did not know that Warren Gatland was comming to watch the match.

bedfordwelsh wrote:And thats where we have to dis-agree Maes, I think as soon as he was signed by the Blues then he was always going to be included in the Welsh squad.  What has surprised me is that as yet he's not been given the DC he's rumuored to be getting.

I also think its Gatlands way of sending a message to the likes of Owen Williams who decided to stay with the Tigers.  

Its also been confirmed today that Cuthbert has turned down a DC so will be interesting to see if that affects him in the future.

Seems to me that Anscombe has to earn a DC just like everyone else, which I would say dispels your theory.


Gatland was pretty concise in why Williams has not been selected, he was also praised for how well he is playing. Having seen both play a number of times now, there is little in it between Williams and Anscombe. Possibly Anscombe looks the better attacking threat, certainly has a better running game. I wouldn't expect it, but would have liked to see Williams in at Priestlands expense.

Cuthbert is in disagreement with Hammett at the Blues, I think he wants to leave to go elsewhere, most likely abroad genes no DC.
.

LordDowlais wrote:I am just going to play devils advocate, would you all think, that with Cockerill knowing the 6N is on the horizon, and not playing Owen Williams last weekend, does anybody reckon he purposely affected Owen Williams's chance for selection to give him more of a chance of keeping him for Leicester over the international period ? After all it's not as if Cockerill did not know that Warren Gatland was comming to watch the match.

Ha! He's prop forward mate - not a candidate on mastermind. If Cockerill can think that that through he's in the wrong job.

Without trying to sound like an infant, I think Richard Cockerill very conveniently has the word man sausage in his name. He comes across as a miserable, unsociable character; his comments on Owen Williams were also as daft as Gatland's.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:And thats where we have to dis-agree Maes, I think as soon as he was signed by the Blues then he was always going to be included in the Welsh squad.  What has surprised me is that as yet he's not been given the DC he's rumuored to be getting.

I also think its Gatlands way of sending a message to the likes of Owen Williams who decided to stay with the Tigers.  

Its also been confirmed today that Cuthbert has turned down a DC so will be interesting to see if that affects him in the future.

Seems to me that Anscombe has to earn a DC just like everyone else, which I would say dispels your theory.


Gatland was pretty concise in why Williams has not been selected, he was also praised for how well he is playing. Having seen both play a number of times now, there is little in it between Williams and Anscombe. Possibly Anscombe looks the better attacking threat, certainly has a better running game. I wouldn't expect it, but would have liked to see Williams in at Priestlands expense.

Cuthbert is in disagreement with Hammett at the Blues, I think he wants to leave to go elsewhere, most likely abroad genes no DC.
.

He is a Gloucestershire lad. He would be welcome to go abroad and come home to Gloucester RFC and join compatriots Hibbard & Hook

gregortree wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:And thats where we have to dis-agree Maes, I think as soon as he was signed by the Blues then he was always going to be included in the Welsh squad.  What has surprised me is that as yet he's not been given the DC he's rumuored to be getting.

I also think its Gatlands way of sending a message to the likes of Owen Williams who decided to stay with the Tigers.  

Its also been confirmed today that Cuthbert has turned down a DC so will be interesting to see if that affects him in the future.

Seems to me that Anscombe has to earn a DC just like everyone else, which I would say dispels your theory.


Gatland was pretty concise in why Williams has not been selected, he was also praised for how well he is playing. Having seen both play a number of times now, there is little in it between Williams and Anscombe. Possibly Anscombe looks the better attacking threat, certainly has a better running game. I wouldn't expect it, but would have liked to see Williams in at Priestlands expense.

Cuthbert is in disagreement with Hammett at the Blues, I think he wants to leave to go elsewhere, most likely abroad genes no DC.
.

He is a Gloucestershire lad. He would be welcome to go abroad and come home to Gloucester RFC and join compatriots Hibbard & Hook

I read that Gatland and Cuthbert were meeting with Blues coach Hammett this week to discuss his future.

I'm sure Gloucester would be very happy to have a player as good as Cuthbert.

We would be Maesteg. Good luck to the lad anyway.

Does that say more about Cuthbert or Hammett?

Hammett after all, has this no nonsense reputation and expects a hard work ethic from his players.

Cuthbert, as good as he is, hasn't been playing that well, and looks visibly frustrated on the field, he has not really found his footing under Hammett's Blues (the entire backline has been poor when Patchell was injured actually).

IronMike wrote:Does that say more about Cuthbert or Hammett?

Hammett after all, has this no nonsense reputation and expects a hard work ethic from his players.

Cuthbert, as good as he is, hasn't been playing that well, and looks visibly frustrated on the field, he has not really found his footing under Hammett's Blues (the entire backline has been poor when Patchell was injured actually).

So you mean the latest Messiah shipped in to play international rugby is not really capable of getting a back line going?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

IronMike wrote:Does that say more about Cuthbert or Hammett?

Hammett after all, has this no nonsense reputation and expects a hard work ethic from his players.

Cuthbert, as good as he is, hasn't been playing that well, and looks visibly frustrated on the field, he has not really found his footing under Hammett's Blues (the entire backline has been poor when Patchell was injured actually).

So you mean the latest Messiah shipped in to play international rugby is not really capable of getting a back line going?  

More to do with their lack of an inside centre than their flyhalf.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

IronMike wrote:Does that say more about Cuthbert or Hammett?

Hammett after all, has this no nonsense reputation and expects a hard work ethic from his players.

Cuthbert, as good as he is, hasn't been playing that well, and looks visibly frustrated on the field, he has not really found his footing under Hammett's Blues (the entire backline has been poor when Patchell was injured actually).

So you mean the latest Messiah shipped in to play international rugby is not really capable of getting a back line going?  

Anscombe has looked good, however before his arrival Patchell was pulling the strings in the backline and anything good in attack usually started with him.

Our centres have been poor, Gavin Evans had a few good games but mostly poor, the ball never makes it out to the wingers.

LordDowlais wrote:I am just going to play devils advocate, would you all think, that with Cockerill knowing the 6N is on the horizon, and not playing Owen Williams last weekend, does anybody reckon he purposely affected Owen Williams's chance for selection to give him more of a chance of keeping him for Leicester over the international period ? After all it's not as if Cockerill did not know that Warren Gatland was comming to watch the match.

Yes. Thats precisely what I was getting at up there

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

IronMike wrote:Does that say more about Cuthbert or Hammett?

Hammett after all, has this no nonsense reputation and expects a hard work ethic from his players.

Cuthbert, as good as he is, hasn't been playing that well, and looks visibly frustrated on the field, he has not really found his footing under Hammett's Blues (the entire backline has been poor when Patchell was injured actually).

So you mean the latest Messiah shipped in to play international rugby is not really capable of getting a back line going?  

SS,

Are you in the minority like me with regards Anscombe?

bedfordwelsh wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

IronMike wrote:Does that say more about Cuthbert or Hammett?

Hammett after all, has this no nonsense reputation and expects a hard work ethic from his players.

Cuthbert, as good as he is, hasn't been playing that well, and looks visibly frustrated on the field, he has not really found his footing under Hammett's Blues (the entire backline has been poor when Patchell was injured actually).

So you mean the latest Messiah shipped in to play international rugby is not really capable of getting a back line going?  

SS,

Are you in the minority like me with regards Anscombe?

Minority? I haven't seen much support for Anscombe being included in the welsh squad, apart from Gatland as his coaches.