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)

maestegmafia wrote:

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.  

Griff,

I point you to the above

Griff wrote:

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.

has showed glimpses of his ability but nothing compared to Owen Williams who is keeping an England Int out of the side and starting the majority of big games

But didn't start last week...!

And chose to extend his contract at an English club.

I wish Gatland had just come out and said something like it was a very close call between the two, but opted for the player based in Wales.

maestegmafia wrote:But didn't start last week...!

Neither did Scott Andrews at tighthead. What's your point?

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  

I think you will find with Anscombe it was the 80 first class games that hed played.

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

No offence, but my stats probably would have been impressive against Rovigo.

Anyone care to pick a likely 23 from that lot?

Risca Rev wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:But didn't start last week...!

Neither did Scott Andrews at tighthead. What's your point?

It's not my point Rev...!

Warren Gatland picked the squad and he said he didnt pick Williams because he didn't start the crunch match vs Scarlets.

Already chose mine, but it will be interesting if Gatland really does use this 6N as a time to experiment. All the noises he has made suggests he won't change a winning team from the SA game, where possible. I still cannot see him not selecting North!

Gethin
Hibbard
Lee
AWJ
Ball
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau
Webb
DB
North
Roberts
JD2
Halfpenny
Williams


Reps
Baldwin
James
Jarvis
Charteris
Tipuric
Phillips
Anscombe
Scott Williams

chris_501 wrote:Already chose mine, but it will be interesting if Gatland really does use this 6N as a time to experiment. All the noises he has made suggests he won't change a winning team from the SA game, where possible. I still cannot see him not selecting North!

I think we will see more changes after the England match... He will want a good start to the tournament. I would like to see a lot of changes, to give players opportunity. We can do this while keeping a core team together.

I'd like to see Rob Evans on the bench, Tipuric and Warburton starting as a backrow, I want to know what our option is without Faletau?

As soon as he is fully fit I want to see Gareth Davies to get a bench spot, and I would like to see Scott Williams and Jd2 in the centre for a game, though Roberts is in great form at the the moment.

Keen to see Hallam get a few more Caps too.

maestegmafia wrote:

chris_501 wrote:Already chose mine, but it will be interesting if Gatland really does use this 6N as a time to experiment. All the noises he has made suggests he won't change a winning team from the SA game, where possible. I still cannot see him not selecting North!

I think we will see more changes after the England match... He will want a good start to the tournament. I would like to see a lot of changes, to give players opportunity. We can do this while keeping a core team together.

I'd like to see Rob Evans on the bench, Tipuric and Warburton starting as a backrow, I want to know what our option is without Faletau?

As soon as he is fully fit I want to see Gareth Davies to get a bench spot, and I would like to see Scott Williams and Jd2 in the centre for a game, though Roberts is in great form at the the moment.

Keen to see Hallam get a few more Caps too.

I'd like to see JD2 on the bench for the England game. He seems to be there every week for Clermont and I agree, Roberts has been in decent form and Scott Williams has been consistently quality!

Amos has really impressed for the Dragons, seems to me that what wingers need is confidence,he has it and Cuthbert certainly doesn't.

chris_501 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

chris_501 wrote:Already chose mine, but it will be interesting if Gatland really does use this 6N as a time to experiment. All the noises he has made suggests he won't change a winning team from the SA game, where possible. I still cannot see him not selecting North!

I think we will see more changes after the England match... He will want a good start to the tournament. I would like to see a lot of changes, to give players opportunity. We can do this while keeping a core team together.

I'd like to see Rob Evans on the bench, Tipuric and Warburton starting as a backrow, I want to know what our option is without Faletau?

As soon as he is fully fit I want to see Gareth Davies to get a bench spot, and I would like to see Scott Williams and Jd2 in the centre for a game, though Roberts is in great form at the the moment.

Keen to see Hallam get a few more Caps too.

I'd like to see JD2 on the bench for the England game. He seems to be there every week for Clermont and I agree, Roberts has been in decent form and Scott Williams has been consistently quality!

Amos has really impressed for the Dragons, seems to me that what wingers need is confidence,he has it and Cuthbert certainly doesn't.

Jd2 played well vs sale last weekend. I think he should be in.

Tough call as they all look in good form.

maestegmafia wrote:

chris_501 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

chris_501 wrote:Already chose mine, but it will be interesting if Gatland really does use this 6N as a time to experiment. All the noises he has made suggests he won't change a winning team from the SA game, where possible. I still cannot see him not selecting North!

I think we will see more changes after the England match... He will want a good start to the tournament. I would like to see a lot of changes, to give players opportunity. We can do this while keeping a core team together.

I'd like to see Rob Evans on the bench, Tipuric and Warburton starting as a backrow, I want to know what our option is without Faletau?

As soon as he is fully fit I want to see Gareth Davies to get a bench spot, and I would like to see Scott Williams and Jd2 in the centre for a game, though Roberts is in great form at the the moment.

Keen to see Hallam get a few more Caps too.

I'd like to see JD2 on the bench for the England game. He seems to be there every week for Clermont and I agree, Roberts has been in decent form and Scott Williams has been consistently quality!

Amos has really impressed for the Dragons, seems to me that what wingers need is confidence,he has it and Cuthbert certainly doesn't.

Jd2 played well vs sale last weekend. I think he should be in.

Tough call as they all look in good form.

It's a real position of strength. All have a few years left too so the likes Allen, Morgan and Dixon will really need to up their games to get a look in.

In regards to Tomos Francis. Have we not jumped the gun on this a little? His grandmother is Welsh and we was born in Yorkshire. He seems to be well regarded by The Chiefs fans. By letting England know we're interested might they just include him in the Saxon to tie him up. Even if England don't do we know if he is interested in representing Wales? I read the Walesonline article about him and he dosnt mention a desire to play for us.

I'd never heard of him to be honest.

Coleman wrote:In regards to Tomos Francis. Have we not jumped the gun on this a little? His grandmother is Welsh and we was born in Yorkshire. He seems to be well regarded by The Chiefs fans. By letting England know we're interested might they just include him in the Saxon to tie him up. Even if England don't do we know if he is interested in representing Wales? I read the Walesonline article about him and he dosnt mention a desire to play for us.

He looks promising and with Adam Jones likely to be calling time after the RWC then he may well get to play international rugby for Wales. Where as he would probably be fourth or fifth choice for england.

I wonder when his contract at the Chiefs is up?

We could use him at the Ospreys for sure.

trawling around among English born lads....But don't let Bomber see what you find though or he will snatch them away.

trawling around among English born lads....But don't let Bomber see what you find though or he will snatch them away.

George Carlin wrote:Anyone care to pick a likely 23 from that lot?

Picked mine and the squad he picked wouldn't change my starting XV but the bench would change, that said my side would have some differences to what I think Gatland will pick

If, a big if, Francis goes on a DC his only destination will be Ospreys.

My 23; Jenkins, Hibbard, Lee, AWJ, Ball, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau - Webb, Biggar, Amos, S.Williams, Roberts, Halfpenny, L.Williams. Rob Evans, Kristian Dacey, Aaron Jarvis, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Gareth Davies, Gareth Anscombe, Jonathan Davies.

Blimey, dropping North, Cuthbert and JD2?!

BamBam wrote:Blimey, dropping North, Cuthbert and JD2?!

Yep I would to but it won't happen. I would drop Jenkins to the bench to but pick Priestland there over Anscombe

I'd go,...

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Richard Hibbard
3. Samson Lee
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Jake Ball
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Rhys Webb
10. Dan Biggar
11. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Liam Williams
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Kristian Dacey
17. Paul James
18. Aaron Jarvis
19. Luke Charteris
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Gareth Davies
22. Gareth Anscombe
23. Scott Williams

bedfordwelsh wrote:

BamBam wrote:Blimey, dropping North, Cuthbert and JD2?!

Yep I would to but it won't happen. I would drop Jenkins to the bench to but pick Priestland there over Anscombe

Why drop Jenkins?

606,

Stick RP on the bench and that's likely to be the side v England

I have said for sometime and stick by it that I think Jenkins has lost some of his work rate that made him the best in the game few years back and I think James is the technically better scrummager but yes we do lose some around field stuff. Jenkins off the bench against tired opposition will be great but I would start James but it won't happen.

bedfordwelsh wrote:606,

Stick RP on the bench and that's likely to be the side v England

Doubt it, I would expect Cuthbert to start and MP, Baldwin and Preistland on the bench

bedfordwelsh wrote:I have said for sometime and stick by it that I think Jenkins has lost some of his work rate that made him the best in the game few years back and I think James is the technically better scrummager but yes we do lose some around field stuff.  Jenkins off the bench against tired opposition will be great but I would start James but it won't happen.

Jenkins was in superb form the other week vs Leinster, certainly at his best. He is by far the form loosehead, Rob Evans is not far behind. James is a good scrummager but can concede penalties and has not been at his best this season.

The main difference is that James just doesn't seem as intelligent a player as the other two.

I would bench James for the first game. Experience pays, when it is likey that by the time he enters the game he will face Cole not Wilson, Cole is a very good technical tighthead.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:I have said for sometime and stick by it that I think Jenkins has lost some of his work rate that made him the best in the game few years back and I think James is the technically better scrummager but yes we do lose some around field stuff.  Jenkins off the bench against tired opposition will be great but I would start James but it won't happen.

Jenkins was in superb form the other week vs Leinster, certainly at his best. He is bar far the form loosehead, Rob Evans is not far behind. James is a good scrummager but can concede penalties and has not been at his best this season.

The main difference is that James just doesn't seem as intelligent a player as the other two.

I would bench James for the first game. Experience pays, when it is lowly that by the time he enters the game he will face Cole not Wilson, cole is a very good technical tighthead.

Agree, Gethin has been in fantastic form this season

Jenkins has player really well and sticking Preistland on the bench! can't be serious.

I can't see anyone but Jenkins getting the number 1 shirt.

maestegmafia wrote:I can't see anyone but Jenkins getting the number 1 shirt.

I do agree just wouldn't be my choice, if he hits the ground running rather than build into the 6 Nations then it will be ok.

Alun,

As for Preistland on the bench he's another one who has been in good form of late and Asncombe hasn't done a great deal really other than a good level Regional player, I am sure we will see him at sometime during the 6 Nations but against England I doubt much will change from the norm.

wales606 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:606,

Stick RP on the bench and that's likely to be the side v England

Doubt it, I would expect Cuthbert to start and MP, Baldwin and Preistland on the bench

I think either North or Cuthbert will make way for Li Williams, fair call on others doubt there will be many changes from the 'norm' against England.

BamBam wrote:Blimey, dropping North, Cuthbert and JD2?!

If he doesn't we'll lose. You can pretty much guess the team though if you read the latest BBC article. It's pathetic and sends out the wrong message to pro players in Wales.

The Saint wrote:If, a big if, Francis goes on a DC his only destination will be Ospreys.

I'm just curious if this is something you've heard or just a thought that had popped in to your head? Very interesting if we are rumoured to be offering him a DC.

Coleman wrote:

The Saint wrote:If, a big if, Francis goes on a DC his only destination will be Ospreys.

I'm just curious if this is something you've heard or just a thought that had popped in to your head? Very interesting if we are rumoured to be offering him a DC.

Try reading the previous comments in the thread, then you won't be so dumbfounded. I'm not stating or claiming anything. I was replying to someone who has said Francis is on Gatland's radar so to speak, and that he could be used at the Ospreys. Hence why I said it was all a big if. I only see that being his destination if he comes to Wales because Ospreys are WRU favourites.

Our Prop situation at the moment is so unbalanced. Where we have great depth at loosehead and practically none at tight head.

Loosehead
We still have the experience and class of Jenkins who has been outstanding of late and two strong youngsters coming through in Nicky and Rob. There is also Paul James but he surly has to be in the same boat as Adam Jones where either he starts or he doesn't play because what impact can he have off the bench? Which is why I think Rob should be on bench building up to World Cup.
Not to mention Bevington who is injured and Gill who is so underused and who needs to get his a$$ back in Wales and get his career back on track. Really we have riches at loosehead

Tighthead
Still gutted for Adam Jones and he should be in the squad as he can still hold out a scrum but when Gatland makes his mind up about a player and when HE thinks it's time to give new blood a chance (which is a pathetic excuse) then it's over for Adam internationally. So..... looking forward we only have Samson Lee who is an established scrummager and improving every season. Then whats do we have Jarvis, Andrews and Rhodri; I do feel a bit for Rhodri because he has been swapped in position and still has time to improve but he is not a international level tight head, he struggles to hold a scrum in the Pro 12. Jarvis WAS a good prop 2 seasons ago but like so many other props (e.g Ryan Grant, Adam Jones, Nicholas Mas, John Afoa, Castrogiavanni) the new scrum laws has ruined his strength which was the scrum; now he getting bundled back at a rate of knots every game. The best i've seen him play these past 2 seasons was at loosehead for Wales. And Andrews well we have all seen what he is like in the scrum; he is a descent player around the field which i why Gatland seems to have a weak spot for him but ffs a tighthead is there to SCRUMMAGE not make 16 tackles a game. I beleive Craig Mitchell would have been a good option at the start of the season but the guy is injured all the time and we can't cater around him which is a shame because he is a strong tighthead when fit and has games under his belt.

Gatlands is starting to bring a few young loosheads into the squad, so why doesn't he do it with a few young tightheads. I mean if Samson, Adam Jones and a player like Nicky Thomas was in the squad imagine all the good it could do for him as a young prop; for some reason though he isn't getting any game time at the Ospreys who keep with Jarvis. We (Scarlet's) gave Samson the chance at a young age because he was awesome for the U20's and 2 seasons later look at him. Nicky Thomas was in the exact same boat as Samson Lee because he was without a doubt the most dominant prop in the Junior World Cup (along with Nicky Smith); so why the hell isn't he getting game time at regional level.

Other options are two welsh qualified props in Fairbrother and Tom Francis. I'm not going to act like i know too much about Francis but i do like Exeter and always check there scores and team sheet; For a while i couldn't understand why Moray Low wasn't their first choice tighthead but i have heard of him and he is highly rated at Exeter. Hopefully Gatland will work on him and bring him over because if there is one position where we need depth it's tighthead (especially now Adam is out of favor). As for Fairbrother no he hasn't been a standout for the dragons like Lee but he is young, he is getting game time, when i've seen he hasn't taken a backward step. Also he is the prefect size for a prop and his technicality might need a bit of work cause he does drop the scrum a bit but i just think an experienced prop needs to get his hands on him and teach him the ropes a bit.

So even thouhg there aren't many options now Gatland needs to use his head and look to bring these players through asap.

He needs to bring them through but with limited time pre World Cup do we have time???

Jhamer25 wrote:Our Prop situation at the moment is so unbalanced. Where we have great depth at loosehead and practically none at tight head.

Loosehead
We still have the experience and class of Jenkins who has been outstanding of late and two strong youngsters coming through in Nicky and Rob. There is also Paul James but he surly has to be in the same boat as Adam Jones where either he starts or he doesn't play because what impact can he have off the bench? Which is why I think Rob should be on bench building up to World Cup.
Not to mention Bevington who is injured and Gill who is so underused and who needs to get his a$$ back in Wales and get his career back on track. Really we have riches at loosehead

Tighthead
Still gutted for Adam Jones and he should be in the squad as he can still hold out a scrum but when Gatland makes his mind up about a player and when HE thinks it's time to give new blood a chance (which is a pathetic excuse) then it's over for Adam internationally. So..... looking forward we only have Samson Lee who is an established scrummager and improving every season. Then whats do we have Jarvis, Andrews and Rhodri; I do feel a bit for Rhodri because he has been swapped in position and still has time to improve but he is not a international level tight head, he struggles to hold a scrum in the Pro 12. Jarvis WAS a good prop 2 seasons ago but like so many other props (e.g Ryan Grant, Adam Jones, Nicholas Mas, John Afoa, Castrogiavanni) the new scrum laws has ruined his strength which was the scrum; now he getting bundled back at a rate of knots every game. The best i've seen him play these past 2 seasons was at loosehead for Wales. And Andrews well we have all seen what he is like in the scrum; he is a descent player around the field which i why Gatland seems to have a weak spot for him but ffs a tighthead is there to SCRUMMAGE not make 16 tackles a game. I beleive Craig Mitchell would have been a good option at the start of the season but the guy is injured all the time and we can't cater around him which is a shame because he is a strong tighthead when fit and has games under his belt.

Gatlands is starting to bring a few young loosheads into the squad, so why doesn't he do it with a few young tightheads. I mean if Samson, Adam Jones and a player like Nicky Thomas was in the squad imagine all the good it could do for him as a young prop; for some reason though he isn't getting any game time at the Ospreys who keep with Jarvis. We (Scarlet's) gave Samson the chance at a young age because he was awesome for the U20's and 2 seasons later look at him. Nicky Thomas was in the exact same boat as Samson Lee because he was without a doubt the most dominant prop in the Junior World Cup (along with Nicky Smith); so why the hell isn't he getting game time at regional level.

Other options are two welsh qualified props in Fairbrother and Tom Francis. I'm not going to act like i know too much about Francis but i do like Exeter and always check there scores and team sheet; For a while i couldn't understand why Moray Low wasn't their first choice tighthead but i have heard of him and he is highly rated at Exeter. Hopefully Gatland will work on him and bring him over because if there is one position where we need depth it's tighthead (especially now Adam is out of favor). As for Fairbrother no he hasn't been a standout for the dragons like Lee but he is young, he is getting game time, when i've seen he hasn't taken a backward step. Also he is the prefect size for a prop and his technicality might need a bit of work cause he does drop the scrum a bit but i just think an experienced prop needs to get his hands on him and teach him the ropes a bit.

So even thouhg there aren't many options now Gatland needs to use his head and look to bring these players through asap.

JHAMER, you are right about Jarvis, and the story with Nicky Thomas is although he by all accounts is demolishing most looseheads in the scrum in the Premiership, he played in the LV for us against Saracens IIRC, and he was not that good, and according to reports his conditioning is abysmal, even worse than Adam was at his worst, he might play in the next round of games in the LV, i HOPE SO

maestegmafia wrote:He needs to bring them through but with limited time pre World Cup do we have time???

That is a problem but to be honest what do we have to loose. Jarvis and Andrews can't do a job now and they've both had enough time to prov themselves regionally. Andrews never has and Jarvis hasn't these past 2 seasons. Building now is the best thing, they might be raw come world cup at least they will be going in the right direction instead of going in the same direction with Rhodri, Andrews and Jarvis.

Wayne, I haven't seen much of Smith since the Junior World Cup just a few times. He is a big boy but when i've seen him he has been good around the park and what he does especially well apart from scrummaging is counter rucking. Also Gatland would be the best person to get his conditioning right, he done wonders with Adam and would give him a kick up the arse if needs be because he has so much potential. For 3 years the Wales under 20's foundation was around the scrum first year it was Samson and rob (both now the welsh team after regional gametime), then he came of age; Nicky came in continued the dominance with smith who with game time was called up during the Autumn. I just don't think he has been given the right chance, it's not like he is going to come straight in and solve the ospreys scrum problem because there are very few week scrums in the pro12 now but if him and Arhip (who i have heaps of respect for and a gutted he can't become welsh qualified) can swap every other game then by the end of this season he would have already improved leaps and bounds. For some reason though when Jarvis has been injured Dan Suter has been the back up, so really he is 4th choice atm which isn't doing him any good. Im looking forward to the LV games because there are a lot of young players in a lot of regions that could be promising.

If Nicky Thomas' conditioning needs work then why don't his Region help? They could do with adding value to their front row.

Jhamer you're correct in everything you say, apart from where you mentioned Bevington. He's had a lot of opportunity with his region and couldn't cut the mustard, so it baffled me to see him get selected for Wales so often. He's a 2nd team player for the Ospreys at best. Not so sure what has happened to Gill, he did look good for Wales when he played. We need him back in Wales, preferably Dragons.

Agree about Gill when he did play for us he looked good but then he got injured and fell behind Mako in the pecking order and seems to have struggled since.

Jhamer25 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:He needs to bring them through but with limited time pre World Cup do we have time???

That is a problem but to be honest what do we have to loose. Jarvis and Andrews can't do a job now and they've both had enough time to prov themselves regionally. Andrews never has and Jarvis hasn't these past 2 seasons. Building now is the best thing, they might be raw come world cup at least they will be going in the right direction instead of going in the same direction with Rhodri, Andrews and Jarvis.

Wayne, I haven't seen much of Smith since the Junior World Cup just a few times. He is a big boy but when i've seen him he has been good around the park and what he does especially well apart from scrummaging is counter rucking. Also Gatland would be the best person to get his conditioning right, he done wonders with Adam and would give him a kick up the arse if needs be because he has so much potential. For 3 years the Wales under 20's foundation was around the scrum first year it was Samson and rob (both now the welsh team after regional gametime), then he came of age; Nicky came in continued the dominance with smith who with game time was called up during the Autumn. I just don't think he has been given the right chance, it's not like he is going to come straight in and solve the ospreys scrum problem because there are very few week scrums in the pro12 now but if him and Arhip (who i have heaps of respect for and a gutted he can't become welsh qualified) can swap every other game then by the end of this season he would have already improved leaps and bounds. For some reason though when Jarvis has been injured Dan Suter has been the back up, so really he is 4th choice atm which isn't doing him any good. Im looking forward to the LV games because there are a lot of young players in a lot of regions that could be promising.

Jhamer, I don't know if it is me, but your post seems a little lopsided the loosehead is Nicky Smith and the tighthead is Nicky Thomas, as you said they carried on where Samson and Rob left off, they were both brought into the setup and Smith took his opportunity, Thomas has disappointed in his conditioning, in the game against the Saracens he was always last to every breakdown and he was not at all dominant in the scrum, I would say he will be given every chance I think in the LV matches coming up, I entirely agree with you on Arhip as well, and as for Thomas 4th choice, I don't think he is that either, for the Dragons LV game Cai Griffiths was in front of him, that shows how disappointed they were with him in the previous game.

I don't see the rush. Nicky Thomas hasn't really stepped up so I can't see him developing in the same way as Lee did, certainly not as rapidly.

Time will tell, but for now I think we are better off with Jarvis and Andrews.

Come the RWC it will be Samson Lee and Adam Jones

George took his try well in a poor saints team, as did roberts.

Roberts and Charteris looked really good.

What's the news on Scott Williams??? Went off injured.

maestegmafia wrote:George took his try well in a poor saints team, as did roberts.

Roberts and Charteris looked really good.

What's the news on Scott Williams??? Went off injured.

Didn't see much of any rugby yesterday but from what I did see/hear I think Roberts and North have done enough to start against England (not that they wouldn't have anyway) and Charteris looks good for a bench slot though not sure how B Davies went for Wasps.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:George took his try well in a poor saints team, as did roberts.

Roberts and Charteris looked really good.

What's the news on Scott Williams??? Went off injured.

Didn't see much of any rugby yesterday but from what I did see/hear I think Roberts and North have done enough to start against England (not that they wouldn't have anyway) and Charteris looks good for a bench slot though not sure how B Davies went for Wasps.

Brad played very well for wasps in the draw vs Leinster. But Charteris was superb. I wouldnt be surprised if he was in the team and Ball benched.

I think thats a big call Maes, Ball has been in very good form all season and for me had the better AI than AWJ.

What is good is fact that we have 4 top class 2nd rowers (weak area in the past) all on form, just hope whoever he picks we can get our old achilles of the line out sorted.