Looking at the Welsh Squad for this years Six Nations

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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)

Hibbard needs to get his throws right... I have not been impressed by Baldwin of late. I reckon Dacey might make the bench..

Regarding the locks, Ball hasn't set the world alight for a while. Dependable but at his best.

Charteris looked like the man yesterday. He had a great partnership there with AWJ at the last RWC. We need more brain power in the team...

Agree on Hibbard and Baldwin but dis-agree on Ball hes had a very good season this year.

Good season but last few games he's been quiet, not sure if he has any publicised injury or if he's just not in top form but last good game was vs Ospreys...

I know someone will mention O Williams and fact Gatland said him not being picked against Scarlets worked against him but surely you pick on more than one or few games.

I wouldn't be upset if any of Ball, Charteris or Davies lines up alongside AWJ (we know he will start) but for me at the moment it would be Ball.

I would be if Davies did. He's never kicked on and is the biggest sack of Sh!t going.

maestegmafia wrote:

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.

Ball was playing really well before his knock. Brad Davies had a quiet game for wasps, BOD agreed. I never hear of him making any headlines at wasps, he's injury cover at best. North scored a try, which didn't take much effort. Apart from that he didn't get involved much, which is what the coaches told him they want to see. Roberts did play well, he has been playing well all season. Yesterday was one of his finer games.

Doc certainly took his try well, the brute.

I thought Brad looked good yesterday, I certainly don't remember BODY singling him out for comment???

Charteris was definitely the best of the four yesterday. Good competition.

Re-North he was part of a team that had met their match. His try was good and he looked for work much more than usual, Gatlands wise words must be working... His defence was ok too

Well when they mentioned his name, someone irish certainly said he had a quiet game. He's injury cover for Wales, he isn't good enough to displace the current 3. Charteris was working hard by the looks of it, he was mentioned a few times.
I certainly hope the words of the coaches are helping North but as it stands, I don't think he's good enough to start...though he probably will if Liam Williams doesn't recover.

The Saint wrote:Well when they mentioned his name, someone irish certainly said he had a quiet game. He's injury cover for Wales, he isn't good enough to displace the current 3. Charteris was working hard by the looks of it, he was mentioned a few times.
I certainly hope the words of the coaches are helping North but as it stands, I don't think he's good enough to start...though he probably will if Liam Williams doesn't recover.

Anyone know the latest on Samson and Liam..?

JD started for Clermont today looked good in defence but done little else, that said was more a forward dominated game.

bedfordwelsh wrote:JD started for Clermont today looked good in defence but did little else, that said was more a forward dominated game.

Bit of a forward struggle. Didn't get to see him with ball in hand much.. Good defending though.



Farrell went of with a knee injury which is a bit of a worry for Wales as it narrows down their options to two better options than Farrell.

I don't fancy them getting good ball and Cipriani getting the backline moving.

Pleased to see the Welsh player all doing well for their teams, DOC had a great game against his potential opposite number in a couple of weeks. It is a shame many play outside Wales but at least they seem injury free.

Shame speedy A Jones has retired but not shocked, he probably does not want to be treated like Hook, R Jones and I Evans (who is playing very well for Btistol).
With all the injuries to front row players at the moment it could cost Wales, he is still our number 2 TH.

Doesn't matter to me where they play and the majority of the likely starting line up will be playing in Wales.

I reckon 4 or 5 from starting XV will be playing outside Wales

I think I would be surprised if Gatland didn't try to encourage Adam out of international retirement of we need him. He did the same with Martyn Williams.

That's the thing though, people comparing those situations when Adam retired due to Gatland's decisions over the last year. Williams retired by his own accord and was begged to come back because all we had was ummm, Sowden-Taylor...

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:JD started for Clermont today looked good in defence but did little else, that said was more a forward dominated game.

Bit of a forward struggle. Didn't get to see him with ball in hand much.. Good defending though.



Farrell went of with a knee injury which is a bit of a worry for Wales as it narrows down their options to two better options than Farrell.

I don't fancy them getting good ball and Cipriani getting the backline moving.

Agreed. Would much rather face Farrell than Cipriani.

Some of you read too much into English media drivel.

The Saint wrote:That's the thing though, people comparing those situations when Adam retired due to Gatland's decisions over the last year. Williams retired by his own accord and was begged to come back because all we had was ummm, Sowden-Taylor...

Sure, not quite the same. But we're not exactly overflowing with quality tight-heads and this is a World Cup year... Never say never.

The Saint wrote:That's the thing though, people comparing those situations when Adam retired due to Gatland's decisions over the last year. Williams retired by his own accord and was begged to come back because all we had was ummm, Sowden-Taylor...

And if Lee gets injured we are left with ummmm Andrews or ummmmm Jarvis. God help us

The Saint wrote:Some of you read too much into English media drivel.

No, some of us watch English rugby

maestegmafia wrote:

The Saint wrote:Some of you read too much into English media drivel.

No some of us watch English rugby

I thought you were meant to watch Bath regularly?

More fibs eh?

Cippers hyped up by the media again. Let's just see how he goes back in the international arena first before we starting believing it. Ford is the probable starter.

I think some of you missed my point. I know we need Adam but I can't see Gats going back on his word now that he's pushed him into retirement. If he did, Jones would probably stick two fingers up.

He did say in the interview that if he was needed for the WC he wouldn't say no.

The Saint wrote:I think some of you missed my point. I know we need Adam but I can't see Gats going back on his word now that he's pushed him into retirement. If he did, Jones would probably stick two fingers up.

Gats said that Adam Jones would likely be in the 45 man squad for the RWC. So there was no inclination that he didn't want AJ.

The Saint wrote:Cippers hyped up by the media again. Let's just see how he goes back in the international arena first before we starting believing it. Ford is the probable starter.

True but on form he has been the AP player with a bit of spark and inventiveness. Much more likely to cause issues for Wales than Farrell who is the player that is the more overhyped an mis-portrayed.

Ford is a good flyhalf, but he needs an armchair ride at international level..

bedfordwelsh wrote:He did say in the interview that if he was needed for the WC he wouldn't say no.

He needs to come out of retirement now then and Gats needs to put him in our 23!

The Saint wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:He did say in the interview that if he was needed for the WC he wouldn't say no.

He needs to come out of retirement now then and Gats needs to put him in our 23!

I dont think either will change their mind at the moment unfortunately.

Early news on Lees injury would be nice

If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

maestegmafia wrote:If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

There is always the possibility of him picking Evans and James on the bench with James covering T/Head. It would be a huge smack in the face mind to Jarvis and Andrews.

AJ has had the week from hell, constructively dismissed as a Welsh rugby player and lost his license, i think he is allowed a bad hair day…but once the dust settles and he fins his conditioner all will be well and he will be back for RWC I reckon

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

There is always the possibility of him picking Evans and James on the bench with James covering T/Head.  It would be a huge smack in the face mind to Jarvis and Andrews.

Considering that James hasn't played tighthead for a very long time I really would be surprised to see that happen.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

There is always the possibility of him picking Evans and James on the bench with James covering T/Head.  It would be a huge smack in the face mind to Jarvis and Andrews.

Considering that James hasn't played tighthead for a very long time I really would be surprised to see that happen.

Think I would still rather it happen than rely on Andrews especially

Gwlad wrote:AJ has had the week from hell, constructively dismissed as a Welsh rugby player and lost his license, i think he is allowed a bad hair day…but once the dust settles and he fins his conditioner all will be well and he will be back for RWC I reckon

I'm getting tired of this. He chose to retire! He wasn't forced into it! Honestly, I think he's spat the dummy. He was on Wales Today and said he thinks he's still up to it and has a lot left to give; if that's the case, why retire? He always said he wanted to play in another World Cup.

Gatland made it clear enough that the door's still open, but Jones has decided to close it. Sorry, but he gets no violins from me.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

There is always the possibility of him picking Evans and James on the bench with James covering T/Head.  It would be a huge smack in the face mind to Jarvis and Andrews.

Considering that James hasn't played tighthead for a very long time I really would be surprised to see that happen.

Think I would still rather it happen than rely on Andrews especially

Jarvis is ahead of Andrews

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

There is always the possibility of him picking Evans and James on the bench with James covering T/Head.  It would be a huge smack in the face mind to Jarvis and Andrews.

Considering that James hasn't played tighthead for a very long time I really would be surprised to see that happen.

Think I would still rather it happen than rely on Andrews especially

Jarvis is ahead of Andrews

And that fills you with confidence ?

wayne wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:If Lee starts not an issue.

Behind Lee we have little depth and Gatland said that if we get another injury Adam would have been called up.

So I guess if the situation arises and we need Adam then the situation will be approached.

There is always the possibility of him picking Evans and James on the bench with James covering T/Head.  It would be a huge smack in the face mind to Jarvis and Andrews.

Considering that James hasn't played tighthead for a very long time I really would be surprised to see that happen.

Think I would still rather it happen than rely on Andrews especially

Jarvis is ahead of Andrews

And that fills you with confidence ?

Do we really know that? I have stopped trying to second guess Gatland a long time ago. He has used Andrews before and insisted on using Rh Jones as a t/head.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Gwlad wrote:AJ has had the week from hell, constructively dismissed as a Welsh rugby player and lost his license, i think he is allowed a bad hair day…but once the dust settles and he fins his conditioner all will be well and he will be back for RWC I reckon

I'm getting tired of this. He chose to retire! He wasn't forced into it! Honestly, I think he's spat the dummy. He was on Wales Today and said he thinks he's still up to it and has a lot left to give; if that's the case, why retire? He always said he wanted to play in another World Cup.

Gatland made it clear enough that the door's still open, but Jones has decided to close it. Sorry, but he gets no violins from me.

LP,

I agree in a way, though think there is blame on both sides. Gatland IMO has made a mistake by not selecting Jones given who he has selected, that said Jones has IMO reacted hastily by retiring.

I can see him playing in the World Cup. I think he's overreacted.

I think Gatland might have gone for one of his 'drop him to give him a kick up the backside' ploys, like he's threatening to do with North too, but it's backfired a bit. I still think Jones can do a job, however he doesn't do much else apart from scrummaging and if he's struggling with the laws then he's almost useless. Almost! If he's scrummaging better than Andrews, but still scrummaging a bit poorly by his own standards, then he should be in. But he doesn't carry, doesn't 'jackal' doesn't clear out much, can't really track back in defence, isn't a 'chopper'. Lineout lifter? Probably. So he is making it hard to justify his own inclusion if he's out of sorts in his primary role.

This might already be common knowledge, but James Haskell was saying on Talksport that some Welsh players had told him a little about their preparation this season, and he was surprised.

Apparently, most of the time together during the Autumn Internationals was spend on fitness, rather than skills, set pieces and the like. The way Haskell understood it, the aim is to have all the conditioning work in the bank early during a World Cup year, so the pre-tournament games can be devoted to skill and tactics. He got the impression that the Six Nations build-up would also favour fitness and strength.

Haskell though this approach could be a masterstroke provided players stay healthy, and there aren't any morale-sapping losses along the way.

During the same interview, Haskell also reiterated how the atmosphere at the Millenium is unlike any other international stadium. While other fans can be just as passionate, he said the wall of sound in Cardiff creates a real challenge. He recalled pressing on the Welsh line and feeling the crowd's roar almost a force pushing him back. He said it can be so visceral, you are in danger of not being able to focus properly on the job in hand.

I think Gatland mentioned it the other, that the preparation for the first two games of the Autumn was done without any rugby balls (so pure fitness) and then after the Fiji game they concentrated on skills.

Edit. Found it.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-head-coach-warren-gatland-8517092

Rugby Fan wrote:This might already be common knowledge, but James Haskell was saying on Talksport that some Welsh players had told him a little about their preparation this season, and he was surprised.

Apparently, most of the time together during the Autumn Internationals was spend on fitness, rather than skills, set pieces and the like. The way Haskell understood it, the aim is to have all the conditioning work in the bank early during a World Cup year, so the pre-tournament games can be devoted to skill and tactics. He got the impression that the Six Nations build-up would also favour fitness and strength.

Haskell though this approach could be a masterstroke provided players stay healthy, and there aren't any morale-sapping losses along the way.

During the same interview, Haskell also reiterated how the atmosphere at the Millenium is unlike any other international stadium. While other fans can be just as passionate, he said the wall of sound in Cardiff creates a real challenge. He recalled pressing on the Welsh line and feeling the crowd's roar almost a force pushing him back. He said it can be so visceral, you are in danger of not being able to focus properly on the job in hand.

The only place i have ever been that makes Cardiff look tame is Century Link Field home of the Seahawks….just staggering.

The thing is these players from all Nations are supposed to be at the top of their game and are half way through their seasons so fitness shouldn't be an issue.

As for skills then if they can't do or have basic skills then why are they there, like said they are supposed to be at top of game.

Set pieces and new moves I can understand as despite teams (Wales especially) having settled teams it does take some time to gel again after a break apart.

We looked alright in the autumn but we also seemed very well conditioned, it could pay off.

bedfordwelsh wrote:The thing is these players from all Nations are supposed to be at the top of their game and are half way through their seasons so fitness shouldn't be an issue.

As for skills then if they can't do or have basic skills then why are they there, like said they are supposed to be at top of game.

Set pieces and new moves I can understand as despite teams (Wales especially) having settled teams it does take some time to gel again after a break apart.

We know that the fitness levels are not the same as are expected by Gstland and rightly so. French rugby seems to lack any concern for fitness they just have bigger squads. The regions are struggling to keep players off the injury table so probably spend a lot of time re-organising. Players own responsibilities too.

I am happy to see the emphasis on encouraged fitness. We will need it.

Remember also that the player's skill levels are at the level that they compete at day in day out (i.e. the league). We know that the regions play at a lower skill level than international rugby. Everything is done at a slower pace. As soon as you play international rugby and try to increase the speed of skill execution from that which you are used to (at club level) you get problems with skill execution - more knock ons, people over running the ball carrier/passer, balls passed not in the bread basket, etc. They need to up the pace of skills as the opposition at international level tends to be faster at everything too - defensive line, jackal, their lines of running, etc. And I think this is why we struggle against the SH - we suddenly have to up the tempo of our skill execution from what we're used to and it often goes belly up. So I can see why Gatland feels the need to use a few live games to 'develop skills' - or rather, develop the skills they already have to be able to cope with a greater tempo. Perhaps other nations with good club sides who are already playing the club game at greater pace and skill level have less work to do come international time - just think NZ franchises.

Anyway, just a hunch! I could be wrong.

I think you hit the nail on the head.