Welsh World Cup Squad

First topic message reminder :

Dragons not playing until tomorrow and quiet on here so just wondered what early thoughts are on the Welsh WC squad.  I think a lot of it will pick itself unless injury or shock retirements dictate.  I have gone with a 30 man squad 16/14 forwards/back split same as last world cup so here's my thought.

Here's the 47 man Training Squad, Players in bold are the ones I think are already inked in:

Props (5) JENKINS,JAMES,LEE, Evans, Francis, Jarvis, Andrews
Hookers (3) BALDWIN,OWENS, Dacey
2 Row (3) AWJ, CHARTERIS, Ball, Davies, Day
Backrow (5) FALETAU, WARBURTON, LYDIATE, TIPURIC,Moriarty, King

No9s (3) WEBB, Davies, Ll Williams
No10s (3) BIGGAR, PRIESTLAND, Anscombe, Morgan
Centres (3) ROBERTS, Sc WILLIAMS, Morgan, Allen
Back 3 (5) NORTH, HALFPENNY, Li WILLIAMS, Cuthbert, Walker, Amos, James (Then 2 from Cuthbert, Amos, Walker) For me Cuthbert and Amos

As I said the ones in Bold are the ones I feel are already pencilled in to go. Updated squad as we stand now

Very surrised Shingler has missed out, he's such a good ball player from what i've seen, and usefull in the lineout.

I've only seen Moriarty play twice, he was good yesterday but was averge the time before, so i'll reserve judgement.

You can't blame a nation the size of Wales for looking at every opportunity to increase their player pool though, every nation has looked to do so in the last 100 years.

offload wrote:Perhaps I'm just feeling a bit low today, but when I look at this extended squad I'm left with the same feeling that I've had for a while.  Our best XV looks pretty good and when we play well we are competitive.  As soon as a few injuries hit or we look to rotate some of the first choice players - not so good.  Excepting the starting XV and obvious bench, this squad looks pretty average.  Our WC depends so much on the best staying fit.

That's always been the case. When you compare the team England put out against the Baabaas to our equivalent then it is very inferior.

However, a few years ago we had a competitive starting XV, then a competitive 23, now I think we probably have a pretty good squad of 30ish.

There are still a fair few points of weakness, but in some positions there is a fair amount of strength.

We now have 3 international quality Hookers.

We have 4-5 real quality locks

We still have a fair amount of depth at 6 and 7

Potentially we are building a lot more strength at 9

If Allen and Morgan keep developing then hopefully we will have some strength at centre too.

The real problem is the lack of flyhalves (If Biggar goes down we won't have a chance tbh), wingers, eights and next generation props.

From a Dragons point of view, I think there could've been a place for Coombs over Day or even James Thomas to reward form and actually playing in Wales. Also, Jon Evans over Lloyd Williams maybe. To be fair, four is about all we could've hoped for with Cement Head in.

wales606 wrote:

offload wrote:Perhaps I'm just feeling a bit low today, but when I look at this extended squad I'm left with the same feeling that I've had for a while.  Our best XV looks pretty good and when we play well we are competitive.  As soon as a few injuries hit or we look to rotate some of the first choice players - not so good.  Excepting the starting XV and obvious bench, this squad looks pretty average.  Our WC depends so much on the best staying fit.

That's always been the case. When you compare the team England put out against the Baabaas to our equivalent then it is very inferior.

However, a few years ago we had a competitive starting XV, then a competitive 23, now I think we probably have a pretty good squad of 30ish.

There are still a fair few points of weakness, but in some positions there is a fair amount of strength.

We now have 3 international quality Hookers.

We have 4-5 real quality locks

We still have a fair amount of depth at 6 and 7

Potentially we are building a lot more strength at 9

If Allen and Morgan keep developing then hopefully we will have some strength at centre too.

The real problem is the lack of flyhalves (If Biggar goes down we won't have a chance tbh), wingers, eights and next generation props.

Agree. Fair points.

Few surprises and shocks in there but cant see any of those who I consider to be shocks or surprises making the WC Squad.

There are a few head scratchers like Tom James and lloyd Williams and a fe surprises which i'm still not sure what to make of like Matthew Morgan and Dom Day but it's really what we expected.

I know some aren't happy with Moriarty but people need to remember that after Lydiate we don't really have another quality blindside option (since Ryan Jones went for Bristol). Watched Moriarty a few times this season and he is the hard grafting/ball carrying type of blindside flanker I think Wales need. It would be nice to see how he gets along in a warm up game.

Gutted James Davies hasn't made the team, would have been a great option after Warburton and Tips but from the management point of view i bet they think he isn't big or strong enough which I don't think is fair as he has been the best 7 in Wales this season.
Do feel sorry for Navidi but i only see him as an open side option if he was to play for wales and I would put him fourth choice in that aspect.

Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

Jhamer25 wrote:Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

This tells me that the likely candidates for the actual squad are Gethin Jenkins and Nicky Smith.

LordDowlais wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

This tells me that the likely candidates for the actual squad are Gethin Jenkins and Nicky Smith.

Despite the fact that Andrews is a TH and those two are LHs?

I think we all knew who it would be, dependant on injury. The fitness of Lee and Rhodri Jones will be the factor in Andrews getting a late call-up I reckon...

The Saint wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

This tells me that the likely candidates for the actual squad are Gethin Jenkins and Nicky Smith.

Despite the fact that Andrews is a TH and those two are LHs?

I think we all knew who it would be, dependant on injury. The fitness of Lee and Rhodri Jones will be the factor in Andrews getting a late call-up I reckon...

Ah shoite he was that experiment one, in that case then I would say it was nailed on that Thomos Francis is going to be capped in the warm ups.

Yeah most likely. Hope he is as good as they say, otherwise it will be a waste of a poach. I hope Rob Evans gets more game time on the loose side too.

Would it be too cynical to suggest that the odd English based likely also ran might be included because of the knowledge they might have on prospective English opponents in the autumn?

I'm reading with interest the comments on Moriarty, for the record as I understand it his parents are Welsh and his father left Wales in 1988 to play rugby league, hence how he was born in England, it's a bit like the Tom Shanklin situation everyone thinks he's english but his dad played for Wales.

Moriartys father a dual Welsh International, he was born oop North when Paul was playing league there but he was brought up partly in Wales as well when they moved back here.

2 pieces of good news for me today, George is back in training and seems to be ok, the second is that PRL have relented not only with Wales, but ALL players with every country at this years WC can train as of now and can play in all warm up games, after discussions with World Rugby, (is that the new name for the IRB?). Will this apply in the future in all major series of matches?

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

wayne wrote:2 pieces of good news for me today, George is back in training and seems to be ok, the second is that PRL have relented not only with Wales, but ALL players with every country at this years WC can train as of now and can play in all warm up games, after discussions with World Rugby, (is that the new name for the IRB?). Will this apply in the future in all major series of matches?  

Good news. And yes, the U20 championship and RWC have new names, but I still refer it to as IRB RWC for some reason.

There a report by WOL saying North hasn't passed any of the return to play protocols yet.

There's the BBC reporting he's back in training BF; if he's in training at that level then he can't be far off playing. Games aren't another 8 weeks away though are they?

bedfordwelsh wrote:There a report by WOL saying North hasn't passed any of the return to play protocols yet.

Cheers for that Bedford I read another article where it mentioned that he had passed tests, sorry for misleading anyone.

WOL not the best I admit but it would be a worry for him health wise if he hasn't passed any of them yet after this length of time.

wayne wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:There a report by WOL saying North hasn't passed any of the return to play protocols yet.

Cheers for that Bedford I read another article where it mentioned that he had passed tests, sorry for misleading anyone.

Who to believe, journos are not the best.

The Saint wrote:There's the BBC reporting he's back in training BF; if he's in training at that level then he can't be far off playing. Games aren't another 8 weeks away though are they?

That's the one I read Saint, that must be a first the Fail get it right, but according to their article that is from Howler and McBride.

Interview with North himself on the news last night said he won't be doing any contact training until Jul/August, least he should be fit as if nothing else.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

I'm sure Tyler or Dixon will be in there what with JD2 being injured unless they are considering Hook or Patchell as centre/10 cover on the bench.

munkian wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

I'm sure Tyler or Dixon will be in there what with JD2 being injured unless they are considering Hook or Patchell as centre/10 cover on the bench.

Yes but those are the 21 guaranteed to be included, whereas it could be Allen, Morgan or Dixon that takes the last centre spot.

wales606 wrote:

munkian wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

I'm sure Tyler or Dixon will be in there what with JD2 being injured unless they are considering Hook or Patchell as centre/10 cover on the bench.

Yes but those are the 21 guaranteed to be included, whereas it could be Allen, Morgan or Dixon that takes the last centre spot.

Fairy nuff.

LordDowlais wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

This tells me that the likely candidates for the actual squad are Gethin Jenkins and Nicky Smith.

Despite the fact that Andrews is a TH and those two are LHs?

I think we all knew who it would be, dependant on injury. The fitness of Lee and Rhodri Jones will be the factor in Andrews getting a late call-up I reckon...

Ah shoite he was that experiment one, in that case then I would say it was nailed on that Thomos Francis is going to be capped in the warm ups.

From recent events I think Gatland see's Rhodri Jones as his first choice tight head going into the Warm Ups and World Cup. However, i am sure if Francis proves himself in training, loses a few pounds and can pick up his fitness then he could be a bit of a bolter for the world cup . Rhodri Jones fits the criteria for the props that Gatland looks for as he is mobile, also him making a deal with the Scarlet's to not play him for the rest of the season spoke volumes.

Samson Lee shouldn't really be considered because he can't be rushed back quickly with the injury he has had. They know that though and the welsh management are really good with player management which is why i'm not even considering Samson Lee as an option.

I'm praying Francis can pull through it and show up well in one of the warm ups or Jarvis will be our other tighthead option; even though Gatland has a bit of faith in Jarvis, I'm not convinced he can do a job on such a big stage.

I think they will take 5 props and it will be:
Gethin Jenkins
Nicky Smith
Rhodri Jones
Tommas Francis
Paul James

I think Samson will be first choice, even if he is struggling on fitness come the first game

bedfordwelsh wrote:

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

Do you really think they may not take Jake Ball?

wales606 wrote:I think Samson will be first choice, even if he is struggling on fitness come the first game

I am sure the Scarlets fans will confirm that Samson needs game time to get fit, it seems to take him a few competitive games to get up to form after injury. If he is wrapped in cotton wool until the start of the tournament he may struggle!

Jhamer25 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

This tells me that the likely candidates for the actual squad are Gethin Jenkins and Nicky Smith.

Despite the fact that Andrews is a TH and those two are LHs?

I think we all knew who it would be, dependant on injury. The fitness of Lee and Rhodri Jones will be the factor in Andrews getting a late call-up I reckon...

Ah shoite he was that experiment one, in that case then I would say it was nailed on that Thomos Francis is going to be capped in the warm ups.

From recent events I think Gatland see's Rhodri Jones as his first choice tight head going into the Warm Ups and World Cup. However, i am sure if Francis proves himself in training, loses a few pounds and can pick up his fitness then he could be a bit of a bolter for the world cup . Rhodri Jones fits the criteria for the props that Gatland looks for as he is mobile, also him making a deal with the Scarlet's to not play him for the rest of the season spoke volumes.

Samson Lee shouldn't really be considered because he can't be rushed back quickly with the injury he has had. They know that though and the welsh management are really good with player management which is why i'm not even considering Samson Lee as an option.

I'm praying Francis can pull through it and show up well in one of the warm ups or Jarvis will be our other tighthead option; even though Gatland has a bit of faith in Jarvis, I'm not convinced he can do a job on such a big stage.

I think they will take 5 props and it will be:
Gethin Jenkins
Nicky Smith
Rhodri Jones
Tommas Francis
Paul James

I cant see them taking less than 6 props. They will need 4 fit props for every game with all four getting gametime, so two reserves are a must have.

wales606 wrote:I think Samson will be first choice, even if he is struggling on fitness come the first game

I agree I think he and Francis will share the 80 mins with a 50/30 split

Seagultaf wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

The Saint wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:Oh, but at least Scott Andrews isn't in the squad, so there is another positive

This tells me that the likely candidates for the actual squad are Gethin Jenkins and Nicky Smith.

Despite the fact that Andrews is a TH and those two are LHs?

I think we all knew who it would be, dependant on injury. The fitness of Lee and Rhodri Jones will be the factor in Andrews getting a late call-up I reckon...

Ah shoite he was that experiment one, in that case then I would say it was nailed on that Thomos Francis is going to be capped in the warm ups.

From recent events I think Gatland see's Rhodri Jones as his first choice tight head going into the Warm Ups and World Cup. However, i am sure if Francis proves himself in training, loses a few pounds and can pick up his fitness then he could be a bit of a bolter for the world cup . Rhodri Jones fits the criteria for the props that Gatland looks for as he is mobile, also him making a deal with the Scarlet's to not play him for the rest of the season spoke volumes.

Samson Lee shouldn't really be considered because he can't be rushed back quickly with the injury he has had. They know that though and the welsh management are really good with player management which is why i'm not even considering Samson Lee as an option.

I'm praying Francis can pull through it and show up well in one of the warm ups or Jarvis will be our other tighthead option; even though Gatland has a bit of faith in Jarvis, I'm not convinced he can do a job on such a big stage.

I think they will take 5 props and it will be:
Gethin Jenkins
Nicky Smith
Rhodri Jones
Tommas Francis
Paul James

I cant see them taking less than 6 props. They will need 4 fit props for every game with all four getting gametime, so two reserves are a must have.

When you think of it mind a 31 man team isn't really that much. There isn't enough space to take 6 props.  A lot of team sometimes only take 4. In 2011 we took 5 as well. Two looseheads/two tightheads and ideally someone who can cover both.

31 man breakdown is essentially 2 men per shirt. Given the way players can cover other positions easier in the backs than in the forwards, I would expect a breakdown of -:

5 Front row (Jenkins, James, Lee, Rh Jones, Francis)
3 Hookers (Baldwin, Owens, Hibbard)
4 Locks (AWJ, Charteris, Ball, Davies)
5 Backrows (Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric, Baker/King)
(total of 18 forwards)

3 Scrum Halves (Webb, Phillips, Davies)
2 Fly Halves (Biggar, Hook/Priestland)
3 Centres (Roberts, Williams, Morgan)
4 Wing/Fullbacks (North, Halfpenny, Williams, Cuthbert)
1 Utility player (Anscommbe)
(13 backs)

If they want players who can cover wing and fullback, they'll take Amos over Cuthbert.

Wouldn't surprise me if Moriarty makes the cut over Baker and King

ScarletSpiderman wrote:31 man breakdown is essentially 2 men per shirt.  Given the way players can cover other positions easier in the backs than in the forwards, I would expect a breakdown of -:

5 Front row (Jenkins, James, Lee, Rh Jones, Francis)
3 Hookers (Baldwin, Owens, Hibbard)
4 Locks (AWJ, Charteris, Ball, Davies)
5 Backrows (Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau, Tipuric, Baker/King)
(total of 18 forwards)

3 Scrum Halves (Webb, Phillips, Davies)
2 Fly Halves (Biggar, Hook/Priestland)
3 Centres (Roberts, Williams, Morgan)
4 Wing/Fullbacks (North, Halfpenny, Williams, Cuthbert)
1 Utility player (Anscommbe)
(13 backs)

SS, are you including both Baker and King as I thought the way you wrote it was either one or the other, if the latter is the case you only have 17 forwards. You could play the 2 you mention or only 1 of them with possibly another prop or 2nd row.

Wayne, I did mean either Baker or King. My maths is really failing me recently, sorry. I guess both would work if there is space. Also they are not my personal choice but how I see Gats going.

Seagultaf wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

Do you really think they may not take Jake Ball?

I think they will but the ones I listed I feel are 110% already pencilled. Depends how many 2nd rows they take 3 and a utility type or 4 specialists.

Seagultaf wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

wales606 wrote:Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).

The 21 I have highlighted are the ones I think are already in the World Cup squad so there 10 places to fight for

Do you really think they may not take Jake Ball?

I think they will but the ones I listed I feel are 110% already pencilled in.  Depends how many 2nd rows they take 3 and a utility type or 4 specialists.

On the Hook debate, lets not forget that hook's lamentable kicking v France cost us the RWC Final

Anscombe, Cuthbert, and Ball will be there I think. Ball and Cuthbert deservedly and Anscombe because it was the 'plan' I think.

What happened to Prydie? I recall him playing in NZ a few years ago against the AB's he seemed to be a speedy lad with a bucketload of skills but seemed to disappear off the radar quickly!!

He's still knocking about but has been passed by the rest at mo.

Gwlad wrote:On the Hook debate, lets not forget that hook's lamentable kicking v France cost us the RWC Final

Not a Hook fan but let's be clear. He missed 2 in the first half, but Jones missed a conversion and 1/2p missed a penalty too. What "cost" us a final was terrible game management, kicking away possession, constant lateral running and failing to take chance after chance. All against an awful French performance. It was a very poor team performance.

Not a Hook fan but again they win as a team they lose as a team, there are loads of incidents in a game which helps decide the result.

Are the warm up games capped?

bedfordwelsh wrote:Are the warm up games capped?

Should be

wales606 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Are the warm up games capped?

Should be

When are games against Ireland and Italy ever not capped...

The Saint wrote:

wales606 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Are the warm up games capped?

Should be

When are games against Ireland and Italy ever not capped...

Just wasn't sure being warm up games etc.

offload wrote:

Gwlad wrote:On the Hook debate, lets not forget that hook's lamentable kicking v France cost us the RWC Final

Not a Hook fan but let's be clear.  He missed 2 in the first half, but Jones missed a conversion and 1/2p missed a penalty too.  What "cost" us a final was terrible game management, kicking away possession, constant lateral running and failing to take chance after chance.  All against an awful French performance.  It was a very poor team performance.

Well Half's kick was nigh on impossible, only Henson could have guaranteed that one….as for Jones, yep, bad miss. But Hook missed two relatively easy kicks, 6 points. he was the primary kicker and he stuffed it in a Semi, simple. Lets not also forget the ref destroyed the contest after 20 minutes.