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

Fanster wrote:PS I'm not a fan of playing a 2nd choice team at all, it disrupts players, and doesn't give the fringe players a platform for success...

I would select a first team then select certain fringe players to include in certain small unit systems.

Which is what I think he will do mostly.

By the way, you're wrong on Jack Dixon

http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshots-meet-dragons-youngster-jack-dixon-40598

Eli Walker could get a wing slot in the warm ups.

Risca Rev wrote:

Fanster wrote:PS I'm not a fan of playing a 2nd choice team at all, it disrupts players, and doesn't give the fringe players a platform for success...

I would select a first team then select certain fringe players to include in certain small unit systems.

Which is what I think he will do mostly.

By the way, you're wrong on Jack Dixon

http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshots-meet-dragons-youngster-jack-dixon-40598

Go back 2 seasons and he played plenty wing for the Dragons while plying his trade, and before that in the Pre/senior academies he played wing too!!

Fanster wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:I'd switch out Dacey for Hibbard, Day for Ball, Moriarty for Lydiate, and have Dixon on the wing and Amos at FB.

Why would you put a centre on the wing?

Matthew Morgan will definately not make the squad, Williams is injured and a 2nd choice FB is not guarenteed! Amos may turn out to be that player, Dixon has played on the wing plenty before moving back to centre, why not give him a chance to start?

Why would Gatland play Liam Williams on the wing despite him only playing FB for seasons?

Widen your view, give players a chance, things sometimes work out, especially with the wing options being either injured or Cuthbert!

Fanster, may I ask where you are getting some bits of your information? As a Dragons follower I don't ever recall Dixon playing for us on the wing. Also he came to us a big lad naturally, but added some more bulk and lost a bit of pace. It's in only in recent months he has started to work on that. I think it would be a serious error putting him on the wing. Tyler Morgan however, has actually played wing, and I think is likely to make the final squad for the world cup.

To answer your second question, Liam Williams has always played on the wing for Wales if Halfpenny was out of the team through injury, etc. That's why he would probably play wing. I also think these warm-ups is a chance to rotate the back three; so I'd like to see Amos on the wing. I think Liam Williams is only available for the second or third game, and I would like to see him at full-back with Halfpenny shifted to accommodate him (not the other way around which is what usually happens). Whether Gatland sees it like that though... You're probably right about Matthew Morgan not making the final squad. Cuthbert will also get game time, and with him available it gives Wales the opportunity to rest George North against the minnows.

Mikey

Without giving away too much I have personally seen him play wing for the Dragons academy, Bedwas and the Dragons! I've also seen him in the gym at 15/16 and christ he was a beast!!!

He has lost a bit of pace now he's specialising in centre, but wing is still his best shout IMO.

RE Williams, Gatland has a knack of playing a player out of position for Wales, Williams hadn't played wing for ages for the Scarlets until playing wing for Wales, Roberts hadn't played 12 for the blues only playing wing/FB until he played 12 for Wales!

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon, but there is an opportunity out wide with Williams injury.

Dixon has never started a game for the Dragons on the wing.

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

Fanster wrote:Mikey

Without giving away too much I have personally seen him play wing for the Dragons academy, Bedwas and the Dragons! I've also seen him in the gym at 15/16 and christ he was a beast!!!

He has lost a bit of pace now he's specialising in centre, but wing is still his best shout IMO.

RE Williams, Gatland has a knack of playing a player out of position for Wales, Williams hadn't played wing for ages for the Scarlets until playing wing for Wales, Roberts hadn't played 12 for the blues only playing wing/FB until he played 12 for Wales!

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon, but there is an opportunity out wide with Williams injury.

Fair enough I never watched the Dragons academy or Bedwas. He might have made his senior Dragons debut on the wing from the bench, as right now I can't find anything that states otherwise. But that would be the only occasion he would have played there, as I can't recall any other occasions that he did so. Morgan played there at academy level however, might have done so for the Dragons as well, and for me is the much better player. It seems illogical to put Dixon on the wing for Wales when Gatland would likely pick Cuthbert, Amos, Halfpenny, Tyler/Matthew Morgan and Scott Williams to play wing ahead of him. It would be a forced choice through injury though, he would be daft not to play a winger on the wing. Scott Williams and Matthew Morgan have covered that position for Wales last season by the way.

I'm not sure what your point is with Liam Williams? To me he is a back three player, good enough to play wing and full back. For me it's the same with Amos and Halfpenny - Gatland is too stubborn to drop/shift Halfpenny though. Scott Williams also plays 12 for Scarlets, but is likely to be playing 13 outside Roberts for Wales. Getting your best players into the starting team, even it means shifting them across one place is just standard procedure, it always has been. Anyway, everyone is doing it so here is my team for next week.

Jenkins, Baldwin, Francis, Ball, AWJ, Warburton, Tipuric, Baker, Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, Williams, Amos, Halfpenny.
James, Owens, Jarvis, Charteris, Lydiate, Davies, Priestland, T.Morgan.
I can't see Gatland chopping and changing too much, for Italy perhaps, but not Ireland.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I nearly heard the ringing of the jesters cap from 3 comments away...

Reasonable discussion is clearly over, have a good night

Fanster wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I nearly heard the ringing of the jesters cap from 3 comments away...

Reasonable discussion is clearly over, have a good night

There really is no point. You are clearly trolling. Mathew Morgan is 4 foot 5 and hasn't the ability to make a tackle at international level. Dixon is one of the best young inside centres in European rugby.

You're trolling. And it's very bizarre.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I guess it depends what you're after. Patchell is a ball player, Dixon is not. For me Patchell's future is at 10, I'd stick the specialist 12 (Dixon) at inside centre only.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Fanster wrote:Mikey

Without giving away too much I have personally seen him play wing for the Dragons academy, Bedwas and the Dragons! I've also seen him in the gym at 15/16 and christ he was a beast!!!

He has lost a bit of pace now he's specialising in centre, but wing is still his best shout IMO.

RE Williams, Gatland has a knack of playing a player out of position for Wales, Williams hadn't played wing for ages for the Scarlets until playing wing for Wales, Roberts hadn't played 12 for the blues only playing wing/FB until he played 12 for Wales!

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon, but there is an opportunity out wide with Williams injury.

Fair enough I never watched the Dragons academy or Bedwas. He might have made his senior Dragons debut on the wing from the bench, as right now I can't find anything that states otherwise. But that would be the only occasion he would have played there, as I can't recall any other occasions that he did so. Morgan played there at academy level however, might have done so for the Dragons as well, and for me is the much better player. It seems illogical to put Dixon on the wing for Wales when Gatland would likely pick Cuthbert, Amos, Halfpenny, Tyler/Matthew Morgan and Scott Williams to play wing ahead of him. It would be a forced choice through injury though, he would be daft not to play a winger on the wing. Scott Williams and Matthew Morgan have covered that position for Wales last season by the way.

I'm not sure what your point is with Liam Williams? To me he is a back three player, good enough to play wing and full back. For me it's the same with Amos and Halfpenny - Gatland is too stubborn to drop/shift Halfpenny though. Scott Williams also plays 12 for Scarlets, but is likely to be playing 13 outside Roberts for Wales. Getting your best players into the starting team, even it means shifting them across one place is just standard procedure, it always has been. Anyway, everyone is doing it so here is my team for next week.

Jenkins, Baldwin, Francis, Ball, AWJ, Warburton, Tipuric, Baker, Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, Williams, Amos, Halfpenny.
James, Owens, Jarvis, Charteris, Lydiate, Davies, Priestland, T.Morgan.
I can't see Gatland chopping and changing too much, for Italy perhaps, but not Ireland.

I agree Morgan is the better player, and would be first back up to the centres IMO, hopefully anyway unless we have to see Hook there.

Also RE Scott Williams, I agree, he would make great wing cover but is now nailed on at 13, theres no way he moves to wing for a younger riskier option!

Matthew Morgan is not going to the RWC, he's a champioinship 10, and barely at that, he's had some really ropy performances this year, especially in defence!!!

For me North and Cuthbert are nailed on to go, then Williams dependant on injury, Amos is probably next in line, but like I said if Williams is going to be going with an injury FB needs another cover so Amos I want to see at 15 in the warm ups. Thats where my original point came from, Morgan at centre and Amos at FB, Dixon on the wing!

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I nearly heard the ringing of the jesters cap from 3 comments away...

Reasonable discussion is clearly over, have a good night

There really is no point. You are clearly trolling. Mathew Morgan is 4 foot 5 and hasn't the ability to make a tackle at international level. Dixon is one of the best young inside centres in European rugby.

You're trolling. And it's very bizarre.

Oh I assumed he was talking about Tyler Morgan... I can only see Matthew Morgan being called upon to play wing, didn't he do that from the bench against South Africa? He made a positive impact if I remember rightly. If you were to ask me will he make reduced world cup squad though, I'd say no.

Bit extreme RE Dixon. I think he has a lot of flaws defensively yet people ignore that because he puts in the odd big hit. No doubt he is working on all of that with the Wales team though, which is good for us.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I nearly heard the ringing of the jesters cap from 3 comments away...

Reasonable discussion is clearly over, have a good night

There really is no point. You are clearly trolling. Mathew Morgan is 4 foot 5 and hasn't the ability to make a tackle at international level. Dixon is one of the best young inside centres in European rugby.

You're trolling. And it's very bizarre.

Oh I assumed he was talking about Tyler Morgan... I can only see Matthew Morgan being called upon to play wing, didn't he do that from the bench against South Africa? He made a positive impact if I remember rightly. If you were to ask me will he make reduced world cup squad though, I'd say no.

Bit extreme RE Dixon. I think he has a lot of flaws defensively yet people ignore that because he puts in the odd big hit. No doubt he is working on all of that with the Wales team though, which is good for us.

Fair enough if it was Tyler. Patchell is no 12. Emergency only.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I nearly heard the ringing of the jesters cap from 3 comments away...

Reasonable discussion is clearly over, have a good night

There really is no point. You are clearly trolling. Mathew Morgan is 4 foot 5 and hasn't the ability to make a tackle at international level. Dixon is one of the best young inside centres in European rugby.

You're trolling. And it's very bizarre.

So now i'm trolling despite you totally agreeing with me re Morgan!!

Stop throwing the word around when your outgunned, just try to debate or admit defeat

Fanster wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Fanster wrote:PS I'm not a fan of playing a 2nd choice team at all, it disrupts players, and doesn't give the fringe players a platform for success...

I would select a first team then select certain fringe players to include in certain small unit systems.

Which is what I think he will do mostly.

By the way, you're wrong on Jack Dixon

http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshots-meet-dragons-youngster-jack-dixon-40598

Go back 2 seasons and he played plenty wing for the Dragons while plying his trade, and before that in the Pre/senior academies he played wing too!!

Prove it. I smell lies. I think when the player himself says he has only played centre, I'll probably take his word over yours.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

For me Patchell and Morgan are better centre options than Dixon

Sorry, but that comment proves you haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

I nearly heard the ringing of the jesters cap from 3 comments away...

Reasonable discussion is clearly over, have a good night

There really is no point. You are clearly trolling. Mathew Morgan is 4 foot 5 and hasn't the ability to make a tackle at international level. Dixon is one of the best young inside centres in European rugby.

You're trolling. And it's very bizarre.

Morgan is Tyler, Matthew Morgan is Matthew Morgan, my bad lol

So for me the centres look like...

12. Roberts
13. Williams

Tyler Morgan as first back up, then Patchell as 12 and potentiall Hook a another last ditch and FB cover possibly.

North and Cuthbert will travel, as will Williams but due to his injury Amos is FB cover, unless Hook is the cover which I hope isn't! Therefore Amos needs time at FB, and Patchell/Morgan at centre, i'd want to see Dixon so would put him at wing!!!

Oh I assumed he was talking about Tyler Morgan... I can only see Matthew Morgan being called upon to play wing, didn't he do that from the bench against South Africa? He made a positive impact if I remember rightly. If you were to ask me will he make reduced world cup squad though, I'd say no.

Bit extreme RE Dixon. I think he has a lot of flaws defensively yet people ignore that because he puts in the odd big hit. No doubt he is working on all of that with the Wales team though, which is good for us.

Fanster wrote:

Stop throwing the word around when your outgunned, just try to debate or admit defeat

So explain why a player who has excelled at inside centre at pro level, should be shunted to wing while 2 other players who don't play inside centre, would be preferred.

Risca Rev wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Fanster wrote:PS I'm not a fan of playing a 2nd choice team at all, it disrupts players, and doesn't give the fringe players a platform for success...

I would select a first team then select certain fringe players to include in certain small unit systems.

Which is what I think he will do mostly.

By the way, you're wrong on Jack Dixon

http://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/hotshots/hotshots-meet-dragons-youngster-jack-dixon-40598

Go back 2 seasons and he played plenty wing for the Dragons while plying his trade, and before that in the Pre/senior academies he played wing too!!

Prove it. I smell lies. I think when the player himself says he has only played centre, I'll probably take his word over yours.

You don't have to take my word, think what you want, I'd still move him to wing in the aforementioned lineup thlough

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Stop throwing the word around when your outgunned, just try to debate or admit defeat

So explain why a player who has excelled at inside centre at pro level,  should be shunted to wing while 2 other players who don't play inside centre, would be preferred.

Patchell has played as much inside centre as Dixon has! Patchells defence isnt as wild, and he offers a kicking option, not to mention distribution! Dixon is bigger, stronger and quicker, hence why I would still play him, but at wing!

You seem to think Dixon is able at 12 at international level, whereas I recognise whoever plays there is going to be a risk, as Gatland will.

Burgess to centre and Easter at 6...

You seem apt at this fanster.

Fanster wrote:

You seem to think Dixon is able at 12 at international level, whereas I recognise whoever plays there is going to be a risk, as Gatland will.

More so in Gatland's gameplan. Patchell would be lost in the 12 role in this current Wales setup.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Fanster wrote:

You seem to think Dixon is able at 12 at international level, whereas I recognise whoever plays there is going to be a risk, as Gatland will.

More so in Gatland's gameplan. Patchell would be lost in the 12 role in this current Wales setup.

My point is neither are going to be capable, and both will be a risk, there will be 2 centre options behind the 2 incumbants, and with Patchells ability to cover FB I would select him, who may have played 12 for Wales previously? (Or was it 10?) over Dixon, who is slightly behind he and Morga (Tyler).

Thats why I would play Dixon on the wing, because he may get a shout at travelling as cover for a few positions.

7.5 - Mate you can't comprehend certain positions are more important than others, following me to another thread to be educated isn't going to help you

You're clearly trolling or lying again. Dixon is defensively sound.

You can't prove it, as you're wrong. When a player himself says he hasn't played anywhere other than centre, I'm sure you know best. He has definitely played wing

Risca Rev wrote:You're clearly trolling or lying again. Dixon is defensively sound.

You can't prove it, as you're wrong. When a player himself says he hasn't played anywhere other than centre, I'm sure you know best. He has definitely played wing

I don't need to prove it, your the one upset for some reason, you'r more than welcome not to believe me, especially as you saw him play academy matches throughout 2 seasons?

Dixon is far from defencively sound, he's very much still developing, he has a lot of potential still, but needs top class centres around him to learn from, sadly thats not a possibility at the Dragons. Learning from Ashley Smith is hardly a world class education! Hopefully during this camp he will be able to soak in from the likes of Roberts.

Why did he say he has only played centre then? I'm not upset, but you should stop with this pretence that you know what you're on about, when clearly you don't.

At 6'2 you'd have to hope Dixon is defensively sound. Then again the likes of North and Cuthbert, 6'4 and 6'6 respectively, have shown an annoying tendency to tackle weakly a key moments. When smaller players ala Halfpenny learn to tackle ferociously for their size (throwing every ounce of their weight to slow if not bring down opposition runners), it pees me off to no end seeing bigger players who either never learned properly or deem it unnecessary. If every Welsh back put in near as much as their smallest member, we wouldn't be far off the Islanders for tackling ferocity.

Of course brute strength will never be enough, you need skilled forwards like Warburton, Tipuric and Faletau to pressure the breakdowns and work as many turnovers as possible.

Fanster wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Fanster wrote:

munkian wrote:The Huge Wenglish prop to replace Lee maybe ? Not hugely concerned about the Irish front row without Healey.

I hope Amos replaces Sanjay on the wing personally but wouldn't be too aggrieved if it were Morgan or Walker.

Cuthbert guarentee'd

No need for an apostrophe. And in any case, it's not guarantee'd.

Williams took over a season of outperforming Cuthbert before it took Cuthbert a drunken phone throwing for him to get a start, you really think anyones going to ghost in now? No chance!

We're talking about the warm-up game against Ireland, which Gatland has already stated will be a chance for younger players to stake their claim. Why, then, would he start with Cuthbert?

Risca Rev wrote:Why did he say he has only played centre then? I'm not upset, but you should stop with this pretence that you know what you're on about, when clearly you don't.

The article is a fluff peice, players are always told to promote what they want to do going forward as opposed to what they have done, it's the same thing as dressing for the job you want and not the one you have!!!

Your clearly upset, your upset because you believe your the font of all knowledge Gwent, whereas there is a lot of work that goes on behind the publics view, a lot of hard work, tke that into account before getting offended!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Fanster wrote:

munkian wrote:The Huge Wenglish prop to replace Lee maybe ? Not hugely concerned about the Irish front row without Healey.

I hope Amos replaces Sanjay on the wing personally but wouldn't be too aggrieved if it were Morgan or Walker.

Cuthbert guarentee'd

No need for an apostrophe. And in any case, it's not guarantee'd.

Williams took over a season of outperforming Cuthbert before it took Cuthbert a drunken phone throwing for him to get a start, you really think anyones going to ghost in now? No chance!

We're talking about the warm-up game against Ireland, which Gatland has already stated will be a chance for younger players to stake their claim. Why, then, would he start with Cuthbert?

Partly because lack of options there, partly to show him he's not first choice, and partly to have some threat from the backline if we go with all kids!!!

Fanster wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Why did he say he has only played centre then? I'm not upset, but you should stop with this pretence that you know what you're on about, when clearly you don't.

The article is a fluff peice, players are always told to promote what they want to do going forward as opposed to what they have done, it's the same thing as dressing for the job you want and not the one you have!!!

Your clearly upset, your upset because you believe your the font of all knowledge Gwent, whereas there is a lot of work that goes on behind the publics view, a lot of hard work, tke that into account before getting offended!

The only thing that's upsetting me, is your constant confusion of which your to use.

Risca Rev wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Why did he say he has only played centre then? I'm not upset, but you should stop with this pretence that you know what you're on about, when clearly you don't.

The article is a fluff peice, players are always told to promote what they want to do going forward as opposed to what they have done, it's the same thing as dressing for the job you want and not the one you have!!!

Your clearly upset, your upset because you believe your the font of all knowledge Gwent, whereas there is a lot of work that goes on behind the publics view, a lot of hard work, tke that into account before getting offended!

The only thing that's upsetting me, is your constant confusion of which your to use.

Not confusion, smoke and mirrors…didn't he pretend to be French or Argentine for a while in one incarnation?

Gwlad wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:Why did he say he has only played centre then? I'm not upset, but you should stop with this pretence that you know what you're on about, when clearly you don't.

The article is a fluff peice, players are always told to promote what they want to do going forward as opposed to what they have done, it's the same thing as dressing for the job you want and not the one you have!!!

Your clearly upset, your upset because you believe your the font of all knowledge Gwent, whereas there is a lot of work that goes on behind the publics view, a lot of hard work, tke that into account before getting offended!

The only thing that's upsetting me, is your constant confusion of which your to use.

Not confusion, smoke and mirrors…didn't he pretend to be French or Argentine for a while in one incarnation?

Really, 2 yours in the same context with the same meaning just spelt incorrectly, but the same incorrect spelling on both occasions, plus you make the same incorrect spelling in the same context on purpose, has confused you? Come on your better than that, hopefully!

There is a poor effort to dismiss people as a WUM on this thread, because at one point in a hypothetical imaginary lineup conversation I said I'd play Dixon on the wing in a warm up game full of kids... Is this really the basis to wind people up, to offer an opinion of what I would do with a player in an imaginary situation, based on someone elses lineup of a friendly.

Fanster wrote:2 yours in the same context with the same meaning just spelt incorrectly, but the same incorrect spelling on both occasions, plus you make the same incorrect spelling in the same context on purpose

Eh?

With the squad being cut after first game then I expect quite a mish match of a team next week, few regulars starting and on bench with the ones on the fringe of the squad making rest of side up.

Also I can't see point of playing players out of position if you have other who are specialist there. Why play Dixon on wing when you have Amos and Walker in squad?

Gatland said on sky news he's got a lot of younger players in consideration for next weekend.

Exciting team announcement this week hopefully

If that's true then perhaps guys like Rob Evans and Amos will make a start.

He is going to trim the squad after this game so I gues a number of players who are on the periphery of the large training squad will get opportunities.

Could be a few first caps?

bedfordwelsh wrote:Also I can't see point of playing players out of position if you have other who are specialist there.  Why play Dixon on wing when you have Amos and Walker in squad?

If Williams wasn't injured then I'd agree, but since he is a 3rd FB choice will be key, and I think Amos would be that, so i'd play Amos at FB.

I'd also like to see Patchell at 12 (He has no chance at 10) and Tyler Morgan at 13 who is a better option than Dixon.

Therefore I would want to still see Dixon, and he could cover wing.

That is it! Lets not get into the same argument again, that was my reasoning!

The fly-halves will probably be biggar, priest and anscombe. I can't see patch getting a look in. I actually forgot about walker, I guess he could be in.

mikey_dragon wrote:The fly-halves will probably be biggar, priest and anscombe. I can't see patch getting a look in. I actually forgot about walker, I guess he could be in.

Has Anscombe done enough to oust Hook?

Fanster wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The fly-halves will probably be biggar, priest and anscombe. I can't see patch getting a look in. I actually forgot about walker, I guess he could be in.

Has Anscombe done enough to oust Hook?

I don't think Hook's place in the squad is safe, and anscombe is dual contracted. They have to get their money's worth! Neither player is that great right now.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Fanster wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:The fly-halves will probably be biggar, priest and anscombe. I can't see patch getting a look in. I actually forgot about walker, I guess he could be in.

Has Anscombe done enough to oust Hook?

I don't think Hook's place in the squad is safe, and anscombe is dual contracted. They have to get their money's worth! Neither player is that great right now.

I'd probably see both ahead of Patchell, but Hook can also cover the worrying centre births, and with Wiliams injury a full back cover would also be a handy thing to have all wrapped up in one player!

Fanster wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Also I can't see point of playing players out of position if you have other who are specialist there.  Why play Dixon on wing when you have Amos and Walker in squad?

If Williams wasn't injured then I'd agree, but since he is a 3rd FB choice will be key, and I think Amos would be that, so i'd play Amos at FB.

I'd also like to see Patchell at 12 (He has no chance at 10) and Tyler Morgan at 13 who is a better option than Dixon.

Therefore I would want to still see Dixon, and he could cover wing.

That is it! Lets not get into the same argument again, that was my reasoning!

So you'd move a player who's in the squad as a centre to accommodate a player who's not in the squad as a centre?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Fanster wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Also I can't see point of playing players out of position if you have other who are specialist there.  Why play Dixon on wing when you have Amos and Walker in squad?

If Williams wasn't injured then I'd agree, but since he is a 3rd FB choice will be key, and I think Amos would be that, so i'd play Amos at FB.

I'd also like to see Patchell at 12 (He has no chance at 10) and Tyler Morgan at 13 who is a better option than Dixon.

Therefore I would want to still see Dixon, and he could cover wing.

That is it! Lets not get into the same argument again, that was my reasoning!

So you'd move a player who's in the squad as a centre to accommodate a player who's not in the squad as a centre?

Who's not in the squad? Or did you mean not in the squad as centre? If so are you privvy to Gatland? with Biggar and Preistland as 1 and 2 near definately, Anscombe has played more 10 than Patchell, Matthew Morgan played mostly 10 this season, add in James Hook and I don't see why Patchell wouldn't be considered 12 or 15 cover.

Or have I missed something?

Gatland's missing one of his first-choice centres. Why would he waste a warm-up game playing one of his midfield options on the wing? (It would also be a waste not playing an actual winger / back three player there.)

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Gatland's missing one of his first-choice centres. Why would he waste a warm-up game playing one of his midfield options on the wing? (It would also be a waste not playing an actual winger / back three player there.)

So you think Matthew Morgan or Eli Walker has a realistic shot at the squad? I don't and thats why I wouldn't start either.

I think Dixon does, but i'd also prefer to see what Patchell and Tyler Morgan could do, so they would start at centre, and Amos is potentially the FB 3rd choice so he's at 15.

In my viewpoint therefore Dixon either starts at wing or doesnt start, and I want to see as much of the centre pairing as possible, becuase we're 2 injuries from having to see it start at the RWC.

I don't see what the problem is?!

Dixon's not in the squad as a winger! If you have to start with Patchell and Morgan, bring Dixon off the bench at centre and start with an actual wing / back three player on the wing.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Dixon's not in the squad as a winger! If you have to start with Patchell and Morgan, bring Dixon off the bench at centre and start with an actual wing / back three player on the wing.

But why start a player in Walker or Morgan when I wouldn't be interested in taking them, whereas I see Dixon as an outside opportunity, so would prefer he was on the park from the off.

I'd want to see at least 60+ of Patchell and Morgan as a partnership, if not more, so why waste Dixon on the bench when he could at least get some game time at wing!

Similar happened to Roberts, Gatland tried something new and it worked pretty well, you have to take the risk to get the reward!

Anything happens to Roberts and I'm moving Williams to 12 and Tyler Morgan to 13, anything happens to Williams and Patchell is my next choice, then Dixon.

Therefore 80 minutes of rugby at wing is better than 10 mins at 12 IMO