Welsh Rugby 2015 - 2019

Completely frustrated by our inability to gain a SH scalp in this tournament. We will always be on the periphery of WC's unless we nail these down. I am already sick to death of the pride the nation seems to take in being plucky losers. Don't get me wrong, we are now competitive against everyside in the world, even in the big games. This is a massive improvement from 8 years ago, but we have been competitive for 2 years now so we must be aiming to improve and start beating these sides with more regularity than we currently do. Which, with a 2 in 29 record shouldnt be hard to do.

Anyway I think the following needs to happen between now and the next world cup for us to kick on.

Gameplan

We are tough to beat, physically fit and can match teams in every area physically. We have a good kicking game and our defence is excellent. We need to improve our attack and our effectiveness at the breakdown.

Coaches

I foresee a return to mediocrity if Gatland were to leave. Likewise Shaun Edwards. WRU need to move heaven and earth to keep them both post world cup. I would also keep Jenks on as kicking coach.

However it is time for Howley and Mcbride to go. My preferences for their replacements would be Darren Edwards (and before my Welsh brethren laugh me off this forum by remembering his time at the Dragons, I suggest they go and watch how Bath have attached over the last 2 seasons) and I would also love to see Danny Wilson dualling up as our Forwards coach in addition to Blues. If we can get neither I dont think there are other coaches in Wales who are up to it.

Players

Time for Gethin and James to move on. I also think we should seriously spend the next two years planning for time after key players are past their best. I think the likes or Roberts, Charteris, and Wyn Jones will be 32-33 by the next world cup and we have to be realistic as to whether they are going to be past their prime and able to play this expanded game that we will need to compete.

I am not advocating dropping any of them straight away, just highlighting those beneath that have the potential and bringing them into the set up early to get experience. I would also advocate focussing any NDC funding to the younger generation; a list of players I am thinking of include:-

Nicky Smith
Rob Evans
Elliot Dee
Scott Otten
Thomas Francis
Leon Brown
Rory Thornton
Joe Davies
Ollie Griffiths
Harri Keddle
Tomos Williams
Sam Davies
Owen Williams
Jack Dixon
Tyler Morgan
Matthew Morgan
Jordan Williams
and more

Maybe it might of been a different out come "IF" Gethin Jenkins could pass the ball too the winger with out throwing it over his head.

majesticimperialman wrote:Maybe it might of been a different out come "IF" Gethin Jenkins could pass the ball too the winger with out throwing it over his head.

Might HAVE. Also, it wasn't a winger.

Yet again, stop trying to be clever and funny. You are neither.

Will Gatland seek new pastures now though? Are Wales at a real crossroads of needing a new ingredient and fresh eyes to inject something different and give them a better than 50/50 chance in these constantly tight games they continue to have with virtually all other sides - win or lose?

I think unless the all blacks come in for him he will stay, but he does need to freshen things up

Gatland to England for a new challenge.

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Maybe it might of been a different out come "IF" Gethin Jenkins could pass the ball too the winger with out throwing it over his head.

Might HAVE. Also, it wasn't a winger.

Yet again, stop trying to be clever and funny. You are neither.

Risca Rev.

He might not have been a winger. But he was out on the wing. Right.

Might not have

Good post.

I do think the Williams lads are Wales 2 best attacking backs & yet would they be first choice with this management team?

Outstanding defence can only take you so far & against the SH teams in particular you need a more rounded game to get results.

I just don't think that their current ploy to arm wrestle teams will work against the best.

Melchett: Now, Field Marshal Haig has formulated a brilliant tactical plan to ensure final victory in the field
Blackadder: Would this brilliant plan involve us climbing over the top of our trenches and walking, very slowly towards the enemy?
Darling: How did you know that Blackadder? It's classified information
Blackadder: It's the same plan we used last time, and the seventeen times before that
Melchett: E-e-exactly! And that is what is so brilliant about it. It will catch the watchful Hun totally off guard. Doing exactly what we've done eighteen times before will be the last thing they expect us to do this time.

Is the approach Gatland takes going to be, lets just keep on plugging away? The boks are simply better at that type of game.

Probably will win a few more 6N titles in the next RWC cycle but I don't see it getting Wales to the next step. Its tricky, its a results based game and I think Gatland can go to the Lions in 2017 and have a decent crack at NZ but the question is, does he keep with his strategy and an evitable QF/SF loss in 2019 or go for broke a little?

Thats my point. The gameplan needs to evolve

what is vitally important though is in december 2017 being in the top 4 ranked sides in the world. That in itself is as important as peaking just right for the competition.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Good post.

I do think the Williams lads are Wales 2 best attacking backs & yet would they be first choice with this management team?

Outstanding defence can only take you so far & against the SH teams in particular you need a more rounded game to get results.

I think Liam Williams would be considered first choice now.. Jamie Roberts has been huge for us over the years and a lot of our moves start with him and depend on him going well. Unfortunately I think he has had a very quiet World Cup, I also think that he may retire soon to spend more time on his doctoring. Either way I would like to see us expand our play in the centre and maybe give Scott Williams and JD a nice run of games together.

When you look at the team and break it down position by position then we are covered well in some with youngsters coming through but are lacking in other areas:

PROPS - Jenkins nor James are going to be around much longer I don't think so we now need to start giving the likes of Nicky Smith and Rob Evans some game time, at tighthead then I think Lee and Francis will serve us well with someone like Rhodri Jones in there once back from injury.

2ND ROW - We currently have AWJ, Charteris, Davies and Ball. Now if you take POC as the barometer he is 35 so out of the 4 named only Charteris may not be there come the next world cup but who are the young 2nd rowers coming through?

BACKROW - Our first choice 3 for me are still our best by some way and will all be around in 4 years, add Tipuric to the list and we are initially ok but I would again like to see us development this area and really hope Moriarty gets some decent time at 6 or 8.

No9s - Again we have Webb, Davies, Lloyd Williams and Rhodri Williams (is it) so we have some very good cover there

No10 - Seriously need to develop a genuine option to Biggar here, my personal choice would be Owen Williams but whoever it is lets develop him soon

Centres - DOC, JD and Sc Williams are the initial default options and Tyler Morgan has proved hes not out of his depth and will only get better but would like to see us try change our style

Back 3 - North, Cuthbert, Amos, Walker, Li Williams, Halfpenny, Anscombe and M Morgan - surely we should be doing more with that type of talent available to us

I don't agree with anything you have written here to be honest, Wales have never dominated the southern Hemisphere.  So for anyone to say Gatland's position might need to be looked at for not achieving what no one else has done is crazy.  He is also under contract until after the 2019 World Cup.

In the 70's Australia sent young coaches over to Wales to learn about rugby and we've been made to pay for it since.  Basically we stuffed them in 1973 and 1975, they realised we could help, sent their coaches over to us and by the time of our tour in 1978 they were beating us!  In fact during the first test in 1978 they won 18-8 so the swing was quite big.  In fact we've only beaten them 4 times in 31 games since!

As South Africa were out of the game so long it's hard to gauge due to their apartheid ban, we lost the first 5 games and drew the sixth game 6-6 in 1970 then didn't play them until 1994, but 31 games, 2 wins, 1 draw and 27 losses over a 109 year period tells it's own story.

Wales never actually beat New Zealand during the 70's they smashed our 1969 Grand slam winning team over 2 tests in 1969 at the start of the golden era (19-0, and 33-12, bear in mind it was 3 points for a try then), they beat us again in Cardiff in 1972 and in 1978 that scum bag Andy Hadden dived in the line out to rob Wales of a win in  1978.  At least his reputation outside of New Zealand rugby is dirt and he's classed as dishonored, but it doesn't alter the fact is the one of the few times in the game of rugby that someone acted in such a way.  I don't think bitterness will ever go away to be honest, even when people heard he'd got cancer (chronic lymphocyte leukemia) people in my work place were saying they hoped he had a slow painful death, I don't wish that on him, but people still do talk about what he did.  

Wales have consistently come off second best to the big three.

Looking onto the next 4 years I think there might need to be some changes:

We need a new loose head as a matter of priority, Gethin Jenkins (34) and Paul James (33), both our loose heads are actually the oldest players in our squad.
I think James Hook (30) and Mike Phillips (33) are done now, though that's stating the obvious.  Dominic Day (30) is clearly going to drift down the ranks and be forgotten, though he'd of never got in the squad in the first place if Ian Evans (31), hadn't píssed his career down the tube by joining Bristol.  Luke Charteris (32) will hopefully stick with it until the next Lions tour.  Body and mind willing Alun Wyn Jones (turned 30 in September) should be around till the next world cup.  Other than that this unit should still be together provided the players form holds.  hopefully lots of young players will push from the regions academies as well.

A slow painful death from chronic lymphocyte leukemia?  Says more about the people in your workplace than about scumbag Hadden, I'm afraid, Shifty.

SecretFly wrote:A slow painful death from chronic lymphocyte leukemia?  Says more about the people in your workplace than about scumbag Hadden, I'm afraid, Shifty.

I think that's the view of a lot of people in Wales to be honest.  I remember some New Zealand posters mentioning his illness on some of the forums and noticed most of the Welsh posters stayed off the topic.  I wasn't born until after the game, so don't remember it, but many people do.  Truth be told what he did is no worse than what most professional footballers do all game in football but at the time is certainly was something different and very unsporting.  It's probably been made worse by the fact Wales haven't beaten New Zealand since.

majesticimperialman wrote:

Risca Rev wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Maybe it might of been a different out come "IF" Gethin Jenkins could pass the ball too the winger with out throwing it over his head.

Might HAVE. Also, it wasn't a winger.

Yet again, stop trying to be clever and funny. You are neither.

Risca Rev.

He might not have been a winger. But he was out on the wing. Right.

Oh right

Welsh first team squad's ages at the next RWC:-

Jenkins - 38
James - 37
Baldwin - 31
Owens - 32
Lee - 26
Francis - 27
Jarvis - 33
Wyn Jones - 34
Charteris - 36
Day - 34
Ian Evans - 35
Bradley Davies - 32
Ball - 28
Lydiate - 31
King - 29
Warburton - 31
Tipuric - 30
Faletau - 28
Moriarty - 25

Davies - 29
Webb - 30
Phillips - 37
Williams - 29

Biggar - 30
Priestland - 32
Hook - 34

Roberts - 32
JD2 - 31
Sc Williams - 29
Tyler Morgan - 24

North - 27
Cuthbert - 29
Halfpenny - 30
Liam Williams - 28
Amos - 25
Anscombe - 28

Most will be at their peaks provided their bodies hold up!

I think that changes need to be made for the 6 nations but only where players are clearly showing their age. Mike Ruddock has been criticising Gatland for not picking Adam Jones apparently ignoring the facts that both has he chosen to retire and that he has been totally ineffective in the scrums for the last 2 seasons! Getting is getting that way and Pual James is not really the future, so maybe Rob Evans should be getting some starts and hopefully Nicky Smith will kick on this season. Samson will get back to his best by the 6N if he can get fit, Francis has clearly a lot to learn as has Rhodri Jones, but he was beginning to show some scrummaging form when he got injured and he is very mobile. Charteris seems to be getting better with age, Jake Ball will hopefully kick on, needs to improve his line out and carrying game.

Behind the scrum, Hook and Phillips were only in the squad because of the injury crisis, not sure about Anscombe, I had my head in my hands on Saturday every time the ball was kicked in the air. Cuthbert, will I suspect drift into the distance with hopefully, Liam and Halfpenny fit and someone like Walker or Jordan Williams breaking into the squad or maybe Tyler getting a few games on the wing?

Need a back up to Biggar at 10, Priestland played well when he was on the field but new blood such as Owen Williams will spice things up. Wales have 2 very good international scrum halfs now but not convinced by Lloyd so hopefully someone else will put their hands up for the position.

Not a bad position to be in, this was the time for this team but injuries to key players got in the way. Its time now to look to the future starting with the 6 N and the New Zealand tour.

Gatland must stay in place if the National side is to start to benefit from the improved relationship with the regions that has come from the departure of Roger Lewis.
The new DC's are already looking to help bring the stronger players back to Wales and stop the loss of the new stars coming through, four years of this is a long time to build the depth needed and protect some of the front line players from injuries and burn out.
We lasted a game longer than I expected in this tournament and gave both Australia and South Africa a good game, both of which could of gone either way.
The main thing that all 3 Celtic Nations need to improve the National teams to the next level though is to consistently improve the standard of the Pro12 so our top players are performing week in week out at the required level. There is no miracle fix, we just need agreement between the unions to raise the standard of officiating at the games and the marketing of the league to raise its profile.

Seagultaf. Don't hold your breath for Jordan Williams to make it with Wales, he is rapidly going backwards at PYS and is looking defensively weak even at Prem level.

Wales aren't going to move away from something they're good at, certainly not under Gatland.

2ndtimeround wrote:Seagultaf.   Don't hold your breath for Jordan Williams to make it with Wales, he is rapidly going backwards at PYS and is looking defensively weak even at Prem level.

He's injured isn't he?

GavinDragon wrote:Welsh first team squad's ages at the next RWC:-

Jenkins - 38
James - 37
Baldwin - 31
Owens - 32
Lee - 26
Francis - 27
Jarvis - 33
Wyn Jones - 34
Charteris - 36
Day - 34
Ian Evans - 35
Bradley Davies - 32
Ball - 28
Lydiate - 31
King - 29
Warburton - 31
Tipuric - 30
Faletau - 28
Moriarty - 25

Davies - 29
Webb - 30
Phillips - 37
Williams - 29

Biggar - 30
Priestland - 32
Hook - 34

Roberts - 32
JD2 - 31
Sc Williams - 29
Tyler Morgan - 24

North - 27
Cuthbert - 29
Halfpenny - 30
Liam Williams - 28
Amos - 25
Anscombe - 28

Jesus it is scary that a lot of your big players will be in their prime at the next World Cup, supplement them with a few newbies and you will be looking good.

One or two notes:
- Biggar for me is now the best 10 in these parts
- I think a lot of people have forgotten how good JD2 can be
- I think Wales have the best defence of any of the 6N teams and if Shaun Edwards is the man responsible you should be clinging to him in that coaching team.
- Seems to be a lot more coming through in the backs that in the forwards? Or may I only know of the fringe backs due to the injuries you've had!
- I think using Jamie Roberts as a battering ram may limit his chances of making the next World Cup. Might need to be used less violently to hold up til then

Shifty wrote:

2ndtimeround wrote:Seagultaf.   Don't hold your breath for Jordan Williams to make it with Wales, he is rapidly going backwards at PYS and is looking defensively weak even at Prem level.

He's injured isn't he?

Not unless you class bottling the tackle as injury. lol
Scarlets current injury list copied below.

Morgan Allen (bicep)

Will Boyde (knee/foot)

Steff Evans (elbow)

Steff Hughes (knee)

Rhodri Jones (pec)

Josh Lewis (knee)

Jack Payne (ankle)

Emyr Phillips (hamstring)

Rory Pitman (bicep)

Lewis Rawlins (shoulder)

Michael Tagicakibau (hamstring)

Liam Williams (foot)

Scott Williams (knee)

Shifty wrote:I don't agree with anything you have written here to be honest, Wales have never dominated the southern Hemisphere.  So for anyone to say Gatland's position might need to be looked at for not achieving what no one else has done is crazy.  He is also under contract until after the 2019 World Cup.

In the 70's Australia sent young coaches over to Wales to learn about rugby and we've been made to pay for it since.  Basically we stuffed them in 1973 and 1975, they realised we could help, sent their coaches over to us and by the time of our tour in 1978 they were beating us!  In fact during the first test in 1978 they won 18-8 so the swing was quite big.  In fact we've only beaten them 4 times in 31 games since!

As South Africa were out of the game so long it's hard to gauge due to their apartheid ban, we lost the first 5 games and drew the sixth game 6-6 in 1970 then didn't play them until 1994, but 31 games, 2 wins, 1 draw and 27 losses over a 109 year period tells it's own story.

Wales never actually beat New Zealand during the 70's they smashed our 1969 Grand slam winning team over 2 tests in 1969 at the start of the golden era (19-0, and 33-12, bear in mind it was 3 points for a try then), they beat us again in Cardiff in 1972 and in 1978 that scum bag Andy Hadden dived in the line out to rob Wales of a win in  1978.  At least his reputation outside of New Zealand rugby is dirt and he's classed as dishonored, but it doesn't alter the fact is the one of the few times in the game of rugby that someone acted in such a way.  I don't think bitterness will ever go away to be honest, even when people heard he'd got cancer (chronic lymphocyte leukemia) people in my work place were saying they hoped he had a slow painful death, I don't wish that on him, but people still do talk about what he did.  

Wales have consistently come off second best to the big three.

Looking onto the next 4 years I think there might need to be some changes:

We need a new loose head as a matter of priority, Gethin Jenkins (34) and Paul James (33), both our loose heads are actually the oldest players in our squad.
I think James Hook (30) and Mike Phillips (33) are done now, though that's stating the obvious.  Dominic Day (30) is clearly going to drift down the ranks and be forgotten, though he'd of never got in the squad in the first place if Ian Evans (31), hadn't píssed his career down the tube by joining Bristol.  Luke Charteris (32) will hopefully stick with it until the next Lions tour.  Body and mind willing Alun Wyn Jones (turned 30 in September) should be around till the next world cup.  Other than that this unit should still be together provided the players form holds.  hopefully lots of young players will push from the regions academies as well.

 Lets not let a good story get in the way of the facts, the English Ref Roger Quittenden awarded the penalty for interference on Frank Oliver, he repeated this many times since, nothing to do with Haden.

I think wholesale changes to the squad is unnecessary and unlikely. People saying 31 is prime. Given the physicality of the game in the NH, particularly up front whose to say both Warburton and ld Lydiate won't have retired by 2019. Warburton certainly speculated that this may have been his last chance at a rwc semi final during the press conference on the weekend

Can't believe the negativity on here after 4 championships including 3 G Slams and 2 decent RWC performances in the past 4 years. Even with a depleted squad we are probably the one NH team to come away from this RWC taking some positives and we have talent coming through and a great culture in the squad. Ok Scotland will take heart but we have moved up a notch in my opinion and play to our strengths. On the basis of this we can play a more dynamic games in the future and we have the players to do it. If fit I see Scoot Williams and Foxy Davies being the first choice centre pairing then we have Liam 1/2p North and Amos etc to add to the mix. I for one am happy with the way things are going

It's a great position to add in younger players into an already well established squad.

I agree the need to develop our loosies, Smith and Evans look to be the two most likely to press on.

I think our backup 10s may come from the Blues in the shape of either Patchell or Anscombe.

I would like to see more time given to our young wingers too. This World Cup has shown that we are a little thin in that department.

chris_501 wrote:It's a great position to add in younger players into an already well established squad.

I agree the need to develop our loosies, Smith and Evans look to be the two most likely to press on.

I think our backup 10s may come from the Blues in the shape of either Patchell or Anscombe.

I would like to see more time given to our young wingers too. This World Cup has shown that we are a little thin in that department.

Patchel really looked good against Munster yesterday, best player on the park, not convinced by Anscombe though, almost a good 10 and nearly a good 15!

Also in my earlier post I had forgotten about Amos I can see him replacing Cuthbert as back up back 3 player. Also need to get North back playing in Wales so that he can start building his form and skills again because his form has slipped dramatically since leaving Wales.

Rob Evans is close to Gethin and James now, Smith has work to do but is a great prospect, pair them with Samson, Francis and Rhodri Jones and Wales have some great props for 2019.

Do not take my post as a criticism of this squad, it's efforts or the performances during this RWC.

The improvement between 07 and 15 under Gatland has been immense. However, if we are not aiming to win a WC what is the point in playing test match rugby?

28 losses against SH opposition. However roughly half of them, particularly in last 4 years have been by less than a score. Just started the thread to give my opinion on how we get that last 5 PC. Evolution not revolution

GavinDragon wrote:Welsh first team squad's ages at the next RWC:-

Jenkins - 38 -
James - 37 -
Baldwin - 31
Owens - 32
Lee - 26
Francis - 27
Jarvis - 33 -
Wyn Jones - 34
Charteris - 36 -
Day - 34
Ian Evans - 35 - Wasn't around this time
Bradley Davies - 32
Ball - 28
Lydiate - 31
King - 29
Warburton - 31
Tipuric - 30
Faletau - 28
Moriarty - 25

Davies - 29
Webb - 30
Phillips - 37 -
Williams - 29

Biggar - 30
Priestland - 32
Hook - 34

Roberts - 32
JD2 - 31
Sc Williams - 29
Tyler Morgan - 24

North - 27
Cuthbert - 29
Halfpenny - 30
Liam Williams - 28
Amos - 25
Anscombe - 28

Ok so let's take the last match day 23 of Jenkins Baldwin James AWJ Charteris Lydiate Faletau Warburton G Davies Biggar North Roberts T Morgan Cuthbert Anscomne - James Owens Francis Ball Tipuric Ll Williams Priestland and Hook.

If you look at those players then for me I would say:

Jenkins and James def won't be around so we need to start developing the likes of Smith and Evans at L/Head and whilst Jarvis will only be 33 I just don't rate him so we have to start developing another T/Head and L/Head to give us 3 credible options in each position.

I doubt Charteris will be around but AWJ, B Davies and Ball should be so lets starting looking at a 4th option, whose the second rowers coming through?

All our options in the backrow should be around still and I would like to see Moriarty getting a few more games over next couple of years.

No9s, we are well set

No10s, need to start looking at few extra options

Centres well set but don't think Roberts will be around, I do think he will call it a day before next world cup.

Back 3 Hopefully Walker and Amos can start coming through to give us something different to the bosh boys

GavinDragon wrote:Do not take my post as a criticism of this squad, it's efforts or the performances during this RWC.

The improvement between 07 and 15 under Gatland has been immense. However, if we are not aiming to win a WC what is the point in playing test match rugby?

28 losses against SH opposition. However roughly half of them, particularly in last 4 years have been by less than a score. Just started the thread to give my opinion on how we get that last 5 PC.  Evolution not revolution

I seem to remember one of our neighbours making a semi final in '95, knocked out in the quarter finals in '99 with a young but experienced team. They won the next World Cup...!

All we have to do is work harder and harder on our weaknesses and improve on our strengths.

I didn't think we would make the final this time, everything seemed against us. But I think I saw enough to show that we could make it next time.

Bath have announced that Priestland will not be available for Wales selection for the next 18 months as he will be concentrating on his Bath career. Not really a surprise, I could not imagine Bath paying a big salary for Rhys if he was going to be unavailable at the same time as Ford is with England.

I guess this now makes it easier for the WRU to release Faletau as Priestland will not be using one of the two wild cards. Faletau is now free to leave Dragons and join.........Bath, no coincidence I am sure!

I've been posting information on the wrong thread. This talks about how long our World Cup players are away from their squads, and reiterates what we kind of already knew about the injured players: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-rugby-world-cup-stars-10322098#ICID=FB-Wales-rugby

Yes Priestland is putting his international career on hold - does us a favour I guess. Time for Patchell and Anscombe to step up: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-star-rhys-priestland-quits-10325545

Patchell looks red hot at the moment but I have not been impressed by Anscombe. Hopefully Owen Williams will also come into the equation.

Anscombe is looking quite average so far, but he'll be in the squad before Patchell in Gatland's eyes - at least that's what I believe. Also I wouldn't really trust Patchell to start a Wales game yet until he becomes more consistent kicking from the tee. Of course, if Halfpenny is fit and available then Patchell's kicking wouldn't be an issue.

mikey_dragon wrote:Anscombe is looking quite average so far, but he'll be in the squad before Patchell in Gatland's eyes - at least that's what I believe. Also I wouldn't really trust Patchell to start a Wales game yet until he becomes more consistent kicking from the tee. Of course, if Halfpenny is fit and available then Patchell's kicking wouldn't be an issue.

I thought Anscombe looked good in his few games during world cup but he is out now until at least Xmas so that should give Patchell a decent run of games.

mikey_dragon wrote:Anscombe is looking quite average so far, but he'll be in the squad before Patchell in Gatland's eyes - at least that's what I believe. Also I wouldn't really trust Patchell to start a Wales game yet until he becomes more consistent kicking from the tee. Of course, if Halfpenny is fit and available then Patchell's kicking wouldn't be an issue.

Bar his weird off day against Zebre, Patchell is a pretty good kicker. Can nail them from the touchline and from 60 metres out.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Anscombe is looking quite average so far, but he'll be in the squad before Patchell in Gatland's eyes - at least that's what I believe. Also I wouldn't really trust Patchell to start a Wales game yet until he becomes more consistent kicking from the tee. Of course, if Halfpenny is fit and available then Patchell's kicking wouldn't be an issue.

I thought Anscombe looked good in his few games during world cup but he is out now until at least Xmas so that should give Patchell a decent run of games.

Agree, I think Anscombe will improve a lot as the Blues improve under Wilson. He is a quality player, just needs an injury free run in a good team (think he will get better with more time in the Wales camp too)

With Priestland now ruling himself out and Anscombe, Halfpenny and Liam Williams out until Xmas at least Patchell has a great chance to push his case for the Blues and Wales

bedfordwelsh wrote:With Priestland now ruling himself out and Anscombe, Halfpenny and Liam Williams out until Xmas at least Patchell has a great chance to push his case for the Blues and Wales

I was not impressed with Anscombe in the World Cup I had my head in my hands every time he was under a high ball, he has not impressed me playing for the Blues yet either. I know he has a dual contract but talent should come first and Patchell looks the better player to me. But as Wales do not have any games until the 6n he may not get the chance to show what he can do.

Curious announcement on Priestland, made by the Father of Bath's other no 10 on behalf of Bath Rugby. I wonder how much choice Priestland has had in this matter? I was suspicious when he went to Bath as to why they wanted to buy a player who would be unavailable at the same time as Ford. Maybe Priestland thought that he would fall down the pecking order for Wales as Anscombe had been parachuted in on a dual contract? But from what I saw in the World Cup I thought Priestland looked the better player (particularly when he came on against England).

if Biggar gets injured Wales are now faced with playing an utility back such as Anscombe, Patchell or even Hook in the pivotal role.

I thought Anscombe looked good in the games he played though he is out until Xmas now at least anyway.

On the flip side that should give Patchell a run at 10 and hopefully develop well into the role, I would love Owen Williams to be given a crack but can't see it happening and not sure if he is back from injury himself yet.

We will have to agree to disagree on Anscombe, but with Patchell on fire at the moment hopefully he will get to hold onto the 10 shirt at the Blues. I would have Dan Evans ahead of Anscombe at 15 and if Liam is not fit I would like to see him start in the 6n. Owen Williams has been on the bench for Leicester the last 2 games, kicked a conversion after he came on today.

Big issue for Wales is getting Samson Lee fit and firing, he is way off the pace at present but an injury free run will hopefully get him back to form. Also need to look at developing a replacement in for Jenkins, Evans probably in pole position at present unless Smith can displace James and Bevington at the Ospreys and get some serious game time.

Shifty wrote:

2ndtimeround wrote:Seagultaf.   Don't hold your breath for Jordan Williams to make it with Wales, he is rapidly going backwards at PYS and is looking defensively weak even at Prem level.

He's injured isn't he?

Scored a decent solo try down in the premier this weekend. His contract ends this season, and Rob Appleyard has uploaded his highlights video to YouTube so I'd say he will be running out elsewhere next season, which may reignite his career.

Seagultaf wrote:We will have to agree to disagree on Anscombe, but with Patchell on fire at the moment hopefully he will get to hold onto the 10 shirt at the Blues. I would have Dan Evans ahead of Anscombe at 15 and if Liam is not fit I would like to see him start in the 6n. Owen Williams has been on the bench for Leicester the last 2 games, kicked a conversion after he came on today.

Big issue for Wales is getting Samson Lee fit and firing, he is way off the pace at present but an injury free run will hopefully get him back to form. Also need to look at developing a replacement in for Jenkins, Evans probably in pole position at present unless Smith can displace James and Bevington at the Ospreys and get some serious game time.

See I don't rate Evans that much and neither I don't think do the coaches as he's not been in any recent squads, with I reckon Amos being ahead of him. As for prop I would start James over Jenkins anyway but both are knocking on now so agree that we have to start developing Evans and Smith.

Moriarty is another who I hope we will continue to develop either at 6 or 8 as I think he offers something a bit different to Lydiate and Faletau.

News is McBryde is staying, and Edwards is still an unknown.

don't need to say much more!

That's almost as depressing as the news that Howley is staying put.

I guess Howley and McBryde are both staying due to the great performance in the World Cup of our amazing attacking play and superior scrum efforts whilst given our poor defensive record Edwards is going.

Oh hang about a minute think might have that wrong way round - Crazy decisions in my mind, I still feel Howley is being lined up as Gatlands replacement.