Wales thread continued - 2017/18 season

[mikey_dragon]

First topic message reminder :

2017/2018 season results (full fixture list posted below).

Wales 21 - 29 Australia
Wales 13 - 6 Georgia
Wales 18 - 33 New Zealand
Wales 24 - 22 South Africa

Wales 2018 6N Squad:
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), James Davies (Scarlets), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Backs: Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Steff Evans (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).

Faletau, Biggar expected to be available later on in the tournament. Amos, L Williams perhaps a little sooner.

Call-ups to cover injuries, etc.
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I thought we'd start with the Autumn series. Gatland the Great is set to return and shake things up after another disappointing season underneath the Howler and his pal McBryde. The fixtures for this series are as follows:

November 2017
Sat 11th Nov 17 17:15
Wales   v   Australia  
Sat 18th Nov 17 14:30
Wales   v   Georgia
Sat 25th Nov 17 17:15
Wales   v   New Zealand
December 2017
Sat 2nd Dec 17 14:30
Wales   v   South Africa

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well there's no time like now so why not. Last year was a bit disappointing, topped off with an unsuccessful tour to NZ (as expected). Whilst I'm hoping for better this season my expectations are low as we have Howler and some other amateurs in charge who got the job because they were mates with Gatland and others in the WRU.

AI's
Wales V Australia 05/11/2016
8 - 32
Wales V Argentina 12/11/2016
24 - 20
Wales V Japan 19/11/2016
33 - 30
Wales V South Africa 26/11/2016
27 - 13

6 Nations
Italy V Wales 05/02/2017
7 - 33
Wales V England 11/02/2017
16 - 21
Scotland V Wales 25/02/2017
29 - 13
Wales V Ireland 10/03/2017
22 - 9
France V Wales 18/03/2017
20 -18

Very tough AI series but a kind start in the 6N. So far this season Blues and Ospreys look good, but how many of their players will be starters for Wales? Cuthbert is starting to look like his old self and if this continues he could come back into the team. Tomos Williams looks like a good player and if he also continues in this vein then might he take advantage of Gareth Davies' supposed rustiness? It's still early days but going by what I've seen and the reports I've read I would like to see a new centre partnership and also perhaps see our old back 3 of North, Cuthbert and Halfpenny reinstated - although a lot could happen between now and November. With Faletau out I think we can all guess who the wildcards will be, but who does that leave to play at No.8 - possibly Warburton with Ellis Jenkins at 7? What changes (if any) would you like to see? Keep it sensible please.

WALES 2016 UNDER ARMOUR SERIES SQUAD
Prop Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps) Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps) Rhys Gill (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps) Samson Lee (Scarlets) (28 Caps) Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Hooker Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps) Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Second Row Jake Ball (Scarlets) (20 Caps) Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps) Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps) Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (102 Caps) Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Back Row Dan Baker (Ospreys) (3 Caps) Taulupe Faletau* (Bath Rugby) (61 Caps) James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps) Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps) Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps) Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps) Sam Warburton (CAPT) (Cardiff Blues) (67 Caps)
Scrum Half Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps) Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps) Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
Fly Half Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (8 Caps) Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps) Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Centre Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps) Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps) Jamie Roberts* (Harlequins) (83 Caps) Scott Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps)
Wing/Full Back Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps) Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps) Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps) George North* (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps) Liam Williams (Scarlets) (35 Caps) * Denotes Senior Player Selection Policy wildcard selection.
Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, Cardiff Blues full-back Rhun Williams and Dragons pair Leon Brown and Harrison Keddie will train with the Wales squad.  

June summer tour
Tonga 6 - 24 Wales
Samoa 17 - 19 Wales

[mikey_dragon]

Sale, Saints and Benneton aren't a great benchmark at all. Good wins for the Welsh teams no doubt, some of them could be getting their season back on track and some could yet make the play-offs.

[maestegmafia]

How could the Ospreys be so bad all season yet beat Northampton twice?? Or are Northampton just more of a basket case just now too?

Northampton’s season has been much like the Ospreys in the pro14. To be honest the English clubs are not fairing well in Europe this year.

Similarly how come glasgow, one of the best teams in the pro14 have four straight losses in Europe?

[RDW]

So I've done a fair bit of tidying up on this thread and contacted a few individuals (as well as banning one for a while) - I hope this can herald the start of a new dawn of peace and harmony on here. We'll see!

[Cardiff Dave]

So I've done a fair bit of tidying up on this thread and contacted a few individuals (as well as banning one for a while) - I hope this can herald the start of a new dawn of peace and harmony on here. We'll see!

"Unite us. Unite the clans."

[Galted]

Who got banned?

[Barney McGrew did it]

It was me

[Cardiff Dave]

Who got banned?

Cian Healy?

[Galted]

Who got banned?

Cian Healy?

I'm glad, he was one if the worst wums on here.

[Gwlad]

It came as a huge surprise but Dylan Hartley got the can

[TightHEAD]

[international198]

I think this is a good idea from the WRU:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42425831.

I hope they introduce the alcohol-free zone. Or maybe more than one alcohol-free zone would be better - 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or x alcohol-free zones.

[Noble-Surfer]

I think this is a good idea from the WRU:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42425831.

I hope they introduce the alcohol-free zone. Or maybe more than one alcohol-free zone would be better - 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or x alcohol-free zones.

Definitely a good decision- might mean you can actually watch the game, rather than be constantly having to manoeuvre to allow people carrying (spilling) their pints past...

[Cardiff Dave]

I think this is a good idea from the WRU:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42425831.

I hope they introduce the alcohol-free zone. Or maybe more than one alcohol-free zone would be better - 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or x alcohol-free zones.

Definitely a good decision- might mean you can actually watch the game, rather than be constantly having to manoeuvre to allow people carrying (spilling) their pints past...

Tripping too. Especially upper tier. Not much foot room between rows and quite steep overall. Always wary that someone (drunk or not) could fall on the back of somebody's head, sat down in front. Prefer terracing in lower tier as well actually, as it happens.

[international198]

Can Liam Williams be selected for Wales for the Six Nations? He's playing in England and I don't think he's had 60 caps.

[RDW]

Can Liam Williams be selected for Wales for the Six Nations? He's playing in England and I don't think he's had 60 caps.

That is due to come in next season, and only if you sign for a new club after the new ruling (like Webb did) - I think he'll be OK but I'm sure the Wlesh brethren on here can confirm.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

He'll be fine. It'll only be an issue when he comes to the end of his current contract. If he signs an extension with Saracens, or signs for anyone else other than one of the regions, then Gatland (or whoever's replaced him by then ) won't be able to select him for the national side.

[Taylorman]

He'll be fine. It'll only be an issue when he comes to the end of his current contract. If he signs an extension with Saracens, or signs for anyone else other than one of the regions, then Gatland (or whoever's replaced him by then ) won't be able to select him for the national side.

Is this how England better their rankings? Hire internationals from everywhere else so they havent got many left?

[ScarletSpiderman]

To be honest, after the dust has settled. Wales will have lost access to Webb, but now be able to pretty much chose anyone else for the RWC.

[international198]

Has the policy of not choosing more than 3 players who are playing outside of Wales been scrapped?

[mikey_dragon]

To be honest, after the dust has settled.  Wales will have lost access to Webb, but now be able to pretty much chose anyone else for the RWC.

It's a bit worrying if Aled Davies and Lloyd Williams are the options after Gareth Davies. Hopefully it's Jonny Evans and Tomos Williams.

[Gwlad]

Has the policy of not choosing more than 3 players who are playing outside of Wales been scrapped?

No they're keeping it in especially for you.

[mikey_dragon]

Given the injuries adding up I think our team could look different again, something like;

Halfpenny, L Williams, S Williams, Parkes, Evans, Biggar, Webb - Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, B Davies, Shingler, Navidi, Moriarty.

Bench to consist of some of the following: Dee, Smith, Francis, Beard, Tipuric, Hill, G Davies, Patchell, O Williams, Watkin.

So that's near enough the matchday team, I guess the squad won't be entirely different from the autumn... which is a shame because it contains some guff a bit like our backroom coaching staff.

[mikey_dragon]

Oh I forgot to add, anyone think there's a chance of new caps and additions? I think possibly Ashton Hewitt as a new cap and dare I say it a reintroduction of Dan Evans if he proves he isn't too flaky. Possibly Beck and Howells if they're playing well enough.

[mikey_dragon]

I thought I'd bring back up the idea of Patchell at 15 - any takers? He once had a stormer there against NZ and has done in the last two weeks for Scarlets.

Halfpenny, previous Lions player of the tournament couldn't get past Williams and Watson for the 15 jersey on the recent Lions tour. I haven't noticed Halfpenny improve with Scarlets either and with the direction the game continues to go I think Leigh's days might be numbered...

[Gwlad]

If Biggar is kicking well yes, with Half on bench

Right now I'm with
Davies, Biggar, North, Williams, Parkes, Williams, Patchell.

[mikey_dragon]

Pretty good but i think we’ll stick with the Ospreys halfbacks as the starting pair. I can’t see North being there either, probably Evans ahead of him. If the Ospreys pack was as good as it’s reported, not that I’m reading much into it at this point, then we might see more of them starting in the front 5; Smith, AWJ and Big Bradley. I’d rather our reserve lock be Beard over Hill at this point as it’s well documented that we lack carrying threat up front.

[Gwlad]

If North fit he'll pick him for experience v Scots. Of course I'd prefer Webb but fact is he is not long for this world and I think Davies deserves to be placed above him in some respects.

[mikey_dragon]

North recently came back from long-term injury and got injured again, will he even be available? There's not long left until that first weekend of February. If he plays well enough for Saints then he should come into the squad at some point.

Aled and Sam Davies aside we finally have a few good options at halfback. At 9 there's Davies, Webb and Tomos Williams; Jonny Evans is good too. At 10 there's Biggar, Patchell, Owen Williams, Anscombe, Jarrod Evans - probably in that order and I'd like to see at least four in the squad. Evans looks good but probably too soon for him.

At hooker I'd like to see Otten and Hibbard considered ahead of Dacey and Baldwin but not everyone would agree with that, especially McBryde.

[ScarletSpiderman]

The team we ‘should’ go for would be
Rob Evans,
Ken Owens,
Samson Lee,
Alun Wyn Jones,
Bradley Davies,
Aaron Shingler,
James Davies,
Josh Navidi;
Gareth Davies,
Rhys Patchell,
Steff Evans,
Hadleigh Parks,
Scott Williams,
George North,
Liam William(Bench: Eliot Dee, Nicky Thomas, Tom Francis, Luke Charteris, Tipuric/Moriarty; Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Owen Williams)

But I think we will go with the Ospreys have backs, Francis, Tips and Ross to start.

[mikey_dragon]

That's a good selection SS, and one that I'd like to see. It has Pivac's blueprint all over it! Edwards' current defence routine clearly isn't working though, I'm not sure if the Scarlet lads can adapt to it.

You'd have Nicky Thomas over Nicky Smith? I think Thomas has potential but who is he even playing for right now?

[ScarletSpiderman]

Damn yeah Nicky Smith, I was tempted to go for Wyn Jones and got confuddled.

That’s a side that could implement an ‘expansive gameplan’ shoukd Wales decide they are going to try that stuff. I can’t see Gatland going that way, unless his hand is forced through injury.

[mikey_dragon]

Wyn Jones is good too, but better to pick someone else rather than further handicap the turks. Gatland is kinda forced through injury so I wonder if we'll continue to try and mix it up like the autumn.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

That's a good selection SS, and one that I'd like to see. It has Pivac's blueprint all over it! Edwards' current defence routine clearly isn't working though, I'm not sure if the Scarlet lads can adapt to it.

You'd have Nicky Thomas over Nicky Smith? I think Thomas has potential but who is he even playing for right now?

He's playing for the Dragons, Mikey.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

WALES SQUAD – 2018 NatWest Six Nations
Forwards (21):
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (20 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets (5 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (16 Caps)
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (34 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (2 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (52 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (26 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (34 Caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (57 Caps)
Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (10 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (113 Caps) (CAPT)
James Davies (Scarlets) (*Uncapped)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (70 Caps)
Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (5 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (17 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (7 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (13 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (52 Caps)

Backs (18):
Aled Davies (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (27 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (31 Caps)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (60 Caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Rhys Priestland (Bath) (50 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (1 Cap)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
Owen Williams (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
Scott Williams (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors) (*Uncapped)
Hallam Amos (Dragons) (15 Caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (47 Caps)
Steff Evans (Scarlets) (5 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (74 Caps)
George North (Northampton Saints) (69 Caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens) (45 Caps)

[chris_501]

Good squad, pleased to see Adams and James Davies in there.

A little surprised at Baldwin ahead of Dacey, and no Charteris.

[RiscaGame]

Baldwin has been in good form. I expected Dacey to make the squad over Dee though, so I’m happy with that.

Can’t see Adams or Davies getting near a Gatland 23, but we shall see. Hope they manage to train well.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Baldwin has been in good form. I expected Davey to make the squad over Dee though, so I’m happy with that.

Can’t see Adams or Davies getting near a Gatland 23, but we shall see. Hope they manage to train well.

I can see Adams being thown in for the bench against Italy, just to get him five mins and ensure he is tied.

But Cubby, I can't see him getting any game time. We know that Tips is going to start, if fit, and Navidi and Jenkins are favoured to Cubby. So unless there is a plan to change the game plan, and we are going to be looking to run the ball from deep, Cubby will just be holding tackle backs.

[No 7&1/2]

Adams is already tied to wales isn't he? Playes against France u20s.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Adams is already tied to wales isn't he? Playes against France u20s.

You're probably right, in which case he will be holding tackle bags for 6 weeks too.

[No 7&1/2]

Him and brew have been on fire in the prem. Adams.in particular could be great for you.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't see Gatland experimenting too much in terms of personnel (or anything else). I'd say it's probable that we'll lose our first three games (Scotland at home, England and Ireland away), which will mean he has to name his strongest possible side for the home game against Italy.

[SecretFly]

I don't see Gatland experimenting too much in terms of personnel (or anything else). I'd say it's probable that we'll lose our first three games (Scotland at home, England and Ireland away), which will mean he has to name his strongest possible side for the home game against Italy.

Ha ha!  Hee Hee!  Wales will come with huge amounts of energy and belief - as usual.  They'll fight for every second of every 80 minute game or Wales isn't Wales and Gatland isn't Gatland.  They'll bring something to the show and could very well walk away with the whole show if they get a good run going.

So enough of the sad stories.  I'm not falling for them.  I fear all games in 6N.... perhaps, perhaps the Italy one just falling below that level of genuine fear.  The rest though - well I never listen to any bunk about form or players missing or any of that stuff.  This is the 6N and there is no way that Wales won't make teams panic for periods in all their games.  They just have too much quality as players and as a coaching set-up.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

We finished fifth last season, Fly. Worth remembering, I think.

[RiscaGame]

We finished fifth last season, Fly. Worth remembering, I think.

I bet on that finish last season. I’m going to be doing so again, but won’t be covering the 6th place finish this season because we have Italy at home.

[ScarletSpiderman]

I don't see Gatland experimenting too much in terms of personnel (or anything else). I'd say it's probable that we'll lose our first three games (Scotland at home, England and Ireland away), which will mean he has to name his strongest possible side for the home game against Italy.

Ha ha!  Hee Hee!  Wales will come with huge amounts of energy and belief - as usual.  They'll fight for every second of every 80 minute game or Wales isn't Wales and Gatland isn't Gatland.  They'll bring something to the show and could very well walk away with the whole show if they get a good run going.

So enough of the sad stories.  I'm not falling for them.  I fear all games in 6N.... perhaps, perhaps the Italy one just falling below that level of genuine fear.  The rest though - well I never listen to any bunk about form or players missing or any of that stuff.  This is the 6N and there is no way that Wales won't make teams panic for periods in all their games.  They just have too much quality as players and as a coaching set-up.

Since 2011, Wales seem to have one good game in us in the 6Ns, and a few mediocre to poor games. So it would be fair to expect similar this season.

[SecretFly]

I know all the stats but................. well I'm just telling you guys....Wales....mucho respect from me as a team I dread meeting..... every time.... more than England.

[mikey_dragon]

That's a good selection SS, and one that I'd like to see. It has Pivac's blueprint all over it! Edwards' current defence routine clearly isn't working though, I'm not sure if the Scarlet lads can adapt to it.

You'd have Nicky Thomas over Nicky Smith? I think Thomas has potential but who is he even playing for right now?

He's playing for the Dragons, Mikey.

I hadn't seen that he had played for us recently so I assumed his loan expired. He was very good at U20 level but haven't seen much of him in the pro game.

[mikey_dragon]

Good squad on the whole but jeez; Cuthbert, Aled and Priestland really? We need to move on from these failures. Lewis is lucky to be in as I don't think he's played well enough and seeing as Gats is including injured players then he may as well have chucked in another (Brown).

Not sure why North is in but if he trains above average then he'll be a starter no doubt. Surprised at Josh Adams but we need to develop in the back 3, and I suspect he could be with Ospreys or Cardiff next season. Less surprised at Cubby Davies. It'll probably be Navidi covering the back-row and Tips as back-up 7 - Davies and Jenkins will get little to no game time in that jersey unfortunately.

Lastly, I hope to see Watkin get more game time as he is probably better than Scott despite his recent spike in form.

[mikey_dragon]

We finished fifth last season, Fly. Worth remembering, I think.

All thanks to the crap coaches that Gatland is still carrying like that Christmas turkey that you just can't seem to shift. Annoying.

[TightHEAD]

Priestlands game management is superb as is his kicking. What more do you want from a No10 to play Gatland ball?

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