Wales thread continued - 2017/18 season

by mikey_dragon Wed 14 Sep 2016, 2:16 pm

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

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 18 Jan 2018, 10:29 am

mikey_dragon wrote: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.

His contract with Wuss is until end of next season, but there is talk of a Dragons buyout going in for him.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 18 Jan 2018, 2:15 pm

I do wonder how much of a say Jackman and Buttress have in the players the Dragons sign. We clearly need to beef up our front five, but our latest signing is an outside half and now we're being linked to a winger!

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 18 Jan 2018, 3:21 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I do wonder how much of a say Jackman and Buttress have in the players the Dragons sign. We clearly need to beef up our front five, but our latest signing is an outside half and now we're being linked to a winger!

And Faletau is supposed to be looking at returning home end of the 18/19 season. Although you can only really sign who is on the market at the time. Scarlets fans got quite uptight with Pivac's signing in his first seaosn on so, and he said something like we are going to sign suitable players, and we are not going to rush out and sign players when next season there will be more suitable players available. So it could be that they think the players available in the front five (in the price range) are not enough of a step up for the money, compared to who will be available next season? After all they said it would be a three-five year project.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 18 Jan 2018, 3:46 pm

True enough.

by mikey_dragon Fri 19 Jan 2018, 2:09 am

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

Not sure I agree as when I've seen him he still drops the ball, kicks it out on the full and occasionally is a very bad at controlling the game. The same weaknesses he had years back but kept getting picked which made a lot of fans (bar turks) irate. I'd like to see us continue moving away from Gatlandball with one of our other outside halves... Patchell should have game time at 10 and 15 and looking at his form since he moved to Scarlets I've no idea why Gatland doesn't rate him over a failure.

by mikey_dragon Fri 19 Jan 2018, 2:16 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I do wonder how much of a say Jackman and Buttress have in the players the Dragons sign. We clearly need to beef up our front five, but our latest signing is an outside half and now we're being linked to a winger!

And Faletau is supposed to be looking at returning home end of the 18/19 season. Although you can only really sign who is on the market at the time. Scarlets fans got quite uptight with Pivac's signing in his first seaosn on so, and he said something like we are going to sign suitable players, and we are not going to rush out and sign players when next season there will be more suitable players available. So it could be that they think the players available in the front five (in the price range) are not enough of a step up for the money, compared to who will be available next season? After all they said it would be a three-five year project.

Scarlets weren't very good in their first two years with Pivac but you're right they did continue to make some intelligent signings in the following two seasons. Pivac also altered the game plan and they flourished under it, and the young players who have in more recent times been promoted from the academy are developing very well. Over the last two season Pivac has it spot on with just about everything but IMO it took too long when you consider he already had a strong squad. I wouldn't like to see Dragons be really crap for another season... and back 3 definitely isn't where we need a new signing. However North would have been a good addition for a number of reasons but he'll be back with Scarlets. Ospreys and Cardiff need a good winger the most, with the former team are usually playing a scrum-half or center there.

by Gwlad Fri 19 Jan 2018, 3:15 pm

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

that he be a vaguely competent WUM

by TightHEAD Fri 19 Jan 2018, 3:51 pm

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

that he be a vaguely competent WUM

'that he be'

'that he be'

LOL Laugh

by Gwlad Fri 19 Jan 2018, 3:57 pm

Yes I wouldn't expect you to understand the finer points of the English language.

by TightHEAD Fri 19 Jan 2018, 4:09 pm

by **RiscaGame** Fri 19 Jan 2018, 5:06 pm

Ah well, he’s injured now anyway so it’s all moot. Time for Gats to call up Super Gav. The young French Flyhalf has already ducked out of a showdown with him tomorrow, so he already has him running scared Wink

by mikey_dragon Fri 19 Jan 2018, 7:18 pm

If Gatland wants to bring in a replacement then maybe he should try Dan Evans as we could do with cover at 15, and Dan can also play 10 although I imagine he won't be required in that position for Wales. Gats' first choice would be Roberts though, you can tell how desperate he is to get massive backs into the team again by the North and Cuthbert selections.

by mikey_dragon Mon 22 Jan 2018, 2:39 am

Biggar could be out of the 6N if his shoulder is pretty bad, hopefully it's nothing serious Fingers Crossed

. A bit of good news is that Priestland also misses out which means we can try a new and better option. Perhaps the team should have a more Scarlet look about with their half-backs starting as well as their front-row and midfield, a bit like the team SS alluded to.

by **George Carlin** Mon 22 Jan 2018, 4:37 am

So assuming it's Doomsday and both Biggar and Priestland are out - whom would Welsh fans like to see start and why?

by Guest Mon 22 Jan 2018, 9:44 am

The choices I guess are:
Rhys Patchell - playing well, but often not at 10.
Dan Jones at Scarlets - seems to be going well as a 10, but no experience at international level.
Sam Davies - is he playing much at the mo?
Gareth Anscombe - played well for the Blues the other day but has been inconsistent at international level.
Owen Williams - not sure of his form, but looked quite good as a second receiver for Wales in the AIs.
Gavin Henson - moments of brilliance and still got something special about him but is showing signs of age. That drop off in pace might be noticed too much at international level.

The cupboard is not bare, which is good. But there's no-one who has a combo of experience, youth and form.

I'd be tempted to go for Owen Williams or Rhys Patchell out of the list above. Maybe bring Dan Jones into the 'environment' too.

by SecretFly Mon 22 Jan 2018, 9:56 am

The Oracle wrote: there's no-one who has a combo of experience, youth and form.

The elixir of Invincibility?! God, you have expensive tastes Wink

Very tough to get all of those three things operating in more than one player - difficult enough to get it in one player alone.

by Guest Mon 22 Jan 2018, 11:30 am

SecretFly wrote:
The Oracle wrote: there's no-one who has a combo of experience, youth and form.

The elixir of Invincibility?! God, you have expensive tastes

Very tough to get all of those three things operating in more than one player - difficult enough to get it in one player alone.

I guess the likes of Dan Biggar, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell are my idea of the experience and (relative) youth. Just the form varies. Biggar has been playing quite well as far as I can tell so if he's fit then he'd be straight in the team as someone who possess the elixir! Guess that's why he's no.1 for Wales.

by munkian Mon 22 Jan 2018, 11:40 am

The Oracle wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
The Oracle wrote: there's no-one who has a combo of experience, youth and form.

The elixir of Invincibility?! God, you have expensive tastes

Very tough to get all of those three things operating in more than one player - difficult enough to get it in one player alone.

I guess the likes of Dan Biggar, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell are my idea of the experience and (relative) youth. Just the form varies. Biggar has been playing quite well as far as I can tell so if he's fit then he'd be straight in the team as someone who possess the elixir! Guess that's why he's no.1 for Wales.

Sexton 32, Biggar 28, Farrell 26. Sexton not young anymore.

by SecretFly Mon 22 Jan 2018, 11:46 am

munkian wrote:
The Oracle wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
The Oracle wrote: there's no-one who has a combo of experience, youth and form.

The elixir of Invincibility?! God, you have expensive tastes

Very tough to get all of those three things operating in more than one player - difficult enough to get it in one player alone.

I guess the likes of Dan Biggar, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell are my idea of the experience and (relative) youth. Just the form varies. Biggar has been playing quite well as far as I can tell so if he's fit then he'd be straight in the team as someone who possess the elixir! Guess that's why he's no.1 for Wales.

Sexton 32, Biggar 28, Farrell 26. Sexton not young anymore.

I was going to point that out about Sexton but I wanted to be polite both to Oracle and Sexton himself. Sexton is 'long in the tooth' youthful in rugby terms and we seriously need an alternative to start putting up their hand in a serious way. With Jackson gone and supposedly out?... Sexton prone to injury; he's already our protector 10 until the alternative shows his hand.

by Guest Mon 22 Jan 2018, 1:01 pm

Are you all saying he's too old to be in the Ireland team? Like Henson is for Wales? That was my point. Henson has experience and is playing quite well, but at 35 you can see he's slowed a bit so that rules him out (for me). But if 32 years hasn't slowed Sexton for the international game then I'd say he has the youth still to go with the experience and (I think) form. So no need to drop Sexton! Yet.

by TightHEAD Mon 22 Jan 2018, 1:27 pm

Henson for me. Very Happy

World Class on his day.

by mikey_dragon Mon 22 Jan 2018, 6:13 pm

George Carlin wrote:So assuming it's Doomsday and both Biggar and Priestland are out - whom would Welsh fans like to see start and why?

Patchell. He has vastly improved under Pivac and his form for the past two seasons deserves a regular starting place in the Wales team. I find it odd that he isn't rated over the inferior RP. Another good option would be to have Patchell at 15 as he is also excellent in that position, with perhaps Owen Williams at 10. As I said I think the backline will have almost all Scarlets.

by mikey_dragon Mon 22 Jan 2018, 6:16 pm

The Oracle wrote:The choices I guess are:
Rhys Patchell - playing well, but often not at 10.
Dan Jones at Scarlets - seems to be going well as a 10, but no experience at international level.
Sam Davies - is he playing much at the mo?
Gareth Anscombe - played well for the Blues the other day but has been inconsistent at international level.
Owen Williams - not sure of his form, but looked quite good as a second receiver for Wales in the AIs.
Gavin Henson - moments of brilliance and still got something special about him but is showing signs of age. That drop off in pace might be noticed too much at international level.

The cupboard is not bare, which is good. But there's no-one who has a combo of experience, youth and form.

I'd be tempted to go for Owen Williams or Rhys Patchell out of the list above. Maybe bring Dan Jones into the 'environment' too.

\

Dan Jones is a good player. Personally I wouldn't have Sam Davies or Henson on the list. There's Jarrod Evans at Cardiff too, he's been playing well all season and has notched up a few MOTM performances. Anscombe is an okay option but more of a final resort for me when we have the likes of Patchell and Williams available.

by munkian Tue 23 Jan 2018, 8:26 am

Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

by SecretFly Tue 23 Jan 2018, 10:09 am

It would be some heroic return for Henson if he were to show up after his epic up/down journey through rugby and other things and not only play but help Wales to another Slam. Boy, that would be some autobiography he'd have on his eventual retirement.

by TightHEAD Tue 23 Jan 2018, 11:10 am

munkian wrote:Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

'No news' is 'good news' in normal circumstances, but this close to the 6 Nations..............OUCH!

He'll be out for the first 2 games at least.

by TightHEAD Tue 23 Jan 2018, 4:30 pm

TightHEAD wrote:
munkian wrote:Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

'No news' is 'good news' in normal circumstances, but this close to the 6 Nations..............OUCH!

He'll be out for the first 2 games at least.

Make that 3 games.

Makes the Wales v Italy game more important. thumbsup

by **RDW** Tue 23 Jan 2018, 5:14 pm

https://www.606v2.com/t67097-606v2-espn-fantasy-league#3666129

by LordDowlais Tue 23 Jan 2018, 5:20 pm

Posted this on the match thread, but may be more at home on this one:-

Priestland should be nowhere near the Welsh squad, we have better players in Wales. No doubt Gatland will start with Anscombe, but I would in all honesty play Patchell, the trouble is, he does not fit Gatlands remit, he likes to run with the ball in hand, and he is very good at it, as we have seen with Scarlets, his kicking can be a bit flakey, and he misses touch sometimes, but we have Halfpenny taking spot kicks.

In saying that, Gatland has been banging on about changing the style of play, so perhaps Patchell will get his chance.

Do you know what ?

I do not mean this in a nasty way, but I am glad Gatlands hands will be forced over this. Dan Biggar is an outstanding outside half, but he is nearing 30 now, and nobody seems to have even been considered as his competition, it's time for Rhys Patchell or Owen Williams or even Sam Davies to put their hands up now, and rise to the challenge.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 23 Jan 2018, 5:48 pm

As a rule, Gatland has only capped / started new players when he's had to. Remember that stat that we'd only capped three new players since the last World Cup? (That was before the summer tour.) It's terrible forward planning, and especially poor given how long his current contract was for.

by No9 Tue 23 Jan 2018, 6:39 pm

munkian wrote:Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

He's out of the first 3 games at least.. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42792896).

But, dont think anyone has mentioned this yet, but it puts him out of the World Cup next year too.. The New WRU Cap rule, which rules out Webb, will now also hit Biggar, as he had to play every game before he leaves for the Saints to qualify on Caps himself. - corrected as I mis-counted. He has the 60 caps.

Anyone see that Cap rule changing very soon... Erm

by SecretFly Tue 23 Jan 2018, 6:59 pm

No9 wrote:
munkian wrote:Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

He's out of the first 3 games at least.. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42792896).

But, dont think anyone has mentioned this yet, but it puts him out of the World Cup next year too.. The New WRU Cap rule, which rules out Webb, will now also hit Biggar, as he had to play every game before he leaves for the Saints to qualify on Caps himself.

Anyone see that Cap rule changing very soon...

Would there not be a little lee-way given that if he could play, he would have played - i.e. he was available and at the mercy of an injury hitting him or Gatland simply not picking him.

Isn't the rule more designed for players that actually drop out before they have the required number of caps.... i.e - their conscious decision, not based on injury or not being chosen. It would be cruel on Biggar for 3 games that he can't play through no fault of his own to be the deciding factor on his International career.

PS - Having said that, that's an opinion only based on the current ruling. In truth, I'd prefer an even more strict regime, like the Irish one. If you go - all the blessings be upon you on your chosen new adventure in other Union realms............................ but wave bye bye to the International shirt. It seems both cruel and maybe a touch self-defeating but I think players have to make their choices. Nobody said life was a box of chocolates.

by No9 Tue 23 Jan 2018, 7:05 pm

SecretFly wrote:
No9 wrote:
munkian wrote:Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

He's out of the first 3 games at least.. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42792896).

But, dont think anyone has mentioned this yet, but it puts him out of the World Cup next year too.. The New WRU Cap rule, which rules out Webb, will now also hit Biggar, as he had to play every game before he leaves for the Saints to qualify on Caps himself.

Anyone see that Cap rule changing very soon...

Would there not be a little lee-way given that if he could play, he would have played - i.e. he was available and at the mercy of an injury hitting him or Gatland simply not picking him.

Isn't the rule more designed for players that actually drop out before they have the required number of caps.... i.e - their conscious decision, not based on injury or not being chosen. It would be cruel on Biggar for 3 games that he can't play through no fault of his own to be the deciding factor on his International career

Ooops.. I screwed up. He has 60 caps, got his 60th against the Boks in the autumn. I thought he had less than that.

I do think the WRU will re-look at Webb though at the end of the season, and make an exception for him as he signed the contract before the rule was announced. But I think they are keeping quiet about that at the moment to avoid any further challenges. I reckon they'll deal with Webb the same way as anyone already with a contract outside of Wales who doesn't have the requisite caps.

by No9 Tue 23 Jan 2018, 7:14 pm

SecretFly wrote:
No9 wrote:
munkian wrote:Is there any update on Biggar ? Was expecting something 'official' yesterday.

He's out of the first 3 games at least.. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42792896).

But, dont think anyone has mentioned this yet, but it puts him out of the World Cup next year too.. The New WRU Cap rule, which rules out Webb, will now also hit Biggar, as he had to play every game before he leaves for the Saints to qualify on Caps himself.

Anyone see that Cap rule changing very soon...

Would there not be a little lee-way given that if he could play, he would have played - i.e. he was available and at the mercy of an injury hitting him or Gatland simply not picking him.

Isn't the rule more designed for players that actually drop out before they have the required number of caps.... i.e - their conscious decision, not based on injury or not being chosen. It would be cruel on Biggar for 3 games that he can't play through no fault of his own to be the deciding factor on his International career.

PS - Having said that, that's an opinion only based on the current ruling. In truth, I'd prefer an even more strict regime, like the Irish one. If you go - all the blessings be upon you on your chosen new adventure in other Union realms............................ but wave bye bye to the International shirt. It seems both cruel and maybe a touch self-defeating but I think players have to make their choices. Nobody said life was a box of chocolates.

I think to do that in Wales we would have to be stricter with the Regions, as if they aren't prepared to offer a player a contract and keep recruiting non Welsh qualified players then how are the players ever going to get a Welsh cap. I personally think it would be nice and would keep the best players in Wales, but cant see how it would work. There is no perfect answer, but the 60 cap rule (although maybe a little high) is a fair compromise. With the exception on how they are treating Webb, as if true, he signed before they announced the ruling. If he signed after, then on his own head, but it does seem strange setting a rule after a star player has signed a contract.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 23 Jan 2018, 7:34 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:As a rule, Gatland has only capped / started new players when he's had to. Remember that stat that we'd only capped three new players since the last World Cup? (That was before the summer tour.) It's terrible forward planning, and especially poor given how long his current contract was for.

I agree with this. He hides behind ranking points, but it is costing us now.

by mikey_dragon Fri 26 Jan 2018, 1:02 am

Basically we're feckd if Aled Davies comes onto the pitch against Scotland, he seems to be the only one getting worse under Wayne Pivac and he was already bad. I feel for Jonny Evans being behind this amateur as it's becoming detrimental to his career. Happy for Tomos Williams though, he's playing well for a while.

by eirebilly Fri 26 Jan 2018, 8:34 am

RiscaGame wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:As a rule, Gatland has only capped / started new players when he's had to. Remember that stat that we'd only capped three new players since the last World Cup? (That was before the summer tour.) It's terrible forward planning, and especially poor given how long his current contract was for.

I agree with this. He hides behind ranking points, but it is costing us now.

Wales have some real talent coming through the ranks and it is very sad to see them not being given a chance until Gatland's hand is forced. That said, when the new players get their chance they seem to fit in very well (see AI's) so Gatland must be doing something right behind the scenes to develop these players to International standard that we may not be seeing or hearing about.

by LordDowlais Fri 26 Jan 2018, 9:00 am

eirebilly wrote:Gatland must be doing something right behind the scenes to develop these players to International standard that we may not be seeing or hearing about.

Hi billy, the thing Gatland does right, although, most of my Welsh brethren will disagree, as it takes players from the regions, is the fact that he takes younger less experienced players into the training camps with the the experienced players, he might not use them, but at least they get a taste of what it would take to get into the Welsh match day squad.

Keelan Giles, Rhun Williams, Leon Brown and Harrison Keddie are with team Wales at the moment getting beasted by Gatland and co.

by eirebilly Fri 26 Jan 2018, 9:03 am

LordDowlais wrote:
eirebilly wrote:Gatland must be doing something right behind the scenes to develop these players to International standard that we may not be seeing or hearing about.

Hi billy, the thing Gatland does right, although, most of my Welsh brethren will disagree, as it takes players from the regions, is the fact that he takes younger less experienced players into the training camps with the the experienced players, he might not use them, but at least they get a taste of what it would take to get into the Welsh match day squad.

Keelan Giles, Rhun Williams, Leon Brown and Harrison Keddie are with team Wales at the moment getting beasted by Gatland and co.

Cheers LD, I kind of suspected something along those lines. It certainly showed when new players were introduced to the national side that they looked comfortable playing at that level.

by LordDowlais Fri 26 Jan 2018, 9:35 am

Also, I might be wrong about the names of the young un's that are there at the moment, I took them off the original post, and I do not know how up to date that is, that info might be from the AI's squad. Doh

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 26 Jan 2018, 10:35 am

All four have been out injured, Dowlais - concussion in Leon Brown's case. I haven't heard that there's anyone training with the squad at the moment who isn't officially in the squad.

by Guest Fri 26 Jan 2018, 10:47 am

Yeah, Keddie is not with team Wales. He's been injured for ages and is just coming back for the Dragons.

by munkian Fri 26 Jan 2018, 11:31 am

LD is talking out his hole again.

Brown has been out with concussion for ages, hopefully back for the Glasgow game.

Keddie back this weekend against Sarries.

by LordDowlais Fri 26 Jan 2018, 11:34 am

Look I said I was wrong above mun, what more do you want ?

We need mikey_dragon to update the OP that's all, because that's where I got the info from.

Mikey, if you could please ? I know you will not see this until tonight/tomorrow because your in Canada and all, but without us all here to bother you, could you update your OP, please ?

by mikey_dragon Fri 26 Jan 2018, 7:59 pm

Yeah I haven't updated it for a while, the squad usually gets put into the comments anyway. I can update it later.

by LordDowlais Mon 29 Jan 2018, 10:29 am

Thanks mikey.

by mikey_dragon Sun 04 Feb 2018, 3:36 pm

I'm not sure if I'd make any changes for England. I feel the starting team and the bench (Aled Davies aside) has a great blend. If Liam Williams is fit then i'd switch him with Steff Evans. Steff is great in attack and an even better finisher but he isn't a big physical guy and is poor in defence. I would have him sit this one out until he improves those aspects. On the contrary Josh Adams looks very physical and needs to be progressed, plus England-based players always seem to play comfortably well away in England. It's not an easy task but we need to go to Twickenham and beat England up before we can think about scoring tries.

Tipuric hype I still don't get. He rarely makes an impact from the bench and I wouldn't switch him with Shingler or Navidi either, both are playing out of their skins.

by Guest Sun 04 Feb 2018, 3:39 pm

I’d keep it the same as the players yesterday all played well. No one had a stinker so I’d say the jersey is theirs until either they mess up or until someone else shows phenomenal club form. Has Liam W shown any good club form? If not I can’t see a reason to displace Steff Evans. Haven’t been watching the English Premier though.

by mikey_dragon Sun 04 Feb 2018, 3:51 pm

Williams was playing well as per, up to his injury. It would be a risk I guess but we took a few risks with the team selection already and it paid off. Evans has been too flaky in defence in a few Wales games and England will punish it. I just think it's a good idea to remove this weakness. If the team stays exactly the same I understand and respect that, but would like to see a different 9 and back-row on the bench.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 04 Feb 2018, 8:06 pm

You have to reward that 23 again really. I’d love say James Davies on the bench, but nobody warranted dropping.

I got told yesterday by a coach that everybody raves about Aled Davies’ skill set.

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