Wales RWC 2019 Thread

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WALES’ 2019 RWC SQUAD:

Forwards: Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs: Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams.

[Pie]

I'd take this

Wyn Jones Beard Hill Shingler
Navidi Moriarty Faletau Tipuric Wainwright

Not sure what all this inside info on Davies is but it suggests Navidi is off the pace and that must mean injury he is so well regarded. His election rubric will no doubt be how would I feel if this player was playing in an RWC Final?

Probably means Wainwright misses out.

Logic then suggests Davies and Shingler plus Tips, Moriarty and Faletau. 5 players with 6-8 covered with 2 excellent options, plus Shingler offers lock cover. That means 17 forwards is possible but I expect he will take 18 there being so much back 3 and 10 variables available with Biggs, Anscombe, Half, Liam, North, Adams and....my long shot Patchell.

Whoever doesn't get picked will take a holiday on the Gold Coast and wait for the call I expect.

[maestegmafia]

I would be very surprised if Navidi didn’t go, haven’t heard latest on his fitness but had presumed he was back to form

[Pie]

If Navidi goes no need for Wainwright or Davies

[maestegmafia]

If Navidi goes no need for Wainwright or Davies

It’s a tough decision they are all exceptional talents

[Pie]

Assuming Hill is going to be rotating with AWJ and AB for lock in the big fixtures, Shingler is perfect stand in for the Georgia and Uruguay games where I expect to se AB and CH run 80 with Shingler providing lock and back row cover.

I still think Shingler, Wainwright and Navidi the way to go.

Options for 17 forwards 2 hookers...unlikely, 2 9s also unlikely though if you had to thats where I would take the risk, 2 10s highly risky but possible.

I can see Watkin missing out too as for me, if fit, Scott W is the more creative choice and a big game player.

[maestegmafia]

I have a feeling their may well be a surprise or two.

[mikey_dragon]

James Davies was never going for me, and Shingler is strictly a blindside. Navidi is too good not to go so it’s difficult to see who else misses out. I’m going to guess Jake Ball is one of the bigger names to be missing out unfortunately. Two fly-halves might be a likely option as Hadleigh can also stand in at 10 in an emergency.

[Pie]

I think Shingler is perfect as lock and back row sub for Georgia and Uruguay. We know the 3 main locks will be AWJ, Beard and Hill. Why bother taking a 4th

[maestegmafia]

I think Shingler is perfect as lock and back row sub for Georgia and Uruguay. We know the 3 main locks will be AWJ, Beard and Hill. Why bother taking a 4th

I agree unless they feel we need extra ball carriers, in which case Ball or Davies might be useful

[maestegmafia]

Not long to go now before the first warm up at HQ. So who do you want to see get the first run out?

[maestegmafia]

1. Smith
2. Owens
3. Lee
4. Hill
5. AWJ
6. Nalvidi
7. Davies
8. Moriarty
9. Tomos
10. Anscombe
11. Williams
12. Parked
13. JD2
14. North
15. Halfpenny

16. Dee
17. Carre
18. Brown
19. Ball
18. Shingler
19. Davies
20. Biggar
21. Patchell


Trying to mix a bit of experience, possibles and returning from injury players

[Pie]

Best side available

Williams
Adams
JD2
Parks
North
G Davies
Anscombe
Faletau
Navidi
Tipuric
AWJ
Beard
Francis
Owens
Smith

Dee, Carre, Lee, Hill, Moriarty, Williams, Biggar, Half

[Pie]

Hopefully we can beat Eng twice which should not only affect Eddie's squad selection but also throw a curve ball into a squad once selected.

[Cyril]

Pie, we smashed you before the last World Cup and both sides didn’t beat the SH giants or have a successful tournament. Who knows this time?

[Pie]

Pie, we smashed you before the last World Cup and both sides didn’t beat the SH giants or have a successful tournament. Who knows this time?

Smashed? 27-13....you're deluded sunshine. Fat lot of good it did you....28-25 in your own RWC, you're welcome

[Taylorman]

Best side available

Williams
Adams
JD2
Parks
North
G Davies
Anscombe
Faletau
Navidi
Tipuric
AWJ
Beard
Francis
Owens
Smith

Dee, Carre, Lee, Hill, Moriarty, Williams, Biggar, Half

Only two kiwis and one PI? Na. Won’t be enough. Time to shop.

[Cyril]

Aye, Pie. It was no 62-5 admittedly, but it was 4 tries to 1 if remember rightly so a moral and actual victory. It didn’t help either side have a good World Cup though, the NH being outclassed by the SH. Let’s hope this one is better from our point of view.

[Pie]

Aye, Pie. It was no 62-5 admittedly, but it was 4 tries to 1 if remember rightly so a moral and actual victory. It didn’t help either side have a good World Cup though, the NH being outclassed by the SH. Let’s hope this one is better from our point of view.

We had a lovely RWC thanks

[maestegmafia]

Best side available

Williams
Adams
JD2
Parks
North
G Davies
Anscombe
Faletau
Navidi
Tipuric
AWJ
Beard
Francis
Owens
Smith

Dee, Carre, Lee, Hill, Moriarty, Williams, Biggar, Half

Only two kiwis and one PI? Na. Won’t be enough. Time to shop.

Navidi grew up during his teenage years in Canterbury NZ.

https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/wales-countries/road-less-travelled-interview-josh-navidi-91083

So let’s say 2.25 kiwis and one PI player. I’d say that would do it mate..!

[Cyril]

Interesting, Pie. I wouldn’t have thought a quarter-final exit would be seen as a good result for either England or Wales. Surely ambition stretches further than that?

[Collapse2005]

Interesting, Pie. I wouldn’t have thought a quarter-final exit would be seen as a good result for either England or Wales. Surely ambition stretches further than that?

It would be a big improvement on the last RWC for England in fairness. Good chance England and Wales will face eachother in the quarters in which case one of the two will be disappointed.

[mikey_dragon]

Faletau to miss the World Cup through injury.

[Pie]

Interesting, Pie. I wouldn’t have thought a quarter-final exit would be seen as a good result for either England or Wales. Surely ambition stretches further than that?

Yes, what a pity you didnt get the opportunity to contest a 1/4 final in 2015

[Rugby Fan]

Faletau to miss the World Cup through injury.

Sad news. Wales have done well without him but he will be missed by everyone.

[TightHEAD]

Wales have broke him again, Come home to Bath fella and we'll sort you out. Blooming amateurs!

[LondonTiger]

Faletau to miss the World Cup through injury.

Broken collar bone. Desperately unlucky for him. Moriarty is a good player but perhaps a little one dimensional compared to Faletau. Would anyone else be in the reckoning?

[LondonTiger]

Wales have broke him again, Come home to Bath fella and we'll sort you out. Blooming amateurs!  

did he not break his arm in his last game for Bath?

[maestegmafia]

Faletau to miss the World Cup through injury.

Broken collar bone. Desperately unlucky for him. Moriarty is a good player but perhaps a little one dimensional compared to Faletau. Would anyone else be in the reckoning?

Dan Baker is still on the sick note list, Navidi has plenty of experience at 8.

[TightHEAD]

Only because Wales wanted him back playing and Bath kindly obliged. Once bitter, twice shy.

[mikey_dragon]

Tips, Navidi and Moriarty was essentially a second choice back-row but might now become a mainstay. Hopefully Shingler stays injury free as he can bring us something different. If Shingler does pick up a knock I think we should seriously be considering Hill at 6 just so Wales have more options and can put more of their better players on the field at the same time.

[Collapse2005]

Wales backrow is formidable right now, think Navidi is in particular showing great form.

[maestegmafia]

Wales backrow is formidable right now, think Navidi is in  particular showing great form.  

I agree it is going to be a very tough decision for the coaches selecting. Faletau would be a massive loss to any team, but there are hard enough decisions to make without him.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

You have to feel for Faletau, Billy is injury prone, but Faletau just seems to be the unluckiest player around. Massive loss for Wales, they have cover but it is not in the same class as Faletau. Just like England when Billy gets hurt, cover that can do the job, but not close to the same skill set.

[Maine man]

Is Ellis Jenkins still injured?

[Taylorman]

Oooh, Faletau outs a big loss. At a time where depth is critical too.

[Collapse2005]

Who was Wales' first choice 8 before Faletau?

[maestegmafia]

Is Ellis Jenkins still injured?

He hasn’t been in the squad, still in recovery as far as I have read.

[Maine man]

Thanks maestegmafia. I think he's a cracking player. Such a shame Jenkins and Faletau are injured. Is Shingler a doubt?

[mikey_dragon]

Who was Wales' first choice 8 before Faletau?

Ryan Jones.

[Pie]

Smart move - bearing in mind Jenkins, Navidi and Davies not 100%- is to bring on either Lydiate or Young. My preference Lydiate bearing in mind he's a Lion and his experience and one of our biggest weapons, surprise and fear aside, is our defense.

Loss of Faletau is a pity but we just did 14/14 and a Slam without him so, never thought id say it, but not a major panic at all. He was the icing on the cake but as with Warburton, over trained, not enough beef and consequently his shoulders and arms take too many big hits. I wonder if his injury was a fall o hard ground as clavicle is classic snowboard falling injury

[Pie]

Aye, Pie. It was no 62-5 admittedly, but it was 4 tries to 1 if remember rightly so a moral and actual victory. It didn’t help either side have a good World Cup though, the NH being outclassed by the SH. Let’s hope this one is better from our point of view.

Pretty pyrrhic victory but if you take solace in it, who am I to laugh my head off at you.

[Pie]

Oooh, Faletau outs a big loss. At a time where depth is critical too.

Ooooh, not really if you knew anything you'd know he hasn't played for well over a year and we've won a GS without him, but really nice try and miss (your shots on goal are as bad as Barret's so I suggest you, ahem, move a bit closer and try harder)

I'd be more worried about beating SA to avoid your nemesis at the quarters.

[Collapse2005]

Who was Wales' first choice 8 before Faletau?

Ryan Jones.

Ah yes, couldnt remember. Good player

[TightHEAD]

I genuinely thought with Toby there Wales had a chance at winning the RWC, still believe they will do well, a semi should be odds on.

[Collapse2005]

I genuinely thought with Toby there Wales had a chance at winning the RWC, still believe they will do well, a semi should be odds on.

Do you think Wales will beat Australia in the group stage? I expect Wales would much rather play France or Argentina in the quarters than England?

Wales definitely have a chance of winning the RWC but so do about 8 teams. Its pretty open I think.

SA, NZ, Eng, Wal, Ire, Arg, Fra, Aus. Some more long shot than others.

[Yoda]

Hopefully we can beat Eng twice which should not only affect Eddie's squad selection but also throw a curve ball into a squad once selected.

What would gatland do if England won both with a strong side and the experimental/fringe? Would he stick or twist do you think? Seems odd that your first thought would be the effects on us and not Wales.

[bsando]

Bad luck Welsh fans regarding Faletau, that's pretty awful news. Does that open the door for any up and coming Welsh backrowers? Moriarty (on song) is a pretty decent replacement, but Faletau is just consistently class.

[mikey_dragon]

Who was Wales' first choice 8 before Faletau?

Ryan Jones.

Ah yes, couldnt remember. Good player

Alix Popham, Ryan Jones and Andy Powell were all pretty good 8’s. Jones was the most consistent. There’s been nobody else since bar Faletau, with Moriarty and Navidi providing cover there. We have a lot of good flankers but not many No.8s.

I think Faletau and Webb are players who could claim to be ‘world class’, so they will be missed. If lose AWJ, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar and Liam Williams then we’re in big trouble.

[mikey_dragon]

Bad luck Welsh fans regarding Faletau, that's pretty awful news. Does that open the door for any up and coming Welsh backrowers? Moriarty (on song) is a pretty decent replacement, but Faletau is just consistently class.

Probably opens the door for Lydiate, a Gatland and Edwards favourite. We presume Shingler will be blindside, with tips at 7 and Navidi at 8. Ellis Jenkins was probably the best of the lot at the breakdown but will not feature.

[maestegmafia]

Bad luck Welsh fans regarding Faletau, that's pretty awful news. Does that open the door for any up and coming Welsh backrowers? Moriarty (on song) is a pretty decent replacement, but Faletau is just consistently class.

Probably opens the door for Lydiate, a Gatland and Edwards favourite. We presume Shingler will be blindside, with tips at 7 and Navidi at 8. Ellis Jenkins was probably the best of the lot at the breakdown but will not feature.

Looks like Jenkins won’t be playing until December

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