Welsh World Cup Squad - Loosehead Props

As Jamie Roberts said today that the Welsh Squad are happy to be out of the "goldfish" bowl that the rugby media create in South Wales and are happy to be in Poland.

Maybe it is time for us the fans to have a look at who we value as our starting fifteen. I saw another member post similarly towards gathering opinion on the England Squad and looking at their options.

So How about Wales???

Gethin Jenkins - Long standing squad player, had plenty of injuries over the last eighteen months has hardly strung more than a handful of games together. In fact he missed pretty much every international last season. One of theworlds most dynamic props around the field but definitely not the worlds greatest srcummager. Luckily we have options. 2002–Wales 74 Caps (15points) British and Irish Lions 2005, 2009 5Caps (0 Points)

John Yapp - No ones favourite, can play loose and tight head but is believed to be preferred on the loose. 2005 ‐ Wales 21Caps (0 Points)

Paul James - Was the reserve but after the last eighteen months of deputising Gethin, he may well be the front runner. Great scrummager, not as wonderful around the park as Gethin though, but few players in any position are. 2003 - Wales 23 Caps (0 Points)

You could potentially include Duncan Jones and Iestyn Thomas as well, both have been outstanding this season at times. We arent short for loose heads!

I'm going with James because Gethin has been out for so long.

Is Gethin's scrummaging that weak?

I don’t know much about front row play.

But I was always under the impression that his scrummaging was pretty solid.

AlynDavies wrote:You could potentially include Duncan Jones and Iestyn Thomas as well, both have been outstanding this season at times. We arent short for loose heads!

I'm going with James because Gethin has been out for so long.

I didnt include them as they aren't in the provisional 45 man line up but ill add their names if i can work out how... Valid points though as I think both are talented players.

Appears i forgot to add Ryan Bevington too...

Sorry lads cant work it out...!

Just post your thoughts...

I'd go for James. As said above, Gethin has been out for a long while.

I'm not convinced there's enough dog in the Yapp.

Gethin everytime
James
Duncan has looked good when he has played and should have had a run out in the AI's

SafeAsMilk wrote:I'd go for James. As said above, Gethin has been out for a long while.

I'm not convinced there's enough dog in the Yapp.

nice...!

Jenkins for me. Scrummaging not as bad as many harshly judge, Jenks has very rarely come apart in the scrum and alongside Adam Jones is still capable of giving any other front row nightmares imo.

Knowsit17 wrote:Jenkins for me. Scrummaging not as bad as many harshly judge, Jenks has very rarely come apart in the scrum and alongside Adam Jones is still capable of giving any other front row nightmares imo.

he is very famous for his outstanding fitness levels and that must play a big art in scrummaging, even if you are troubled by your opponent, hopefully you can last longer than he can and exert more back... I was a scrum half when i played, not a prop...

I've added Bevington, Thomas and Jones for you, let me know if you want any more added

I voted for both Jenkins and James. I can't see Gats leaving either of them behind, especially as they can cover both sides of the scrum.

Cheers RD... Thanks for your help, it baffled me.

no worries, think it might be something only mods/admin can edit, not actually sure on that though!

Two obvious candidates are James and Jenkins there will be a lot fo calls for Thomas but as he is not in squad can't see it happening other than by injury.

If he takes a third then I hope its Bevington over Yapp who as proved he's not up to top level.

Ryan Bevington is an interesting one, I don't think he will make the cut as a possible fifth prop in the final 30 man squad. But if they decide to take a fifth it will most likely be between him and John Yapp. Then the choice becomes on whether they take another prop who can play both sides or a specialist but young loosehead.

Then I guess you would have to weigh up whether an experienced campaigner like Duncs or Iestyn would be a better option again?

mm,

In Jones, Mitchell, James and Jenkins we have enough experience that IMO would give us the chance to take a young propr.

Yapp or Andrews are not up to it but again I suppose if he decides on 4 or 5 props.

I have a feeling that we will be taking just four but I agree with your point.

Though I dont think a world cup is a great place to blood a youngster like bevington, when we should be striving for our best...

great to have so many contenders behind two great top choices though eh...?

Mmmm - 4 props or 5? If we had two props capable of playing to a high standard on both sides of the scrum then I would take 4. We don't though, so I think Gatland will take 5 props and cut down the numbers of back 5 players in the forwards by counting Ryan Jones as a cover for the second row.

If push came to shove I would rather throw Bevington in ahead of Yapp, inexperienced or not.

Neither will get much game time as I see the pecking order like this:

L/Head Jenkins James

T/Head Jones Mitchell James

James will be bench cover for 1 and 3 I presume.

I cant remember what the number of substitutes allowed is?

Can we have full front row cover at the World Cup?

maestegmafia wrote:I cant remember what the number of substitutes allowed is?

Can we have full front row cover at the World Cup?

The 8-man bench is still experimental (only trialled in the NH to date I think). The RWC is a 7-man bench.

Cheers. Great work there by the KRD admin...!

7 subs, minimum of 2 front row.
The Magners league allows 8, provided 3 of them are front row cover.