WALES SQUAD 2014 RBS 6 NATIONS:

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WALES SQUAD 2014 RBS 6 NATIONS:

Forwards:
Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton Capt (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)

Backs:
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets

Munk - tongue in cheek comment mate. Bedford asked WTF has he got to do to earn a call up, and I said, tongue in cheek, either play elsewhere or be in his breakthrough season. Look at the players that get called into the squad, since Gats has been around, they are either regular squad members, or people who are in their first real season of first team regional rugby (or Under 20s). Look when Lewis Evans got into the squad before, joined by a young McGog, he was at the point where he was starting to be a regular for the Dragons (and Gog for the Scarlets).

Maes - Coombs may have been older, but to be fair it was the first season anyone outside of Gwent really paid any attention to him at all, and like I said it was during the season where he was breaking into the Dragons team as a realistic first team option, as opposed to being cover for Evans and Lydiate in the backrow.

Fairy nuff.

I'm shocked Sam got a call up from the Dragons, thought it would be the Blues no 2

Dacey should have been called up over Parry, although to be fair the last 2 promising youngsters they called up (allen/williams) came back broken so I'm actually not that bothered.

Agree on King, should have ben Lewis Evans.

Ball is a good call. He'd be a great compliment for AW Jones with Charteris on the bench....

It's the centres that worry me.

JD might be available for the second game, not likely to feature vs Italy but still a huge boost.
Watches the Clermont vs Racing game the other day and i dare to say that Jamie looked dangerous and was the only player getting them on the front foot.
He will be 12 for the first game and it will be interesting to see hos Scott will do at 13.
How much longer are Owen Williams and Ashley Beck out for

Beck has never impressed me but O Williams and Allen would be good to have back fit. I do like Sc Williams and would be happy with either two out of him JD and Roberts.

Is JD really likely to be back for Ireland game, thats hell of a turn around and recovery considering at one stage he was expected to be out all tournament.

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_9126342,00.html

Well that's great news and if it's even likely then let's not rush him for the Italy game.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Well that's great news and if it's even likely then let's not rush him for the Italy game.

No agree completlety

It will be Jamie and Scott for the first two games, Hopefully John will get some time of the bench in the second game and be in contention for the third game. In an ideal world obviously that would happen but who knows

Jhamer,

If no more injuries happen then yeah that would seem best way.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Maes - Coombs may have been older, but to be fair it was the first season anyone outside of Gwent really paid any attention to him at all, and like I said it was during the season where he was breaking into the Dragons team as a realistic first team option, as opposed to being cover for Evans and Lydiate in the backrow.

I am surprised at Lewis Evans being overlooked again when they had praised him so much a few years ago...?

Does anyone have any thoughts on why?

maestegmafia wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Maes - Coombs may have been older, but to be fair it was the first season anyone outside of Gwent really paid any attention to him at all, and like I said it was during the season where he was breaking into the Dragons team as a realistic first team option, as opposed to being cover for Evans and Lydiate in the backrow.

I am surprised at Lewis Evans being overlooked again when they had praised him so much a few years ago...?

Does anyone have any thoughts on why?

Mainly because players like Aaron Shingler and James king have already been in the set up, now how they train and tactics. I just think as long as Gatland has his main base of the team he isn't to bothered as of which other players he WANTS in the team; more a matter of sticking to the usual and style and set up of players. If you get what I mean

Jhamer25 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Maes - Coombs may have been older, but to be fair it was the first season anyone outside of Gwent really paid any attention to him at all, and like I said it was during the season where he was breaking into the Dragons team as a realistic first team option, as opposed to being cover for Evans and Lydiate in the backrow.

I am surprised at Lewis Evans being overlooked again when they had praised him so much a few years ago...?

Does anyone have any thoughts on why?

Mainly because players like Aaron Shingler and James king have already been in the set up, now how they train and tactics. I just think as long as Gatland has his main base of the team he isn't to bothered as of which other players he WANTS in the team; more a matter of sticking to the usual and  style and set up of players. If you get what I mean

Lewis was in the squad a few times a couple of years ago. Then he was injured, if memory serves me rightly...?

Squad and training familiarity are important.

Good news for the Dragons. He's a damn fine player.

Warbs set to be fit for the 1st game, bet he walks back into the team without showing any form!

"I think I'll be available for selection. I need to have a chat with my best mate Warren and the medics early next week to decide what's the best thing to do," Warburton said.

I feel sorry for the nearly man Tips, what chance has he got?

Wales injury update from Gatland:

* Ryan Jones will miss the first three games

* A decision on Sam Warburton will be taken next week by Wales medics ahead of Italy clash

* Jonathan Davies and Gethin Jenkins may miss the first two matches.

Gatland adds: "I will talk to Sam next week. We will make a clinical decision about what’s best for him.

"Does he start on the bench or go and play for the Blues?

"We just don’t know until we assess him next week."

POC sings Sam's praises

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has stopped to have a chat with us about Sam Warburton.

The giant Irish skipper says Warburton proved on the Lions tour that he will be a great leader for Wales for years to come.

The Cardiff Blues star led the 34-year-old Munsterman in Australia last summer and earlier thanked the lock and his Irish team mate Brian O’Driscoll for their help.

O’Connell said: “Sam was an excellent captain. He’s a quiet guy but an excellent leader..

“In everything he does, he’s spot on.

“Whether he’s in the gym, the analysis room or on the training field, he leads from the front.

“He had a lot of experience around him on the tour and he had plenty of guys to do the shouting and barking for him, so he could get on with doing what he does best.

“He had a great tour and it was no surprise that we won it.”

The veteran of 88 Ireland caps says he hopes to play in at least two more Six Nations tournaments and admitted being relaxed by 24-year-old Warburton’s policy of letting him doing the shouting in the dressing room.

He said: “Myself and Brian (O’Driscoll) were older and more experienced than him and we both found it very enjoyable to work with him.

“I tend to chirp a lot and he was eager to let me off, so that relaxed me from the start.

“I am sure he will be a great captain for Wales for years to come.”

I'd start Tipuric over him, he has shown better form this season. But I'm guessing his time will come when Warburton picks up one of his inevitable shoulder knocks after the first half.

Him, Tips and Faletau worked very well to be fair and he was immense before he came off in the 2nd Lions Test

I haven't got a problem if Warburton starts but is it worth risking him? We have enough cover in the backrow even with Ryan Jones out.

I would be tempted to start Tipuric, Faletau and Lydiate maybe give Warburton some time off the bench ready to start the Ireland game.

Whoever Gatland picks will be the right choice. End of.

6. Warburton
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

With Ryan out and Lydiate it pretty awful form, I would go with the same backrow as our last 6Ns game.

That back 3 was absolutely immense and pretty much single handedly created the 2nd try.

Gatland won't risk Warbs on Italy and i also expect to see Tip Faletau and Lydiate but poss Coombs as lock/back row cover.

James
Hibbard
Jones
AWJ
Charteris
Lydiate/Coombs
Tips
Faleatu
Philips
Biggar
North
Doc
Williams
Cuthbert
Half

Bev
Owens
Lee
Coombs/Lydiate
Shingles
Jones
Hook
Williams

14 men vs Italy? Bold but it could be done!

wales606 wrote:6. Warburton
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

With Ryan out and Lydiate it pretty awful form, I would go with the same backrow as our last 6Ns game.

606,

I know Lydiates form hasn't been great but he very rarely has a bad Welsh game plus would it not be better to play a fit guy in his natural position rather than a guy on the injury come back out of position?

gatlandgun wrote:14 men vs Italy? Bold but it could be done!

  

Well, we might as well not have a 10 but if i have to pick one its Biggar!

Wales came alive when North moved into the centre v Australia, though i can't recall seeing him eve pass before !

With regards to Sam Warburton ( might) not be avalible for the game against italy. Just how big a loss will he be?

majesticimperialman wrote:With regards to Sam Warburton ( might) not be avalible for the game against italy. Just how big  a loss will he be?

We would use Tipuric instead, so not a huge loss.

majesticimperialman wrote:With regards to Sam Warburton ( might) not be avalible for the game against italy. Just how big  a loss will he be?

Maj,

It depends on who you listen to, in terms of out and out 7 play then maybe not as much as we have Tipuric but for me I think Lydiate faletau and Warburton is our best back row combination.

I do think he's under rated as a captain as well to, I have just finished reading his book about the Lions and as much as you take it with bit pinch of salt he came out of it with flying colours from the players outside Wales who didn't know much about him as a captain.

Have we seen what

6. Lydiate
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

Can do yet?

IM,

I don't think they have played as unit no your right so we can only judge on what we have seen I guess.

6 and 7 isn't to much of a worry for me but with R Jones out for - well depends what report you read, who will be No8 cover if heaven forbid we need it?

bedfordwelsh wrote: who will be No8 cover if heaven forbid we need it?

There are plenty of options, IMO. As far as I know, Gatland is able to call upon either Joe Bearman, Morgan Allen, Rob McCusker, Josh Turnbull, Ieuan Jones, Lewis Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Gareth Delve, Andries Pretorius, Dan Baker, Andy Powell, Craig Price, or another WQ number eight, if he wants to.

international197 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote: who will be No8 cover if heaven forbid we need it?

There are plenty of options, IMO. As far as I know, Gatland is able to call upon either Joe Bearman, Morgan Allen, Rob McCusker, Josh Turnbull, Ieuan Jones, Lewis Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Gareth Delve, Andries Pretorius, Dan Baker, Andy Powell, Craig Price, or another WQ number eight, if he wants to.

International it is all well and good rattling off a list like that but realistically only a few of those are serious options, for a start you have named andy powell who is playing league. Then the only actual 8's in there are Ieuan Jones, who is not getting regular game time at the dragons due to faletau, Joe Bearman, who while been playing well for the ospreys is not a long term option, Dan Baker, not even in the matchday 23 for the ospreys and I believe he is playing premiership rugby, and morgan allen, who has been alternating/vying for the 8 shirt with Bearman.

Rob McCusker is trying (and failing) to become an 8, he is a 6 and a pretty average one at that.
Lewis Evans, should be in the squad as a flanker ahead of James king and can cover the backrow but is not a specialist 8 (which is what we need)
Turnball, has played 8 a few times this season and has been much better than McCusker to be honest, but he is a flanker nonetheless
Jonathon Thomas, not even playing pro12 rugby
Gareth Delve, playing in japan?
Craig Price, not playing pro12 rugby
Andries Pretorius, poor form.

So out of those options we realistically have 3 options at 8, 2 of which have no/very limited gametime in the pro12 this season, the other being morgan allen who has at least had a decent amount of gametime, so we could see him called up, otherwise I expect either Warburton or possibly shingle/coombes will cover 8. (warburton was an 8 at u20, with tipuric at 6. Makes you wonder what the number 7 w=must have been like!!!!)

What happened to Keiran Murphy? He didn't look too bad for the Scarlets till they let him go.

Lets not forget that Joe Bearman is WQ

IronMike wrote:What happened to Keiran Murphy? He didn't look too bad for the Scarlets till they let him go.

Kieran Murphy moved to Brive*.

Is he Welsh Qualified? The Scarlets website says he was born in Aberdeen*.

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22912824
*http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/players.php?player=99155&includeref=dynamic

international197 wrote:

IronMike wrote:What happened to Keiran Murphy? He didn't look too bad for the Scarlets till they let him go.

Kieran Murphy moved to Brive*.

Is he Welsh Qualified? The Scarlets website says he was born in Aberdeen*.

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22912824
*http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/players.php?player=99155&includeref=dynamic

On Murphy:

Kieran Murphy was born in Aberdeen, Scotland but moved to Swansea when he was two years old. His position is at Number 8 and he previously played for Llandovery RFC.

Implies he qualifies through residency

international197 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote: who will be No8 cover if heaven forbid we need it?

There are plenty of options, IMO. As far as I know, Gatland is able to call upon either Joe Bearman, Morgan Allen, Rob McCusker, Josh Turnbull, Ieuan Jones, Lewis Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Gareth Delve, Andries Pretorius, Dan Baker, Andy Powell, Craig Price, or another WQ number eight, if he wants to.

Well lets just look at that really insightful comment.

First none of them are currently in the squad so on match day against Italy will be our No8 cover as Ryan Jones is out.

I would have had Delve in my squad for years but that will never happen now.

I Jones, M Allen and L Evans should have been in squad though Evans hasn't played much at No8.

Not seen much of Baker so can't comment.

Bearman, McCluster, Turnbull Thomas Pretorius and Powell shouldn't be anywhere near any Welsh squad EVER again.

Powell isn't even playing the same sport

IronMike wrote:

On Murphy:

Kieran Murphy was born in Aberdeen, Scotland but moved to Swansea when he was two years old. His position is at Number 8 and he previously played for Llandovery RFC.

Implies he qualifies through residency

Are you sure? I think that implies that he was qualified for Wales through residency before he moved to France (I assume he's living in France atm).

Lets say with current injuries we are likely to see a pack against Italy along the lines of:

James Hibbard (not sure injury wise) A Jones
AWJ Charteris
Lydiate Faletau Warburton (some reports say he will be fit)

Bench Bevington, Owens Lee Tipuric Coombs

Out of that lot who would people see as the No8 cover. I am guessing Warburton or Coombs, neither are experienced there and even as a Dragons fan I don't think Coombs had played there much (if at all) for us even.

Warbs COULD play 8, I guess, made some good carries against England and on the Lions tour.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Out of that lot who would people see as the No8 cover.

I think there's more than one cover 'out of that lot'. IMO, 'out of that lot', Sam Warburton and others are the number eight covers.

international197 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Out of that lot who would people see as the No8 cover.

I think there's more than one cover out of that lot. IMO, out of that lot, Sam Warburton and others are the number eight covers.

Warburton and Coombs would seem the obvious ones and of course due to injuries you have to adjust but neither would be ideal and neither have vere played there at this level.

I think R Jones would have been shoe in for bench spot for that reason alone.

I heard Ryan might make it back for the last 2 games…any9one else know?

We have had different rumours regarding a few players now so I guess its case wait and see.

I suppose that bench cover is possibly what goes against Lewis Evans?

maestegmafia wrote:I suppose that bench cover is possibly what goes against Lewis Evans?

He's played all across the backrow hasn't he ?

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I suppose that bench cover is possibly what goes against Lewis Evans?

He's played all across the backrow  hasn't he ?

Munkian,

Think so yeah certainly at 6 and 7 regular not sure about 8 maybe you boys (Griff, Rev etc) who are more regular at Dave can confirm but I doubt he's played there that much.

Then again neither has Coombs or Warburton and none of them have at this level. Only advantage Coombs and Shingler have over him (from bench POV) is their have played 2nd row.

Bedford - Shingler has also played at 8 for Wales (in the six nations I believe, but not too sure)

But the fact he is or isn't versatile shouldn't matter and proves what a joke this non selection is. The only criteria should be form, not guff like positional cover or leadership skills. A squad of 32 (or whatever it is) is ridiculous, particularly given the injury doubts.