wales depth still needs improving

over the last few years wales has seen the emergence of some real quality back-row forwards leading some of us to pride on our strength in depth in that position, hear is a list of some of players still available to Wales in the backrow position with international quality or experience.

-Danny Lydiate, Rob Mcusker, Jon Thomas, Martyn Williams, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton, Gavin Thomas, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones, Andy Powell.
Total: 11
The jury is still out over Justin Tipuric however i wouldnt be suprised if he joined this list along with Ben Morgan and Andrieus Pretorious depending on other issues.

now compare this with South Africa
-Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Jean Deysel, Danie Rossouw, Juan Smith, Deon Stegmann, Ashley Johnson, Ryan Kankowski, Pierre Spies, Duane Vermeulen, Dewald Potgieter, Keegan Daniel
not to mention overseas players Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson and Francois Louw
Total: 16
it is not only the quantity of depth that is stricking but also the quality, every one of the 16 SA would find there way into Wales 11 whereas you could say only Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones, perhaps dan Lydiate and martyn williams if several years younger.
your thoughts?

I'm certainly not wishing any of South Africa's players were Welsh, I'm very happy with what we have to be honest.

really?
Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw, Juan Smith in particular would improve any team. the hard thing to grasp in in fact there all from one country!!!

No, I am really not worried about any other countries players, I'm happy with what Wales have produced.

Pretty happy that we have enough depth, even happier at the youth players stepping into contention.

SA have a much bigger population and a huge player pool compared to Wales so a pretty poor comparison.

Depth will come when we start looking for players from every corner of Wales.

welsh-matfield wrote:really?
Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw, Juan Smith in particular would improve any team. the hard thing to grasp in in fact there all from one country!!!

Its all relative mate even with all those players I doubt soon if they will be in the top 3, I think within 12 months you'll see England squeezing into that top 3 arena

You need to concentrate on how Wales will tinker with the backrow forwards to pull them up to those SA level, and TBH in the case of Warbs and Lydiate they are about there and many others not that far behind

11 players into 3 is plenty depth if you'd be happy to see them play...

If you want to worry about depth worry about Full-back, second row and outside centre.

You forgot Rob McCusker who has been capped in the backrow too, so that makes 12 players for three roles. Not lack of depth at all.

Being serious the depth we have (that are capped) -:

Props - Gethin Jenkins, John Yapp, Scott Williams, Adam Jones, Duncan Jones, Paul James, Craig Mitchel, Ryan Bevington, Iestyn Thomas, Rhys Thomas

Hookers - Thomas Rhys Thomas, Gareth Williams, Steve Jones (not retired yet?), Lloyd Burns, Huw Bennett, Richard Hibbard, Matthew Rees (future - Ken Owens)

Second Row - Deniol Jones, Bradley Davies, Scott Morgan, Luke Charteris, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones (future - Lou Reed)

Back Row - Martyn Williams, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, Gavin Thomas, Toby Faletau Ryan Jones, Johnathan Thomas, Josh Tunbull, Rob McCusker, Andy Powell, Gareth Delve (future - Justin Tipuric)

Scrum Half - Richie Rees, Lloyd Williams, Mike Phillips, Tavis Knoyle, Dwayne Peel, Martin Roberts

Fly Half - Ceri Sweeney, Matthew Jones (not sure?), Dan Biggar, James Hook, Steve Jones, Rhys Priestland, Nicky Robinson

Centres - Jamie Roberts, Andrew Bishop, Jon Davies, Scott Williams, Gavin Henson, Jamie Robinson

Wing/Fullback - Thom James, Leigh Halfpenny, Chris Czekaj, Aled Brew, Will Harris, Shane Williams, Lee Byrne, Morgan Stoddart, George North, Dan Evans

That is a fair few players available, not to mention the uncapped folk who are playing on form.

Cymroglan wrote:Depth will come when we start looking for players from every corner of Wales.

Well said.

I can't fathom out this obsession with depth

Scarlets - you left out a young mr Faletau for our back row cover.

In regards to looking for players in all corners, I fully agree!