Tom James playing well

I can't believe what I'm seeing. Him and Cuthbert both potential Wales squad applicants.

Even though George North is a human freak who is probably untouchable it will be good for him to have some other wings playing well and biting at his heels.

If Halfpenny remains at 15 then we need as many good wings as we can.

Czekaj is also doing well.

I wouldnt be suprised to see 2 of the Blues back 3 + Halfpenny in the Wales squad if their form continues.

Cant see James getting back in the squad after his walkabouts in the past. Cuthbert though is a class act.

And people say Brew has had enough chances in a Welsh shirt and never done it, how many chances has James had?

Czekaj's been playing well but still looks off a solid international player. If injuries and form elsewhere at 15 are around at the 6N then he may get a squad place. James looks in great form but the personal issues will probably come into play and he's had chances previously. Cuthbert could get a squad place this year with the aim to develop him for the seasons to come.

Seems to be lots of options to fill the last back 3 spot after North and Halfpenny

Used to be a huge advocate for Tom James.Sadly he has gone backwards at some lick.His rawness has become bafflement.He is not a rugby player,simply a powerful,aggressive fairly quick bloke on a rugby pitch.I am sad as I genuinely thought he had a great future when he first broke though.

I dissagree. Tom James beat a few men a few times. That doesnt mean he is a good rugby player and certainly doesnt mean he should be challenging for a spotr in the Welsh squad.

The guy is not intelligent enough to play above the regional level he is at, and to be fair he struggles at this level half the time.

Every time he makes a break i am always more concerned at him getting isolated and turned over thank thinking he might actually score...

Cuthbert does look like the real deal though. Great young player.

Would rather the blues encouraged Harry Robinson rather than Tom James

Cuthbert is playing far better and is a far greater prospect. I spotted Cuthebert playing for Wales 7s a year or two ago and was v impressed. T James lacks rugby instincts -- I think he only started palying the game after he left athletics. Cuthbert is v good, seems defensively strong, is v quick, a balanced runner, and shows tremendous spatial awareness. Also a superb finisher. He's only 21 and 6' 6". If he keeps performing as he is, I expect to see him in the Wales 6N squad. He is already better than James and Czekaj.

I completely agree OD

I think some of this is unduly negative on Tom James, and I think he still has a role to play at international level if he can sort out the game awareness/clumsiness side. Having said that, he's maybe made less progress in that regard than you'd have hoped.

Cutherbert does look the real deal.

A North/Cuthbert/Halfpenny back 3 ought to do some damage.

BlueNote wrote:I think some of this is unduly negative on Tom James, and I think he still has a role to play at international level if he can sort out the game awareness/clumsiness side.

But this "side" is so inherent to his personality...!

i find it funny looking at this that in the space of 3 or so years we might have changed from having two welsh wingers under 5ft 11 to 6ft 4 and 6ft 6 (potentially)

I wouldnt be suprised to see Cuthbert called up for the Aus game to get a feel for the squad and given a chance in the Six Nations.

Not just Cuthbert but I would look at calling up Steffan Jones, Liam Williams and maybe Eli Walker too... All as back three cover who are showing all the skills required for their regions.

Liam Williams looked fantastic, though much like JPR, at fullback for the Scarlets

maestegmafia wrote:

BlueNote wrote:I think some of this is unduly negative on Tom James, and I think he still has a role to play at international level if he can sort out the game awareness/clumsiness side.

But this "side" is so inherent to his personality...!

Well you said it, there's chance for him to get a re-call if he can sort out his game awareness/clumsiness which he hasn't done yet. Cuthbert will get a call up for the Aus game.

maestegmafia wrote:Would rather the blues encouraged Harry Robinson rather than Tom James

I agree with that.

maestegmafia wrote:Not just Cuthbert but I would look at calling up Steffan Jones, Liam Williams and maybe Eli Walker too... All as back three cover who are showing all the skills required for their regions.

Liam Williams looked fantastic, though much like JPR, at fullback for the Scarlets

I should think Morgan Stoddard is bricking it whether he's going to get back in the team after his injury. With North and Lamont there, and now Liam Williams doing well as well, it could be a long wait for first team Rugby.

Bit soon for Steffan Jones, Liam Williams and Walker isn't it? I don't think they've had as much of an impact as Cuthbert has had. Didn't see Williams at full back, haven't been able to view any highlights. If he's still U20 eligible I suggest he goes there as we need some good U20 players for Wales in the Junior 6 Nations.

Williams plays under 20s.

Also I think walker Williams and jones are all older than north and prydie.

westernosprey wrote:I can't believe what I'm seeing. Him and Cuthbert both potential Wales squad applicants.

Even though George North is a human freak who is probably untouchable it will be good for him to have some other wings playing well and biting at his heels.

If Halfpenny remains at 15 then we need as many good wings as we can.

I can't believe you typed that. Somebody will want Czekaj called up next! If you want thee Forest Gumps as your back three, fair enough. I'd prefer players with a few brain cells to rub together.

wales606 wrote:Czekaj is also doing well.

I wouldnt be suprised to see 2 of the Blues back 3 + Halfpenny in the Wales squad if their form continues.

Oh Lordy!

Morgannwg wrote:Bit soon for Steffan Jones, Liam Williams and Walker isn't it? I don't think they've had as much of an impact as Cuthbert has had. Didn't see Williams at full back, haven't been able to view any highlights. If he's still U20 eligible I suggest he goes there as we need some good U20 players for Wales in the Junior 6 Nations.

I hope when you read that again you note the inherent contradiction in your two sentences.

The preferred back three currently is Williams Halfpenny and North.

When Shane retires and Stoddart is fit, he will take Shane's place.

In either scenario, Brew is the back up. Cuthbert is one of two or three players that could be turned to if the above get injured, but James and Czekaj are well down the list, hopefully.

Surely Tovey is above to Jones in the pecking order, he is still 1st choice down at Dave for the big games.

I said recently I can see 1/2p remaining at fullback and Lee Williams coming in and being blooded on the wing. Very impressed by him, as someone said very much an old skool JPR type player, completely off his head.

RF86,

do you mean Liam Williams the Wing/Fullback or Lee Williams the Wing/Scrumhalf both at the Scarlets?

I wouldnt be too impressed with Lee Williams getting a call up. But I think Liam Williams could have something to offer Wales in the future.

Yeah Liam I meant sorry.

He is a good call. lets hope he plays well this week too

I think Rhys Thomas,Josh Turnbull and Ashley Beck deserve a place in the Aussie game with Biggar and Web on a spot on the bench.

Tom and Chris are nowhere near the standard yet.

Yeah well Gatland loves picking wildcard youngsters and likes versatility. If Williams can get a good run of games together who knows.

I would be very keen to see Cuthbert and Liam Williams get in the training squad. Also Tovey and Tuperic if he is fit. Maybe Rhys Webb if he gets more game time at HEC level this weekend

True