Wales backline for Six Nations

If Jamie Roberts is injured or not firing on all cylinders then I would like to see Henson return to 12. Against England in August and last night for the Blues he still showed he can play well without any form or run of matches.

The Jamie Roberts crash ball is only effective sometimes and it doesn't free up the backline. Henson's flat passing and offloading can bring the likes of JD2, North & Halfpenny into space and make Wales a threat again.

I believe JD2 is the most potent threat in the backline at the moment and should be the first back on the teamsheet. I would like to see North remain on the wing, but involve himself as much as possible. Halfpenny does a great job at fullback and I would play him there until Stoddart recovers, but he must be more involved as he was great last night.

I would pick:

15. Halfpenny
14. North
13. JD2
12. Henson
11. Cuffbutt
10. Priestland / Hook (depends how well Hook continues to play at Perpignan)
9. Phillips

20. Williams
21. Hook / Priestland
22. Byrne / Roberts

Gavin Henson He has had one game for the blues last night, and is being touted as saviour of Wales.

Byrne! Hook! Henson!

If Henson gains some form in the 12 shirt then he is a possibility, although Sc.Williams is still ahead of him.

wtf henson- had 1 match and was ok but how well roberts plays also depends on how well the 10 brings him in- priestland does, hook isint that good rest of the backline i agree with, although scott williams on the bench surely?

Henson didn't play bad against England and he didn't play bad last night.

He would be far more beneficial to our backline than any of the previous combinations.

Remember the Six Nations isn't till Feb so it isn't like he is being chucked in now anyway!

To be fair Roberts looks really troubled with this injury, Henson is our best option to replace him.

Beck's also been playing well, should be considered at least.

Would love to see Warren or O. Williams be included and developed but it's way too early to drop them straight into the starting 15.

15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Jamie Roberts
12 Scott Williams
11 George North
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Rhys Webb

8 Ben Morgan
7 Sam Warburton (C)
6 Toby Faletau
5 Alun-Wyn Jones
4 Ian Evans
3 Adam Jones
2 Matthew Rees
1 Duncan Jones

16 Aled Brew
17 James Hook
18 Mike Phillips
19 Dan Lydiate
20 Luke Charteris
21 Huw Bennett
22 Gethin Jenkins

I wouldn't look past that team myself.

AlynDavies wrote:15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Jamie Roberts
12 Scott Williams
11 George North
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Rhys Webb

8 Ben Morgan
7 Sam Warburton (C)
6 Toby Faletau
5 Alun-Wyn Jones
4 Ian Evans
3 Adam Jones
2 Matthew Rees
1 Duncan Jones

16 Aled Brew
17 James Hook
18 Mike Phillips
19 Dan Lydiate
20 Luke Charteris
21 Huw Bennett
22 Gethin Jenkins

I wouldn't look past that team myself.

Alyn,

Lydiate is far better 6 than Faletau, Morgan isn't even qualified yet and who knows if he will accept.

D Jones isn't 1st choice at the Os and won't be once J ames gets back to full fitness

Jenkins
Rees
Jones
Evans
AWJ
Lydiate
Faletau
Warbirton

Phillips
Priestland

North
Roberts
JD2
A N Other
Halfpenny

bedfordwelsh wrote:Alyn,

Lydiate is far better 6 than Faletau, Morgan isn't even qualified yet and who knows if he will accept.

D Jones isn't 1st choice at the Os and won't be once J ames gets back to full fitness

Jenkins
Rees
Jones
Evans
AWJ
Lydiate
Faletau
Warbirton

Phillips
Priestland

North
Roberts
JD2
A N Other
Halfpenny

We have Ireland away first up and I would prefer us to be as big and physical as possible we don't want to get pushed around up there.
Morgan will probably accept and I'd love to see him and Faletau in the same back row with Warburton.

Duncan has been the Ospreys player of the season and THE form loose head in Wales by a mile. Watch the Ospreys V Munster game again when we had 19 players out and look for the outstanding player on the field, in fact look for the outstanding Ospreys player in every game the Ospreys have played this season and it's always Duncan.

Ryan Jones has been showing some form.

From an outside perspective, if Roberts is injured returning to Henson would seem a bit of a regressive step. The ready formed club partnership of Williams and Davies would surely be a better option and one for the future?

Can't claim to have watched a lot of Scarlets' PRO12 games, but they're a performing team on a high, and thought Williams did pretty well for Wales in the WC. Wasn't he Wales' top try scorer?

AlynDavies wrote:15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Jamie Roberts
12 Scott Williams
11 George North
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Rhys Webb

8 Ben Morgan
7 Sam Warburton (C)
6 Toby Faletau
5 Alun-Wyn Jones
4 Ian Evans
3 Adam Jones
2 Matthew Rees
1 Duncan Jones

16 Aled Brew
17 James Hook
18 Mike Phillips
19 Dan Lydiate
20 Luke Charteris
21 Huw Bennett
22 Gethin Jenkins

I wouldn't look past that team myself.

I really like that team (well, not if we have to play it). Mainly because a) I think Roberts would be better at 13 and b) I think Faletau would be better at flanker.

henson needs game time,and plenty of it before anyone can make a judgement,in the meantime jd2,roberts and williams will fight it out,with the possibility of north being developed into an outside centre,as for the back row,we now have the best balanced trio we have had for years,injuries permitting leave well alone,also i thought rhys gill did well against adam jones recently,(no mean feat) and has a great chance of making the six nations squad.

Alyn,

Can't argue with your logic over the back row other than quety why break up a very good and ever imrpoving combo of Lydiate Faletau and Warburton for an as yet untried player at that level.

I am pretty sure Morgan will accept invite and get capped during 6 Nations but for me we have to go in against Ireland with our best players playing and that for me is the WC back row combo.

Will take your word on D Jones but he hasn't been involved in Welsh squad for sometime and can't see Gatland choosing anyone other than Jenkins - injury permitting.

Also we will need to find someone else for becnh as Charteris ruled out until April ish

bedfordwelsh wrote:Alyn,

Can't argue with your logic over the back row other than quety why break up a very good and ever imrpoving combo of Lydiate Faletau and Warburton for an as yet untried player at that level.

I am pretty sure Morgan will accept invite and get capped during 6 Nations but for me we have to go in against Ireland with our best players playing and that for me is the WC back row combo.

Will take your word on D Jones but he hasn't been involved in Welsh squad for sometime and can't see Gatland choosing anyone other than Jenkins - injury permitting.

Also we will need to find someone else for becnh as Charteris ruled out until April ish

Well time will tell about Duncan Jones, the Ospreys have the first 2 choice loose head props in Paul James and Ryan Bevington, so if Duncan Jones keeps them both out, then logic should dictate he is the best loose head Wales has?

If Charteris is injured I'd go with Bradley Davies or Robert Sidoli.

I dont know why everyone keeps rubbishing Byrne. He'd just come back from injury going into the world cup and everyone was expecting miracles from him. Hes a confidence player and the more game time he gets the better he gets. Remember in 08/09 he was one of the top fullbacks in world rugby! I've watched quite a few Clermont games this season and hes getting back to form. We can use all the back 3 players we can get.

Assuming Gatland only picks Welsh based players:
9.Williams
10.Priestland
11.Cuthbert
12.roberts
13.JD
14.North
15.Halfpenny

20.Webb
21.Biggar
22.Henson/Beck (depending on form)

gowales wrote:I dont know why everyone keeps rubbishing Byrne. He'd just come back from injury going into the world cup and everyone was expecting miracles from him. Hes a confidence player and the more game time he gets the better he gets. Remember in 08/09 he was one of the top fullbacks in world rugby! I've watched quite a few Clermont games this season and hes getting back to form. We can use all the back 3 players we can get.

I just think people want Halfpenny as Full Back now and also Bryne has moved to France it's better to pick home grown players to discourage players leaving.

But we still need at least 2 fullbacks in the squad don't we? who else is there? unproven Liam Williams?

Gatland isn't selecting players who wont be available for 2015 - Byrne wont be.

Had the distinct impression you didn't rate Henson.

How long will Henson last at the Blues?

1 match
2 matches
3 matches

Henson progress looking good.

Good news for Blues fans. Gavin Henson will make his long awaited return for the Blues against Romanian team Bucharesti in the RaboDirect pro 36 league on January 8th 2017.

It looks like he will only play 2 games before moving to newly reformed Border reivers to play 3 games.

Henson 50% through his Cardiff term

With Gavin Henson making his first Blues start on Friday and then his 2nd and final start a week or so later, which club will he move onto next?

wales606 wrote:Gatland isn't selecting players who wont be available for 2015 - Byrne wont be.

Do you think Henson will be around for 2015 RWC?

He looked good against the Dragons but I still wonder if he'll be around by the end of the season

I thought as always he payed well... Look forward to seeing him get up to speed, he will be an asset to Blues and Wales.

wales606 wrote:Gatland isn't selecting players who wont be available for 2015 - Byrne wont be.

606,

Where did you read that?

If that is the case then we could see a 6 Nations squad without our entire front row of Jenkins Bennett and A Jones plus R Jones and S Jones. All of them (I think) will be wrong side of 30 come the WC 2015 so its possible they could have retired. S Jones will have by then IMO anyway.

CurlyOsp wrote:Assuming Gatland only picks Welsh based players:
9.Williams
10.Priestland
11.Cuthbert
12.roberts
13.JD
14.North
15.Halfpenny

20.Webb
21.Biggar
22.Henson/Beck (depending on form)

Curly,

Even if he didn't pick only Welsh based players I reckon that starting back line is pretty close to what we'll see anyway only change could be Phillips

Phillips apparently had the convent of the previous Bayonne regime to play for Wales. He hasn't been in great form though.

I would say that only fitness would change that back line. Roberts is a possible concern.

I am looking forward to seeing the impact of Liam Williams, cuthbert and maybe Henson in the six nations.

mm,

Phillips would still be available for the 6 Nations and has to be released, what maybe diffierent or difficult is the extended period Gatland wants his squad for.

Agree though tht if Phillips isn't available then injury aside I guess we could see that line up in Dublin for first game and I would be happy with it.

To the first choices I would like to see Liam Williams added as back three cover. Rhys Webb at scrum half and Tovey ahead of Biggar.

Front row I was very impressed with Scott Andrews for the Blues. Ken Owens for Scarlets

Andrews has been very good in the loose but struggles at scrum time which is obviously his first priority.

Would love to see Tovey involved but don't think it will happen - hope wrong on that account

Biggar isn't good enough yet. Tovey is a bit ahead of Biggar at the moment.

mm,

Not in the eyes of the selectors though it seems.

maestegmafia wrote:Biggar isn't good enough yet. Tovey is a bit ahead of Biggar at the moment.

As usual I agree with Maesteg, Biggar need 2 more years I think.
I can see Biggar being like Robert Howley, always showing potential but not developing till late on, when he first got capped at 26.

Ashley Beck has looked good this season, he deserves to be included in the squad

IronMike wrote:Ashley Beck has looked good this season, he deserves to be included in the squad

He plays well now and again but he is not consistent and he does drop the odd howler, if Wales had an A team he'd be good for that but he isnt ready for Wales yet.

AlynDavies wrote:

IronMike wrote:Ashley Beck has looked good this season, he deserves to be included in the squad

He plays well now and again but he is not consistent and he does drop the odd howler, if Wales had an A team he'd be good for that but he isnt ready for Wales yet.

He hardly gets enough ball because of Biggar.

Talented but he doesnt look as flash as several other players ahead of him in the centre.

Byrne, North, JD2, Roberts, Halfpenny, Hook & Phillips.

We have no other test quality players (at the highest level) at the moment. Any other backline is an inferior compromise.

You can't put people like Beck, Webb, Biggar or Henson in an international squad now - we have to keep taking it seriously or we'll be a laughing stock again.

9: Phillips
10: Priestland
11: Cuthbert
12: Beck
13: Roberts
14: North
15: Liam Williams


With bech options being:

Webb, Steffan Jones, Biggar, Henson, Jonathan Davies, Halfpenny, Czekaj

In four years time Wales will be very, very dangerous I think.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

AlynDavies wrote:15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Jamie Roberts
12 Scott Williams
11 George North
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Rhys Webb

8 Ben Morgan
7 Sam Warburton (C)
6 Toby Faletau
5 Alun-Wyn Jones
4 Ian Evans
3 Adam Jones
2 Matthew Rees
1 Duncan Jones

16 Aled Brew
17 James Hook
18 Mike Phillips
19 Dan Lydiate
20 Luke Charteris
21 Huw Bennett
22 Gethin Jenkins

I wouldn't look past that team myself.

Alyn,

Lydiate is far better 6 than Faletau, Morgan isn't even qualified yet and who knows if he will accept.

D Jones isn't 1st choice at the Os and won't be once J ames gets back to full fitness

Lydiate
Faletau
Warbirton

Alun mate
I agree i can't think why anyone would tinker with the welsh back row apart from injury.

Casartelli wrote:Byrne, North, JD2, Roberts, Halfpenny, Hook & Phillips.

We have no other test quality players (at the highest level) at the moment. Any other backline is an inferior compromise.

You can't put people like Beck, Webb, Biggar or Henson in an international squad now - we have to keep taking it seriously or we'll be a laughing stock again.

Cas,

In the WC Priestland proved he is an international 10 whilst Hook proved he isn't.

Haven't seen how Byrne is goin in France but for me Halfpenny should be our XV with A N Other (looking like Cuthbert) on the wing.

A back line of Halfpenny North JD2 Roberts Cuthbert Priestland & Phillips isn't shabby at all

Thing is though lads it is just wonderfull that we have so many players to choose from, makes it understandable why the Coaches want the players two weeks early, some of these lads could really shake up the squad...

mm,

Morning and seasons greeting etc. Its great that we finally have realistic competition for most places (T/Head still a worry) with our possible 2nd row injury crisis then I just hope Gatland does blood a young 2nd row, whoever that maybe rather than rely of a converted back row player.

We have a pretty solid and settled pack now with the likes of:

Jenkins Rees Jones Faletau Lydiate Warburton and lets say B Davies. So if our other options such as Charteris, AWJ and Evans are ruled out I think we could afford to nurture a young 2nd row through the 6 Nations.

bedfordwelsh wrote:mm,

Morning and seasons greeting etc. Its great that we finally have realistic competition for most places (T/Head still a worry) with our possible 2nd row injury crisis then I just hope Gatland does blood a young 2nd row, whoever that maybe rather than rely of a converted back row player.

We have a pretty solid and settled pack now with the likes of:

Jenkins Rees Jones Faletau Lydiate Warburton and lets say B Davies. So if our other options such as Charteris, AWJ and Evans are ruled out I think we could afford to nurture a young 2nd row through the 6 Nations.

Morning Beds Mate,

I thought I would be knackered after all that but I actually feel fine and absolutely loved it... A great christmas at home with all the kids..

Tighthead is a weak area, but it is for every team in the world, no one bar South Africa or Argentina can claim any strength in the area. We are obviously focussing on those areas with players like Rhodri Jones, Scot Andrews and Simon Gardiner all getting opportunities to train with the Welsh squad.

Speaking to the father of one of the Ospreys props the other night he said that Adam Jones is very good with passing on knowledge to encourage the standard of the younger players, similar to what Andrew Millward had done for him as a youngster.

Second Row is filling up nicely with lots of good young players coming though and a decent selection of first choice, if we do have an injury or two this season then it will be a good opportunity to blood some of the young lads. Still a chance that Alun Wynn and Ian Evans will be fit.

I fear Adam Jones has left his current form just too late to make an impression on the welsh squad though.

Poor old Hook. He´s been tried at flyhalf and at fullback. What was wrong with him at inside centre. He´s become the Tait of the Welsh backline. Stephen Jones has well and truly been thrown to the wilderness.

Definitely some promising players coming through for Wales. But fullback, flyhalf and inside centre seem to be selection headaches still. The trick is finding not only good specialist players for each position but finding the right combination of players who all gel. Look at what happened to Australia when Beale got injured. AAC can play any position from outside centre to fullback but to me he fits best at OC. You have to have lynchpins in your backline who are like a rock for the other combinations. Once you start moving them around, the foundations come crumbling down in around that player.

Part of that is keeping selections settled and giving time for combinations to settle. But part of that also comes to making the right selections in the first place. Stability is the key. But you must choose those foundation stones very carefully.

The problem is too many inside centres and too few tried and tested fullbacks. Time and opportunity will prevail and I am sure we will have a strong squad soon.

Yeah we seem to have a plethora of inside centres but no out n out No13s.

there are options. gats will have another headache come spring. henso0n will be on his radar-when was he ever off it. but there are lots of exciting young and esablished players to choose from/between(?).

i wouldnt want to choose a back division today, but im going to anyway.

williams (bryn's kid)
preistland (and this year i am probably right)
shane (ooops)
hook
jd
north
1/2p

bench: phillips, henson, byrne/stodard

ok, so i picked old magic daps, and byrne&stoddy for one bench spot. it is too hard to pick right now.

good!

I agree dogtooth it is good.

We could afford to shelve any player over 24 in our back line and still have a lot of class. Nice position to be in. Good young players coming through. It won't hurt to have a bit of experience there and we may well see Steve jones, Henson Phillips and hook included in the squad somewhere.

Does anyone think Adam Hughes and Ashley Beck are viable long term options to the backline

Hughes yes, beck hasnt done enough to put himself ahead of Williams or Warren let alone JD2 or Roberts. Also the likelihood of Henson hitting decent form pre six nations.