Ireland vs Wales - WELSH TEAM ANNOUNCED AT 11:50 THIS MORNING...!

First topic message reminder :

Ireland Six Nations 2012 Squad

15 -Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) Captain
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 -Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)



WALES SQUAD

BACKS

Scrumhalf
Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE)
Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Rhys WEBB (OSPREYS)

Flyhalf
Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS)
James HOOK (PERPIGNAN)

Centre 3/4s
Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS)
Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS)
Gavin HENSON (CARDIFF BLUES)
Ashley BECK (OSPREYS – Uncapped)

Wing 3/4s
George NORTH (SCARLETS)
Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES)
Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES)
Harry ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES)

Fullbacks
Liam WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)
Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE)

FORWARDS

Tightheads
Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS)
Adam JONES (OSPREYS)

Looseheads
Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS)
Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Rhys GILL (SARACENS)

Adaptable to both sides of the Scrum
Paul JAMES (OSPREYS)
Rhodri JONES (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

Hookers
Matthew REES (SCARLETS)
Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS)
Ken OWENS (SCARLETS)

Locks
Bradley DAVIES (BLUES)
Ian EVANS (OSPREYS)
Lou REED (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

Back Five Option
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS)

Blindside Flank Forward
Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)

Openside Flank Forward
Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN)
Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)

Number 8s
Toby FALETAU (Dragons)
Andy POWELL (Sale)


Its a month away, just 31 days to the opening game for Wales and Ireland. The excitement of the start of the tournament is as thrilling as it has ever been. I think we are hoping that both sides will show some of the new talent on display in the HEC given their chances at International level. A mix of experience blended in well to temper the exuberance of youth when it is needed.


How do the teams match up historically?

First ever Ireland vs Wales was at Lansdowne Road, Dublin on the 28th of January 1882.

Ireland nil – 2G, 4T Wales
Try: Evans
Bridie
Clapp
Baker Jones

Con: Lewis (2)


The winning result for Wales was their first ever victory in International Rugby. Since then the two Nations have played for the following results.

117 Played 117
47 Wins 64
64 Losses 47
6 Draws 6
164 Tries 201
85 Conversions 98
131 Penalties 126
21 Drop Goals 33
1227 Points 1353
39.66% Success Rate 54.31%

Last meeting was in the Quarter Finals of the RWC 2011. Wales were victorious in a classic encounter. Both nations fielded exceptionally good teams that had done well in their previous pool matches.

The game previous was in the 2011 Six Nations with another win for Wales, controversial due to the try that should not have been allowed scored by Mike Phillips.

Really surprised Reed is in ahead of Day, but guess he's been selected in the Wales training squad before so is familiar with it.

Really chuffed for Liam Williams and Ken Owens, both have bee playing their socks off this season. Great call up for Harry Robinson as well, he's been superb on the 7's and showed some good glimpses for the Blues.

Seriously, serioursly worried that Stephen Jones hasn't been included.

And i've just looked back - Andy Powell - how?!?

We need cover at 8..... only thing I can think of.

There's that young Ben Morgan at Scarlets... oh hang on.

munkian wrote:Is Hewitt injured ?

Yes, Why?

i'm not as worries as rugby dreamer that wellies didnt make it but i am a bit suprised.

big opportunity for hook

generally happy with the squad, little surprised to see Hook AND Henson in there, same goes for Loud Reed and Rhodri Jones. Jones has been playing well but 7 props just seems a lot! Would have preferred to see Shingler in there over Reed, he just seems to have that extra "something" when he plays well. Gatland has shown he can get players playing to their potential.

Still, this is the training squad, expect some of the youngsters to be cut away, more there for the experience of the set-up I'd imagine. Still, it cant be bad having Byrne back in and he seems to be playing well from what I have seen from him in France. It'll be interesting to see what happens if the likes of Liam Williams/Cuthbert/Beck really impress over the next few weeks.

Happy Warbs has kept the captaincy, itll be nice to have Rees back at hooker aswell. The front row seems to be becoming a strong area for us, I wouldnt necessarily worry if Jenkins or Adam was out, both have replacements equal to the task of international rugby, Mitchell perhaps less so, but he's been playing well for Exeter (again from what I've seen).

When you think of the likes of AW Jones/Charteris/McCusker/Turnbull are yet to return the welsh team is starting to take shape nicely.

Starting to get excited for this 6nations now. oh no.

As an O's fan, Excellent to see Webb & Beck in the squad. Roberts n Beck would be a great centre duo...

wales606 wrote:

munkian wrote:Is Hewitt injured ?

Yes, Why?

He seemed to be playing well at the Blues then disapeared, seemed a decent prospect

Here is the positional Breakdown of the Welsh Squad...

BACKS

Scrumhalf
Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE)
Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Rhys WEBB (OSPREYS)

Flyhalf
Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS)
James HOOK (PERPIGNAN)

Centre 3/4s
Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS)
Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS)
Gavin HENSON (CARDIFF BLUES)
Ashley BECK (OSPREYS – Uncapped)

Wing 3/4s
George NORTH (SCARLETS)
Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES)
Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES)
Harry ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES)

Fullbacks
Liam WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)
Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE)

FORWARDS

Tightheads
Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS)
Adam JONES (OSPREYS)

Looseheads
Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS)
Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Rhys GILL (SARACENS)

Adaptable to both sides of the Scrum
Paul JAMES (OSPREYS)
Rhodri JONES (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

Hookers
Matthew REES (SCARLETS)
Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS)
Ken OWENS (SCARLETS)

Locks
Bradley DAVIES (BLUES)
Ian EVANS (OSPREYS)
Lou REED (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

Back Five Option
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS)

Blindside Flank Forward
Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)

Openside Flank Forward
Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN)
Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)

Number 8s
Toby FALETAU (Dragons)
Andy POWELL (Sale)

munkian wrote:

wales606 wrote:

munkian wrote:Is Hewitt injured ?

Yes, Why?

He seemed to be playing well at the Blues then disapeared, seemed a decent prospect

Yes he is injured. He has played well but has never impressed enough to be considered for International honours as yet. Though tough position as Wales have three very talented inside centers already.

thanks for the possition breakdown, maesteg. so many new names i didnt know what was going on. a sign i am getting old i fear

So what's the craic with AW Jones ? Is he allowed to be called up when fit ?

Yes Alun Wynn Jones can be called up any time he wants.

This is apparently a training squad for Poland. Similar to what Wales took pre RWC warm up trips.

That is why it is 35 not just the usual 28. I imagine that some players will be cut pre Six Nations.

Here is a link to Rob Howleys interview on the WRU website...

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchdaytv/Index/index/id/10556

Anyone Irish know when their Squad is to be announced...?

Harry Robinson


DOB16th Apr 1993
BirthplaceCardiff, Wales
Height1.75 m (5' 9")
Weight82 kg (12 st 13 lb)
PositionWing
Club/RegionCardiff / Blues
Test Honours
Other HonoursWales U16, Wales U18, Wales U20


Robinson burst on to the domestic scene in Wales in the 2010/11 season. Not only did he play for both the Wales Under 18s and Wales Under 20s in the same season, he also made his senior regional bow with Cardiff Blues.

He made his senior debut for Cardiff in the Principality Premiership against Llandovery on 2nd April 2011 and scored his first premiership try a week later against Newport.

He came through the grades with Pentyrch before joining Blues South U16s. Currently studying Biology at nightschool, his father Justin played for Pontypridd.

It's already been announced, Maes.

no duncan jones... grrr, really winds me up that gatland never selects him.. i mean he was a definite starter for wales before and his game has hardly gone downhill, no stephen jones is stupid and i've given up on peel/seeing as I haven't watched him play for a while now i can't really justify an inclusion in the squad. not worried about mathew morgan, his time will come... and i dont wanna see hook at fly half..
henson definitely, but as cover for fullback for halfpenny is my thoughts seeing as stodds wont be around, centres are more congested atm and henson hasnt earned a starting spot there yet. lou reed??
oh, and really happy for webb, deserves it

Cheers RD, just found it... Google is failing to bring it to the top of the search...!

Ireland

Hookers

Rory Best (Banbridge – Ulster)
Tom Court (Malone – Ulster)
Sean Cronin (St.Mary’s College – Leinster)

Loosehead
Cian Healy (Clontarf – Leinster)


Tighthead
Mike Ross (Clontarf – Leinster)


Locks
Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Paul O’Connell (Young Munster – Munster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon – Munster)

Back Five Players
Leo Cullen (Blackrock College – Leinster)

Blindsides
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon – Ulster)
Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College – Leinster)

Opensides
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf – Leinster)

Number 8s
Jamie Heaslip (Naas – Leinster)

Scrumhalfs
Conor Murray (Garryowen – Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne – Leinster)

Flyhalfs

Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College – Leinster)


Centers
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena – Ulster)

Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne – Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster – Munster)


Wingers
Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena – Ulster)

Fullbacks
Rob Kearney (UCD – Leinster)

Additional Players

Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Tiernan O’Halloran (Galwegians – Connacht)
Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch – Ulster)
Andrew Conway (Blackrock College – Leinster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution – Munster)

Shane_Williams wrote:no duncan jones... grrr, really winds me up that gatland never selects him.. i mean he was a definite starter for wales before and his game has hardly gone downhill, no stephen jones is stupid and i've given up on peel/seeing as I haven't watched him play for a while now i can't really justify an inclusion in the squad. not worried about mathew morgan, his time will come... and i dont wanna see hook at fly half..
henson definitely, but as cover for fullback for halfpenny is my thoughts seeing as stodds wont be around, centres are more congested atm and henson hasnt earned a starting spot there yet. lou reed??
oh, and really happy for webb, deserves it

Duncan is 33 this year. I don't think he personally has too many ambitions to play for Wales.

What no Shingler?

Not sure why Shingler doesn't take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. If Abu Qatada can get his extradition quashed, I'm not sure why Shingler couldn't get the citizens of the principality to back down. Looks like a cut and dried issue of impinged civil liberties and restriction of trade to me.

miteyironpaw wrote:Not sure why Shingler doesn't take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. If Abu Qatada can get his extradition quashed, I'm not sure why Shingler couldn't get the citizens of the principality to back down. Looks like a cut and dried issue of impinged civil liberties and restriction of trade to me.

I think he means Aaron Shingler not Steven Shingler.

Harry Robinson? Are Tom James and Aled Brew injured?

I dont think with are injured.

A good squad, a great majority of the players showing some good form. Suprised Bennett is ahead of Hibbard though. And James/Bevington are ahead of Jones. We have a lot of loose-heads, but no tight-heads. Perhaps a cause for concern as Paul James is useless on the other side of the scrum.
As for Harry Robinson, I think it is too soon. It looks like we have sufficient cover at wing and full back. As he is still eligible, he should have been let go to the U20's to strengthen them and seeing as that is our '2nd team' they need the best available players. So I am hopeful the likes of Walker, Young, Morgan, Hill etc are released to Wales U20s.

A few things:
Will the squad be cut down to 32 players or 28?
Should the training squad have been more that 35 players, say 40? Just to give us more options.
Who do you expect to not make the 6 Nations squad?

Can't wait for it to begin now!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:What no Shingler?

Hey Pal, just because Steve Shingler can walk into the Scotland team after a few okay games for London Irish it doesn't mean he can waltz into ours. We have a lot of depth in the backs.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Harry Robinson? Are Tom James and Aled Brew injured?

Neither are injured as far as I know. Neither are showing good form, a bit hot and cold. Robinson has been playing well with the Sevens squad, scores tries, perhaps another Shane Williams type player. I have already spoke of him in my previous post. Saying that, I probably would have included someone more experienced and in the world cup squad (Brew ).

Andy Powell FFS.

Few surprises for me:

1 Obviously the above

2 Only two 10 (Preistland & Hook)

3 Robinson a big surprise but then again he always likes to throw one young gun in

I guess this will be whittled down after the training camp and has AWJ been rules out for whole 6 Nations? Though, like Roberts he would have been included or maybe he will be added at later date.

Tom James shouldn't be anywhere near the Welsh side and Brew is bit hit n miss at the moment.

Us Dragons fans would have him in all the time but Cuthbert has been showing more form than him of late.

maestegmafia wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Not sure why Shingler doesn't take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. If Abu Qatada can get his extradition quashed, I'm not sure why Shingler couldn't get the citizens of the principality to back down. Looks like a cut and dried issue of impinged civil liberties and restriction of trade to me.

I think he means Aaron Shingler not Steven Shingler.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Andy Powell FFS.

Few surprises for me:

1 Obviously the above

2 Only two 10 (Preistland & Hook)

3 Robinson a big surprise but then again he always likes to throw one young gun in

I guess this will be whittled down after the training camp and has AWJ been rules out for whole 6 Nations? Though, like Roberts he would have been included or maybe he will be added at later date.

Afternoon mate,

My sources tell me that Andy Powell is apparently an exceptional squad player. A real bonus to training, he isn't playing badly at Sale RFC either. I don't think he will be a key option at 8 but he is decent cover. Surely if young Ben Morgan had decided to play for Wales Powell would not have been included. I personally don't like andy Powell very much, but I do see what a pain in the backside he is for the opposition, that sometimes out ways his lack of Rugby nouse, intelligence and conformity.

Harry Robinson is a good lad who had a great season with the U20s last year, and scored a few tries for the Blues too.

Remember this is just a training squad and will be whittled down...!

Am a bit surprised I guess that A Shingler not included but who instead of? I suppose the obvious one would have been Powell and then use R Jones as cover for 2nd row and No8

miteyironpaw wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Not sure why Shingler doesn't take his case to the European Court of Human Rights. If Abu Qatada can get his extradition quashed, I'm not sure why Shingler couldn't get the citizens of the principality to back down. Looks like a cut and dried issue of impinged civil liberties and restriction of trade to me.

I think he means Aaron Shingler not Steven Shingler.

thats OK, maybe you should try raising your comparison between a young rugby talent and Abu Quatada on the Shingler threads?

https://www.606v2.com/t21580-the-resons-why-players-decide-to-decide-to-play-for-one-country-or-another

or

https://www.606v2.com/t21307-another-concerning-issue-for-the-wru-over-steven-shingler

You may get a nibble of interest there.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Am a bit surprised I guess that A Shingler not included but who instead of? I suppose the obvious one would have been Powell and then use R Jones as cover for 2nd row and No8

As Aaron Shingler covers lock too he may well have been a good shout, though as pointed out on the Dylan Hartley thread, Shingler often plays the game very close to the laws, often on the wrong side of them and is invariably lucky to not get carded. A risk that I imagine our esteemed coached counted against him....?

Powell is a good lad. On the Lions tour DVD he was hilarious and all the Welsh players say hes the funniest in the squad.

If you watch the Howley interview he explains the Robinson inclusion.

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Am a bit surprised I guess that A Shingler not included but who instead of? I suppose the obvious one would have been Powell and then use R Jones as cover for 2nd row and No8

As Aaron Shingler covers lock too he may well have been a good shout, though as pointed out on the Dylan Hartley thread, Shingler often plays the game very close to the laws, often on the wrong side of them and is invariably lucky to not get carded. A risk that I imagine our esteemed coached counted against him....?

Maes,

Yet he picked Powell

Keith Earls over Fitzgerald ?

I dont think Powell's inclusion is as massive a issue for me personally as it may have been a year ago.

Not sure why but I do see his uses, I call him a donkey a lot less when I watch him now. Maybe because I am not so surprised by some of his decisions.

He is likely in their purely as an extra ball carrying option, maybe just as moral for the Poland trip. I would be surprised to see him anywhere near the match day 22 with a fully fit squad.

Maes, your Ireland squad appears to be different to the one on the Irish squad. Cullen didn't make it, Tuhoy and Toner did.

Morgannwg Mate,

Please can you give me a link to the one you have?

Too early for Robinson and Liam Williams, how do either of them get in over Brew? Henson is as inexplicable as ever, Barry Davies, Ceri Sweeney or Jason Tovey all deserve his place.

The rest looks ok, though Gatland's warning to the French contingent was just for a laugh apparently

Maes,

I am surprised to see him there but that said when youy listen to anyone ( even Lions boys) he is good for morale, good trainer and just good to have around the squad.

I have always said that if he' used properly, which for me would be off the bench in the last 20 running at tired defences then he could be very destructive.

As you said I doubt we will see him near match day 22 other than for injruy - as an aside, I wonder if he would have been included if Morgan had been available.

Knowsit17 wrote:Too early for Robinson and Liam Williams, how do either of them get in over Brew? Henson is as inexplicable as ever, Barry Davies, Ceri Sweeney or Jason Tovey all deserve his place.

The rest looks ok, though Gatland's warning to the French contingent was just for a laugh apparently

Knowsit,

Agree with you on Robinson, Williams is most probably in as back 3 cover where as Brew is an out n out winger, plus hasn't Williams been involved with the squad.

Toveys form is a bit hit n miss at the moment and I doubt Henson is in the squad as a 10 which is Toveys best (and only IMO) position. Ceri Sweeney come on really.

No, actually Maes, the thread where I seen a different squad to the one named has vanished. I found this though:

Ireland squad: Rory Best (Ulster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ulster)

Wolfhounds squad: Stephen Archer (Munster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Connacht), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Denis Hurley (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Ronan Loughney (Connacht), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Kevin McLaughlin (Leinster), John Muldoon (Connacht), Tomas O'Leary (Munster), Eoin O'Malley (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Mike Sherry (Munster), Nevin Spence (Ulster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Damien Varley (Munster), Brett Wilkinson (Connacht)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/16615488.stm

That's not even their best squad. I hope the boys are really targetting a win here.

Anyone else chuffed that Sam is still Captain ? I am

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:Too early for Robinson and Liam Williams, how do either of them get in over Brew? Henson is as inexplicable as ever, Barry Davies, Ceri Sweeney or Jason Tovey all deserve his place.

The rest looks ok, though Gatland's warning to the French contingent was just for a laugh apparently

Knowsit,

Agree with you on Robinson, Williams is most probably in as back 3 cover where as Brew is an out n out winger, plus hasn't Williams been involved with the squad.

Toveys form is a bit hit n miss at the moment and I doubt Henson is in the squad as a 10 which is Toveys best (and only IMO) position. Ceri Sweeney come on really.

Tovey and Sweeney have both played better over a far greater period of time than Henson. Normally I would consider neither on this occasion but if Henson can get in just like that then those mentioned above can certainly feel hard done by. Besides, adding Henson and Beck makes five centres overrall, surely we don't need that many?!

Probably not the best message to send to the players regarding regional games ie have a couple of okay ones and welcome aboard.

Stoked...!

I hope he will be there as a captain for a long time. Great lad. Best Captain Wales have had since god I don't know err Richard Moriarty...?

Sweeney is Poopie... Tovey isn't ready to play in the 6 nations yet.

Knowsit17 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:Too early for Robinson and Liam Williams, how do either of them get in over Brew? Henson is as inexplicable as ever, Barry Davies, Ceri Sweeney or Jason Tovey all deserve his place.

The rest looks ok, though Gatland's warning to the French contingent was just for a laugh apparently

Knowsit,

Agree with you on Robinson, Williams is most probably in as back 3 cover where as Brew is an out n out winger, plus hasn't Williams been involved with the squad.

Toveys form is a bit hit n miss at the moment and I doubt Henson is in the squad as a 10 which is Toveys best (and only IMO) position. Ceri Sweeney come on really.

Tovey and Sweeney have both played better over a far greater period of time than Henson. Normally I would consider neither on this occasion but if Henson can get in just like that then those mentioned above can certainly feel hard done by. Besides, adding Henson and Beck makes five centres overrall, surely we don't need that many?!

Probably not the best message to send to the players regarding regional games ie have a couple of okay ones and welcome aboard.

Do you think that his selection is that obscure, that unpredictable? I am sure most players competing for Henson's place would have considered whether he was in contention ahead or behind them. If they thought that Henson was ahead of them, then they would have to try harder to impress.

I actually think that his inclusion is a positive sign. The other centres are all quite similar. If the coaches can get Henson to a stage where they are happy that he will add to the team and select him for Wales he will surely be a bonus. If not, he is likely to improve faster in the Welsh Squad than with the Cardiff Squad. That can only be good for Wales too.