Gatland's selection

Hopefully, it won't happen, but if Halfpenny is injured, especially early on, it seems to me the only person who will replace him at FB is Priestland, and Jonesy would come off the bench to play at 10 ...

Does anyone think that Byrne should be on the bench instead of S Williams?

No, Liam Williams should be.

I'd be happy with his selection too. I'd just like to see a specialist FB on the bench.

Its because Hook had to pull out - not much could be done once Williams had been named.

Im sure Roberts or Jones could fit in at FB if required.

Absolutely no need for any pessimism.Unbelievable.We have a great squad of players and a switched-on coach and some are still questioning their choices.Hook has hardly been impressive in his cameos so he will not be missed.Scot Williams did fine before ,cant see why he shouldnt now,if required.

I've always wondered we Scott Williams is on the bench instead of Liam whose been playing a huge amount better than him for the Scarlets - of even Byrne!

That way we'd have all positions covered.

Though agree that by the time Hook pulled out it would have been a bit late to swap Scott for Liam/Byrne - but they should have been there at the start as Hook is simply not a FB and Priestland is our best 10 so we shouldn't be looking to move him.

Taffineastbourne wrote:Hook has hardly been impressive in his cameos so he will not be missed.

I have to take issue with that. I was really worried when he came on at Lansdowne Road after his last two games at the World Cup, but he showed some nice touches when he came on against Scotland and he's still a good footballer. But if, as Gatland says, he's being seen as an outside half, then yes, it would make sense for there to be a specialist full back on the bench and Hook's never looked like a full back.

I also thought that Hook did really well in his 'cameo' appearances. I thought that he was defensively solid and showed a good attacking threat.

Scott Williams is a centre and Liam Williams is a wing. Why would Gatland swap one for the other on the bench? Could Liam Williams come on a centre? Not as far as I know.

It would be like taking Paul James off the bench and replacing him with Charteris! Different position, different cover needed.

Hook was obviously 10 cover but could also do 15 at a push. Without him we needed to re-cover 10 hence Stephen Jones rather than Lee Byrne or Liam Williams. Still need Scott Williams there to cover centre though.

I agree with Priestland to 15. He's done well there for the Scarlets in the past. One other option, not that I'd go for it, is Jamie Roberts to 15 who used to play there for the blues, but Priestland would be much better IMO.

Griff, North could be moved to 13 to cover centre. I think 13 is North's best position anyway, and I expect him to play there for Wales in the not too distant future.

Why would North play at 13 ahead of JD2???

Gatland slotted Stephen Jones in as he knows where to stand and is a good passer. He has nothing else at this level any longer but it doesn't matter.

This is all going to be won or lost in the second and back rows.

Thus you're better off with someone who has a bucketful of caps as replacement 10. Hopefully he won't be called on though.

"Why would North play at 13 ahead of JD2??? " -- Ahead? As cover. If a specialist FB were on the baench instead of S Williams, North could cover 13 if JR or JD were injured.