Wales Squad for 2013 Six Nations

by maestegmafia Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:40 am

Six Nations 2013: Wales name five uncapped players

Wales interim coach Rob Howley has named five uncapped players in a 35-man squad for the RBS Six Nations.
With four front-line locks ruled out with injury, James King (Ospreys) and Andrew Coombs (Dragons) have been called up for the first time.

They are joined by Blues back-rowers Josh Navidi and South Africa-born Andries Pretorius, who qualifies on residency, and Ospreys wing Eli Walker.
Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate and Bradley Davies are injured.
Charteris is out for the season, but Davies, Wyn Jones and Lydiate could return for the latter stages of the tournament for the defending champions.
Wales Six Nations fixtures

v Ireland - 2 February, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (13:30 GMT)
v France - 9 February, Stade de France, Paris (17:00 GMT)
v Italy - 23 February, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (14:30 GMT)
v Scotland - 9 March, Murrayfield, Edinburgh (14:30 GMT)
v England - 16 March, Twickenham, London (17:00 GMT)

Versatile forward Ryan Jones has been included despite dislocating his thumb on Sunday, raising doubts over his availability for the opener against Ireland in Cardiff on 2 February.

Back in the squad is full-back Lee Byrne of Clermont Auvergne, who was overlooked for the autumn internationals, but there is no place for 19-year-old Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell.

Howley has named an experienced contingent in the front row, which is bolstered by the return to fitness of Adam Jones (Ospreys) and Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), who feature alongside Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Paul James (Bath), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Ryan Bevington (Ospreys).

"We have put together a very experienced squad and complemented that by rewarding the in-form players with a call-up," said Howley.

"The players in the squad have been playing really well and we have been pleased with their individual performances.

"We have a group of players who know how to win big matches and have experienced success. We are adding to that players who have stood out and performed well for the regions this season."
King, a former Wales Under-20s cap, has impressed for Ospreys this season and will vie for a second-row berth with 28-year-old Coombs.

In the back row, Sam Warburton, who has been named as captain, is selected alongside the experienced Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) and Josh Turnbull (Scarlets).

In the backline Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues) and Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) will contest the number nine jersey. They will be joined at half-back by Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and James Hook (Perpignan), with Rhys Priestland (Scarlets) unavailable for selection because of injury.
The 2012 Grand Slam Champions begin the defence of their title against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium, before facing France in Paris the following weekend.

WALES SQUAD:

Forwards:
Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys) Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys) Lou Reed (Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Scarlets), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Andries Pretorius (Blues)

Backs:
Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets) Alex Cuthbert (Blues), George North (Scarlets), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Clermont).

Injured Wales players

Ashley Beck (centre) - will miss first two Six Nations games
Huw Bennett (hooker) - targeting return in February
Luke Charteris (lock) - out for the season
Bradley Davies (lock) - unlikely to feature in Six Nations
Ian Evans (lock) - expected to be fit for the Six Nations
James Hook (fly-half) - expected to be fit for Six Nations
Aaron Jarvis (prop) - out for the season
Alun Wyn Jones (lock) - will miss start of Six Nations
Ryan Jones (lock/back-row) - expected to miss start of Six Nations
Dan Lydiate (flanker) - set to return in February
Rhys Priestland (fly-half) - out for the season
Aaron Shingler (flanker) - set to return in January

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:45 am

You'd think the BBC would know we're not playing England at Twickenham this season - and that Sam Warburton doesn't play for the Scarlets! picard

by BlueNote Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:47 am

He must be reasonably confident of Ian Evans being fit for the Ireland game, otherwise we'll have just two locks, Lou Reed and James King, with no proper lock replacement on the bench (you'd have thought he'd have learned his lesson from the AIs).

Apart from scrum-half, the backs are the right ones, and he's got the right front-rowers there. The back five of the scrum looks lightweight, though.

by wales606 Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:48 am

There is no excuse for selecting Lloyd Williams.

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:50 am

Right, I'll categorise my response -

Bed blockers:
Jenkins Rees
v
Good old players wrongly overlooked:
Gough

Foreign journeyman:
Pretorius
v
Good naturalised Welshman:
Bearman

Reputation over form:
Lloyd Williams
v
Decent player deserving recognition:
Gareth Davies

Unimaginative option:
Hook Byrne
v
Punt on rookie:
Morgan Fussell

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:51 am

Andrew Coombs is in as a lock. I'm pleased for him, but it's a surprise because he's not an out-and-out lock. Then again, the cupboard is, well, injured.

I thought Lewis Evans deserved a call-up.

Jon Evans should be in too, considering they've picked Lloyd Williams!

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:54 am

In our first match in last years 6 nations Rhys Gill was close to being man of the match. Since then he has continued to perform well for Saracens. Can anyone please explain his omission here? Cheers thumbsup

by maestegmafia Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:56 am

Pretorious, Lloyd Wiilams and Lou Reed haven't impressed me this season at all. Tavis Knoyle hasn't played very well either. Surprised to see them keep their places/get the call.

by maestegmafia Tue 15 Jan 2013, 11:58 am

RubyGuby wrote:In our first match in last years 6 nations Rhys Gill was close to being man of the match. Since then he has continued to perform well for Saracens. Can anyone please explain his omission here? Cheers

Bevington has played very well in my opinion but I do like Gill and see him as a very reliable Looseheadz

by CurlyOsp Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:03 pm

Given that he's been named captain again, I think we're about to see if the Warburton, Tipuric, Faletau combo works

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:04 pm

How is Paul James doing in Bath? Whistle

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:04 pm

Tavis and Lloyd W have been awful this year and this was an opportunity to give someone else an opportunity or even look at Peel or R Rees filling in. There is enough there to have a good XV that can beat Ireland however but we need some bigger guns back soon, obviously in the 2nd row. thumbsup

by maestegmafia Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:05 pm

Glas a du wrote:How is Paul James doing in Bath?

Good the man is a rock. Been down there a few times this year. It's my nearest club so I bought a season ticket.

by glamorganalun Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:06 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Andrew Coombs is in as a lock. I'm pleased for him, but it's a surprise because he's not an out-and-out lock. Then again, the cupboard is, well, injured.

I thought Lewis Evans deserved a call-up.

Jon Evans should be in too, considering they've picked Lloyd Williams!

Agree with all you comments but not unexpected. To add to you observations I don't rate Knoyle he can't pass.

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:06 pm

Their first choice pack is presumably:

Jenkins Rees Jones
Reed King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Hmmmm chin

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:07 pm

And while we're at it what the feck is Josh Navidi doing in there? He's a good little player but his inclusion IMO is insane. He will get eaten alive like he does for the Blues. Insane selection from a romantic and naive coach. steam

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:08 pm

romantic...

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:09 pm

Jenkins Hibbard Jones
Ryan/Ianto
Shingler Faletau Warburton

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:10 pm

Glas a du wrote:Their first choice pack is presumably:

Jenkins Rees Jones
Reed King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Hmmmm

How much longer can Gethin Jenkins keep getting selected on previous achievements?

by BlueNote Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:14 pm

I would think that for the Ireland game we're looking at:

James Hibbard[if fit]/Rees Jones
Reed Evans[if fit]/King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Phillips, Biggar, North, Roberts, JD2, Cuthbert, Halfpenny

And Ireland will be too physical for us up front, and our lineout will be even worse than normal.

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:14 pm

RubyGuby wrote:Jenkins Hibbard Jones
Ryan/Ianto
Shingler Faletau Warburton

Sorry, should have been more specific - selected from players who are currently fit...

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:16 pm

BlueNote wrote:I would think that for the Ireland game we're looking at:

James Hibbard[if fit]/Rees Jones
Reed Evans[if fit]/King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Phillips, Biggar, North, Roberts, JD2, Cuthbert, Halfpenny

And Ireland will be too physical for us up front, and our lineout will be even worse than normal.

Agree with all of that, but King is a decent line out operator. Time will tell if he can make the step up, but he looked to be very classy around the field against the Tigers.

by glamorganalun Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:19 pm

CurlyOsp wrote:Given that he's been named captain again, I think we're about to see if the Warburton, Tipuric, Faletau combo works

Only one form player in that back row, looks light weight but fast, England and France will blow us away with that back row, hopefully Lydiate and/or Jones will be fit for France. I rather Tipuric over Warburton but Warburton plays for Cardiff hence some Cardiff average players getting into the squad.

by Casartelli Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:21 pm

Backs look alright, assuming Knoyle and Lloyd Williams are there just to carry the kitbags off the team bus.

Injury hit pack looks decidedly dodgy. We must have the most lightweight backrow in the tournament. Might be okay if we changed tactics and ran the opposition around, but we won't.

We're just going to get smashed off the ball in the 'contact situations'.

by CurlyOsp Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:21 pm

glamorganalun wrote:
CurlyOsp wrote:Given that he's been named captain again, I think we're about to see if the Warburton, Tipuric, Faletau combo works

Only one form player in that back row, looks light weight but fast, England and France will blow us away with that back row, hopefully Lydiate and/or Jones will be fit for France. I rather Tipuric over Warburton but Warburton plays for Cardiff hence some Cardiff average players getting into the squad.

Agree with the form argument, but Howley wont drop Warburton and with Jones & Lydiate out we're starting to look thin at 6. Faletau is the only out and out 8 in the squad.

by Glas a du Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:21 pm

50% think "good, considering what's available..."

picard

sometimes I dispair picard

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:26 pm

15 - Halfpenny
14 - Cuthbert
13 - Jamie
12 - JD
11 - North
10 - Biggar
9 - Iron Mike
8 - Toby
7 - Warburton
6 - Ryan
5 - Reed
4 - Ianto
3 - Adam
2 - Hibbard
1 - James

Its not that bad considering what's missing thumbsup

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:29 pm

CurlyOsp wrote:Howley wont drop Warburton

No, he won't - he's been named as captain, so that guarantees him to start.

by BlueNote Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:30 pm

"he looked to be very classy around the field against the Tigers.."

He does look pretty athletic/dynamic.

by glamorganalun Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:36 pm

Glas a du wrote:
BlueNote wrote:I would think that for the Ireland game we're looking at:

James Hibbard[if fit]/Rees Jones
Reed Evans[if fit]/King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Phillips, Biggar, North, Roberts, JD2, Cuthbert, Halfpenny

And Ireland will be too physical for us up front, and our lineout will be even worse than normal.

Agree with all of that, but King is a decent line out operator. Time will tell if he can make the step up, but he looked to be very classy around the field against the Tigers.

From what I gather King is playing second row as a fill in as he is a 6, he is not big enough for a second row at international level although he has doing very well in the second row for the Ospreys with Gough. Again King has R Jones behind him to lift him and provide grunt in the scrum, Wales may struggle against Ireland if Warburton is playing 6 and King in the second row.

by pioden gorllewin Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:43 pm

would have like to have seen Rhys Gill, Lloyd Peers, Lewis Evans and Jon Evans in the squad. Really can't understand the selections of Lloyd Williams, Lou Reed and Andrew Coombes. Think Josh Turnbull, Tavis Knoyle and Gethin Jenkins should consider themseleves luck to have made the squad too. Maybe Andries Pretorius selection is a sign that there aren't many good 8's coming through in Wales.

by chris_501 Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:44 pm

I think the only place where there should be argument is our choice of scrum halves. But unfortunately the only players who have international experience and fit the model of making the next World Cup are horribly out of form, all at the same time (Webb, Williams and Knoyle). I would have liked to have seen one of the Scarlets and Dragons scrum halves called up instead of Williams.

As far as the pack goes, Howley has been so hamstrung with the injuries. A back row of Shingler, Warburton and Faletau is still a pretty decent prospect and I think due to the lack of size and aggression of our remaining second rows, Tipuric will have to make do with a spot on the bench.

The exciting prospect looks our back 3 options. Yes Byrne is a little older, but has been showing real quality at Clermont, back to his best. Liam Williams is having a good season, with a great debut against the All Blacks. Even if one of those was left out, we still have Prydie who has been impressing at Dragons, gone are the days of us starting Hook back there! Eli Walker will gain a lot from being in the squad, and certainly deserves his place ahead of Harry Robinson.

Ther wouldn't be a squad announced that could make all Welsh fans happy, but on the whole I think it's pretty spot on.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:45 pm

Does anyone expect to see changes to the gameplan?

by youngguns6 Tue 15 Jan 2013, 12:48 pm

How is Jonny Evans not in the squad? The S/H picked ahead of him are woeful. Surprised L Evans isn't picked after his recent good form but delighted for Coombs. A real work horse with bags of aggression. He won't let anyone down if he gets a chance.

by dogtooth Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:17 pm

ryan jones should play scrum half. he would provide better service to the backs than phillips, even with a broken thumb.

by Guest Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:21 pm

I wouldn't have thought Coombsy would get a look in to be fair, so that's a nice surprise. Bad from a Dragons point of view, as we are left with Sid and Madam as our locks, but then again the season is over anyway. Not too happy that Lewis and Jon Evans have been overlooked, but Howley has at least brought some form into the squad.

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:21 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Does anyone expect to see changes to the gameplan?

What gameplan would that be? thumbsup

by dogtooth Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:35 pm

lloyd williams hasnt been picked on reputation and past glories but for his fathers reputation and past glories. picard

by RubyGuby Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:39 pm

And Brynmor didn't have too many of them Yahoo

by mpc28 Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:51 pm

I don't see the point of having both Josh Turnball and Andrew Coombs in the squad, We only have two out and out second rows in the squad and one of them is touch and go to be fit for the Ireland game, So surely one could of been sacrificed for the likes of Ian Gough, Dom Day, Lloyd Peers or even Ollie Kohn.

by bedfordwelsh Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:51 pm

I voted not very happy with a few things and here they are.

Lewis Evans should have been included ahead of either Turnbull, Navidi or Pretorious

Johnny Evans (or anyone) should have been included ahead of Knoyle and/or Ll Williams.

That said glad for Coombes though didn't realise he was 28 and good to see Byrne and Walker included.

I am guessing the likes of AWJ and Lydiate can be added at a later date if fit.

With that in mind and with only R Jones having been ruled out of the Ireland game so far here is the team I would and what I think Howler will pick in brackets.

James
Hibbard
Jones
Evans
King
Shingler
Faletau
Tipuric (Warburton)

Phillips
Biggar

North
Sc Williams (Roberts)
JD
Halfpenny (Cuthbert)

Byrne (Halfpenny)

Jenkins, Rees, Turnbull, Navidi, Ll Williams Hook Li Williams (Byrne)

If its 23 man squad add Mitchell to the bench

by glamorganalun Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:53 pm

In the backs we have plenty of cover for scrum half, full back and wings but only 3 centres considering the injuries in recent weeks to Roberts and JD2. We only have two flyhalves, I suspect Hook will be covering centre/flyhalf (hopefully not full back) so if Biggar (or Hook) gets injured we are stuffed. It must be good for Biggar and Hook as they both must be in the 22.

by glamorganalun Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:55 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:I voted not very happy with a few things and here they are.

Lewis Evans should have been included ahead of either Turnbull, Navidi or Pretorious

Johnny Evans (or anyone) should have been included ahead of Knoyle and/or Ll Williams.

That said glad for Coombes though didn't realise he was 28 and good to see Byrne and Walker included.

I am guessing the likes of AWJ and Lydiate can be added at a later date if fit.

With that in mind and with only R Jones having been ruled out of the Ireland game so far here is the team I would and what I think Howler will pick in brackets.

James
Hibbard
Jones
Evans
King
Shingler
Faletau
Tipuric (Warburton)

Phillips
Biggar

North
Sc Williams (Roberts)
JD
Halfpenny (Cuthbert)

Byrne (Halfpenny)

Jenkins, Rees, Turnbull, Navidi, Ll Williams Hook Li Williams (Byrne)

Totally agree +1

If its 23 man squad add Mitchell to the bench

by bedfordwelsh Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:56 pm

Add to my post above I would still have given Goughie the nod just for his experience

by bedfordwelsh Tue 15 Jan 2013, 1:57 pm

glamorganalun wrote:
bedfordwelsh wrote:I voted not very happy with a few things and here they are.

Lewis Evans should have been included ahead of either Turnbull, Navidi or Pretorious

Johnny Evans (or anyone) should have been included ahead of Knoyle and/or Ll Williams.

That said glad for Coombes though didn't realise he was 28 and good to see Byrne and Walker included.

I am guessing the likes of AWJ and Lydiate can be added at a later date if fit.

With that in mind and with only R Jones having been ruled out of the Ireland game so far here is the team I would and what I think Howler will pick in brackets.

James
Hibbard
Jones
Evans
King
Shingler
Faletau
Tipuric (Warburton)

Phillips
Biggar

North
Sc Williams (Roberts)
JD
Halfpenny (Cuthbert)

Byrne (Halfpenny)

Jenkins, Rees, Turnbull, Navidi, Ll Williams Hook Li Williams (Byrne)

Totally agree +1

If its 23 man squad add Mitchell to the bench

Alun,

Not very often we agree should I have added Delve just so we can dis agree Hug

by BlueNote Tue 15 Jan 2013, 2:06 pm

Presumably they have in mind that Hookie or George North can play centre at a pinch.

by bedfordwelsh Tue 15 Jan 2013, 2:25 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
Glas a du wrote:Their first choice pack is presumably:

Jenkins Rees Jones
Reed King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Hmmmm

How much longer can Gethin Jenkins keep getting selected on previous achievements?

James started ahead of Jenkins in the AIs and I expect that to continue

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 15 Jan 2013, 2:30 pm

He's still taking Rhys Gill's place in the squad though, Bedford.

by maestegmafia Tue 15 Jan 2013, 2:33 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
Glas a du wrote:Their first choice pack is presumably:

Jenkins Rees Jones
Reed King
Tipuric Faletau Warburton

Hmmmm

How much longer can Gethin Jenkins keep getting selected on previous achievements?

James started ahead of Jenkins in the AIs and I expect that to continue

James was ahead of Jenkins in the AIs...!

by dragonbreath Tue 15 Jan 2013, 2:39 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You'd think the BBC would know we're not playing England at Twickenham this season - and that Sam Warburton doesn't play for the Scarlets!

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Thoughts on the squad..?