Meet the world XV who could all have played rugby for Wales

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-2014-meet-international-6750333


15. Jonathan Callard (England): Born Leicester, he went to Bassaleg School, Newport, and played for Newport before joining Bath.

14. Josh Lewsey (England): His mother, Mair, was raised in Cwmllynfell in the Neath Valley and is a Welsh speaker, and his dad David is also half-Welsh.

13. Rhys Llewellyn (NZ): In September 2007 the Bridgend boy and Brynteg Comprehensive pupil emigrated to New Zealand with his family and gained a scholarship to St Beales College, Christchurch, where he soon made the college first team. Scored a try in New Zealand U20s' record 92-0 humiliation of Wales U-20s three years ago.

12. Manu Tuilagi (England): He played for Cardiff club side Rumney at junior level when his eldest brother Freddie spent a season with the Blues. Could have qualified for Wales on residency had he remained here.

11. Matt Perry (England): A Lions Test full-back in Australia in 2001, his Welsh grandfather, Idris, also played for Bath in the 1940s. A talented cricketer, at Millfield School Matt Parry captained a side including Ben Hollioake, later an England Test player.

10. Stuart Barnes (England): Born in Essex but went to Bassaleg School, captained Welsh Schools and played for Newport before joining Bristol and then Bath

9. Dewi Morris (England): His parents were Crickhowell farmers. The scrum-half was playing for Orrell and worked in the north of England when he was spotted by Red Rose selectors.

8. Billy Vunipola (England): His father, Fe'ao, is a former Tonga captain who played for Pontypridd and Pontypool. The family lived in Aberscychan before moving to Thornbury, Gloucester. Injured an ankle during England's win over Ireland last weekend and will miss rest of Six Nations.

7. Martin Corry (England): His mother is a Welsh speaker from Llandeilo. He captained England and appeared for the Lions.

6. Rhys Ruddock (Ireland): His Welsh father, Mike, coached Wales to the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam. Rhys was born in Ireland - his mother Bernie is Irish.

5. Nathan Sharpe (Australia): Born in Wagga Wagga, the look captained Oz 20 times during a 116-Test career. Back in 2000, when the Wales coach at the time, Graham Henry, discovered the young Aussie second row had a Welsh-born grandfather, he made a bid to snap him up.

4. Bryn Evans (NZ): Came from relative obscurity in 2009 to win two All Blacks caps. Would have qualified for Wales on parentage.

3. Henry Thomas (England): His father, Nigel, played for London Welsh. Henry was born in Kingston, went to Millfield School and represented England at U16 cricket. Came on as a replacement for England against Ireland last weekend.

2. Aled de Malmanche (NZ): Has Welsh grandparents and considered making himself available for Wales but NZ promptly called him up for the All Blacks squad

1. Mako Vunipola (England): Billy's brother

10 English boys could'a been Welsh boyos.

How many Welsh lads actually are English chaps?

How many of those would've been chosen in preference to the actual welsh encumbent though?

Wales had better options obviously than all of these players. Lewsey has come back but frankly you could have kept him.

Hardly a "world XV" that's stretching it.

profitius wrote:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-2014-meet-international-6750333


15. Jonathan Callard (England): Born Leicester, he went to Bassaleg School, Newport, and played for Newport before joining Bath.

14. Josh Lewsey (England): His mother, Mair, was raised in Cwmllynfell in the Neath Valley and is a Welsh speaker, and his dad David is also half-Welsh.

13. Rhys Llewellyn (NZ): In September 2007 the Bridgend boy and Brynteg Comprehensive pupil emigrated to New Zealand with his family and gained a scholarship to St Beales College, Christchurch, where he soon made the college first team. Scored a try in New Zealand U20s' record 92-0 humiliation of Wales U-20s three years ago.

12. Manu Tuilagi (England): He played for Cardiff club side Rumney at junior level when his eldest brother Freddie spent a season with the Blues. Could have qualified for Wales on residency had he remained here.

11. Matt Perry (England): A Lions Test full-back in Australia in 2001, his Welsh grandfather, Idris, also played for Bath in the 1940s. A talented cricketer, at Millfield School Matt Parry captained a side including Ben Hollioake, later an England Test player.

10. Stuart Barnes (England): Born in Essex but went to Bassaleg School, captained Welsh Schools and played for Newport before joining Bristol and then Bath

9. Dewi Morris (England): His parents were Crickhowell farmers. The scrum-half was playing for Orrell and worked in the north of England when he was spotted by Red Rose selectors.

8. Billy Vunipola (England): His father, Fe'ao, is a former Tonga captain who played for Pontypridd and Pontypool. The family lived in Aberscychan before moving to Thornbury, Gloucester. Injured an ankle during England's win over Ireland last weekend and will miss rest of Six Nations.

7. Martin Corry (England): His mother is a Welsh speaker from Llandeilo. He captained England and appeared for the Lions.

6. Rhys Ruddock (Ireland): His Welsh father, Mike, coached Wales to the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam. Rhys was born in Ireland - his mother Bernie is Irish.

5. Nathan Sharpe (Australia): Born in Wagga Wagga, the look captained Oz 20 times during a 116-Test career. Back in 2000, when the Wales coach at the time, Graham Henry, discovered the young Aussie second row had a Welsh-born grandfather, he made a bid to snap him up.

4. Bryn Evans (NZ): Came from relative obscurity in 2009 to win two All Blacks caps. Would have qualified for Wales on parentage.

3. Henry Thomas (England): His father, Nigel, played for London Welsh. Henry was born in Kingston, went to Millfield School and represented England at U16 cricket. Came on as a replacement for England against Ireland last weekend.

2. Aled de Malmanche (NZ): Has Welsh grandparents and considered making himself available for Wales but NZ promptly called him up for the All Blacks squad

1. Mako Vunipola (England): Billy's brother

Have to take issue here, Cwmllynfell is not in the Neath Valley

Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

Simon Easterby was a great six. He should be in there for Ruddock.

Kieran Marmion is a 9 soon to be capped by Ireland who looks set to be a great player.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

  Are you seriously suggesting that Gatland would have picked Dan Carter over Priestland???

You don't know Gatland!  Even last year's Championship winning 10 (when Gatland wasn't there) can't get a look in.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

Before Carter signed a professional contract with Canterbury he came to Dublin and talked to the then manager of St Marys an AIL rugby club to discuss the possibility of joining them. He decided against it however and got a contract with Canterbury fairly soon after he returned home.

He could have played for Ireland?

If my auntie had bollox she would be my uncle

Lewsey and Billy V would have been good as would have Ben Morgan. Heard Rhys Llewellyn was a big one to lose and Rhys Ruddock seems to be doing pretty well.

BamBam wrote:If my auntie had bollox she would be my uncle

hmmmmmmmm............................ this mightn't be a good time to.............................

I'll try to do an Irish one. Feel free to fill in the blanks!

1. Alex Corbisiero - A grandparent or greatgrandparent
2 Stephen Moore - Irish parents.
3. Karl Hayman - Irish mother.
4. Ben Kay - Irish mother.
5.
6. Bobby Skinstad - Irish mother.
7. Liam Gill - Irish parent(s) I read in a blog so not 100% sure.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Tim Horan - Irish parent(s).
13.
14.
15.

GunsGerms wrote:Simon Easterby was a great six. He should be in there for Ruddock.

Kieran Marmion is a 9 soon to be capped by Ireland who looks set to be a great player.

Easterby was half English half Irish as far as I know. Marmion has Irish parents but lived in Wales and born in England so he WAS qualified to play for both of them until he got his 5 minutes of Ireland A gametime a few weeks back.

GunsGerms wrote:

GloriousEmpire wrote:Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

Before Carter signed a professional contract with Canterbury he came to Dublin and talked to the then manager of St Marys an AIL rugby club to discuss the possibility of joining them. He decided against it however and got a contract with Canterbury fairly soon after he returned home.

He could have played for Ireland?

What Ireland were doing project players back then?

profitius wrote:I'll try to do an Irish one. Feel free to fill in the blanks!

1. Alex Corbisiero - A grandparent or greatgrandparent
2 Stephen Moore - Irish parents.
3. Karl Hayman - Irish mother.
4. Ben Kay - Irish mother.
5.
6. Bobby Skinstad - Irish mother.
7. Liam Gill - Irish parent(s) I read in a blog so not 100% sure.
8.
9.
10.  
11.
12. Tim Horan - Irish parent(s).
13.
14.
15.

GunsGerms wrote:Simon Easterby was a great six. He should be in there for Ruddock.

Kieran Marmion is a 9 soon to be capped by Ireland who looks set to be a great player.

Easterby was half English half Irish as far as I know. Marmion has Irish parents but lived in Wales and born in England so he WAS qualified to play for both of them until he got his 5 minutes of Ireland A gametime a few weeks back.

Sean Fitzpatrick? His cousin runs a b&b somewhere near limerick.

Should be easy to do a Samoa and Fiji one of these, you just have to look at who played for NZ down the years

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Should be easy to do a Samoa and Fiji one of these, you just have to look at who played for NZ down the years

What you mean Samoa and Fiji aren't actually in New Zealand?   

Dewi Morris was pants.

Scratch wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Should be easy to do a Samoa and Fiji one of these, you just have to look at who played for NZ down the years

What you mean Samoa and Fiji aren't actually in New Zealand?   

No you see when Fijians/Samoans are brought over to NZ at 15 or 16 they aren't being poached they are brought over to get a good education, out of the goodness of the New Zealand people. They just so happen to be great rugby players  

profitius wrote:I'll try to do an Irish one. Feel free to fill in the blanks!

1. Alex Corbisiero - A grandparent or greatgrandparent
2 Stephen Moore - Irish parents.
3. Karl Hayman - Irish mother.
4. Ben Kay - Irish mother.
5.
6. Bobby Skinstad - Irish mother.
7. Liam Gill - Irish parent(s) I read in a blog so not 100% sure.
8.
9.
10.  
11.
12. Tim Horan - Irish parent(s).
13.
14.
15.

Dallaglio is in there somewhere.

Paul Doran jones played for Ireland u20s then lined out for England when he was good...

Also Scott LaValla could have played for Ireland after being in college in Trinity...

Jeremy Guscott - his Maternal Grandmother came from Sneem.

Never new about Aled de Malmanche. He's always impressed me when i see him and is a rare player who can play both hooker and prop and is pretty descent in both. Would have loved him.

As far as im concerned we already have the better tongan born 8, we will let England keep Billy aye   

9. Kieran Bracken born in Dublin.

GunsGerms wrote:

GloriousEmpire wrote:Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

Before Carter signed a professional contract with Canterbury he came to Dublin and talked to the then manager of St Marys an AIL rugby club to discuss the possibility of joining them. He decided against it however and got a contract with Canterbury fairly soon after he returned home.

He could have played for Ireland?

He could have backed up O'Gara!

Think Tim Horan had Irish relatives too.

SecretFly wrote:

profitius wrote:I'll try to do an Irish one. Feel free to fill in the blanks!

1. Alex Corbisiero - A grandparent or greatgrandparent
2 Stephen Moore - Irish parents.
3. Karl Hayman - Irish mother.
4. Ben Kay - Irish mother.
5.
6. Bobby Skinstad - Irish mother.
7. Liam Gill - Irish parent(s) I read in a blog so not 100% sure.
8.
9.
10.  
11.
12. Tim Horan - Irish parent(s).
13.
14.
15.

Dallaglio is in there somewhere.

Never knew about Skinstad, Kay or Hayman. Jesus Irish women get around.

Stephen Moore also lived in ireland as a kid.

Shane Geraghty 6 caps for England at 10 had Irish parents.

SecretFly wrote:Jeremy Guscott - his Maternal Grandmother came from Sneem.

Is that true? Keep that one quiet please.

Horan's cousin was Tipperary hurler Declan Ryan.

Others I found off babbling brook are "Matt Burke, Jason Little, Dan Herbert, Timmy Horan, Owen Finegan. Irish Passport holders all".


Heres the updated team. Sean Fitzpatrick replaces Moore.

1. Alex Corbisiero - A grandparent or greatgrandparent
2. Sean Fitzpartick - ?    
3. Karl Hayman - Irish mother.
4. Ben Kay - Irish mother.
5. Nick Kennedy - ?
6. Bobby Skinstad - Irish mother.
7. Liam Gill - Irish parent(s) I read in a blog so not 100% sure.
8. Lawrence Dallaglio - Grandparent(s)
9. Byron Kelleher - Father
10. Shane Geraghty
11.
12. Jason Little - passport holder
13. Tim Horan - Irish parent(s).
14.
15. Matt Burke - passport holder


Not surprisingly we're missing wingers!

Christian Cullen had Irish heritage but probably distant.

It would be surprising if James O'Connor didnt too but his grandparents were South African so probably distant.

Michael Patrick Lynagh must have been some part Irish too.

Actually stick Daniel Herbert on a wing. I think I might have gotten Horan and Little's positions mixed up there. Horan was an inside center if memory serves me right.

GloriousEmpire wrote:Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

  I was thinking that. Manu Tuilagi lived in Wales for a year (possibly, it needs to be permanent residency).

Another good one is 'dad played for London Welsh'. I presume that's not what qualified him.

Love your sense of humour Profitius:

"Manu Tuilagi.......Could have qualified for Wales on residency had he remained here"

You could probably say the same about Shane Howarth.

profitius wrote:Horan's cousin was Tipperary hurler Declan Ryan.

Others I found off babbling brook are "Matt Burke, Jason Little, Dan Herbert, Timmy Horan, Owen Finegan. Irish Passport holders all".


Heres the updated team. Sean Fitzpatrick replaces Moore.

1. Alex Corbisiero - A grandparent or greatgrandparent
2. Sean Fitzpartick - ?    
3. Karl Hayman - Irish mother.
4. Ben Kay - Irish mother.
5. Nick Kennedy - ?
6. Bobby Skinstad - Irish mother.
7. Liam Gill - Irish parent(s) I read in a blog so not 100% sure.
8. Lawrence Dallaglio - Grandparent(s)
9. Byron Kelleher - Father
10. Shane Geraghty
11.
12. Jason Little - passport holder
13. Tim Horan - Irish parent(s).
14.
15. Matt Burke - passport holder


Not surprisingly we're missing wingers!

There's a Russian wing Vasily Artemyev who would have qualified on residency he plays for Northampton now I think.(not exactly a top class option)

He left Northampton, he's back in Russia now but he does still line out for the national side.

I could have played for Wales because I have a Welsh grandmother.  Also lived in the Principality for a time, though not enough to qualify by residency.  
I chose England because I don't look good in red.  And that shade of red doesn't make me feel pretty.

James Ryan. The red haired lock who won a few caps for NZ a few years back surely must be part Paddy.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Love your sense of humour Profitius:

"Manu Tuilagi.......Could have qualified for Wales on residency had he remained here"

You could probably say the same about Shane Howarth.

It wasn't me who said that. I don't like to take another mans credit.   

profitius wrote:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-2014-meet-international-6750333


15. Jonathan Callard (England): Born Leicester, he went to Bassaleg School, Newport, and played for Newport before joining Bath.

14. Josh Lewsey (England): His mother, Mair, was raised in Cwmllynfell in the Neath Valley and is a Welsh speaker, and his dad David is also half-Welsh.

13. Rhys Llewellyn (NZ): In September 2007 the Bridgend boy and Brynteg Comprehensive pupil emigrated to New Zealand with his family and gained a scholarship to St Beales College, Christchurch, where he soon made the college first team. Scored a try in New Zealand U20s' record 92-0 humiliation of Wales U-20s three years ago.

12. Manu Tuilagi (England): He played for Cardiff club side Rumney at junior level when his eldest brother Freddie spent a season with the Blues. Could have qualified for Wales on residency had he remained here.

11. Matt Perry (England): A Lions Test full-back in Australia in 2001, his Welsh grandfather, Idris, also played for Bath in the 1940s. A talented cricketer, at Millfield School Matt Parry captained a side including Ben Hollioake, later an England Test player.

10. Stuart Barnes (England): Born in Essex but went to Bassaleg School, captained Welsh Schools and played for Newport before joining Bristol and then Bath

9. Dewi Morris (England): His parents were Crickhowell farmers. The scrum-half was playing for Orrell and worked in the north of England when he was spotted by Red Rose selectors.

8. Billy Vunipola (England): His father, Fe'ao, is a former Tonga captain who played for Pontypridd and Pontypool. The family lived in Aberscychan before moving to Thornbury, Gloucester. Injured an ankle during England's win over Ireland last weekend and will miss rest of Six Nations.

7. Martin Corry (England): His mother is a Welsh speaker from Llandeilo. He captained England and appeared for the Lions.

6. Rhys Ruddock (Ireland): His Welsh father, Mike, coached Wales to the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam. Rhys was born in Ireland - his mother Bernie is Irish.

5. Nathan Sharpe (Australia): Born in Wagga Wagga, the look captained Oz 20 times during a 116-Test career. Back in 2000, when the Wales coach at the time, Graham Henry, discovered the young Aussie second row had a Welsh-born grandfather, he made a bid to snap him up.

4. Bryn Evans (NZ): Came from relative obscurity in 2009 to win two All Blacks caps. Would have qualified for Wales on parentage.

3. Henry Thomas (England): His father, Nigel, played for London Welsh. Henry was born in Kingston, went to Millfield School and represented England at U16 cricket. Came on as a replacement for England against Ireland last weekend.

2. Aled de Malmanche (NZ): Has Welsh grandparents and considered making himself available for Wales but NZ promptly called him up for the All Blacks squad

1. Mako Vunipola (England): Billy's brother

Particularly tenuous, that one...

GloriousEmpire wrote:Some of the qualifications are a bit tenuous?

Dan Carter - had he been born in Wales, lived there for 5 years or had a welsh granny, he could've played for Wales.

I literally said this exact thing on Facebook!