[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Wales

[Rich Taff]

Jiffy had it spot on when he said the front five should have switched sides at half time, to allow the backs to show what they can do. I'd have liked to see a lot of 'switching' to the probables from the possibles (Cory Allen for one), just to see what they could do.
JDII showed what we missed when he was injured, brings a whole new creativity to the side.

I'd love to see that Llanelli Scrum Half behind a dominant pack, he's a very exciting player.

Can't believe the power that Jordan Williams has developed over the last year or so, and thought Morgan looked dangerous every time he got the ball when he came on.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

WALES SQUAD TO TOUR SOUTH AFRICA:

Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
Paul James (Bath)
Adam Jones (Ospreys)
Rhodri Jones (Scarlets)
Samson Lee (Scarlets)
Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)
Ken Owens (Scarlets)
Matthew Rees (Cardiff Blues)
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (Ospreys)
Luke Charteris (Perpignan)
Jake Ball (Scarlets)
Ian Evans (Ospreys)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Josh Turnbull (Scarlets)
Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)
Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Dan Baker (Ospreys)

Backs
Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
James Hook (Perpignan)
Steven Shingler (Scarlets)
Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
George North (Northampton Saints)
Jordan Williams (Scarlets)
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Nipper time!

 

[Rich Taff]

Samson Lee? It looked like he'd broken his arm.

Can't really argue with anyone of those selections though (apart from Hook, but he's a utility back now, so offers cover in multiple positions)
Is Priestland injured? Definitely a confidence player, but seemed to be getting it back at the start of the season.

 

[Darwin]

Jordan Williams (Scarlets)
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys)

Is it bring your child to work day?

 

[Rich Taff]

Jordan Williams (Scarlets)
Matthew Morgan (Ospreys)

Is it bring your child to work day?

The barsteward offspring of Shane Williams

 

[Draggs]

I will bet anything that those are all names decided before kickoff. A few went off injured, so expect changes.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I'd agree with one exception: Worth noting that they said they were going to name 31. Matthew Morgan played well. They named 32. Draggs is certainly on to something.

 

[Thingimubob]

To be fair, Matthew Morgan added a huge amount of spark to the match when he came on, created so many chances! Quite glad he made the final cut, although I wonder as what? He played fullback in the game, so could they be looking at him as a back 3 player? Certainly there's been a number of people who've commented that a move to the wing a la Shane Williams could hugely benefit Morgan's selection chances.

 

[Draggs]

Jordan Williams went through to U20 as a standoff; since moving to back three he has excelled. Could be worth considering for Morgan.
Will look for 'highlights' (yeah...), wasn't able to catch the match.

 

[SelimNiai]

WALES SQUAD TO TOUR SOUTH AFRICA:

Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
Paul James (Bath)
Adam Jones (Ospreys)
Rhodri Jones (Scarlets)
Samson Lee (Scarlets)
Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)
Ken Owens (Scarlets)
Matthew Rees (Cardiff Blues)
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (Ospreys)
Luke Charteris (Perpignan)
Jake Ball (Scarlets)
Ian Evans (Ospreys)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Josh Turnbull (Scarlets)
Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)
Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Dan Baker (Ospreys)

Backs
Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
Rhodri Williams (Scarlets)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
James Hook (Perpignan)
Steven Shingler (Scarlets)
Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
George North (Northampton Saints)
Jordan Williams (Scarlets)
Matthew Morgan (Bristol)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Nipper time!

Thats more like it

 

[Thingimubob]

Mate of mine commented that mixing the teams up would've made for a better contest, and like other have said here, allowed for the Possibles backs to show what they can do. That said, how much better would this game have been if everyone, both those injured and blocked from playing, had been available? Could've seen the proper match ups between those always in or around the Welsh squad - Halfpenny vs Liam Williams, Scott Williams/Cory Allen vs Jon Davies/Jamie Roberts, Warburton vs Tipuric, Hibbard vs Ken Owens.

Hope those injured aren't too bad! Any news come out yet?

Also anyone notice the epic centre partnership that finished the game for the Probables? Daf Hewitt - Mike Phillips, 2017 Lions test centres anyone?