[2015 Six Nations] Wales

[TRF_Cymro]

I'd play Halfpenny on the wing and make North / Cuthbert fight for the other wing spot.

Adam Jones international career is now likely over.

Navidi's omission is an appalling one and the reason given by Gatland is even worse.

 

[psychic duck]

General consensus is that Adam has been a joke. Says a lot when Newport scrum has an advantage. Samson is the number one by far.
Hibbard is a weak point in the scrum, same for Gloucester. His width appears to weaken the scrum.

I would say a 'joke' is maybe a bit strong, certainly well past his best but considerably superior to Jarvis or Andrews at scrum. Those two are by far the worst back up tightheads of the competition. Agree on Hibbard as well, he was well suited to being essentially a 3rd prop under the old engagements and beefed up a strong scrum, he's not been so good at having to hook.

 

[Draggs]

I'd play Halfpenny on the wing and make North / Cuthbert fight for the other wing spot.

Adam Jones international career is now likely over.

Navidi's omission is an appalling one and the reason given by Gatland is even worse.

Questions over Navidi being able to step up...
From the guy who selected North, Prydie, Phillips after a handful for club matches.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Questions over Navidi being able to step up...
From the guy who selected North, Prydie, Phillips after a handful for club matches.

I know what an utter rubbish reason to pick ... I personally think it's to do with his size.

 

[Draggs]

Yeah probably Cymro. Granted, Faletau isn't huge either, but Navidi has definitely filled out.

I'll edit this post with more thoughts soon, but not sure about Dacey. He likes open play and all, but not sure about the tight. Cardiff's scrum is a mess and lineouts not much better either. Granted, props and locks haven't helped. King has been good for Ospreys as a flanker, honestly a better option than Lydiate in some aspects (ball in hand, lineout).

Very weak up front, forgive us Scarlets! Jarvis would be second choice at Newport. Andrews, well... Can't drop Halfpenny from fullback, offers too much stability. Williams has been good (pains me to say) but he can be a wing and stand deep if needed. I don't want to go NZ and fill the back three with fullbacks, but I think it would work well enough. Cuthbert has been outside a dire Cardiff midfield, so I can see his frustrations. North not bad for Saints from what I've seen. Midfield is a worry, not sold on Roberts overall. Davies struggling for Clermont.

 

[goodNumber10]

Cockerill as blunt as ever: "They picked a kiwi"

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

 

[Thingimubob]

Cockerill as blunt as ever: "They picked a kiwi"

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/30909681

Ha typical Cockerill... Doubt he was complaining when the likes of Waldrom (when he was a Tiger) and Tuilagi were getting picked for England ahead of more "English" players from other clubs...

I'm not trying to bring up any old arguments, both are English qualified fair and square, just making a point about Cockerill and where his priorities lie.

The comments about Navidi may not step up is just daft. Gotta agree that its probably a size thing, which is ridiculous when you consider how Navidi has been bashing through people with ease this year!

Also, not sure I'd say Cuthbert is a better defender than North. I know North has had his dodgy moments, but nothing compared to Cuthbert.
I mean North did escape a lot of flack for that SA missed tackle, but tbf to the guy, he wasn't himself at after a stomach bug. He was barely I'm that game.

Cuthbert's positioning was definitely at fault for a number of the tries in the first SA test...
Not sure how I feel about him being in the squad, he hasn't done much at all this season for the Blues and Wales. Not even sure I like him playing for the Blues after the way he's been acting recently...

 

[goodNumber10]

Ha typical Cockerill... Doubt he was complaining when the likes of Waldrom (when he was a Tiger) and Tuilagi were getting picked for England ahead of more "English" players from other clubs...

I'm not trying to bring up any old arguments, both are English qualified fair and square, just making a point about Cockerill and where his priorities lie.

He did actually. He complained that he'd bought Waldrom for the Tigers not England.

 

[Thingimubob]

He did actually. He complained that he'd bought Waldrom for the Tigers not England.

Hahahaha I missed that one completely! That's hilarious!

Typical of old Cockerill still... His own needs first

 

[Tony Manx]

Typical of old Cockerill still... His own needs first

Of course that is what he is paid for yet.......he is complaining one of his will be available to him after being overlooked for selection?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That Gatland said he didn't pick Williams because he benched vs Scarlets shows what a boneheaded dolt he is.
Williams is first choice 10 for Tigers and has been far better than Burns all season.
He should've just said close calls will go to the wales based players, not make himself look a dick head (again again again again again) in the press.

 

[welshglory]

I don't think there's much of a reason to complain about Navidi's omission. He's been on very good form yes, but there's already two world class specialist 7's in the squad. We need more depth at 6/8 urgently.

 

[Maverick1987]

How is Sam Lees injury coming along last I heard he has nerve damage in his neck ? Not good for a prop if it's true . I don't mind if he can't play against England but It would be nice to see him back for the other games

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

That Gatland said he didn't pick Williams because he benched vs Scarlets shows what a boneheaded dolt he is.
Williams is first choice 10 for Tigers and has been far better than Burns all season.
He should've just said close calls will go to the wales based players, not make himself look a dick head (again again again again again) in the press.

Gatland saying the Scarlets game was a big game, yet we had Ayerza, Youngs on the bench the fact that Cockers puts Williams up with them says a lot about his view on Williams.

also Tuilagi played for England's U18 and U 20's not another countries like a certain Mr Anscombe.

 

[Patchey]

Read those Gatland comments this morning and my jaw dropped.

Tigers intentionally played a number of normal bench players in a game they knew would be, no offence Scarlets, easier than others. Williams had been their choice ten in all big games and the majority of other matches this season. Logically they were going to rest him.

If Gatland truly thinks him being benched for the game is a reason not to pick him he is an idiot. But I wouldn't be surprised if his omission was more to do with the new Tigers contract...

 

[Every Time Ref]

Gatland's a muppet. Whatever you think of his success as a coach, in terms of what he says in public he time and time again looks like a class A clown. He has this weird obsession with doing "Mind Games", but ... he's not actually any good at them.

His latest is some cr@p about the roof at Millenium - England, apparently, might opt for the roof open because with it closed the atmosphere will be really intense "We'll see if they rise to the challenge". Mate, it's a roof. No-one cares.

 

[psychic duck]

That Gatland said he didn't pick Williams because he benched vs Scarlets shows what a boneheaded dolt he is.
Williams is first choice 10 for Tigers and has been far better than Burns all season.
He should've just said close calls will go to the wales based players, not make himself look a dick head (again again again again again) in the press.

Agreed.

I don't think there's much of a reason to complain about Navidi's omission. He's been on very good form yes, but there's already two world class specialist 7's in the squad. We need more depth at 6/8 urgently.

Agreed.

 

[Thingimubob]

Bear in mind Navidi has been playing 6 and 8 for most of the last season and a bit! Been pretty impressive from there too

 

[welshglory]

He is not an option as a starting international 6/8.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

He is not an option as a starting international 6/8.

Why isn't he? How do we know if he isn't good enough without giving him a go? He's earned the right to play in that shirt. Hammett switched him and he's excelled.

Same with Williams would rather have seen him over Preistland.