[2015 Six Nations] Wales

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

To be clear, I'm aware that Bradley had some highly indifferent form over the last few years and hardly covered himself in glory when captaining what was effectively Wales A in Japan
BUT, in a competitive position for us, admittedly with Launchbury out, he's become the first lock on the teamsheet ahead of Myall, Gaskell, Cannon and Rowlands.

He's been the momenutal padlock at scrums and Mauls that we've missed since Simon Shaw went to France.
His gain-line defence is excellent, he's adapted well to the Wasps defensive style and really holds players up in the tackle.
His carrying has been something he'll be looking to improve because there's potential there.
In short, an important player.

You could argue, on the other hand, maybe it's just that he's the type of player Wasps have been missing, and one which Wales have already in Alun-Wyn?

 

[psychic duck]

That sounds really loaded. Are you not a fan of Ballsack?

Ball is a decent enough player, really good solid first choice club option, but there's better at international level. Bradley Davies is more talented player and would probably be worth a recall on form, just it's hard to regain a place or breakthrough from outside of Wales.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Ball has been great for Wales, cannot consider dropping him. Silly to even suggest so. Would have Bradley on the bench easily.

 

[Maverick1987]

Any news on Samson Lee ? I've heard he has the same sort of injury as Davey Wilson ...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I thought it was supposed to be more similar to Cole's?
He's, apparently, fit now.

 

[psychic duck]

Ball has been great for Wales, cannot consider dropping him. Silly to even suggest so. Would have Bradley on the bench easily.

Hardly 'silly'. I would prefer Bradley Davies in the lineup personally even though Ball is a solid player.

 

[Maverick1987]

I thought it was supposed to be more similar to Cole's?
He's, apparently, fit now.

Ah could be . Thought they said on sky sports news it was a nerve injury in his neck ? Coles was a disc problem wasn't it ?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Hardly 'silly'. I would prefer Bradley Davies in the lineup personally even though Ball is a solid player.

Pretty sure not long ago (and I am fairly sure) you did say that Bradley was a liability ...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Davies is a bit of a liability - prone to a yellow every few games, but then from a hardnosed 2nd row that's what you'd expect. I really rate him, tbf.
I think Ball(sack) is a very good player as well, though - not a superstar but a proper grafter, which is what you want from your locks. I don't think him and AWJ make a particularly balanced pairing, but still a solid player.
Is Charteris out? I think he's needed just for the lineout (though he's good elsewhere). He's got near enough half a foot on Attwood/Kruis which comes in handy regardless of how good your lineout calling - Leinster/Ireland showed that if you've got a giant you can sod the calling and just lob the ball vertically and your guy will get it first.

 

[dullonien]

Is Charteris out? I think he's needed just for the lineout (though he's good elsewhere). He's got near enough half a foot on Attwood/Kruis which comes in handy regardless of how good your lineout calling - Leinster/Ireland showed that if you've got a giant you can sod the calling and just lob the ball vertically and your guy will get it first.

I think this should be our top priority. We need an out and out lineout specialist to partner AWJ, and with Ian Evans off the radar at Bristol, Charteris is the clear choice.

The lineout is by far Wales' biggest problem area, it scuppers numerous try scoring field positions every match, as well as handing the opposition chances. It's been a problem for years, and needs sorting (to at least an acceptable level) in time for the WC.

A partnership of AWJ and Ball/Davies doesn't give us a great lineout jumping option. AWJ isn't terrible, but he's more of an extra option, than a main one. Ball and Davies are front options really. Warburton and Faletau are good tail jumpers, but we're missing the crucial middle jumper.

This would also sway me when it comes to selecting hooker when everyone's fit. I'd pick a fit Ken Owens ahead of Hibbard every day of the week. He's our best throwing hooker, and that's the main priority for Wales. I know that's not a realistic option against England, but later in the championship I'd bring Owens back into the starting 15.

 

[j'nuh]

But for me, a bigger concern for you guys is stopping the maul. It is going to be England's main weapon. I think Chateris' centre of gravity isn't low enough to help out much there comparative to Ball.

 

[psychic duck]

Pretty sure not long ago (and I am fairly sure) you did say that Bradley was a liability ...

Link? I don't think I did, certainly not recently. Anyway Davies' form plunged a while back and was conceding a lot of dumb penalties (nearly cost the Ireland game in the GS with one of the stupidest plays I've ever seen), he's doing much better now fortunately at Wasps.

 

[munstermuffin]

Whatever happened Evans? Like has he declined that much at Bristol or what.

 

[dullonien]

Whatever happened Evans? Like has he declined that much at Bristol or what.

Out of view. And the quality of the Championship maybe doesn't prove to the Welsh management what sort of form he's in anyway. The step up from there to international rugby would be too big imo.

 

[Thingimubob]

But for me, a bigger concern for you guys is stopping the maul. It is going to be England's main weapon. I think Chateris' centre of gravity isn't low enough to help out much there comparative to Ball.

We kept a pretty decent lid on it vs SA in November.

To be fair to Charteris, he was key in stopping a number of mauls in the second half of that 2nd test out in SA. Of course the damage had already been done by that point...

 

[munstermuffin]

Out of view. And the quality of the Championship maybe doesn't prove to the Welsh management what sort of form he's in anyway. The step up from there to international rugby would be too big imo.

I understand that but why did he drop to there. Yea I know Toulon pulled plug but for a guy still young in terms of a lock. Most go ok until late 30s. And he wasn't injury prone it's like he gave up fairly easily b

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Money.
He was offered contracts at Premiership clubs, and I presume a region would've taken a punt on him, but he was offered a lot more money to go to Bristol.

 

[munstermuffin]

Money.
He was offered contracts at Premiership clubs, and I presume a region would've taken a punt on him, but he was offered a lot more money to go to Bristol.

Still but overall it's a **** poor attitude. Like money ahead of top class rugby.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pretty much.
I imagine, after signing for Toulon, any offers from elsewhere would look pretty small, especially after being released by them.

 

[munstermuffin]

Pretty much.
I imagine, after signing for Toulon, any offers from elsewhere would look pretty small, especially after being released by them.

Exactly but like staying in a top domestic league should've been minimum requirement. There's no amount of money that equals buzz of playing in top games in top leagues or international rugby.