Lee Byrne out until NZ Game

[TRF_Cymro]

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't saying you did have anything against the Scarlets Cymro. You always come across as a very fair judge of players and never favour any region. Just simply pointing out that our opinions differ when it comes to a couple of the Scarlets boys. Always gonna be differences of oppinion, would make this forum a little boring otherwise. Came out a bit wrong, tis all.

Oh no Dull dont want to start sounding like we are spooning but just want to put it out there. Just im not a fan of throwing players in willy nilly if they are not good enough. Prydie is one example, he's done ok but he aint been in real contention for the O's so I dont agree with him getting a shot in the Welsh squad again. The fact he looked out of depth in the Commonwealth 7s still tells me he is a little raw and needs more game time.

 

[SelimNiai]

Bad, bad news. Don't think we can look pas Hook for 15, hes the only one in contention that either has the experience or the all round game to do it, even if centre is his bs position. From the young full backs I have seen so far I'd say Tovey is the best at the moment.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Bad, bad news. Don't think we can look pas Hook for 15, hes the only one in contention that either has the experience or the all round game to do it, even if centre is his bs position. From the young full backs I have seen so far I'd say Tovey is the best at the moment.

You're wrong there imo mate. Like someone said earlier it makes absolutely no sense to play Hook at fullback just to fill in for Byrne while hes injured. It makes much more sense as I said earlier to blood new players and test them at the highest level so that we can find a number 2 and eventual successor to Lee Byrne. After all I want to see Wales win every match this Autumn as much as the next welshman but I know I'd much rather see a young fullback make mistakes this autumn rather than do it on the biggest stage of all at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. The bottom line is we are as supporters too reliant on Byrne and if he gets injured like he has now we panic and don't know who should replace him. Its a nice problem to have now but not one we want in a years time at the World Cup. Now is the time to try out the likes of Czekaj, Tovey etc rather than Hook because we all know that Hook is more than capable to do the job but at the World Cup he will be needed at centre more than Czekaj, Harries etc will be needed on the wing due to the huge strength in depth on the wing. All the previous points by everyone are fair points but now is the time to test those players that people have said aren't good enough because they may well improve and be really good. Its worth remembering that Lee Byrne never used to be so good and couldn't get in the Welsh Squad before but now he is our undisputed first choice fullback. And I have to echo Draggs point about Martyn Thomas, he is the perfect replacement/number 2 to Lee Byrne providing when hes fully fit and recovered from his horrific ankle injury that he can find the form that had him on the verge of being picked for the Welsh squad. In Thomas we have one of the only other standout candidates in terms of being a natural specialist fullback rather than converted winger or flyhalf or centre. As a Dragons fan I hope he gets back to fitness gets back into Gatland's thinking in time for the World Cup.

 

[dullonien]

We can but hope for a speedy return to fitness and form by Martyn Thomas. However it was an extremely bad injury that can often take plenty of time to fully overcome. It takes time to gain confidence once again physically and mentally. Look how long it has taken Chris Czekaj to regain any kind of form after his horific injury, so I don't think we should be couting on Martyn Thomas to be ready for a Welsh squad place in time for the WC, although I hope he does as he certainly was second to Lee Byrne in my books before injury.

 

[MichaelBoard]

We can but hope for a speedy return to fitness and form by Martyn Thomas. However it was an extremely bad injury that can often take plenty of time to fully overcome. It takes time to gain confidence once again physically and mentally. Look how long it has taken Chris Czekaj to regain any kind of form after his horific injury, so I don't think we should be couting on Martyn Thomas to be ready for a Welsh squad place in time for the WC, although I hope he does as he certainly was second to Lee Byrne in my books before injury.

Yeah I totally agree that an injury as bad as that can take some time to fully overcome. I found this article from a few months back saying that Martyn is hopeful of being back by November:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbyn...yn-thomas-on-road-to-recovery-91466-26886841/
I don't know how realistic that is but if he does return by then or at least by January next year he has got plenty of time to try and reach the form and fitness that he was at before the horrific injury and maybe try and target the World Cup.