Wales Six Nations squad 2023

[Tooting Carmen]

Wales squad - forwards (20): Rhys Carre, Wyn Jones, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Ken Owens (capt), Bradley Roberts, Leon Brown, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Rhys Davies*, Dafydd Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones, Teddy Williams*, Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Justin Tipuric, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs (17): Kieran Hardy, Rhys Webb, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams, Mason Grady*, Joe Hawkins, George North, Nick Tompkins, Keiran Williams*, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert, Rio Dyer, Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams.

* means uncapped player.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

14 Ospreys, 8 Cardiff, 5 Scarlets, 4 Dragons, 5 England-based players, 1 France-based player.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Gatland seems to have something against Tipuric. He never started him in his first time in charge and now he has taken the captaincy off him and given it to a 36 year old.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

At least it's not AWJ.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Gatland seems to have something against Tipuric. He never started him in his first time in charge and now he has taken the captaincy off him and given it to a 36 year old.

Gatland doesn't like dual opensides. That leaves Tipuric fighting with Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell. Maybe Tipuric wins that fight (for me, he doesn't), but regardless his place is far less assured than Owens'.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Justin Tipuric is so talented if he was from Newzealand or Australia he would be seen as one of the best rugby players in the world but with Wales he cant always get in the side. Its bizarre.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Justin Tipuric is so talented if he was from Newzealand or Australia he would be seen as one of the best rugby players in the world but with Wales he cant always get in the side. Its bizarre.

To be fair since Warburton retired he's been first choice it's just that he couldn't get a look in when Warburton was still playing. He's got 88 caps which considering all those years when he was behind Warburton is pretty impressive.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Gatland was saying that apparently Cory Hill is looking at coming back so could be eligible for the WC.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I know Christ Tshiunza wears number 7 for Exeter but does anyone know if he actually packs down on the openside of the scrum? He appears to be far too tall to be a genuine openside.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I know Christ Tshiunza wears number 7 for Exeter but does anyone know if he actually packs down on the openside of the scrum? He appears to be far too tall to be a genuine openside.

He does pack down at openside but Exeter haven't used traditional opensides for years. At any other team he'd be a 6, and in international rugby he'll be competing for the 6 shirt.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

He does pack down at openside but Exeter haven't used traditional opensides for years. At any other team he'd be a 6, and in international rugby he'll be competing for the 6 shirt.

How do Exeter get away without using proper opensides?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How do Exeter get away without using proper opensides?

Simmonds at 8 would probably be a 7 at most other clubs

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

How do Exeter get away without using proper opensides?

Pretty much wait Olyy said. For years Exeters back row balance has been a big Number 8-type at 6 (Ewers), a tall blindside-type at 7 (Armand, Vermeulen, Tshiunza), and a mobile openside-type at 8 (Simmonds, Kvesic).

Means that the balance all works out but you also get the benefit of Simmonds' speed and explosiveness off the back of the scrum.

 

[Which Tyler]

How do Exeter get away without using proper opensides?

Oh, they do - they just play them at 8.

An Exeter 8, is a 7 anywhere else.

An Exeter 7, is a 6 anywhere else.

An Exeter 6, is an 8 anywhere else.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

WRU chief Phillips resigns as Walker steps in

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Steve Phillips resigns and will initially be replaced by Nigel Walker.

www.bbc.co.uk

Good news?

 

[dullonien]

Yup. He's been useless it has to be said. Barely hear a peep from him either. Not just him that needs to go though, time to get rid of the lot of 'em, and restructure. Problem is the amateur clubs have to vote in favour of reduced control - turkeys voting for Christmas comes to mind - so it may never happen.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Philips is an odious little man. That so called apology he made that was not even an apology was disgraceful. As has been said, even ignoring all this he's useless anyway and the whole WRU isn't fit for purpose.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

‘Future of Welsh rugby is in danger’: Walker promises change at WRU

The acting Welsh Rugby Union chief executive, Nigel Walker, has warned the future of the game in Wales is at stake over the allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia

www.theguardian.com

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Tom Jones: Delilah banned for choirs at Principality Stadium

Choirs are banned from singing the "problematic" classic, which has long been popular with fans.

www.bbc.co.uk

Yep no more domestic violence songs.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Tom Jones: Delilah banned for choirs at Principality Stadium

Choirs are banned from singing the "problematic" classic, which has long been popular with fans.

www.bbc.co.uk

Yep no more domestic violence songs.