Wales Starting Squad Vs. Ireland 2012

[Ospreylian]

So with the Six Nations fast approaching, here is my starting squad to face Ireland in the opening match, based on current form:

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees
3. Adam Jones
4. Bradley Davies
5. Ryan Jones
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton (c)
8. Toby Faletau

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Priestland
11. George North
12. Ashley Beck
13. Jamie Roberts/James Hook
14. Aled Brew
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:

16. Scott Andrews
17. Huw Bennett
18. Ian Evans/Jonathan Thomas
19. Justin Tipuric
20. Mike Phillips
21. Jason Tovey
22. Lee Byrne / Gavin Henson

 

[Aedaphon]

Nothing huge I can really disagree with there. Jones over Charteris? (I may be completely our of loop with the Welsh teams but strikes me as a bit odd)

That back-row is no less terrifying now it's the 6 nations than it was during the World Cup. It's going to be an absolute nightmare containing Faletau and keeping the ball from Warburton...

 

[Draggs]

Charteris is injured.

I would go with: Jenkins, Rees, JonesA, DaviesB, Evans, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau; Phillips, Priestland, North, Henson, Roberts, Cuthbert, Halfpenny; Bennett, Hibbard, JonesR/ShinglerA, Tipuric/McCusker, WilliamsLl, Hook, DaviesJ.
Not totally on form, but I simply do not want Aled Brew in the national side again, nor do I think Beck is ready for internationals yet. Ryan Jones isn't a natural lock; he is, however, a great bench player right now. Cuthbert on the wing is a tough call, and I would consider Liam Williams and perhaps Lee Byrne in the 15 over him. Byrne on the wing would be interesting, but a slap in the face to all our young wings. Can't have Henson on the bench simply because of luck (lost most matches when he is on the bench). This is really my own little 22, and based partially on form and partially on who I like.

 

[Ospreylian]

@Aedaphon, yeah don't get me wrong I would have had Charteris in there ahead of Davies if he was available, but he's going to miss the entire championship through injury unfortunately That's a big blow for Wales after his great performances in the World Cup. But yes I agree, that back row is potentially the best in Europe at the minute. Perhaps France could make a claim for that too.
Also, I see you're from England. Are you happy with your squad? I think Lancaster has picked some class youngsters in the EPS. England will be a big force in this Six Nations if they start the right team. I'm a big fan of David Strettle too so it was nice to see his name in the squad!

 

[dullonien]

@ Draggs. You've got two hookers on the bench. My 22 would be:

01 Gethin Jenkins
02 Mattew Rees (Together, they're still one of the best front rows in the world)
03 Adam Jones
04 Bradley Davies
05 Ian Evans (Lineout and extra grunt, complimenting our mobile backrow)
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Sam Warburton (c)
08 Toby Faletau (He's just gettiong better and better, he should be even better than in the WC)

09 Mike Phillips (All round game is currently a bit better than Lloyd's)
10 Rhys Priestland
11 George North
12 Gavin Henson / Ashley Beck (See how Henson goes at 12 tomorrow. Beck could step-up imo)
13 Jamie Roberts
14 Alex Cuthbert
15 Lee Halfpenny

16 Paul James (Great bench option, able to cover both sides of the scrum)
17 Huw Bennett
18 Ryan Jones (Another great bench option, covering the back 5 of the pack)
19 Justin Tipuric (I always like a dedicated 7 on the bench)
20 Lloyd Williams
21 James Hook (A further great bench option, covering 10, 12, 13 and 15)
22 Lee Byrne

I personally think that's the strongest first 15 we've got at the moment. I think the pack is looking great. It's got a great front row, a great backrow and a dogged pair at lock to do the grunt work (Ian Evans in the line, Bradley as a ball carrier). I feel Evans is the closest replacement we've got to Charteris, they play the game in similar ways, and it's the kind of player we need at the moment.

In the backs, 12 is the only real question mark imo. We'll know more after the Blues match tomorrow, about whether Henson is ready yet or not. I think Beck is ready for the step-up, and I'd prefer him at the moment to Jon Davies or Scott Williams.

I'm not too sure about the final bench spot. Martyn Thomas could be a good shout to cover the back three, but Halfpenny can shift to wing with Byrne coming on if a winger get's injured. I'd either start Henson, or not have him in the 22 atall, mainly because Hook is a better utility option than him, due to having recent experience of playing 10. If Priestland get's injured and Henson was the only 10 cover on the bench, I wouldn't be all that happy. Maybe both Hook and Henson coul be on the bench, I dunno.

 

[psychic duck]

1. G Jenkins
2. M Rees
3. A Jones
4. B Davies
5. I Evans
6. D Lydiate
7. S Warburton
8. T Faletau
9. M Phillips
10. R Priestland
11. G North
12. J Roberts
13. A Beck
14. L Williams
15. L Halfpenny

16. H Bennett
17. P James
18. R Jones
19. A Shingler
20. L Williams
21. J Hook
22. ?

 

[dullonien]

No Roberts mr. duck? Or are you expecting him to not recover/not happy picking him with limited gametime?

Edit. Ignore me, misread things.

Now that Stephen Jones is past it/not going to get picked anymore, and that Hook is playing regularily at 10 for his club, I'd prefer to see him being picked at 10 for Wales or used as a banch option. With no standout replacement for Priestland at the moment (Biggar, Tovey and Morgan all have their faults) this becomes more sensible imo. He makes a good 13, but I think we've got better centres than him at the moment. I'd pick all of Roberts, Henson, Beck, Davies and Williams ahead of him in the centres.

 

[Draggs]

Yes, Paul James over Hibbard, my mistake.
I really like Aaron Shingler, he is a different style of blindside than Dan and is a hardworking forward.

Martyn Thomas has been improving with every game. I'd let him play with us (NGD) for the 6N and then consider sending him south with the Welsh squad in June.

 

[dullonien]

Yeh I like Shingler aswell. Increadible speed for a forward. At this moment in time, he doesn't quite fit into the 22 though. That's mainly because Ryan Jones covers more positions. I know Shingler can play second row aswell, but he can't play 8, unlike Ryan. Ryan is in excellent form, and is experienced. The one position Ryan can't cover is openside. I know Wales have played Lydiate there, and Faletau is decent on the ground, but in today's game, openside is such an important position, and that's why I feel it's worth having Tips on the bench, even if he does only cover one position, Ryan's versatility allowes us the freedom to do so.

 

[psychic duck]

but in today's game, openside is such an important position, and that's why I feel it's worth having Tips on the bench, even if he does only cover one position,

I like Tipuric, very good rucker, but Warburton is not getting subbed off, so that's why I left him out for Shingler

I disagree regarding Hook in the centres, it was his form in the centre that gave the Ospreys a good attack during the 2010 run of form at the end of the season which resulted in a Magners League ***le, and unlucky not to result in a home semi final against Munster as well, his hand off is awesome, also did well for Wales when he played there next to Roberts

he could have been a starter at centre for many years to come, but unfortunately saw himself (wrongly) as a fly half, and because of that he was on the bench behind Priestland for the World Cup when if he had stayed as a centre he would have been starting, also ironically after saying he wanted to be only a fly half, he has become more and more of a utility back

I don't know why you all want Henson in the side so much, he hasn't been bad since he's returned but hasn't been outstanding and certainly not miles better than other centre options Beck, and I think he has TO EARN his right to get back in the side, it sends a bad message to the likes of Beck, Davies and Williams if they are dropped for somebody who has spent most of their time on reality TV for the last 3 years, if he is astoundingly brilliant in the H Cup then he can come back, I think people are giving him his jersey back to easily

 

[dullonien]

I like Tipuric, very good rucker, but Warburton is not getting subbed off, so that's why I left him out for Shingler

Not getting subbed no, but he could very well get injured. I wouldn't sub off any of the backrow, possibly Lydiate if he runs himself into the ground like he can sometimes.

 

[dullonien]

At this moment in time, he doesn't quite fit into the 22 though. That's mainly because Ryan Jones covers more positions. I know Shingler can play second row aswell, but he can't play 8, unlike Ryan. Ryan is in excellent form, and is experienced. The one position Ryan can't cover is openside.

(Link to some dodge site removed)

Thank you so much for selecting my post from all the ones here. Trully honoured.

 

[Aedaphon]

@Aedaphon, yeah don't get me wrong I would have had Charteris in there ahead of Davies if he was available, but he's going to miss the entire championship through injury unfortunately That's a big blow for Wales after his great performances in the World Cup. But yes I agree, that back row is potentially the best in Europe at the minute. Perhaps France could make a claim for that too.
Also, I see you're from England. Are you happy with your squad? I think Lancaster has picked some class youngsters in the EPS. England will be a big force in this Six Nations if they start the right team. I'm a big fan of David Strettle too so it was nice to see his name in the squad!

Yep, 0 English blood but grown up here so they're my national side. Given the injuries we've had it's the best we could've hope for. Lancaster's definitely got the right idea but it's up to the players now.

Trying to be optimistic but steeling myself for a couple of shaky games with the new-look backline. Fingers crossed, they spark, if not it'll be worth the experience.

 

[Draggs]

Yeah, 4, 6, 8 coverage is a great asset of Ryan's over Shingler. It allows a genuine openside on the bench, such as Tipuric.
McCusker has played throughout the back row as well (and second row, but only in a rare case) and has been in good form.

 

[dullonien]

Beck was awesome yet again for the Ospreys tonight. We might have something a little special on our hands here. It's gonna get bloody difficult for Gatland to select his midfield combination soon, especially if Jon Davies and Scott Williams return to top form. Roberts, Beck, Henson, Davies, Williams. That's potentially five very, very good players there. All five are big, strong and quick. What a nice problem to have though.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Matthew Rees
3. Adam Jones
4. Bradley Davies
5. Ryan Jones
6. Danny Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton (C)
8. Toby Faletau

9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys Priestland
11. George North
12. Ashley Beck
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Jamie Roberts
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Bench- Ken Owens, Paul James, Ian Evans, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Alex Cuthbert/Liam Williams

May swap Beck and Jamie around, and while I believe Beck's played on the wing in the past, I think we should let him make his debut in a position he's comfortable in. They should chop and change in different situations throughout the game, almost playing in a Treviso formation with 3 centres. Of the youngsters who've impressed this season in the backline, Beck is the only one I really believe looks like he's ready to make the step-up. Liam Williams is closest, but I don't fancy him or Cuthbert for a starting spot, hence going with Davies, Beck and Roberts.

EDIT- From the moment I wrote that team and espechially now I've posted it, I feel moving Roberts is the wrong decission. Can't settle on who to pick. Just throwing the suggestion out there, I suppose.

 

[Draggs]

Like I have said, I just don't see Ryan as a second row. We have an injury crisis, and we would be better off blooding a potential replacement than just having a stopgap. Lou Reed and Dom Day have their shot tomorrow, let's hope they take it. Once Beck bulks up a little more he will be immense. Such a great runner and pops up everywhere. Will be ahead of Scott Williams in a season I think.

 

[psychic duck]

Beck was awesome yet again for the Ospreys tonight. We might have something a little special on our hands here. It's gonna get bloody difficult for Gatland to select his midfield combination soon, especially if Jon Davies and Scott Williams return to top form. Roberts, Beck, Henson, Davies, Williams. That's potentially five very, very good players there. All five are big, strong and quick. What a nice problem to have though.

Beck has put in a good performance at the right time, another one up against Damien Traille and he would have really put his name forward to make the matchday 22

 

[dullonien]

EDIT- From the moment I wrote that team and espechially now I've posted it, I feel moving Roberts is the wrong decission. Can't settle on who to pick. Just throwing the suggestion out there, I suppose.

Haha, it's getting difficult to decide who to play at centre isn't it. What if Henson, Williams and Davies all have blinders tomorrow? How is Gatland menna decide then? Moving one of them to the wing (or Henson to fullback) could be an option as you suggest. I'm not sure moving Roberts is the right thing to do though. He's just so destructive in both attack and defense that he simply has to be involved in the centre. If Gatland decided Beck deserves to start, then I'd personally start him in position, at 12. For me, the players to move would be Davies or Williams, but then I don't fancy either ahead of Cuthbert on the wing tbh, who has the pace to go along with his size.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Like I have said, I just don't see Ryan as a second row. We have an injury crisis, and we would be better off blooding a potential replacement than just having a stopgap. Lou Reed and Dom Day have their shot tomorrow, let's hope they take it. Once Beck bulks up a little more he will be immense. Such a great runner and pops up everywhere. Will be ahead of Scott Williams in a season I think.

He's on form, so it's more a matter of fitting him into the team somewhere. It's just that Lydiate's on good form so he can't go in at 6, and it would be harsh to drop Bradley. I understand we need a proper lineout jumper, especially against O'Connell, and wouldn't have an quabbles with that thinking. In fact, it's probably the better option if we're looking at Wales as a team rather than 15 individuals. I just think Ryan's playing well.