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So with the Christmas derbies finished, and the 6 nations quickly approaching us, how do you see the Welsh team lining up against Ireland?
With a few casualties from the World Cup still out of action, there's a few positions up for grabs imo. There's also question-marks around the fitness of Faletau (supposedly not serious luckily), and Warburton. Here's what I think:
01 Gethin Jenkins There's a temptation to start building for the next WC, and as Jenkins turned 35 in November, he's not got long left. But with the next best option, Paul James, also long in the tooth at 33, and Rob Evans/Nicky Smith still works in progress; it makes sense imo to keep Jenkins around for a little while longer as they develop. Rob Evans and Nicky Smith should both be given plenty of game time in the 6 nations, with them taking over from Jenkins/James in the medium term. Rhys Gill is another option, but one which will gain traction if he returns to play in Wales as expected next season.
02 Scott Baldwin Ken Owens is getting back close to his best, but Baldwin has done nothing wrong to merit being dropped.
03 Samson Lee He was far from fully fit during the WC, so it's be a big boost to see him back playing well. Tomas Francis will continue as his understudy, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rhodri Jones back involved with the squad following his lengthy injury.
04 Luke Charteris Another player who at 32, probably won't make the next WC, although not out of the question. With Ball likely missing the 6 nations, it's a shoot-out between Charteris and Bradley Davies, and I feel we're better balanced with Charteris. We need to blood some younger players here, so I'd expect to see Rory Thornton or Lloyd Ashley involved with the squad.
05 Alun-Wyn Jones No explanation necessary, world class.
06 Dan Lydiate/Sam Warburton With question marks around Warburton's fitness, it's great to see Lydiate in such fine form. He's really added a carrying threat to his defensive prowess. If Sam if fit, I'd still like to see the dual openside combo really tested.
07 Justin Tipuric He's just pure class. Fully deserves a starting place, and could help to re-ignite Wales' faltering attack.
08 Taulupe Faletau Picked up a minor (hopefully) injury, but is expected to be fit for the 6 nations. Still no clear backup, with Dan Baker slipping behind James King (who's really a blindside) in the Ospreys pecking order. Ross Moriarty is the other candidate, who will likely be part of the squad, but he's still a work in progress. At least there are some options emerging though...
09 Gareth Davies Back to his best against the Blues, and with Webb in a race against time to be fit, Gareth Davies should start v Ireland. If Webb is fit in time, then great, but he won't be match fit, and would need a few games for the Ospreys under his belt before being thrown back into the deep end.
10 Dan Biggar Nailed on starter. There's a few options emerging below him, on top of Rhys Priestland's change of heart. Sam Davies is improving, and showed good character after a few slips v Dragons. Patchell has all the raw ingredients, but needs a run at 10, and needs to cut out some of the mistakes that creep into his game. Owen Williams at the Tigers would be a good squad option, given his ability to cover center as well.
11 Tom James/Eli Walker I don't want Cuthbert anywhere near the squad, and whilst James has plenty of weaknesses, his work-rate and attacking ability make up for them. Plus he has less weaknesses than Cuthbert. Hanno Dirksen and Ashton Hewitt are currently also better options than Cuthbert!
12 Jamie Roberts I'd really like to see us experimenting a little in the centers in an attempt to add more creativity to our back line, but with Scott Williams, Ashley Beck and Tyler Morgan out injured, we have little other options atm, so that'll have to wait. Owen Williams could be a viable option at inside center, as a second five eights type of player, but that should wait.
13 Jonathan Davies Will be great to have him back. Such an important cog in both attack and defense.
14 George North Still under performing, but hopefully with his concussion woes behind him, he can start rediscovering some form. Worth persevering with, unlike Cuthbert.
15 Matthew Morgan This is our biggest area of concern atm. Halfpenny will definitely be out, and even if Liam Williams is fit, he shouldn't be rushed back like he was for the WC. Anscombe is also crocked atm. That leaves us a little thin. Some will point to Dan Evans' form for the Ospreys, but whilst a fine regional player, I don't think he's international standard. Other options could be Rhys Patchell or shifting someone like Sam Davies out of position, but I don't think either are viable. Morgan has international experience at fullback, and should add an attacking spark from the back.
With a few casualties from the World Cup still out of action, there's a few positions up for grabs imo. There's also question-marks around the fitness of Faletau (supposedly not serious luckily), and Warburton. Here's what I think:
01 Gethin Jenkins There's a temptation to start building for the next WC, and as Jenkins turned 35 in November, he's not got long left. But with the next best option, Paul James, also long in the tooth at 33, and Rob Evans/Nicky Smith still works in progress; it makes sense imo to keep Jenkins around for a little while longer as they develop. Rob Evans and Nicky Smith should both be given plenty of game time in the 6 nations, with them taking over from Jenkins/James in the medium term. Rhys Gill is another option, but one which will gain traction if he returns to play in Wales as expected next season.
02 Scott Baldwin Ken Owens is getting back close to his best, but Baldwin has done nothing wrong to merit being dropped.
03 Samson Lee He was far from fully fit during the WC, so it's be a big boost to see him back playing well. Tomas Francis will continue as his understudy, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rhodri Jones back involved with the squad following his lengthy injury.
04 Luke Charteris Another player who at 32, probably won't make the next WC, although not out of the question. With Ball likely missing the 6 nations, it's a shoot-out between Charteris and Bradley Davies, and I feel we're better balanced with Charteris. We need to blood some younger players here, so I'd expect to see Rory Thornton or Lloyd Ashley involved with the squad.
05 Alun-Wyn Jones No explanation necessary, world class.
06 Dan Lydiate/Sam Warburton With question marks around Warburton's fitness, it's great to see Lydiate in such fine form. He's really added a carrying threat to his defensive prowess. If Sam if fit, I'd still like to see the dual openside combo really tested.
07 Justin Tipuric He's just pure class. Fully deserves a starting place, and could help to re-ignite Wales' faltering attack.
08 Taulupe Faletau Picked up a minor (hopefully) injury, but is expected to be fit for the 6 nations. Still no clear backup, with Dan Baker slipping behind James King (who's really a blindside) in the Ospreys pecking order. Ross Moriarty is the other candidate, who will likely be part of the squad, but he's still a work in progress. At least there are some options emerging though...
09 Gareth Davies Back to his best against the Blues, and with Webb in a race against time to be fit, Gareth Davies should start v Ireland. If Webb is fit in time, then great, but he won't be match fit, and would need a few games for the Ospreys under his belt before being thrown back into the deep end.
10 Dan Biggar Nailed on starter. There's a few options emerging below him, on top of Rhys Priestland's change of heart. Sam Davies is improving, and showed good character after a few slips v Dragons. Patchell has all the raw ingredients, but needs a run at 10, and needs to cut out some of the mistakes that creep into his game. Owen Williams at the Tigers would be a good squad option, given his ability to cover center as well.
11 Tom James/Eli Walker I don't want Cuthbert anywhere near the squad, and whilst James has plenty of weaknesses, his work-rate and attacking ability make up for them. Plus he has less weaknesses than Cuthbert. Hanno Dirksen and Ashton Hewitt are currently also better options than Cuthbert!
12 Jamie Roberts I'd really like to see us experimenting a little in the centers in an attempt to add more creativity to our back line, but with Scott Williams, Ashley Beck and Tyler Morgan out injured, we have little other options atm, so that'll have to wait. Owen Williams could be a viable option at inside center, as a second five eights type of player, but that should wait.
13 Jonathan Davies Will be great to have him back. Such an important cog in both attack and defense.
14 George North Still under performing, but hopefully with his concussion woes behind him, he can start rediscovering some form. Worth persevering with, unlike Cuthbert.
15 Matthew Morgan This is our biggest area of concern atm. Halfpenny will definitely be out, and even if Liam Williams is fit, he shouldn't be rushed back like he was for the WC. Anscombe is also crocked atm. That leaves us a little thin. Some will point to Dan Evans' form for the Ospreys, but whilst a fine regional player, I don't think he's international standard. Other options could be Rhys Patchell or shifting someone like Sam Davies out of position, but I don't think either are viable. Morgan has international experience at fullback, and should add an attacking spark from the back.
