Wales Team, Six Nations 2013

[Draggs]

Foxy at inside centre is the thing of nightmares. His lack of passing is simply not a trait of a first five (well, recently one could argue otherwise).
The same goes for Scott Williams.

Oh, for an inside centre that could set up his outside backs and time his runs to perfection...

 

[SelimNiai]

I was waiting for that

 

[Ospreylian]

I still like the idea of JD2 playing some at 12 like for the Turks...

Yeah Davies playing inside centre could actually work. If you had Hook outside him, Scott Williams, or even Bishop, who has been playing exceptionally this season imo. We just need more creativity than Roberts provides. Sure he is good defensively, but you need more than that if you want to win the tight matches (the ones we have been losing all to often recently).

Personally, at this point I would go with a Scott Williams and J Davies partnership at centre, mainly because they play together week-in, week-out. They both have flair and are both pretty physical.

I'm sorry to Roberts but when he gets the ball in open space these days I just know he's going to do the wrong thing. For example, when Blues played Munster the other day, he had a clean break down the wing, from which a simple pass to Owen Williams on the touch line would have resulted in a try. I think any of Beck, Williams, Davies, Hook or Bishop would have put that away, but Roberts delayed the pass for too long (something he is guilty of too often, he seems to become almost selfish in certain situations) and eventually threw it into touch when he knew he was going to be tackled. I just think he has a lot to work on before he gets back to anywhere near the form he showed in 2009, during the Lions tour.

 

[Draggs]

Not that I would likely ever consider him for Wales again, but is Henson back for LW yet?

Williams (Scott) doesn't have flair. He runs in straight lines and thinks he is 6'4". He can kick decently, but I wouldn't expect him to actually distribute like a proper second five. I wouldn't base anything in my team on the Scarlets, looking at recent performances. I wish we could get Shingler back in Wales (and not to the Scarlets). An inside centre that can kick and pass would be a luxury now. He is also a decent sized lad (~190cm).

 

[psychic duck]

Personally, at this point I would go with a Scott Williams and J Davies partnership at centre, mainly because they play together week-in, week-out. They both have flair and are both pretty physical.

Hardly impressed as a combination though. I agree with Draggs. Beck and Davies as centres. Scott Williams hasn't been on too special form of late.

I'm sorry to Roberts but when he gets the ball in open space these days I just know he's going to do the wrong thing. For example, when Blues played Munster the other day, he had a clean break down the wing, from which a simple pass to Owen Williams on the touch line would have resulted in a try. I think any of Beck, Williams, Davies, Hook or Bishop would have put that away, but Roberts delayed the pass for too long (something he is guilty of too often, he seems to become almost selfish in certain situations) and eventually threw it into touch when he knew he was going to be tackled. I just think he has a lot to work on before he gets back to anywhere near the form he showed in 2009, during the Lions tour.

How long have people been saying this now?

Apart from the Lions tour and Rugby World Cup and the odd match or two, Roberts has rarely been that prominent in attack. Those are two pretty big stages to deliver on mind.

 

[Draggs]

I'd like to nominate Lewis Evans for a spot in the training squad. He has been in much better form than his regional rivals.
Versatile and has led us well so far, could be a decent option for a few matches (certainly for Japan).

 

[psychic duck]

I'd like to nominate Lewis Evans for a spot in the training squad. He has been in much better form than his regional rivals.
Versatile and has led us well so far, could be a decent option for a few matches (certainly for Japan).

Wrong position I'm afraid.

Warburton and Tipuric are the first two choices by a mile. They won't select both for the Lions, so likely Tipuric will start in Japan (him or Ryan captain?), so no need for Lewis Evans.

If there are any decent 8's who would like to put their hand up for selection though ....

 

[Draggs]

Evans divides his time between openside and blindside, so all is not lost. I wouldn't play both Tipuric and Ryan, we need to blood some new players.

 

[dullonien]

Yeah Davies playing inside centre could actually work. If you had Hook outside him, Scott Williams, or even Bishop, who has been playing exceptionally this season imo. We just need more creativity than Roberts provides. Sure he is good defensively, but you need more than that if you want to win the tight matches (the ones we have been losing all to often recently).

Personally, at this point I would go with a Scott Williams and J Davies partnership at centre, mainly because they play together week-in, week-out. They both have flair and are both pretty physical.

I'm sorry to Roberts but when he gets the ball in open space these days I just know he's going to do the wrong thing. For example, when Blues played Munster the other day, he had a clean break down the wing, from which a simple pass to Owen Williams on the touch line would have resulted in a try. I think any of Beck, Williams, Davies, Hook or Bishop would have put that away, but Roberts delayed the pass for too long (something he is guilty of too often, he seems to become almost selfish in certain situations) and eventually threw it into touch when he knew he was going to be tackled. I just think he has a lot to work on before he gets back to anywhere near the form he showed in 2009, during the Lions tour.

Not a huge fan of Scott Williams. He's a good player with a lot going for him, but he just comes up a little short sometimes.Bishop has been below his best this season imo, and tbh is a regional quality player, not international. Roberts has been struggling of late, but I believe he is asked to do a certain job for Wales and for the Blues, and that is to get us over the gain line. He is so effective at it, barely every losing the ball, or dying with it in contact, that that has become his primary role. The support running for Wales and at the Blues is not up to scratch either imo, and this is one of many things BOD is exceptional at, and why Roberts was so effective alongside him.

I thought the Blues looked to use Roberts a little differently last week against Munster, and Roberts showed that he's capable of more with a nice inside pass to put Williams through for the first try and a ice break in the second half that should have resulted in a try. Yes Roberts butchered it in the end by delaying the pass a little too long, but it wasn't due to selfishness, just a lack of execution. I have witnessed Jon Davies and Scott Williams being completely selfish on numerous occasions going for the line instead of passing, a good example for Scott Williams was England last year. Not even looking to pass is 100x worse than miss timing the pass.

Roberts has got a lot to improve in his game, I am not denying that. I would also prefer a distributing 12 like Henson, because I feel we operate best when this is the case, but with Henson not back playing for LW yet (due back this week?), Hook concentrating on 10, and Beck injured, we haven't got an outstanding option. Stick with Roberts at 12 and develop a new game plan which is a lot more subtle.

I'd like to nominate Lewis Evans for a spot in the training squad. He has been in much better form than his regional rivals.
Versatile and has led us well so far, could be a decent option for a few matches (certainly for Japan).

Navidi is a better option at the moment imo.

 

[j'nuh]

10. Biggar 12. Hook (if fit) 13. Davies anyone? Hook covering 10 from the field and Scott Williams/Roberts + Liam Williams/Fussell/Walker on the bench.

Always thought that Hook's best position was in the centers too. 12 would be an ideal position for him: as a decent 10, he can relieve Biggar when needed, and 12 gives a good platform for his creativity where 10 might not have the space. Davies to stay at 13, he's better with the extra space.

Would have liked to see Beck though.

 

[Draggs]

I don't think we will risk both Hook and Biggar, or I would agree there.
Davies would be better if he had someone inside him to know when to pass.

Liam Williams will be on the bench, but I really wish we had better options. I'd prefer to bring Lee Byrne back. I do realise that he is injured, however.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Bradley Davies may well be a doubt for Wales after damaging ankle ligaments in training.

 

[dullonien]

Bradley Davies may well be a doubt for Wales after damaging ankle ligaments in training.

Says on the BBC that he requires surgery.

We really need Alun-Wyn Jones and Ian Evans to recover now. Otherwise we'll be heading into the Ireland game with a second-row pairing of Lou Reed and Lloyd Peers, or maybe with Ryan Jones moved forwards.

 

[Draggs]

I'll blame James Percival now.

Can Gav play second row?

 

[Draggs]

Alun Wyn Jones: Possible return for final two games
Bradley Davies: Unknown return date
Luke Charteris: Out for season
Ian Evans: Possible return for start of tournament

Other options:
Ryan Jones
Aaron Shingler
Lou Reed
James King
Lloyd Peers
James Percival

Take your pick, I suppose. Evans/R Jones for me, Shingler on blindside/bench, King bench (assuming Tipuric and Warburton start).

 

[Big Ewis]

Wales starts off hosting Ireland
then in Paris
then in Rome
then in Scotland
and finally hosts England.

Just like France and Ireland, 3 away matches and only two at home...while ITA ENG and SCO have 3 at home and 2 away.

What do you predict guys ? How many wins or...which ones in particular ?...
I know it's a horrible question, coz you're afraid of jinxing it lol, but as your honest opinion...do you Welsh fans see this as a continuation of disappointment or the 2011 form returning ?

 

[Draggs]

Pretty tough schedule. If we are able to beat Ireland and not suffer any injuries, I think/hope we would have our tails up. From there who knows. We never perform in Rome, and the Scots will be looking to turn a corner. They held on against the Springboks, but lost to Tonga so they are tough to call. England in Cardiff, ugh, very tough. We have only lost to them at MS once since the 2003 WC, so we have that...

 

[dullonien]

What's the news on Shingler's injury, will he definitely be back in time for the Ireland game?

Although earlier I said that throwing Ian Evans straight back into international rugby isn't a good idea as he takes time to regain form, if he's fit for Ireland then we need his bulk and experience. Ryan Jones will probably have to make the switch, which opens up the dual openside experiment in the back-row which I like. I would then have Peers on the bench, so:

if Evans is fit: 04 Ryan Jones, 05 Ian Evans, 06 Warburton, 07 Tipuric, 19 Peers, 20 Shingler/King

Not sure which way to go if Evans isn't fit. Is Peers ready to start? Should we get Percival in there for some bulk? Reed is the likely choice though after the Autumn.

Wales starts off hosting Ireland
then in Paris
then in Rome
then in Scotland
and finally hosts England.

Just like France and Ireland, 3 away matches and only two at home...while ITA ENG and SCO have 3 at home and 2 away.

What do you predict guys ? How many wins or...which ones in particular ?...
I know it's a horrible question, coz you're afraid of jinxing it lol, but as your honest opinion...do you Welsh fans see this as a continuation of disappointment or the 2011 form returning ?

I cannot predict anything tbh. I think the Ireland game could go either way, so long as we don't play as poorly as we did against Argentina and Samoa. If we win, then we could go on to do really well, although I feel France away this year is too big an ask. If we don't beat Italy and Scotland then the wheels really will have come off. Both are decent on their day, but we should have too much for them. England are on a high, but they haven't enjoyed visiting the MS over the past decade. That game will depend on the ones beforehand, if Wales go in with 3/4 wins then I'd be confident of edging the game, but if we go in with 2 or less, then I can see England turning us over.

In summary, who the hell knows lol. Lowest position of 4th, but could regain some confidence and form and win the thing. If I had to stick my neck out, I'd have to predict a 3rd place finish.

 

[Draggs]

Not sure about Aaron, actually.
Baptism of fire for King/Peers? I'd prefer to avoid Lou Reed if possible.
The return of Ian Gough? I bet he'd bloody dominate, given one more chance.

 

[dullonien]

The return of Ian Gough? I bet he'd bloody dominate, given one more chance.

Not for me. He's become an all or nothing player over the past couple of seasons. Still capable of putting in some big hits (mostly without the use of arms), but is just as likely to miss the tackle completely or give himself a stinger.

I'd have Reed ahead of him, but I would also prefer to avoid Lou Reed if possible.

It is so frustrating to have our four front-line locks injured.

Edit. What have you made of Andrew Coombs in the second-row Draggs? Seems to be more suited to a role there than in the back row.