Well, Daniel Evans played for Wales during the Lions tour, and he was not the most objectionable player called up then.
Who was the worst call up then? Spratt must be up there in terms of a worst Wales XV, certainly from players of the Gatland era.
Wales squad: Backs: Dwayne Peel (Sale), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Nicky Robinson (Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), James Hook (Ospreys), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Mark Jones (Scarlets), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Tom James (Blues), Chris Czekaj (Blues), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Jason Tovey (Dragons).
Forwards: Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Gareth Williams (Blues), John Yapp (Blues), Eifion Lewis-Roberts (Sale), Bradley Davies (Blues), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Deiniol Jones (Blues), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Lewis Evans (Dragons), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Sam Warburton (Blues), Dan Lydiate (Dragons).
My only worry is that Fussell doesn't have (yet) the all around game needed for international rugby. Now I am not saying Williams or others do.
I agree. I wouldn't put forward Fussell as a starter ahead of Halfpenny. But as a squad member, or potential call up to lineup if injuries occur then he is better and more deserving of a place than Liam Williams and Lee Byrne on form.
Scott Andrews (Blues): Impressed me in his last few caps, necessity due to tighthead injuries
By impressed do you mean simply bearable compared to his usual self?
Paul James (Bath): Must be first choice, right?
Agreed.
Andries Pretorius (Blues): Does he merit the callup?
The best of a bad bunch of Welsh 8's behind Faletau. Better than McCusker.
Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets): The 'best' Turk scrum half. At least it isn't Webb
This.
Lloyd Williams (Blues): Over, say, Jonathan Evans? Actually, I am glad, saves us from using Wayne...
Jonathan Evans may be in with a shout for Japan tour actually.
Jonathan Davies (Scarlets): Draw the fullback and pass
Jamie Roberts (Blues): Draw the fullback and pass
Scott Williams (Scarlets): Pass
So true.
Lee Byrne (Clermont): In good form, another few caps for Lee?
Still better than Liam Williams, but I would say solid not spectacular. Good defensively with boot and tackling, but offensive game and hitting the line disappeared. Second best full back at Clermont behind Buttin. Thought he was injured anyway? (
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...ngthy-layoff-after-breaking-back-8423026.html)
Those Liam Williams vs. Richard Fussell stats are remarkable but I wonder how much of it is explained by the fact that Fussell plays for Ospreys and Williams for Scarlets. Fussell is still better, sad that he hasn't had an opportunity.
Full back isn't a position where you look good just because of the team you play in. A winger may look good playing in a side which provides lots of opportunities, a number 8 behind a pack going forward, scrum half behind a pack that gives him time, fly half with a scrum half that gives him time. But full back is more an individual position, numerous full back skills such as catching high balls, counter attack breaks, last line of defence are down to the individual and nothing to do with the players surrounding. There are a few elements which the team playing in makes a player look better such as combining in attacking backs moves (relies on quality of other backs), but it is a lot more individual than others.
Just Fussell is much better at making breaks than Williams. Look at the GIF posted above, none of that Fussell break is down to his teammates.
