Wales (The Gatland returns thread)

[Welsh Exile]

My team would be

Smith
Lake
Brown
Tshiunza
Rowlands
Basham
Morgan
Wainwright

Tomos
Lloyd
IFW
Hawkins
Macs Page
LRZ
Winnett

Elias, Carre, Assarati, Thomas, Reffell, Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Llewellyn

 

[Booboobang]

I'm not bothered about Thomas - but how much research was required for fans to know much about him?

"Plays in England, for an English club, recognise him from playing for England at age-grade, and a quick look on wiki says he was born in England"
Turn that around, for a Welsh born player, who played age-grade for Wales, and every club listed is Welsh, including current club - are you seriously suggesting there'd be no claims of poaching?

My impression was that Tommi was just pointing out the double standard, rather than actually complaining about the "poach"

For me personally, the double standard exists - it can be mildly annoying.
Freddie Thomas has chosen Wales - I don't particularly care.

Personally, it's not a poach unless it's either purely residential qualification (and only newly qualified) or the player was realistically going to receive a call-up for their "home" nation, who just got beaten to the punch. Even then, they're not all poaches.

I think playing for bath/bristol/gloucester is less of a poaching thing considering the closeness of the border. I work in bristol and many collegues cross the bridge everyday for work. If it was sale or newcastle I would see the argument, but not teams that are basically on the border and could realistically live in wales and play for the english team.

 

[Booboobang]

As far as I can see this was published as recently as 1st September which the more cynical among you might see as touting for selection having accepted he wouldn't make the grade with England. Did any similar views emerge earlier? I of course believe that it was an expression of genuine long held views.

I am indifferent to this particular situation but something's screwed when an English club supplies 5 players to a Welsh squad and none to a 45 (including unavailables) man England squad.

I mean, some of that is just coaches choice right? I would of had mercer in as soon as he came back but coaches just didnt bite same with rapava-ruskin when he was pulling up trees.