So with the squad being picked tomorrow, what would people's 23 be going into the France game? Mine would probably be:
01 Gareth Thomas
02 Elliot Dee
03 Erm, pass! Maybe Henry Thomas?
04 Rhys Davies
05 Teddy Williams
06 Olly Cracknell
07 Jac Morgan (C)
08 Taulupe Faletau
09 Tomos Williams
10 Jarrod Evans / Dan Edwards
11 Josh Hathaway
12 Eddie James
13 Max Llewellyn
14 Josh Adams
15 Tom Rogers
16 Brodie Coughlan
17 Nicky Smith / Kemsley Mathias
18 Keiron Assiratti
19 Dafydd Jenkins
20 Aaron Wainwright / Taine Basham
21 Reuben Morgan Williams
22 Ben Thomas
23 Cam Winnet
Our options in the front row are quite pathetic atm. The fact that Gareth Thomas starts by default is a little sad, as he's quite ordinary by most metrics. Mathias has improved this season, but rarely starts for Scarlets. Nicky Smith failed to really take his second chance in the AI's.
Lake is a huge loss at hooker! Watch Gats select an injured Ellias in the squad now who's cost us on so many occasions with his terrible throwing... There's a few younsters around who look promising, but they kinda blur together, with none really standing out above the others.
The less said about our options at tighthead the better! Dillon Lewis may come into the equation.
I've been impressed with Teddy Williams this season, he's really upped his game, but we need a physical player alongside him, which is why I've gone with Rhys Davies. Rowlands has looked past it recently, whilst Daf Jenkins is not long back from a long layoff and returned to a shower of s**t at Exeter! Fender's red last week really didn't help his chances. Ratti looked powerful when he came on v Newcastle. Freddie Thomas is in with a good shout.
Backrow remains an area of strength, but we need to get the balance right. For me we start with Jac at 7, then I'd bring Faletau back for his experience (not ideal that he sat this weekend out though). Then I think we need some physicality at 6, and Cracknell has really put his hand up. Could have one of many on the bench then, with Reffell, Basham, Plumtree (although his dicsipline needs work), Wainwright, and Macleod all good options.
Only one option at 9 really, but will be interesting who makes the bench. I don't see the point in Rhodri Williams, whilst RMW has been excellent imo.
10, 10, 10. Who the f**k do we play at 10? Jarrod Evans plays second fiddle to Smith at Harlequins (surprise, surprise - was a tall order to dethrone their homegrown poster child!), but he has put in some OK cameos. His issue has always been consistency, and he can't improve that when he's not playing consistently! Dan Evans still has a lot to learn, but he's consistently playing well and having big moments in games. Anscombe is too old now, and too injury prone. Costellow honestly needs time at regional level to regain his confidence.
We suddenly have a lot of options at centre, but I have no idea what our best combo is, and I don't think Gats does either; so I've gone for a pairing with high ceilings in James and Llewellyn. Roberts and even Page could soon be in the reconing at 13, but one is only just back from injury and the other still in nappies. Watkin seems to have stepped up his game recently to be fair, but he's had so many chances and rarely shone at international level. Tompkins, Thomas, and Johnny Williams are all options too. WoL like to big up Wimbush as an option, but not sure he plays much for Exeter!
The back 3 is looking a little ropey atm. Josh Adams will probably be on one wing after looking much better after his rest. I'd like to see Rogers given a run at fullback as he has all the raw attributes to be great, although I still rate Winnett, who's done well for a 21y/o imo, even if he still has big flaws in his game. Dyer has gone backwards for me! Grace needs time (and some luck on the injury front). Hathaway has something, even is his defense can be frail. After that, theres the likes of Mee, Bowen, Murray, and Giles who may be battling it out for one position.
