Wales Training Squad

[Peat]

Would both Faletau and Baker be an option? Stick one of them at 6?

 

[j'nuh]

Would both Faletau and Baker be an option? Stick one of them at 6?

Surely Warbs/Tip is the most likely alternative?

 

[SelimNiai]

Interesting point about Lydiates early setting Dullonien...

Could his effectiveness be even further reduced if referees start to crack down further on players not wrapping in the tackle...?

I think the "chop" tackle will be the next big thing in regards to things being targeted by refs. Its one that can end badly for the tackled player if circumstances are in any way wrong

 

[goodNumber10]

I think the "chop" tackle will be the next big thing in regards to things being targeted by refs. Its one that can end badly for the tackled player if circumstances are in any way wrong

How so?

 

[dullonien]

I think the "chop" tackle will be the next big thing in regards to things being targeted by refs. Its one that can end badly for the tackled player if circumstances are in any way wrong

I don't see how it can be. A chop tackle is a perfectly legitimate tackle, Lydiate doesn't do anything illegal. He does go to wrap in the tackle, but the tackled players legs have often bounced off before he get's a proper grasp.

Front rowers when they're defending on their line are the more liable to throwing their body in the way with no arms.

 

[wiganer96]

Get ready for the World Cup with these Wales Tackle Trunks! http://bit.ly/1Ks2fDY

 

[Jbobo]

Liam Williams an injury worry. Hope it's not serious, he was incredible all season.

 

[Bluemoon]

Liam Williams an injury worry. Hope it's not serious, he was incredible all season.

Agreed.

There's still the option of having 14 Cuthbert, 15 1/2p and 11 North, but experienced cover in the back three is looking short after that. There's a few youngsters, like Tyler Morgan, that could have a chance if there were injuries, but it's not ideal considering the strength of the other teams in this tourney.

 

[goodNumber10]

No big loss.

Cuthbert is a game breaker for Wales, Williams has had more negative impact than good.

Cuthbert would have been Gat's voiice anyway.

 

[Bluemoon]

No big loss.

Cuthbert is a game breaker for Wales, Williams has had more negative impact than good.

Cuthbert would have been Gat's voiice anyway.

Really? Cuthbert lost his place at the end of the six nations don't forget. Liam Williams had forced his way into the team. I think you will see Liam Williams on the Wing with 1/2p at fullback if he's not injured. Cuthbert has really lost his way this season, but I think he will start if LW is injured.

 

[psychic duck]

Really? Cuthbert lost his place at the end of the six nations don't forget. Liam Williams had forced his way into the team. I think you will see Liam Williams on the Wing with 1/2p at fullback if he's not injured. Cuthbert has really lost his way this season, but I think he will start if LW is injured.

It comes from somebody who clearly hasn't observed that Cuthbert (1) isn't great under the high ball (2) is shocking defensive positionally and (3) has had a ****ing miserable season. Liam Williams on the otherhand had his best ever season, and deserved his place. Also Amos has been on much better form as well this season for that matter.

 

[goodNumber10]

Really? Cuthbert lost his place at the end of the six nations don't forget. Liam Williams had forced his way into the team. I think you will see Liam Williams on the Wing with 1/2p at fullback if he's not injured. Cuthbert has really lost his way this season, but I think he will start if LW is injured.

I know mate, but look at Gatlands history of keeping with his favourites - he has stuck through thick and thin to his own detriment with guys like Priestland and Phillips and to some degree Roberts. He also likes a big winger, Cuthbert and North have pretty much been his go to wingers since Halfpenny moved to 15. When he has dropped guys like Preistland he has gone back to them very quickly, he'll drop them just long enough to keep people quite and then they are back in.

It's true that Cuthbert has had a terrible season, both for Wales bit more so in an awful Blues side, he's now coming into camp where he will be out of that environment working with top flight attack and defence coaches for four months leading into the world cup. Liams came in but it was more Gatland dropping Cuthbert than picking Williams.

He also has a pretty decent strike rate with 14 tries in 32 appearances against Williams 2 in 23 appearances, Cuthbert has also produced some game breaking tries when it matters.

Williams is a good player, but there is no way he will be the incumbent post camp and warm up games.

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It comes from somebody who clearly hasn't observed that Cuthbert (1) isn't great under the high ball (2) is shocking defensive positionally and (3) has had a ****ing miserable season. Liam Williams on the otherhand had his best ever season, and deserved his place. Also Amos has been on much better form as well this season for that matter.

Does it?

 

[j'nuh]

Controversial opinion time: Cuthbert was never really that good.

 

[goodNumber10]

Controversial opinion time: Cuthbert was never really that good.

Wouldn't necessarily disagree with that, he's a one trick try scoring pony.

 

[valley commando]

I know mate, but look at Gatlands history of keeping with his favourites - he has stuck through thick and thin to his own detriment with guys like Priestland and Phillips and to some degree Roberts. He also likes a big winger, Cuthbert and North have pretty much been his go to wingers since Halfpenny moved to 15. When he has dropped guys like Preistland he has gone back to them very quickly, he'll drop them just long enough to keep people quite and then they are back in.

It's true that Cuthbert has had a terrible season, both for Wales bit more so in an awful Blues side, he's now coming into camp where he will be out of that environment working with top flight attack and defence coaches for four months leading into the world cup. Liams came in but it was more Gatland dropping Cuthbert than picking Williams.

He also has a pretty decent strike rate with 14 tries in 32 appearances against Williams 2 in 23 appearances, Cuthbert has also produced some game breaking tries when it matters.

Williams is a good player, but there is no way he will be the incumbent post camp and warm up games.

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Does it?

The last World Cup led to several changes by Gatland, we'll know more after the warm up games, but I reckon Moriarty, Amos and Tyler Morgan all have decent chances of making the final squad well Cuthbert will miss out both Amos and Eli Walker are better chances,

 

[valley commando]

Anyway, if you want to not ruin the thread? I mean, if you were a Welshman and this was an England thread you'd have 5 or 6 people gang riding your arse right now. Leave it be

On a positive note the following report from Wales on Line -:
Rugby World Cup 2015: Have England scored own goal by staging high altitude training camp at wrong height?
18:16, 20 JUNE 2015
BY ANDY HOWELL
Wales' Rugby World Cup group rivals appear to have got their sums wrong while Warren Gatland's men have the optimum regime planned
Wales’ group rivals England could have scored rugby’s equivalent of an own goal in their preparations for the World Cup by staging their supposedly high altitude training camp at the wrong height!
Stuart Lancaster’s men are following Wales’ lead by staging a pre-tournament boot camp at altitude but, according to some research, they might have got their figures wrong.
Red Rose coach Stuart Lancaster is basing his squad at mile-high Denver in the Rocky Mountains and the plan is for them to also train high, at the Colorado ski resort of Vail.
But studies show that could be the wrong approach to maximise the benefit and peak for September’s tournament.
Experiments conducted by fitness experts have found that sleeping at a height of between 2,100m-2,500m (6,900-8,200ft) and training at 1,250m (4,100ft) or lower to be the optimal approach for altitude training.
England, however, are staying at a height of only 1,680m (5,280ft) and most of their training will be done at 2,475m (8,120ft).
In contrast, Wales will sleep at 2,212m-high Fiescheralp in Switzerland but will travel down the mountain by cable car each day to train at the base of the valley.
Scientific papers published by the American Physiological Society claim Gatland’s way is a far more effective form of altitude training, which is geared to naturally increase the number of oxygen-carrying blood cells in the body.
The effect can result in increases in speed, strength, endurance and recovery for a significant period of time with studies finding subjects exposed to altitude for 18 days but training closer to sea-level show significant long-term gains.
Gatland and his fitness advisers â€" former England conditioning chief Paul Stridgeon has been confirmed as the replacement for Adam Beard â€" have been working closely with leading hypoxic altitude physiology expert, Professor Grégoire Millet to tailor their training program to get maximum benefit.

 

[Bluemoon]

I know mate, but look at Gatlands history of keeping with his favourites - he has stuck through thick and thin to his own detriment with guys like Priestland and Phillips and to some degree Roberts. He also likes a big winger, Cuthbert and North have pretty much been his go to wingers since Halfpenny moved to 15. When he has dropped guys like Preistland he has gone back to them very quickly, he'll drop them just long enough to keep people quite and then they are back in.

He also has a pretty decent strike rate with 14 tries in 32 appearances against Williams 2 in 23 appearances, Cuthbert has also produced some game breaking tries when it matters.

Williams is a good player, but there is no way he will be the incumbent post camp and warm up games.

I'll admit that his career strike rate is exceptional and that is one of the main qualities that you want in a winger. His strike rate is also good at Cardiff Blues level as well, despite having a poor season this year and being in a team that has been poor for 3 years.

I'll also agree with your point about consistency in the team, but I will say that now Cuthbert has fallen out of favour, I actually see that consistency element going against him. He lacks the ability to play anywhere else and his defence is very very poor. He's been very luck with Wales in that Jamie Roberts and JD are exceptional in defence.

He's completely lost his head at the Blues this year. He's been frustrated on the touchline, very poor body language, and was seen arguing with the centres. He's not been looking for the ball and he hasn't really come looking for work, albeit in a team that is struggling. It's not been a good year for him all around really.

The coaches will make decisions based on the training camps as well, so it'll be interesting to see what happens. I still think Cuthebert can do well for Wales, I just wonder whether LW has got the form at the moment. The back three debate will go on until after the Uruguay game, and even then it'll be a tough decision barring injuries!

 

[goodNumber10]

I'll admit that his career strike rate is exceptional and that is one of the main qualities that you want in a winger. His strike rate is also good at Cardiff Blues level as well, despite having a poor season this year and being in a team that has been poor for 3 years.

I'll also agree with your point about consistency in the team, but I will say that now Cuthbert has fallen out of favour, I actually see that consistency element going against him. He lacks the ability to play anywhere else and his defence is very very poor. He's been very luck with Wales in that Jamie Roberts and JD are exceptional in defence.

He's completely lost his head at the Blues this year. He's been frustrated on the touchline, very poor body language, and was seen arguing with the centres. He's not been looking for the ball and he hasn't really come looking for work, albeit in a team that is struggling. It's not been a good year for him all around really.

The coaches will make decisions based on the training camps as well, so it'll be interesting to see what happens. I still think Cuthebert can do well for Wales, I just wonder whether LW has got the form at the moment. The back three debate will go on until after the Uruguay game, and even then it'll be a tough decision barring injuries!

Aye, of course mate... it's just my opinion, i think Cuthbert will be back in after a good pre-world cup as he is just an out and out poacher, i guess we'll see.

 

[Jbobo]

Controversial opinion time: Cuthbert was never really that good.

I agree, he's only got a 50% try scoring rate at 25 years of age. Bin 'em

No big loss.

Williams has had more negative impact than good.

Cuthbert would have been Gat's voiice anyway.

LOL utter tripe. Liam Williams is literally better than any of England's back three options. He's especially better in all facets than Mike 'Cuthbert hands off/Makes 4 try giving mistakes a game' Brown

But really, thanks for your obviously objective opinions on the lack of ability of one of Wales's most prolific finishers and Wales's player of the year lads. Well done you guys.


...Of course that's just my opinion.

 

[ZeroTwo]

For what it's worth I think Liam Williams is the incumbent. Having said that, Cuthbert has the ability to finish from anywhere inside the 22. When it comes to WC time that might be more valuable than flair.

I also think Williams is a liability. Seems to have gotten it under control this last season but in the increased pressure of WC time? Risky business. Also Jbobo, lets not get into that. Think there's an interesting point to be made that Cuthbert has some skills I think Williams lacks (even if I agree that LW is the better player) and Gatland does like his favourites.