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- Nov 2, 2006
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With Wales heading into a new era under Pivac after 11 years with Gatland at the helm, it's a nervous but exciting time to be a supporter with the promise of a more expansive gameplan.
I thought I'd have a look at the player pool available to Pivac and try to assess where it's lacking and how Pivac will see things differently to Gats.
I've colour coded it in the following way:
Purple = world class (imo)
Black = proven international quality.
Red = need to prove themselves
Blue = lacking quality (imo)
Loosehead Prop
Rob Evans - our best prop imo. Solid at the set-piece + multi faceted in the loose.
Nicky Smith - still needs to prove himself at the set-piece.
Rhys Carre - another who needs to prove himself in the set-piece.
Wyn Jones - I think he lacks a point of difference. He's solid enough, but in comparison to most other top props, he's neither dynamic enough nor physical enough to stand-out.
Rhodri Jones - Messed around by Gatland, but is still just 27 so could force his way into contention now he's playing back at loosehead.
Tighthead Prop
Tomos Francis - I know he's been first choice for a while, but he'd be way down the pecking order if he were playing for England/SA etc. Similar to Wyn Jones, he's neither dynamic nor physical enough imo.
Samson Lee - I still hope that he can rediscovering his best form, but calf issues have plagued his career. At his best he's a destructive scrummager and a capable carrier. The likes of Furlong and Sinckler really show what modern day props need to offer, but there's still room for a no nonsense set-piece man imo.
Dillon Lewis - set-piece is his big work-on, but hopefully that will improve over the coming years.
Leon Brown - his scrummaging just isn't good enough, and I don't see it improving enough to be a serious option.
WillGriff John - not considered by Gatland, but imo John is potentially better than most of the names above.
Hooker
Ken Owens - won't make the next world cup, so will need to be phased out over the coming 2 seasons.
Eliot Dee - could become an important player for Pivac with his ball carrying.
Ryan Elias - looks the part, but still hasn't properly shown it for Wales yet.
Sam Parry - I like Parry, but he needs to cement himself as 1st choice for the O's first.
Kristian Dacey - I know some like Dacey, but I've always thought he just falls short.
Dewi Lake - lots of promise here, but he's young. Needs to work on his throwing.
Lock
AWJ - how much longer will he keep going? He wasn't at his best during the WC even if he was still very solid. Another who will need to be phased out both as a player and as a captain.
Jake Ball - not the most dynamic of players maybe, but a big physical lump is always handy. One of Wales' best ball carriers at the WC.
Cory Hill - still has a little to prove imo despite a solid 6N. Could come into his own with the more open style Pivac will likely implement.
Adam Beard - I have some reservations over the physicality of Beard. He's a big lump, but doesn't seem to punch anywhere near his weight. Lineout and maul defence are pluses though.
Seb Davies - massive potential here. He's the athletic type of lock we're missing imo, in the mould of Retallic or Itoje. Not had an opportunity at lock for Wales yet, but I think Pivac will try to fast-track him over the coming months.
Bradley Davies - can do a job in an emergency, but I think the game has passed him by.
Max Williams - starting to emerge at the Dragons.
Blindside Flanker
Ross Moriarty - has done well filling in at 8, but he's a flanker really.
Aaron Wainwright - proven himself as a test player during the WC.
Josh Navidi - another who's best position is on the blindside flank.
Aaron Shingler - after a long injury Shingler wasn't at his best at the WC.
Openside Flanker
Justin Tipuric - I think Tipuric will relish the prospect of playing under Pivac, where the more open style should allow him to showcase his true abilities as a footballer. Potential captain?
Ellis Jenkins - only in red due to his injury, as it may take a little time for him to rediscover form after such a bad injury. He could also be someone Pivac looks to as a captain post AWJ.
James Davies - didn't quite hit his best form during the WC, but Pivac knows him well from the Scarlets. There are question marks over his physicality on the international stage, so still has something to prove.
Olie Griffiths - huge potential here. Probably one of the most physically gifted players we've produced in a while. He could come into the equation on the blindside flank, or even at no. 8 too.
Thomas Young - plenty of options here, with Young another gifted player. It will be interesting to see what stance Pivac takes with players playing outside of Wales.
Sam Lewis - given our options here I doubt Sam will get any opportunities, but he's a quality all rounder nonetheless.
Taine Basham - starting to look the part for the Dragons.
No. 8
Taulupe Faletau - just need him to be fit.
Dan Baker - injuries have hit him hard. Can't see him fulfilling the potential he once showed.
Harrie Keddie - not kicked on as hoped at the Dragons yet, but still plenty of time.
Carwyn Tuipulotu - very young, but physically he's the kind of specimen we're crying out for.
I thought I'd have a look at the player pool available to Pivac and try to assess where it's lacking and how Pivac will see things differently to Gats.
I've colour coded it in the following way:
Purple = world class (imo)
Black = proven international quality.
Red = need to prove themselves
Blue = lacking quality (imo)
Loosehead Prop
Rob Evans - our best prop imo. Solid at the set-piece + multi faceted in the loose.
Nicky Smith - still needs to prove himself at the set-piece.
Rhys Carre - another who needs to prove himself in the set-piece.
Wyn Jones - I think he lacks a point of difference. He's solid enough, but in comparison to most other top props, he's neither dynamic enough nor physical enough to stand-out.
Rhodri Jones - Messed around by Gatland, but is still just 27 so could force his way into contention now he's playing back at loosehead.
Tighthead Prop
Tomos Francis - I know he's been first choice for a while, but he'd be way down the pecking order if he were playing for England/SA etc. Similar to Wyn Jones, he's neither dynamic nor physical enough imo.
Samson Lee - I still hope that he can rediscovering his best form, but calf issues have plagued his career. At his best he's a destructive scrummager and a capable carrier. The likes of Furlong and Sinckler really show what modern day props need to offer, but there's still room for a no nonsense set-piece man imo.
Dillon Lewis - set-piece is his big work-on, but hopefully that will improve over the coming years.
Leon Brown - his scrummaging just isn't good enough, and I don't see it improving enough to be a serious option.
WillGriff John - not considered by Gatland, but imo John is potentially better than most of the names above.
Hooker
Ken Owens - won't make the next world cup, so will need to be phased out over the coming 2 seasons.
Eliot Dee - could become an important player for Pivac with his ball carrying.
Ryan Elias - looks the part, but still hasn't properly shown it for Wales yet.
Sam Parry - I like Parry, but he needs to cement himself as 1st choice for the O's first.
Kristian Dacey - I know some like Dacey, but I've always thought he just falls short.
Dewi Lake - lots of promise here, but he's young. Needs to work on his throwing.
Lock
AWJ - how much longer will he keep going? He wasn't at his best during the WC even if he was still very solid. Another who will need to be phased out both as a player and as a captain.
Jake Ball - not the most dynamic of players maybe, but a big physical lump is always handy. One of Wales' best ball carriers at the WC.
Cory Hill - still has a little to prove imo despite a solid 6N. Could come into his own with the more open style Pivac will likely implement.
Adam Beard - I have some reservations over the physicality of Beard. He's a big lump, but doesn't seem to punch anywhere near his weight. Lineout and maul defence are pluses though.
Seb Davies - massive potential here. He's the athletic type of lock we're missing imo, in the mould of Retallic or Itoje. Not had an opportunity at lock for Wales yet, but I think Pivac will try to fast-track him over the coming months.
Bradley Davies - can do a job in an emergency, but I think the game has passed him by.
Max Williams - starting to emerge at the Dragons.
Blindside Flanker
Ross Moriarty - has done well filling in at 8, but he's a flanker really.
Aaron Wainwright - proven himself as a test player during the WC.
Josh Navidi - another who's best position is on the blindside flank.
Aaron Shingler - after a long injury Shingler wasn't at his best at the WC.
Openside Flanker
Justin Tipuric - I think Tipuric will relish the prospect of playing under Pivac, where the more open style should allow him to showcase his true abilities as a footballer. Potential captain?
Ellis Jenkins - only in red due to his injury, as it may take a little time for him to rediscover form after such a bad injury. He could also be someone Pivac looks to as a captain post AWJ.
James Davies - didn't quite hit his best form during the WC, but Pivac knows him well from the Scarlets. There are question marks over his physicality on the international stage, so still has something to prove.
Olie Griffiths - huge potential here. Probably one of the most physically gifted players we've produced in a while. He could come into the equation on the blindside flank, or even at no. 8 too.
Thomas Young - plenty of options here, with Young another gifted player. It will be interesting to see what stance Pivac takes with players playing outside of Wales.
Sam Lewis - given our options here I doubt Sam will get any opportunities, but he's a quality all rounder nonetheless.
Taine Basham - starting to look the part for the Dragons.
No. 8
Taulupe Faletau - just need him to be fit.
Dan Baker - injuries have hit him hard. Can't see him fulfilling the potential he once showed.
Harrie Keddie - not kicked on as hoped at the Dragons yet, but still plenty of time.
Carwyn Tuipulotu - very young, but physically he's the kind of specimen we're crying out for.
