Wales vs BaaBaas

[TRF_Olyy]

If you have Sky S4C is on that.

S4/c also stream live on their site for people in the UK (I presume it's just the UK) - though it can get a little jittery if a lot of people are watching it

 

[TRF_Cymro]

S4/c also stream live on their site for people in the UK (I presume it's just the UK) - though it can get a little jittery if a lot of people are watching it

Ye the sheep's tied to the pole don't work that quick :lol: when there are loads of people watching it :lol: they don't tend to move any faster to meet the demand :lol:

 

[Duckdee]

Ooh, didn't know that. Cheers!

 

[dullonien]

If you have Sky S4C is on that.

Or just use Zattoo, they have S4C on that and use the English commentary option. I've gotta use it to watch all Magners games that are televised on S4C as I don't have Sky. Good quality too - actually it's bloody awesome quality for a stream.

S4/c also stream live on their site for people in the UK (I presume it's just the UK) - though it can get a little jittery if a lot of people are watching it

Yup avoid the live stream off the S4C website, it can't handle the amount of people who use it. Shoddy quality aswell.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Call Ups:

Carl Hayman
Paul Sackey,
Iain Balshaw
Mathieu Bastareaud

Sick

 

[dullonien]

This Barbarians team is shaping up very nicely. Seems to be a nice mix of nationalities in there aswell, which is always nice to see.

This is gonna be a serious test for Wales, which is great.

Cannot wait.

 

[Draggs]

This is gonna be a serious test for Wales, which is great.

With Bastareuad and Hayes I am assuming you mean eating contest?
Call up Gav Quinnell and Eifion.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Looks like Martyn Williams Wales career is over after he's been selected in the Barbarians squad to face Wales.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Shame, really thought he was going to be in the WC extended-squad


Suppose there's still time for him to impress for BaaBaas then make the warmup games vs England

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I think out in NZ he could be an asset. For the Blues in recent times he's been good. Id be incline to look at him for the Summer Tests to see if he still has mileage in the tank left. If there was ever a player who deserved a 100 caps for Wales it would be Martyn. C'mon Warren lets be having him.

 

[dullonien]

I don't see why this signals the end of Martyn Williams' international career. If he plays well against Wales in this game, outplaying his opposite number, then I think he'll deffinitely be involved in the warm-up games and WC squad. I think Gatland did the right thing leaving him out of the 6 nations squad, due to the form of Warburton and Turnbull. But since then Turnbull's form has dipped and Warburton has been injured. Unless Gatland is tempted by Tipuric, I think Martyn will still go to the WC.

As for Martyn's recent form. For me, it's been a little hit and miss. He's been his usual self in many aspects, showing some great skills on plenty of occasions, but he's also been missing an alarming number of tackles, due to his diminishing pace. For me, that is a little worrying, because if his pace is being exposed at regional level, then it could be even worse at international level. But that's where this BaaBaa's game and possibly the warm-up games come into things.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Just want to point out about the alarming missed tackles numbers ... only against Munster in recent times did he fluster with 5 tackles and 3 missed. He's been up there with the highest tackler on both sides. Martyn's tackling has not been an issue of late. The stats are available on ESPN Scrum site.

 

[dullonien]

Just want to point out about the alarming missed tackles numbers ... only against Munster in recent times did he fluster with 5 tackles and 3 missed. He's been up there with the highest tackler on both sides. Martyn's tackling has not been an issue of late. The stats are available on ESPN Scrum site.

Fair enough, my bad. Suppose that game stuck in my memory somewhat. I hope Martyn Williams does go to the WC, because I think he's still our second best openside at the very least. Turnbull isn't ready yet, and is more of a 6 in my eyes. Tipuric is also not ready, but should be involved with Wales straight after the WC. Warburton is a bit fragile, so Martyn Williams will ahve a big role to play imo, and I hope Gatland sees that.

 

[Draggs]

Toby for 8 against the Barbarians? I think so
Aled Brew for Wales has popped up again, I need to walk away.

 

[TVH11]

definitely think Toby Falatau for wales number 8 for Ba Baa's. Defo has the attributes which welsh 8's have lacked in recent years, he's so 'effin dynamic. Warburton, Lydiate and Falatau for world cup back row???? Now that would be an Athletic trio

 

[MichaelBoard]

This is an excellent game for Wales to have. It forces Gatland's and the players arms to some extent to play a nice open and fast playing style, otherwise everyone will be ****** off. Hopefully we can see some of the flair that's been missing from the Welsh game, and see if the players and the coaches are actually capable of producing heads-up attacking rugby.

If we see a good performance, maybe it will force Gatland to change the tactics somewhat.

Baabaa's team is shaping up quite nicely. Can't wait to see Parisse play in a chuck it around Baabaas team!

I'd like a Welsh team like:

01 Gethin Jenkins / Ryan Bevington
02 Richard Hibbard (best open field Hooker we have)
03 Adam Jones
04 Bradley Davies
05 Alun-Wyn Jones
06 Dan Lydiate
07 Sam Warburton / Martyn Williams
08 Toby Faletau (give him a shot, see what he can do. This game should suit him perfectly)

09 Dwayne Peel / Richie Rees
10 Rhys Priestland / Nicky Robinson / James Hook
11 Shane Williams / George North
12 Gavin Henson (see if he's still got what it takes)
13 Jon Davies (better 13 that Roberts. Roberts needs to work for his position to bring the best out of him again)
14 Leigh Halfpenny / Morgan Stoddart
15 Rhys Priestland / Leigh Halfpenny / Lee Byrne

16 Matthew Rees
17 Paul James / Ryan Bevington
18 Martyn Williams / Josh Turnbull
19 Ryan Jones
20 Richie Rees / Dwayne Peel
21 James Hook / Stephen Jones
22 Lee Byrne / Jamie Roberts

Edit: we need to try some different locks aswell. I don't think it would do any harm to make Alun-Wyn Jones work for his place, he's not a patch on the player he was a few years ago. Can Ian Evans make the step back up? Is Gough really finished? How about Charteris? We can't rely on just Alun-Wyn and Bradley for the WC, with Ryan Jones and Jon Thomas as emergency backup. A genuine second row replacement is needed imo, so we don't end up having to re-jig our entire team is one of the main 2 get injured.

I'm liking that team you've picked their mate but its theres a worrying lack of Dragons players in the squad and Gatland needs to start addressing that. As arguably the most attacking and exciting Welsh team at the moment I think there should be a few more Dragons players involved in the Welsh set-up and what better opportunity than against the Barbarians:

Jason Tovey - Definitely needs to be given a chance, Gatland gave Biggar a chance and I personally don't think he evr should have been given the chance for Wales as I find him too cocky and I don't think he can always back it up on the field (though he has improved and looked better in this half of the season). But my point is Tovey imo is better. His versatility (as he is able to play fullback and in the centre) is also a plus point and I think his performances do justify a call-up.

Aled Brew - The most in-form welsh winger around as it stands, he is solid and hell of a unit but also has good pace and a real handful to deal with. Previously his handling and finishing hasn't been up to the required level but he is looking a hell of a player now and the fact that hes scored 16 tries this season shows he is playing well. the try he scored against the Ospreys 2 weeks or so ago when he left Hook for dead really sums him up as a player, fantastic try and potentially brilliant player. At 26 he is still relatively young and has a future in the Welsh jersey.

Ashley Smith - I've been arguing my case on the forums here for Ashley Smith for well over a year now and everyone says hes too young/too inexperienced etc etc. I think now its time to give him a chance as he is a great player and I think he could be a great player at national level.

Toby Faletau - Probably the most deserving out of anyone, he has been the stand out number 8 in Wales this season, with several MOTM performances. He is strong and exciting in attack and his defence is excellent also. Very unlucky not to have been capped in the Six Nations when he was injured but I think we should cap him before Tonga beat us to it!

Luke Charteris (as you mentioned) - Nothing spectacular this season but does his job well and has plodded along nicely in the Magners without attracting too much attention. Worth a shot as mentioned.

I could mention several more Dragons players but I would just come across as being really bias but I honestly think that the players mentioned above should be thrown into the selection mix for the Barbarians match as well as the friendlies before the World Cup.

 

[Draggs]

Toby is tied to us, for the record. Was on the bench v Fiji, and although he did not appear, that is binding. (I am pretty sure about this, I'll check a bit later)
Charteris should get a shot, if only because we need another Second Row.
Tovey: definitely. Outplays Dan Biggar every time they meet and (I think) a bit more of a dynamic player than Priestland. I'd put him on the bench and start Robinson.
Although Brew blows every Wales chance, I'm willing to give him ONE more go, as this match could suit him.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Toby is tied to us, for the record. Was on the bench v Fiji, and although he did not appear, that is binding. (I am pretty sure about this, I'll check a bit later)
Charteris should get a shot, if only because we need another Second Row.
Tovey: definitely. Outplays Dan Biggar every time they meet and (I think) a bit more of a dynamic player than Priestland. I'd put him on the bench and start Robinson.
Although Brew blows every Wales chance, I'm willing to give him ONE more go, as this match could suit him.

Ah right, I'll take your word for it about Faletau, I thought that he actually had to get on the field to be tied to us but of course I may be wrong as I'm not too sure either. It would be stupid not to give Brew another chance considering the form hes in and if I remember rightly in the Autumn against the Boks he had a decent game when I think it was Bakkies Botha tackled him and bounced off him. (may be wrong, it may have been someone else, I just vaguely remember it happening)

Draggs what are your thoughts on Ashley Smith? At 24 hes no longer too young or too in-experienced and you being a Dragons fan who I assume watches them play at the Parade regularly as I do would surely agree that he is playing well and deserves an opportunity at centre as a creative partner to someone like Jamie Roberts or someone else don't you think?

 

[Duckdee]

Random interjection: Thomas Waldrom for the uncapped spot?

 

[Draggs]

Brew played against Fiji, which was hardly a match to judge anyone. He did bounce of some Fijian forward, which was rather amusing, despite the scoreline.

Ashley Smith is a solid player. Not spectacular, but dependable. He is also a good leader on the field, and should be our captain next season. I'd put him ahead of Hewitt, Evans, Scott Williams and Maule. The fact that he is an inside centre might not help him, as that is where our depth is. He is certainly deserving of a shot at the jersey against the Barbarians. Ashley used to play outside half IIRC, and was going to start there v Toulouse in October, until injury ruled him out. This was a result of the "Oh ****, what have we done?" reaction to Matthew Jones.

We will be wasting the match if we put out establish players ahead of giving others a shot.