Warren Gatland considers 50 players for Wales squad

[TRF_Cymro]

Warren Gatland says he has identified 50 players from which to begin his countdown to the 2011 World Cup.

But the Wales coach has yet to hold any talks on extending his own contract beyond next year's tournament.

Gatland is due to announce his squad for the June Tests against South Africa and New Zealand in the middle of May.

"We've drawn up quite a large list of 50 players that we've been keeping an eye on and trying to narrow down for the tour," Gatland told Sport Wales.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8654487.stm​

 

[Teh Mite]

I hope he Fs off after the World cup... That means we've only got one more year of him blaming and complaining about everything from the referee and the ball-boys as to why Wales didn't win anything again instead of his own shitty coaching... Then that's it! No more! Gone forever! Hurrah!

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

What if next season we see another Will Harries? Even halfway through the season he was totally unknown, but one game against the Sarries and -Bam- he's in Wales contention. 8 tries in 12 starts is a good record for anyone, let alone a total newcomer. Players like Kristian Phillips are being watched from miles off.

 

[dullonien]

I'm sure there's room for a player to force his way into the reconing. But Gatland has to start building his squad ready for the WC. I still hope he'll re-consider his 'small squad' tactics for the NZ tour, as I think this is the time to try a couple of very promising players out. He only needs to expand it by a few players, but that'll be enough for the likes of Ken Owens, Tovey, Gareth Owen etc. to be involved.

 

[nr3prop]

why don't they appoint a welsh coach with all the great welsh legends around?

 

[dullonien]

Being a great player, doesn't automiatically mean being a great coach. You just have to look at Martin Johnson and England to see that. There are a few Welsh coaches doing well at the moment, Dai Young and Paul Turner for instance, and I hope one of them get's the job once Gatland goes, but neither are probably quite ready for the role yet, with both having unfinished business at their respective regions.

Gatland is a good coach, no matter how much rubbish he spouts. He's certainly still learning (as does every coach), but he's certainly the man to take us into the world cup. I'd be inclined to then look at a Welsh coach, giving him a four year contract like they gave Gatland. Allow them free reign to bring in their own backroom staff, like Gatland had. Turner would be my choice, with Dai Young as forwards coach.

 

[Versus]

Good for you, but I don't see it getting anywhere, Wales won't even make the quarters like last time Losing to a team with no professional competition? Ouch.

The backline looks good though, you need to replace Jamie Roberts, no vision. Whosit, Andrew Bishop is pretty decent.

Anybody heard that Gareth Henson is now down to about 11 stone? From 14 stone, tiny dude.

 

[dullonien]

You do realise that it was a Welsh coach in chanrge during the last world cup?

Edit, missread what you said slightly.

I know you're being a bit of a WUM there, but there really is no reason why we won't make the quarters. We're in a much better position this time round.

Further Edit: nah, Jamie Roberts is back to his best again at the Blues. He lacks a little vision, but he's young and that will get better. Bishop probably has less vision that Roberts.

There have been rumours that Henson's lost some weight, but not down to 11 stone. He'll have been keeping in trim, that's for sure, he's fanatical about it apparently. Hopefully he'll have lost around a stone, as I think between 13 and 14 stone is the weight he should be, not pushign 15 like he was at times. If he comes back that is...

 

[Versus]

Yeah, I just don't think you will with Gatland in charge, he is a bloody idiot. I think Wales problem is the centre, amazing wingers and an amazing fullback who unfortunately is out of form but your centres, you just lack depth. I mean, James Hook went from flyhalf to fullback to outside centre, proves me right.

 

[dullonien]

You have a point. But Hook has proven to be very capable at centre. He only played fullback as a stop-gap in what is a position we do lack strength in depth. There's plenty of youngsters coming through in the centres, so we'll hopefully put something together by the WC. Hopefully Hook can make this tour, and we'll see how well him and Roberts can gel and improve.

 

[Versus]

Hook and Roberts vs Smith and Nonu, interesting battle.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Wonder if Jonathan Davies will get a decent run out anytime soon, i've been impressed with him for the Scarlets this season

 

[dullonien]

We seem to have a load of very good direct running centres to choose from (Roberts, Shanklin, Jon Davies, Bishop), all probably international class. But we're despirately short on talented footballing centres atm to complement the direct running of those mentioned. Hook is our only option, with Henson also being one if he returns. We've tried a few other combinations lacking that creative player, including Roberts-Shanklin, Roberts-Davies etc. but I feel they're all too similar and we struggle to create enough with two 'boshers'.

If Hook doesn't make the tour, we'll be forced to go with two direct players, unless Gatlans goes nuts and chooses Ashley Smith or Gareth Owen. God damnit, I'm still ****** off that Gareth Owen hasn't been given more opportunities at centre, he really is ideally suited! Anyway, yeh with two direct runners in the centres, the wingers and fullback will have to be the ones to come infield and provide the spark. This is perfectly doable with Byrne and Shane already very good at doing this, but it's not atall ideal.

So if Hook is a no go, I think we'll see a Roberts-Bishop centre with Jon Davies on the bench. Anyone else see any other options?

 

[Versus]

O'Driscoll was born in the wrong country, we saw what they did with a solid man at 12 and a smart man at 13 in the Lions tour.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Gatland says it's a 27-man-squad going to New Zealand, to be named during Scrum V next week.

 

[dullonien]

27! That's just too small imo. Without an A-Team he's gotta be looking at larger squads in order to give experience of being involved in an international squad (even if they don't play) to some of the great youngsters coming through. It's not Gatland's fault really, as he obviously prefers small squads where competition for places is kept high and training is as intense as possible. But the WRU really need to stop being so idiotic and bring back the A-Team. Now that the academies put in place by the regions are really producing the good, it's the next step required to develop the strength in depth we usually struggle with.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Don't get me going on the state of needing a Wales A! Pickering went back on his word after moaning about needing one and then when he is in charge does nothing. How can £250,000 a year be to expensive for the WRU?

 

[Versus]

250,000 a year is nothing, they pay their players £8000 per game.

Each by the way.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

250,000 a year is nothing, they pay their players £8000 per game.

Each by the way.

Where are the sources you are getting this from?

 

[TyphoonsRugby]

His agent I'd guess, he is the superstar afterall.