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Welsh squad under Gatland
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<blockquote data-quote="dullonien" data-source="post: 1181214" data-attributes="member: 13739"><p>So WoL have put the following side forward for the summer tour to Aus :</p><p></p><p>G.Thomas, Lake, Francis</p><p>Jenkins, Rowlands</p><p>Tshiunza, Wainwright, Morgan</p><p></p><p>T.Williams, Anscombe</p><p>Grady, J.Roberts</p><p>Dyer, L.Williams, Adams</p><p></p><p>Dee, N.Smith, Assiratti, Beard, Reffell, G.Davies, Costellow, Beetham</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/first-choice-wales-team-now-28841777" target="_blank">Link</a></p><p></p><p>Honestly, there's a number of issues with this side imo.</p><p></p><p>- Loosehead is a position that needs to do more than just being a hard worker, which is the main acolade directed towards Gareth Thomas. Just look at the likes of Porter, Genge etc. who are dynamic and physical around the field. I think Thomas plays more like a traditional tighthead in the open, putting in his tackles and offering himself as a carrier without being a line-breaker. Unfortunately, the one player who could offer that for us, Rhys Carre is now unavailable for selection, brilliant! Perhaps Nicky Smith offers more than Thomas though, with his footwork before contact and ability over the ball.</p><p></p><p>- Tshiunza hasn't proven anything as yet, certainly not to be parachuted into the side ahead of the likes of Reffell or Young. I know what WoL are doing here, trying to get a physical 6 onto the field, but we probably need to work to our strengths here which is undeniably 2 potential world class players in Reffell and Jac Morgan. So I'd be playing both in the same backrow.</p><p></p><p>- Is anscombe the answer at 10? He has barely played a handful of games since the 2019 wc! If we're pinning our hopes on him, then god help us. The issue is that it's pretty clear that Costellow and Lloyd aren't anywhere near ready either (if they ever will be). I've maintained for years that Jarrod Evans is the answer, especially if paired with a 12 who can share the kicking responsibilities because Evans suffers a similar issue to Costellow and Lloyd, with his kicking from hand lacking distance. Sheedy is another who could be fully back in the frame.</p><p></p><p>- Is Grady the answer at 12? Possibly. He looked food there v Italy, and he could fulfill that carrying option we probably need. I do like the look of that center pairing on paper, but both have a lot to learn.</p><p></p><p>- I don't understand why we would want to drop Winnett after a decent 6N imo. He's got a ton to learn and improve upon, but he showed enough promise to persavere with. If Liam returns to the side, it should be on the wing instead of Adams who's done little in a while tbh.</p><p></p><p>- What does Beard offer from the bench? Certainly not impact, or versatility. This is where Tshiunza offers something imo, as a hybrid lock/6 option on the bench.</p><p></p><p>- Gareth Davies must be a joke after his recent outings. Pickings are slim behind Tomos Williams, but Gareth Davies is neither the here and now, or the future at his age - so lets pick younger options and move on already.</p><p></p><p>- Again, based on the 6N just gone, I don't see what Costellow offers. He needs to go away and re-establish himself at the Scarlets, because he's gone backwards in recent seasons. At least Ioan Lloyd offers versatility.</p><p></p><p>So for me I'd be looking at the following side:</p><p></p><p>N.Smith, Lake, Francis</p><p>Jenkins, Rowlands</p><p>Morgan, Wainwright, Reffell</p><p></p><p>T.Williams, J.Evans</p><p>Grady, J.Roberts</p><p>Dyer, Winnett, Williams</p><p></p><p>Dee, Domachowski, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Young, Hardy, Sheedy, Grace.</p><p></p><p>Grace is a complete punt honestly. I'm not that keen on Hardy eirher, but no other 9 has properly put themselves forward. Blacker, Morgan-Williams, ans Bevan have shown glimpses though.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dullonien, post: 1181214, member: 13739"] So WoL have put the following side forward for the summer tour to Aus : G.Thomas, Lake, Francis Jenkins, Rowlands Tshiunza, Wainwright, Morgan T.Williams, Anscombe Grady, J.Roberts Dyer, L.Williams, Adams Dee, N.Smith, Assiratti, Beard, Reffell, G.Davies, Costellow, Beetham [URL='https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/first-choice-wales-team-now-28841777']Link[/URL] Honestly, there's a number of issues with this side imo. - Loosehead is a position that needs to do more than just being a hard worker, which is the main acolade directed towards Gareth Thomas. Just look at the likes of Porter, Genge etc. who are dynamic and physical around the field. I think Thomas plays more like a traditional tighthead in the open, putting in his tackles and offering himself as a carrier without being a line-breaker. Unfortunately, the one player who could offer that for us, Rhys Carre is now unavailable for selection, brilliant! Perhaps Nicky Smith offers more than Thomas though, with his footwork before contact and ability over the ball. - Tshiunza hasn't proven anything as yet, certainly not to be parachuted into the side ahead of the likes of Reffell or Young. I know what WoL are doing here, trying to get a physical 6 onto the field, but we probably need to work to our strengths here which is undeniably 2 potential world class players in Reffell and Jac Morgan. So I'd be playing both in the same backrow. - Is anscombe the answer at 10? He has barely played a handful of games since the 2019 wc! If we're pinning our hopes on him, then god help us. The issue is that it's pretty clear that Costellow and Lloyd aren't anywhere near ready either (if they ever will be). I've maintained for years that Jarrod Evans is the answer, especially if paired with a 12 who can share the kicking responsibilities because Evans suffers a similar issue to Costellow and Lloyd, with his kicking from hand lacking distance. Sheedy is another who could be fully back in the frame. - Is Grady the answer at 12? Possibly. He looked food there v Italy, and he could fulfill that carrying option we probably need. I do like the look of that center pairing on paper, but both have a lot to learn. - I don't understand why we would want to drop Winnett after a decent 6N imo. He's got a ton to learn and improve upon, but he showed enough promise to persavere with. If Liam returns to the side, it should be on the wing instead of Adams who's done little in a while tbh. - What does Beard offer from the bench? Certainly not impact, or versatility. This is where Tshiunza offers something imo, as a hybrid lock/6 option on the bench. - Gareth Davies must be a joke after his recent outings. Pickings are slim behind Tomos Williams, but Gareth Davies is neither the here and now, or the future at his age - so lets pick younger options and move on already. - Again, based on the 6N just gone, I don't see what Costellow offers. He needs to go away and re-establish himself at the Scarlets, because he's gone backwards in recent seasons. At least Ioan Lloyd offers versatility. So for me I'd be looking at the following side: N.Smith, Lake, Francis Jenkins, Rowlands Morgan, Wainwright, Reffell T.Williams, J.Evans Grady, J.Roberts Dyer, Winnett, Williams Dee, Domachowski, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Young, Hardy, Sheedy, Grace. Grace is a complete punt honestly. I'm not that keen on Hardy eirher, but no other 9 has properly put themselves forward. Blacker, Morgan-Williams, ans Bevan have shown glimpses though. [/QUOTE]
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