Wales - Barbarians FC (02/06/2012, 14:00)

[TRF_Olyy]

Millennium Stadium (02/06/2012, 14:00)

Live on S4/c (may be on BBC Wales as well, can't find mention of it though)

Wales		Barbarians
Liam Williams	15	Mils Muliaina
Harry Robinson	14	Isa Nacewa
Andrew Bishop	13	Mike Tindall
James Hook	12	Casey Laulala
Aled Brew	11	Shane Williams
Dan Biggar	10	Stephen Donald
Lloyd Williams	9	Richie Rees
Ryan Jones	8	Johnnie Beattie
Justin Tipuric	7	Mamuka Gorgodze
Josh Turnbull	6	Francois Louw
Ian Evans	5	Mark Chisholm
Alun Wyn Jones	4	Mick O'Driscoll
Rhodri Jones	3	John Smit
Matthew Rees	2	Benoit August
Rhys Gill	1	Duncan Jones
Richard Hibbard	16	Aled de Malmanche
Paul James	17	Neemia Tialata
Aaron Shingler	18	Anton van Zyl
Martyn Williams	19	Akapusi Qera
Rhys Webb	20	Rory Lawson
Adam Warren	21	Sailosi Tagicakibau
Will Harries	22	Cedric Heymans

[TRF_SelimNiai]

Barbarians FC. What? Is this a wendyball match?

[cyRil]

Yeah, Olyy's all about the football. Loves it.

[welshglory]

Barbarians FC. What? Is this a wendyball match?

That's what their name is. By the way football is really association football or soccer. Football is an insult to the other footballing codes around the world

[TRF_Olyy]

Barbarians FC. What? Is this a wendyball match?

Rugby clubs registered with the RFU before a certain point in time have "FC" rather than "RFC" e.g. it's "Sale FC" as they're old as balls.

[dullonien]

Rugby clubs registered with the RFU before a certain point in time have "FC" rather than "RFC" e.g. it's "Sale FC" as they're old as balls.

Yup, my balls are named Heathingstone FC and Aristope FC.

















What? Someone had to do it! I'll leave now........

[cyRil]

Yeeeesss Dull!!

[TRF_SelimNiai]

Meh. To me RFC is rugby FC is football. Bit of a pain for me as BRFC is Bristol Rugby and Bristol Rovers. Bit awkward as a BCFC fan too.

[TRF_Olyy]

I agree, I just consider all clubs "RFC/RUFC", I was just using their real name

[Peat]

Because there is a common root and because of the history of the thing. I play for an FC, not a RFC, and I am proud of the tradition my club carries with it, for all we are a bunch of jokers playing London South-East 3, whooping it up in an abandoned Nazi bunker that we turned into a drinking den in the woods.

Ok, it's not actually an abandoned Nazi bunker. Just opposition compare it to one.

[TRF_Draggs]

Well, all club matches are over and done with, what do we think will be the 22?

Starting up front, I can see a front row of Rhys Gill, Ken Owens, and Paul James being selected. I would personally choose, Ryan Bevington over Rhys Gill, but considering Rhys Gill is the only Premiership player selected, it seems as if they want him to play. I don't think Gill offers anything than Bevington doesn't. I actually think Bevington is a better scrummager, and certainly more lively in the loose. Ken Owens has has an excellent season. Injuries to our hookers have provided him with the path to the starting XV, and he has fully grasped the jersey. I would personally put him ahead of Matthew Rees and Huw Bennett, but Howley will opt for experience in the first test. With our only actual tighthead being worth his weight in platinum, he will probably lead the advanced guard to Australia. With this in mind, Paul James, who has admirably covered for Adam before, will start at tighthead. Richard Hibbard and Rhodri Jones are my choices for replacements, the former hitting good form, and the latter offering some coverage on both sides.

With Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones both having committments over the week of the first test, they will not travel with the first team to Australia, Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies heading instead. This means that we will see our first choice lock pairing against the Barbarians. Alun Wyn Jones has certainly hit his best form in many seasons this year, while Ian Evans' long return from injury has stunned all, playing ever minute of Wales' successful Six Nations campaign.

We have recently seen a number of quality backrowers emerge, led by Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate, and Toby Faletau. It is likely that this trio will head down early, leaving three vacant positions. I nominate Aaron Shingler to start in place of Dan Lydiate on the blindside. An impressive debut out of position was Aaron Shingler's first taste of international rugby, and based upon his form for the Scarlets, it will not be his last. The outstanding Justin Tipuric is hot on the heels of Sam Warburton and almost certainly start in place of the captain. Ryan Jones, who has hit previously unseen form, is our best option at 8 (and indeed, our only other 8, besides Faletau). Veteran Martyn Williams will likely win his 100th cap in this match, as Stephen Jones did in last years corresponding fixture. I would select him and Josh Turnbull for the bench, with either Shingler or Jones moving to second row in the event of injury.

Rhys Webb and Lloyd Williams shared the duty of replacement scrum half during the Six Nations, and will likely participate in this match. Lloyd Williams is my first choice, despite some questions over recent form. Rhys Webb, who has been lively for the Ospreys, will come off the bench as the game loses it's shape, and provide a bit more pace.

Whilst I was originally intending for James Hook to start the match at outside half, the recent form of his Ospreys successor Dan Biggar, dictates otherwise. Dan Biggar, criticised by many over the past few seasons, has surely turned a corner and is maturing into the player he seemed destined to be in 2008. James Hook will provide valuable coverage off the bench.

An Ospreys midfield of Ashley Beck and Andrew Bishop is my choice for this match. Ashley Beck seems destined to fill the void left by Jamie Roberts while in Australia, but the young centre must first prove himself against the Barbarians. Offering size and skill, Beck in unafraid of contact and trying to break through the defencive line, which he does with great success. Andrew Bishop, who was close to first choice outside centre in 2010, has seen a loss of form over the past two seasons. He now appears to have had a reversal, and is once again providing the Ospreys with solid midfield defence and good ball-carrying runs.

Back three is where I have my biggest selection issue. Harry Robinson seems destined to win his first cap, but from where? Dragon Will Harries and former-Dragon Aled Brew are also competing for the two positions. Considering he is just still returning from a long injury, it might be premature to ask Will Harries to start. Therefore, I pick Aled Brew and Harry Robinson to start, with Will Harries on the bench. As Leigh Halfpenny will more than likely be in Australia at the time, Liam Williams starts at fullback, coming off an excellent debut season with the Scarlets.

My 22:
01 Rhys Gill/Saracens02 Ken Owens/Scarlets
03 Paul James/ Bath
04 Alun Wyn Jones/Ospreys
05 Ian Evans/Ospreys
06 Aaron Shingler/Scarlets
07 Justin Tipuric/Ospreys
08 Ryan Jones/Ospreys

09 Lloyd Williams/Cardiff Blues
10 Dan Biggar/Ospreys
11 Harry Robinson/Cardiff Blues
12 Ashley Beck/Ospreys
13 Andrew Bishop/Ospreys
14 Aled Brew/Biarritz Olympique
15 Liam Williams/Scarlets

16 Richard Hibbard/Ospreys
17 Rhodri Jones/Scarlets
18 Josh Turnbull/Scarlets
19 Martyn Williams/Cardiff Blues
20 Rhys Webb/Ospreys
21 James Hook/USA Perpignan
22 Will Harries/Newport Gwent Dragons

[dullonien]

Looks spot on Draggs. Biggar, Beck and Bishop have formed a very decent midfield trio for the Ospreys of late, so why not keep that together. I'd be half tempted to start Webb at scrum half as well, to make that 4 Ospreys in the middle. Webb has been in fine form, and is lethal from the base of the ruck, but he also tends to make some errors (as we saw today). He's got another season of maturing to do really. Lloyd Williams is a little further down the development road. Hmm, talking myself out of this one. Both very promising players, so I honestly don't mind.

I think it's still a pretty strong team. Good front-row, very good second-row, skilful flankers and a workhorse at 8. In the backs, there's a good halfback pairing, with a further good pairing on the bench, a solid looking midfield. The back three is the weak link really. Liam Williams deserves his chance, and I think he'll go well, but it'll still be his first cap, same for Harry Robinson. Brew really needs to nail this chance if he get's it, because I can't see him getting another if he has another error strewn game.

[Me 1]

Back 3 does look a little weak, we'll hopefully keep Cuthbert behind to help secure it.

[ZeFrenchy]

Is it going to be the same Baa'a side for the Ireland and Wales game as it was for England?

A bit off topic: what do you guys think of the WRU awarding caps just to make Martyn reach 100? Shouldn't that have happened last November?

[dullonien]

Shane will be added after playing for the Ospreys yesterday. Other than that, I think it'll be fairly similar.

Got to be honest, not a fan of the WRU awarding caps against the BaaBaa's, the games aren't always test level really. But I'm still glad Nugget will get his 100th cap.

[psychic duck]

My 22:
01 Rhys Gill/Saracens02 Ken Owens/Scarlets
03 Paul James/ Bath
04 Alun Wyn Jones/Ospreys
05 Ian Evans/Ospreys
06 Aaron Shingler/Scarlets
07 Justin Tipuric/Ospreys
08 Ryan Jones/Ospreys

09 Lloyd Williams/Cardiff Blues
10 Dan Biggar/Ospreys
11 Harry Robinson/Cardiff Blues
12 Ashley Beck/Ospreys
13 Andrew Bishop/Ospreys
14 Aled Brew/Biarritz Olympique
15 Liam Williams/Scarlets

16 Richard Hibbard/Ospreys
17 Rhodri Jones/Scarlets
18 Josh Turnbull/Scarlets
19 Martyn Williams/Cardiff Blues
20 Rhys Webb/Ospreys
21 James Hook/USA Perpignan
22 Will Harries/Newport Gwent Dragons

that's pretty much the team I would go for, apart from three things

1. Bevington ahead of Gill
2. I don't think Paul James should start at 3, as I think in a match where a loss doesn't mean anything should mean that younger prop is tried, and if he fails, then it doesn't matter and at least we will know not to select in a Test Match
3. I rate Ryan Jones so much higher as a 6 than an 8 these days, I would rather he play there, but then I can't think of anybody alternatives to play 8 other than Powelly or Delve, so he will have to play there

[Tadginator]

I hope Robinson starts in this match. It should be a good open game and I think that would suit him

[TRF_Draggs]

that's pretty much the team I would go for, apart from three things

1. Bevington ahead of Gill
2. I don't think Paul James should start at 3, as I think in a match where a loss doesn't mean anything should mean that younger prop is tried, and if he fails, then it doesn't matter and at least we will know not to select in a Test Match
3. I rate Ryan Jones so much higher as a 6 than an 8 these days, I would rather he play there, but then I can't think of anybody alternatives to play 8 other than Powelly or Delve, so he will have to play there

I agree with all of these, I was just selecting what I think we will see. We are rather weak at 8 now, and I am actually shocked that Andy Powell isn't involved.

[TRF_Cymro]

Wales will field three debutants and remain on course to award a 100th cap to veteran flanker Martyn Williams, when they face the Barbarians in the Test match, powered by Under Armour, at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 2 June (Kick-off 2.00pm).
Blues wing Harry Robinson and Scarlets pair, full back Liam Williams and prop Rhodri Jones, will all make their first appearance in Wales colours.

Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees will make his ninth appearance as captain in a side which also features a return to the international set-up for Ospreys backs Andrew Bishop (centre) and Dan Biggar for the first time since before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“The Ospreys have been in a rich vein of form and their victory over Leinster last weekend to take the RaboDirect PRO12 title was a boost for the whole of Welsh rugby,” said Wales caretaker head coach Rob Howley.

“Dan and Andrew have been playing particularly well and we are looking forward to seeing both players in a Welsh shirt again.

“We have picked a side on form, with an eye on bringing players through for the future, but very much with the intention of getting the summer campaign off to a winning start.”
Elsewhere the Ospreys also provide both locks in Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones and most of the back row with Ryan Jones (No 8) and Justin Tipuric packing down alongside Scarlets blindside flanker Josh Turnbull.

Saracens prop Rhys Gill joins Rees and Jones in the front row to complete the pack.
In the backs Bishop is joined in the centre by his former club-mate, Perpignan’s James Hook, while Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams teams up with Biggar and Dragons wing Aled Brew completes the line-up.

Another potential new cap could be awarded from the bench with Scarlets centre Adam Warren joining soon-to-be centurian Williams. Another Dragons wing Will Harries and Ospreys scrum half Rhys Webb provide the remaining cover for the backs.
Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard and regional colleague Paul James provide support for the front row with Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler completing the match-day 22.
“We have an opportunity against the Barbarians to get an important summer series off to a winning start,” added Howley.

“We have momentum from the RBS 6 Nations and the Ospreys have added to that with a great win in our domestic competition.
“We are now looking for the next step and a victory on home soil against a formidable Barbarians team before we set off for Australia.”

Ospreys prop Ryan Bevington will remain in Wales as 23rd man for the Barbarians fixture with the remaining 16 players from the 38-man training squad named due to leave for Australia tomorrow (Thursday) to begin preparations for the 1st Test in Brisbane.

The final members of Wales’ tour party, which will total 34 players, will be named at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday immediately after the Baa-Baas fixture, with the team to play the Wallabies in that first match due to be named the following Thursday.
If Williams appears from the bench as expected he will be the first Welsh forward to win 100 caps and join Gareth Thomas (Bridgend/Cardiff/Celtic Warriors/Toulouse) in second place behind Wales' most capped player Stephen Jones (Llanelli/Llanelli Scarlets/ASM Clermont Auvergne), who has appeared 104 times.

WALES: Liam Williams (Scarlets); Harry Robinson (Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Aled Brew (Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Blues); Rhys Gill (Saracens), Matthew Rees (Scarlets, captain), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys)

REPLACEMENTS: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets),
Martyn Williams (Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Adam Warren (Scarlets), Will Harries (Dragons)

Adam gets his first call-up to the senior Wales team and will take his place on the replacements bench having previously played for his country at Under 20 level.
The 21-year-old centre started out with Furnace United and Llanelli but has played for Llandovery RFC in the Principality Premiership over the past two seasons.
This season, he graduated to regional rugby, playing for Scarlets having come through their Regional age grade system and played for the Scarlets Under 16 and Under 18 teams. He featured in 23 matches this season, starting on 16 occasions, and has scored four tries for the Scarlets.

My only dissapoitment is that Ryan Jones was not selected as captain, would have made him the player to have captained Wales the most.

[TVH11]

Not a bad side, looking a bit thin in the backs, but there we go. So who are the players that are flying out??? I thought they were gonna wrap Tupuric in cotton Wool due to Warburton's injury??? Also No Beck??? I presume he must be flying out, cause his recent form has been great!!! Anyways, should be fun to see Robinson and Brew up against good old Shaney.

[TRF_Cymro]

The players not named have flown out.

[TRF_Draggs]

So, Beck to start against Australia then.
Turnbull over Shingler and Rees captaining over Jones is a surprise.

[DuncTheDoodle]

Adam Warren? Surprised, considering he didn't make the training squad. Otherwise, fair enough. Glad to see Ken & Ash Beck flying out, both the form players in their positions. Should be strong enough to beat the Barbarians, although I can't see us putting as many past them as England did. Would've given Ryan the captaincy, too, but I like to think the actual Welsh management know better than me.

[TRF_Draggs]

I must disagree with Adam Warren, especially over Adam Hughes.
Gill over Bevington is another I wouldn't have done. I don't see the appeal of Rhys Gill. Not a great scrummager and nothing special in the loose.
Rhodri Jones on the tighthead side is an odd call.

[TRF_Cymro]

I must disagree with Adam Warren, especially over Adam Hughes.
Gill over Bevington is another I wouldn't have done. I don't see the appeal of Rhys Gill. Not a great scrummager and nothing special in the loose.
Rhodri Jones on the tighthead side is an odd call.

Sorry Draggs but you need to understand that Bevington is not the be all and end all and has still things to improve on. Gill also needs to work on parts of his game. Gill does scrummage well and did so against Ireland and for quite a bit of the season for Saracens, he played well against them during the 6 Nations and he is rightfully given consideration in this game. People forget that quite quickly.

[TRF_Draggs]

I am not claiming that Bevington is the best prop, I just feel that he offers more to this Welsh side.
When I have seen Gill play for the Saracens, he seems often to be the weaker prop compared to his opposition.

[TRF_Cymro]

Gill has had a fine season, did well last time in the Wales shirt so see no reason why he shouldn't be given the start. Also he starts more regularly than Bevington, so that will count against him.

[TRF_Draggs]

See, I'd disagree. He conceded quite a few penalties and was shaky in the scrum at times.
I'll give him another go, and see what he can do.

[psychic duck]

I must disagree with Adam Warren, especially over Adam Hughes.
Gill over Bevington is another I wouldn't have done. I don't see the appeal of Rhys Gill. Not a great scrummager and nothing special in the loose.
Rhodri Jones on the tighthead side is an odd call.

I agree with all of this

I would have taken Adam Hughes over Warren, and started Bevington over Gill,

not too keen also on Rhodri Jones at tighthead, but then again, if he isn't good, I would rather find out in this match than in a proper international, anybody have any idea why Mitchell was not in the squad?

[TRF_Cymro]

See, I'd disagree. He conceded quite a few penalties and was shaky in the scrum at times.
I'll give him another go, and see what he can do.

Well you can, but it's acknowledged he's had a good season.