A chance for the Welsh midfield to rediscover a bit of flair...

[cyRil]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8808711.stm

Roberts is out of the AIs. Gives us the chance to possibly try out a Hook-Bishop partnership, maybe even Henson . And we might remember what a line break is in between all that!

 

[MichaelBoard]

You could be right Cyril, it could well be a blessing in disguise, especially if Henson does come back for the Ospreys, has a good pre-season and gets back to his best for club and country. What a headache for Gatland picking from players like Henson, Hook, Roberts, Bishop etc

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Hang on lads it all depends if Henson returns to training today with the Ospreys first.

 

[MichaelBoard]

Hang on lads it all depends if Henson returns to training today with the Ospreys first.

Yeah I agree, thats what I meant by if he does come back and he does have a good pre-season

 

[Gavin]

But surely Roberts is one of the best Welsh players? Why would you fella's not want him playing?

 

[cyRil]

He potentially is one of our best players. It's just hasn't done anything/been utilised properly for Wales... like, ever. If he was one of the options in a talented backline, as opposed to 'the' option - give him the ball to crash it up and kick the ball away after 3 pointless phases - then i'd be a much happier man.

 

[Gavin]

Oh I see. Surely Wales need another good player to counter-act Roberts, a distributor for example.

 

[cyRil]

 

[Gavin]

Henson really? Oh talking about Henson, you didn't see him on the tv in the show Human Guinea-pig cyRil?

 

[cyRil]

I heard about it but didn't see it, sounded stupid and horrific. Was it?

 

[Gavin]

He had to have 250,000 volts go straight through him, but of they protected him in a specialised box. He seemed like an alright person until he pulled out of his pocket his hair-styling product.

 

[Draggs]

Hook/Bishop it is then. At least they have had a season together at the Ospreys, so it won't be too much of a transition.
Still looking forward to Henson/Roberts, which could be an absolutely lethal combination.

 

[Conal]

could henson play fullback so their is a bishop hook center and someone to cover a shakey lee byrne

 

[cyRil]

Henson hasn't played rugby in a year and a half. I don't fancy moving him out of his preferred position as soon as he gets back.
Oh, and BYRNE'S NOT SHAKY!!!!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

If Henson was to move it would be to 10.

 

[Conal]

but no chance of that theres jones and biggar

 

[TRF_Cymro]

but no chance of that theres jones and biggar

As there would be shifting a Hook-Roberts partnership ... duh

Henson is better than Biggar ... Biggar is over-hyped by the Welsh Media. Henson should look to go back and play 10 as he offer a more running game than Jones at 10.

 

[Gleision]

Henson is garbage at 10.How you can say Biggar is over hyped is beyond me,for such a young player the guy is class.I really hope gatland gives Biggar a run in the six nations next year.Biggars game mangement is far better than hooks,although i still think hook is a very good 10.The problem for Hook is that he isnt going to figure at 10 for the ospreys so he aint going to get picked there for wales.

 

[SelimNiai]

Bishop needs to take this chance as I guess he will be first to get the crack of playing there. Bish was probably our best player in the 1st Test against the Kiwis and is next in line.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

With Shanklin and Roberts out, Wales options at Centre for the Autumn are-

James Hook - 43 Caps, 25 years old
Jon Davies - 7 Caps, 21 years old
Andrew Bishop - 11 Caps, 23 years old
Gavin Henson (Maybe) - 34 Caps, 28 years old

Then, after them, it gets a bit more wild.

Ashley Smith - 0 Caps, 22 years old
Rhodri Gomer-Davies - 0 Caps, 25 years old
Ashley Beck - 0 Caps, 19 years old
Ceri Sweeny - 39 caps, 28 years old
Daffydd Hewitt - 0 Caps, 24 years old
Aled Brew (Primeraly a winger) - 3 Caps, 23 years old

Or move somebody else. I'd try Hook/Henson, and call Smith up to the squad if he plays well for the Dragons as he did season gone by. However, the question is could be cope at international level? I'm not too sure about Bishop. No doubt he's a very good player, but he doesn't run as hard as Roberts, Davies or Shanklin, and isn't creative as Hook and Henson, but is the best defensive back. Smith is the oposite- Strong and creative, but not the world's best defender by and strech of the imagination. However, just because he plays for the Dragons doesn't mean he's not worth a shot.