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Wales RWC Squad

Pieter Steph du Teague

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Is there really not already any Welsh thread for this RWC? Sort yourself out @bushytop ;)

Anyway, Gats has announced his 31-man squad:
Forwards

Props: Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues).

Hookers: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets).

Second-rows: Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Cory Hill (Dragons), Jake Ball (Scarlets).

Back-rowers: Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), James Davies (Scarlets).

Backs

Scrum-halves: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues), Aled Davies (Ospreys).

Fly-halves: Dan Biggar (Northampton), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets).

Centres: Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).

Back three: Liam Williams (Saracens), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), George North (Ospreys), Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues), Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues

Prop selection is the major talking point here. Taking 3 LHPs and Rob Evans not being one of them is baffling, what's happened to him? He's been one of the finest props in the NH for a couple of years now. Only taking 2 THPs is also a huge gamble; probably an even bigger gamble than England's seeing as one of yours is Dillon Lewis who sees scrummaging as optional. The fact that you're an injury to Francis away from him being a starter has to be a pretty major concern. Any idea which of your LHPs will be covering tighthead? Carre, physically, seems like he'd be suited to it but I have no idea whether he has any experience there.

6 back rowers seems very odd and frankly unnecessary. I get that you have a lot of depth there but is it really worth the THP situation, or situation in midfield for that matter? Shingler really hasn't offered anything in the warm-ups; I'm guessing he's in there to cover Hill's injury during the pool games? That's understandable, but in that case Cubby's inclusion seems unnecessary; he just isn't on the same level as Navidi or Tips.

Similarly to THP, I think you've put yourself in a sticky situation in the midfield for no apparent reason. There's no 10 cover in there beyond Biggar and Patchell, whereas you've got specialist 15s in Williams, Halfpenny and Amos with both Patchell and Adams able to cover. I'd have dropped Halfpenny or Amos for Jarrod Evans in a heartbeat.On top of that, you've only got 3 centres, again with no obvious cover. I guess North is covering 13?

Seems like Gats has been uncharacteristically naïve with this squad. I'm fully prepared to eat my words though.

Edit: Wyn Jones is covering tighthead, apparently.
 
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Yeah very surprising, apparently Rob Evans came into camp carrying an injury and has picked up further issues during, while Samson has rarely gone through more than a few games without getting injured these last 3 or 4 years. Still, Rhys Carre didn't look up to the task yesterday and I've never seen Wyn Jones play at TH, so definitely uncharacteristic gambles.

Feel really gutted for Rob Evans though in particular, the guy oozes confidence and a big match mentality... I think we will really miss him.
 
I would have taken Rob instead of Shingler as the attrition rate up front will be worse than the back row.

Aled Davies being at a WC still baffles me. The guy is the worst 9 going to the world cup from all the home nations by a long long way.
 
I would have taken Rob instead of Shingler as the attrition rate up front will be worse than the back row.

Aled Davies being at a WC still baffles me. The guy is the worst 9 going to the world cup from all the home nations by a long long way.
*Ben Youngs has entered the chat*
 
Find the reasons for leaving out Evans & Lee strange considering Cory Hill's been selected with a confirmed fracture in his leg, Evans & Lee played a part yesterday so obviously both fitter than Cory Hill..
 
That's a very very weak set of props, especially compared to who Ireland and England have in that position. Not too sold on the non-AWJ locks either. Six backrows seem unnecessary although Shingler covering for Hill's injury makes sense. Don't get why Tomos William's was ditched from the matchday squad for Aled Davies in the Six Nations, it was a bizarre decision that wasn't really questioned because of Wales won the slam. Three scrumhalves is rarely necessary, especially when you only have three centres with no obvious cover. With Patchell able to play 15 you'd easily be able to drop one of the back three and bring in another centre. Balance of the whole squad seems off but who am I to argue with Gatland?

I do think that in terms of quality.this squad is a noticeable step down from the ones England, SA and NZ have named, and combined with the game on Saturday does highlight a lack of depth in the Welsh squad. That the strengths of the Welsh team are less dependent on individual talent and well suited for knockout rugby so it I think they'll do well.
 
Yeah, some odd selections from Gats.

Real shame that Rob Evans has missed out after a couple of years of excellent rugby. However he did appear to be off the pace when he came on v Ireland, so maybe he's struggling more than we know? Carre was solid v Ireland. Kinda opposite to what I was expecting really, in that he anchored the scrum quite well, but didn't carry much. He did put in one monster tackle though. Media are reporting that he lost 10kg during camp which maybe explains his inclusion. Gats loves a hard worker in training.

I thought Samson went ok v Ireland as well. Nowhere near his best, but I doubt we'll ever see that again (2013 was probably Lee approaching his best, just before picking up a horror injury v Ireland). He was quite solid though, and did offer himself to carry. Struggled scrum time when Wales were a man down, but difficult to overly critisize him for that! I like Dillon, and I think his scrummaging is better than some give him credit for, even if it's still a work in progress at this level, however I agree with others that it's a risk only taking 2 tightheads especially when the emergency cover is someone I've never seen play there.

James Davies is a surprise. He's a quality player when fully fit, but he wasn't at his best v Ireland and he's been struggling with a back injury. I really didn't expect Gats to take him, especially at the expense of another prop or centre.

No Scott Williams is another slight surprise. I think Watkin is quality (he's better than what he showed v Ireland), but Scott is an experienced player who's capable of some class moments. OK, he's only just returned from injury, but he looked quite sharp v Ireland apart from one or two mistakes. Noth, Patchell, and maybe even Amos will provide centre cover. Guessing Parkes provides emergency 10 cover, or maybe Halfpenny? Both would be way out of their depth at this level.

Amos over Lane is probably the right call for now. Lane has a big future, but this WC has just come too soon given his previous untimely injuries. Amos offers versatility, covering wing and fullback to a high standard which may come in useful. Easy to forget how good Amos is as well, he's a very rounded, clever player, who can spark an attack. He was looking top drawer last season v some of the best sides in the world. I remember him carving it up v NZ for example.
 
Seems like Gats is taking a risk. If Wales get anymore injuries you've got to question whether some of the selections are good enough to help them win a world cup. It's one of Wales' biggest challenges and he's definitely leaving some experience at home.
 
Aled Davies being at a WC still baffles me. The guy is the worst 9 going to the world cup from all the home nations by a long long way.

Surely Lloyd and Rhodri Williams are better?

A few 'interesting' selections, Gatland has been known for his rather conservative selection in the past so really surprised at Carre over Evans.
 
I suspect Scott Williams, Rob Evans and Rhys Webb will conveniently holidaying close to Japan for the WC period.
 
Surely Lloyd and Rhodri Williams are better?

Personally I would have taken Lloyd. Rhodri is another flair 9 so is a direct replacement for Tomos or Gareth.

Aled is the steady 'all round billy basic 9'. I dont see what he offers other than being a few years younger than Lloyd plus at least Lloyd can also run and is the best kicking and defensive 9 in Wales. Hopefully Pivac will jettison him and Ospreys will give some gametime to their young 9s.
 

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