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International Test Matches
Wales' Summer Tour of New Zealand
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<blockquote data-quote="dullonien" data-source="post: 312430" data-attributes="member: 13739"><p>Wall the domestic season is almost at the end. Thought it was about time we started looking ahead to the test against South Africa and then the two test series in NZ.</p><p> </p><p>Which players have impressed lately? Are there any that will be left at home in order to rest before a gruelling season leading up to the WC?</p><p> </p><p>Gatland has already hinted that he'll be taking a small squad of 28-30 with him, so wanna start debating who that'll be?</p><p> </p><p>Here's who I think Gatland should take:</p><p> </p><p>Front row: Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Eifion-Lewis Roberts, Rhys Gill, Mathew Rees, Ken Owens.</p><p>Second row: Bradley Davies, Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Ian Evans.</p><p>Backrow: Ryan Jones, Sam Warberton, Jon Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Rob McCusker?</p><p> </p><p>Halfbacks: Mike Phillips, Richie Rees, Stephen Jones, Dan Biggar, Jason Tovey.</p><p>Centres: James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Jon Davies, Andrew Bishop/Tom Shanklin.</p><p>Back three: Lee Byrne, Gareth Owen/Daniel Evans, Shane Williams, Tom Prydie, Chris Chekaj/Tom James.</p><p> </p><p>So, the main ommision is Martyn Williams, and that's because I think he needs the summer off, so we can keep him fit and firing for the WC. Warberton and Dafydd Jones (if back) are fully able to fill his shoes and if anything are better options against the All Blacks, where power is needed imo.</p><p> </p><p>Andy Powell is lucky that there are no other options at 8 to back-up Ryan Jones at the moment. Delve has sealed his fate for the time being with his move to Austrailia. In the second row, Ian Evans get's in on potential and his massive lineout ability.</p><p> </p><p>In the backs, maybe a third scrum half would be needed, in which case I'd probably go for Peel, although on current form Tavis Knoyle is hot on his heels. At 10, we may see one of Tovey and Biggar, which would be a tight call imo. </p><p> </p><p>Centres, maybe Bishop and Shanklin can go, but it's certainly an area Gatland can cut down on numbers if he wishes. Bishop would be my pick of the two if only one goes. There is talk that Hook requires surgery in the summer. If that's the case, he'd be a big loss imo.</p><p> </p><p>Back three is probably our problem area. Gareth owen goes, because he's a better option at fullback than Hook. Although Tovey could be used as cover. We are severely stretched on the wing. I would have rested Shane Williams if I could, but he's needed with Halfpenny ruled out (requiring surgery) and Mark Jones and Aled Brew now ruled out. Tom James might be very lucky that we're despirate for some kind of experience there. Will Harries and Fenby have done well, but both aren't up to the task at international yet (not that James has either!). Big ask for Prydie to face NZ aswell!</p><p> </p><p>Out of that lot, this would be my 22:</p><p> </p><p>01 Gethin Jenkins</p><p>02 Mathew Rees</p><p>03 Adam Jones</p><p>04 Bradley Davies</p><p>05 Alun-Wyn Jones</p><p>06 Dafydd Jones</p><p>07 Sam Warberton</p><p>08 Ryan Jones</p><p> </p><p>09 Mike Phillips</p><p>10 Stephen Jones</p><p>11 Shane Williams</p><p>12 Jamie Roberts</p><p>13 James Hook</p><p>14 Tom Prydie</p><p>15 Lee Byrne</p><p> </p><p>16 Eifion-Lewis Roberts</p><p>17 Ken Owens</p><p>18 Luke Charteris/Ian Evans (if regains form)</p><p>19 Jon Thomas</p><p>20 Richie Rees</p><p>21 Jason Tovey</p><p>22 Andrew Bishop</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dullonien, post: 312430, member: 13739"] Wall the domestic season is almost at the end. Thought it was about time we started looking ahead to the test against South Africa and then the two test series in NZ. Which players have impressed lately? Are there any that will be left at home in order to rest before a gruelling season leading up to the WC? Gatland has already hinted that he'll be taking a small squad of 28-30 with him, so wanna start debating who that'll be? Here's who I think Gatland should take: Front row: Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Eifion-Lewis Roberts, Rhys Gill, Mathew Rees, Ken Owens. Second row: Bradley Davies, Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Ian Evans. Backrow: Ryan Jones, Sam Warberton, Jon Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Rob McCusker? Halfbacks: Mike Phillips, Richie Rees, Stephen Jones, Dan Biggar, Jason Tovey. Centres: James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Jon Davies, Andrew Bishop/Tom Shanklin. Back three: Lee Byrne, Gareth Owen/Daniel Evans, Shane Williams, Tom Prydie, Chris Chekaj/Tom James. So, the main ommision is Martyn Williams, and that's because I think he needs the summer off, so we can keep him fit and firing for the WC. Warberton and Dafydd Jones (if back) are fully able to fill his shoes and if anything are better options against the All Blacks, where power is needed imo. Andy Powell is lucky that there are no other options at 8 to back-up Ryan Jones at the moment. Delve has sealed his fate for the time being with his move to Austrailia. In the second row, Ian Evans get's in on potential and his massive lineout ability. In the backs, maybe a third scrum half would be needed, in which case I'd probably go for Peel, although on current form Tavis Knoyle is hot on his heels. At 10, we may see one of Tovey and Biggar, which would be a tight call imo. Centres, maybe Bishop and Shanklin can go, but it's certainly an area Gatland can cut down on numbers if he wishes. Bishop would be my pick of the two if only one goes. There is talk that Hook requires surgery in the summer. If that's the case, he'd be a big loss imo. Back three is probably our problem area. Gareth owen goes, because he's a better option at fullback than Hook. Although Tovey could be used as cover. We are severely stretched on the wing. I would have rested Shane Williams if I could, but he's needed with Halfpenny ruled out (requiring surgery) and Mark Jones and Aled Brew now ruled out. Tom James might be very lucky that we're despirate for some kind of experience there. Will Harries and Fenby have done well, but both aren't up to the task at international yet (not that James has either!). Big ask for Prydie to face NZ aswell! Out of that lot, this would be my 22: 01 Gethin Jenkins 02 Mathew Rees 03 Adam Jones 04 Bradley Davies 05 Alun-Wyn Jones 06 Dafydd Jones 07 Sam Warberton 08 Ryan Jones 09 Mike Phillips 10 Stephen Jones 11 Shane Williams 12 Jamie Roberts 13 James Hook 14 Tom Prydie 15 Lee Byrne 16 Eifion-Lewis Roberts 17 Ken Owens 18 Luke Charteris/Ian Evans (if regains form) 19 Jon Thomas 20 Richie Rees 21 Jason Tovey 22 Andrew Bishop [/QUOTE]
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