Welsh squad for the AI's.

[Draggs]

Mongo... haven't seen much of him with the Wasps yet, but with players like Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, and quite a few others are vying for that spot, and will be available long term.
Perhaps he could play with Hook in the centre- he does quite like the midfield....

Tbf i was only going for them, so I'll just wait for the reschedule:


Either way: Back on topic
Where will Powell fit in if all backrowers are fit? (if at all)
Ryan Jones (presuming he's kept as captain) will be at 8.
Obviously moving to Wasps will harm his chances a bit (but playing under Edwards so probably the best non-Welsh club to move to for his international prospects) but with Lydiate back now, and on good form...
Maybe a bench? Or with Warburton is that maybe not going to happen either? Also JT making things difficult for Powell

 

[dullonien]

I don't think there's space for him unless Thomas starts at 8. If Jones starts at 8, then I'd have Thomas and Warberton/Williams on the bench to cover all back 5 places in the pack. I think a specialist openside on the bench is important, and whilst Thomas has played there before, he's simply not very good at it. If the backrow consists of 06 Thomas, 07 Williams/Warberton, 08 Ryan Jones, then I suppose there could be room for him as an impact sub, with Warberton covering 6 and 7.

 

[ranger]

I don't understand why people are against 23 players?
Unless they like uncontested scrums that much?

The NZRU are against it because they are cheap basically. They cost of paying another guys salary and flying them around and that wasn't worth paying when 22 works just as well.

Also, any chance of Paul ***o getting the call up? he should be eligible through residency by now

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Fish says he's still a proud Kiwi and would only play for Wales if they where in dire need of locks and couldn't beat the Aussies otherwise.

Powell impressed me today- Much more so than JT yesterday. Ryan Jones must start the next game. He knows what he's doing, where as JT does not. And Turnbull looks more and more like a Welsh starter with every game!

 

[dullonien]

I thought Ryan Jones was very good wheh he came on. He tackled like a man posessed, claimed a turnover and claimed a couple of tough kicks. I also saw him make some yards

Didn't see Powell today, he went well Dunc?

I'm sorry Cyril, but yet again Lou Reed played well. He's extremely good in the lineout, and he features all round the park aswell. He's pushing for contention imo.

Turnbull is overtaking all at 6 imo. He isn't a 7, but still impressed out of position. Outplayed McCusker, and get's through more work than any other Welsh player at the moment, even Gethin Jenkins! He's the hard-worker that Wales needs. Would a backrow of Turnbull, Martyn Williams/Warberton, Powell work. It looks quite well balanced, with the increased workrate of Turnbull counteracting the lack of workrate from Powell. Probably wouldn't work, but I do think Gatland needs to try something different because the balance in the backrow has been off for a couple of years now!

 

[cyRil]

*Loads shotgun*

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't see Powell today, he went well Dunc?

He carried well, put in a lot of work in the ruck & maul, was very unselfish with the ball, and even put in a nice little chip which could've resulted in a try if he was was a touch faster than the Toulouse FB. He also chased kicks well,
I'd say he was probably the back backrow on the pitch, and that's with Dusatoir and Rees on there as well

 

[dullonien]

*Loads shotgun*

Bring it....

 

[dullonien]

Mathew Rees for Wales skipper? The only bad point of his season so far was that yellow card he picked up. He was up there with the best player on the pitch against Perpignan and is one of the few Welsh forwards guaranteed of his place in the Welsh team imo.

I can't think of a better condidate, considering Gethin Jenkins isn't all that keen on captaincy and has been picking up injuries like there's no tomorrow. Adam Jones is a certain starter, but I've never heard anything about his leadership qualities. Second-row, Bradley is too young yet, but is a possible in the future, while Alun-Wyn isn't playing to his best (bar last week v Scarlets). In the backrow, not one of the positions are finalized in my book. Martyn Williams also another that isn't at home as captain.

In the backs, Stephen Jones was terrible last ime he was handed it, even though he seems the perfect choice. A fit and on form Roberts could be a serious contender in the future as he's such an all round professional with great public speaking abilities. Wings and fullback are too far out of the it imo.

 

[cyRil]

Give it to Lou Reed.

 

[dullonien]

:lol::mellow:

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Some of the stuff mentioned in this thread is absolutely ludicrous ... Lou Reed is to lightweight for Wales ... pretty much the truth there.

As for replacing Ryan as captain there be no such thing happening. Martyn Williams does not want captaincy ... pppsshhh please.

 

[dullonien]

I'm not quite sure in what part of the world 6'6" and 17st 11lb is lightweight........ Not sure why people are unwilling to acknowlage the fact that Lou Reed is playing well at the moment. He's been very good in the lineout for the past two seasons, and has been prominent around the field. He put in a couple of crunching tackles against Perpignan aswell. I'm not saying he deserves to start for Wales, as there's quite a few in front of him, but he could be in contention for a squad place.

Maybe in Gatlands eyes there's no need to re-think Ryan Jones being captain, but in my opinion and in most others in Wales it appears he shouldn't be certain of his place nor of his captaincy. I've been impressed with Ryan in his off the bench performances of late, and I'll be delighted if he can show some form again. If he does, then he's the best choice for captain, but he's got to be the best choice at 8 first and foremost.

I'm pretty sure that Martyn Williams has publically stated in the past that he's not keen on captaincy. He's filled in a couple of times, but he said he didn't want it on a permanent basis. There's gotta be a reason he's never been a long standing Blues captain, considering his experience, position and overall rugby knowlage!

Edit: ok Lou Reed is lighter than Alun-Wyn, Ian Gough, Ian Evans and Luke Chrteris, but is only a couple of lb's shy of Bradley Davies and is heavier than Deiniol Jones. Considering Deiniol has been part of the Welsh squad of late, I'd personally prefer one of the Scarlets boys who are actually playing well.

 

[Draggs]

Keep Ryan as captain for the AI's. If it needs changing, do it before the 6N.
As far as Lou Reed goes, he isn't international material yet.
I'd put Alun-Wyn, Bradley, Ian Evans and perhaps Ian Gough ahead of him. (Not so much with Charteris, he doesn't play well for Wales)

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Lou Reed has played well for the Scarlets, you can't deny that, but I can't see him performing against the All Blacks or even Fiji or Italy. Next time an American/Asian side is in town, maybe, but not this year.

Ryan should remain captain. He should be starting for the Ospreys, but is being overlooked for one reason or another. He's the best captain Wales have, and so should keep the role.

 

[Draggs]

Anyone know the expected size squad for the Autumn Internations?
It was 35 for the 6N this year- just curious as it could allow quite a few younger players in.

 

[dullonien]

No idea. I'm not a fan of massive squads, such as those selected by Ireland in the recent past (sure they had one consisting of 45 players not too long ago). At the same time though I'm not a fan of the tiny ones Gatland enjoys, especially not for the IA's, Summer tours etc. as it doesn't allow any space for up and coming players who would miss out with such small squads. Being involved with the squad can mean a huge amount for youngsters and gives them a taste of what international rugby is about (training, effort etc.).

I'm hoping it's at least 35, if not a few more.

 

[Draggs]

30 is the RWC requirement I believe; Somewhere between 30 and 35 would be the best option, same with the upcoming 6N.
I guess we will find out in the coming weeks.

 

[cyRil]

Well they usually name the squad on the Weds/Thurs after the 2 round of HEC fixtures.

 

[dullonien]

Pretty sure I read somewhere that it was being announced on Sunday, although that wouldn't give them much time to mull over the Blues performance. Can't remember where I saw it, was one line in another article I think, possibly BBC Sport, but not sure.