Rob Howley has named the Wales team to face Australia this weekend, as the Autumn Internationals campaign begins.
Sam Warburton and Toby Faletau are both injured, whilst Liam Williams has not recovered in time despite the delayed team announcement. Alun Wyn Jones was not considered for selection following the death of his father this week.
Wales team to play Australia:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps)
12. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (83 Caps)
11. George North (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps)
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
4. Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps)
5. Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (UNCAPPED)
20. James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps)
22. Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
23. Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Is it just me, or are none of the articles since the Barbarian’s team announcement showing up on the home page? I’ve only just found this page by accident.
Ignore me, they’ve just showed up.
Wow, that is a HUGE drop off in experience between the starting 15 and the bench. Wales really need to start giving these rookies some game time.
I know what you mean. All I can picture is us four points down with five minutes to go relying on Scott Baldwin picking out Cory Hill at a five metre line out, or putting all the pressure of a winning drop goal on uncapped Sam Davies’ shoulders, or relying on Tomas Francis and Nicky Smith to repel a surging Aussie maul in the dying seconds without conceding a penalty.
Plenty of experience in the starting XV – rather too much I’d say. We choose a player on form, then stick with them through loyalty and then before you know it you’re at a stage where ‘they got lots of experience’ so they can’t not get the nod.
It’s been in the last 20 that Wales have lost matches which makes that bench all the more worrying.
The return of Cuthbert! Are all other Welsh wingers injured or something?
It does make you wonder!! And he’s got Speight running at him. Edwards will wish he had hair, just so he could pull it out when Speight gets the ball and starts running in Cuthbert’s direction!!!!!
Yes I was rather surprised by Cuthbert being selected over Amos.
I don’t fancy their chances half as much as did a couple weeks ago what with injuries and selections.
I think it will be close but as the inexperience starts to flow in from the bench Australia will pull away
Alex Cuthberk….thanks Howley…thanks the other nameless Cardiff Backs coach with Wales at present…great selection…..he’s hardly played for the Blues but walks into the Wales team ahead of Hallam Amos.
Why???? Amos is a rare thing…a Welsh rugby player that could have passed his 11+ if we still had Grammar Schools!
Factor in Mr No Prop at No1 (another Cardiff Blue player!) as captain. He’ll last about 50 mins at most unless his calf strains and he goes off earlier as he is pushed around the park by the Aussie Front Row.
How on earth can they pick Lydiate????
He’s been out injured for months with a screwed shoulder and played so little rugby this season. Just plain daft.
The 200th consecutive defeat at the hands of the Aussies awaits.
I might just cheer the Aussies on Saturday as I simply cannot bring myself to support a Welsh team with Cuthberk in it. The guy has been given more comebacks than Frank Sinatra.