Rob Howley has named the Wales squad for this year’s Six Nations.
There are call-ups for Owen Williams, Olly Cracknell and Thomas Young amongst seven uncapped players, and Alun Wyn Jones has been appointed captain.
How do you think Wales will fare?
Rob Howley has named the Wales squad for this year’s Six Nations.
There are call-ups for Owen Williams, Olly Cracknell and Thomas Young amongst seven uncapped players, and Alun Wyn Jones has been appointed captain.
How do you think Wales will fare?
Without Gatland I think Wales will struggle as they did in the Autumn. I know they’re not playing any SH teams, but England, Ireland and Scotland all performed better in the AIs.
Can someone remind me the rule about how many players Wales select that are playing outside of Wales?
Three who signed a contract outside Wales when a competitive offer inside Wales had been formally made, after the law came into effect. Simples!
Thomas Young was unaffected because no region has offered him a contract (probably other reasons too), Owen Williams signed with Leicester before the law came into effect, Charteris hadn’t had a “formal” offer from a Welsh region.
Thanks Doc. That has cleared that one up!!
So next season North and Liam Williams will be fighting it out for the Wildcard spot? Cuthbert must be rubbing his hands, as he will almost be guaranteed a spot as long as Gatland or Howley are in charge.
I expect Jamie Roberts is more likely to lose his wildcard selection than North or Williams!
Next season it goes up to 4. It was announced at the same time as the news Liam Williams was going to Sarries but i’m sure that was just a coincidence
Agreed. He hasn’t exactly been pulling up trees lately. Seems to be half a yard slower than he used to be and too predictable even at club level. I suspect his international future is limited.
Above should have been re Roberts under Henry’s post.
Wales can actually field 23 players that play outside of Wales
But can only field 3 who have been offered a contract by the WRU?Region and said no (Gatland’s Law)
Bloody hell mun, why is Cuthbert and Andrews in this squad.
Cant even get a game for the Blues.
What must Josh Navidi and Keelan Giles do to get a game.
Here we go again, same old, same old.
Agree with Andrews and Cuthbert but Navidi up against some stiff competition in the back-row, would only have him ahead of King from those selected. Giles is injured
Bit confused on wildcard selected. 3 are marked? But Young is selected from outside Wales but isn’t a wildcard?
They have a 15, possibly even a 23, that can play good rugby if they select them. Quite a big if though.
Someone put me right if I’m wrong but I believe if a player was based outside of Wales before Gatland’s law came into effect they are not bound by it e.g. Young/Moriarty etc
see Doc’s answer. very well put
Huge list of names not included where low/uncapped or controversial players selected instead more established names
R.Jones over R.Gill
S.Andrews over A.Jarvis
R.Thornton and C.Hill over B.Davies and D.Day
O.Cracknell and T.Young over J.Turnbull, D.Lydiate and E.Jenkins
A.Davies over Ly.Williams
S.Davies and O.Williams over G.Anscombe
S.Evans, A.Hewitt and A.Cuthbert over M.Morgan K.Giles and H.Amos or T.Morgan as an extra centre
This is not to say I don’t agree with a number of these but it is a bold selection which if it doesn’t work will be a noose to hang Howley with.
Think you’ll find that Lydiate,Anscombe, Giles & Amos are all either injured or recovering from injuries & not up to speed. Would have liked to see Beck in the Squad though, visionary player but very under-rated …
Thanks Stesco I though some of them were probably injured but couldn’t be bothered to do the research
Another dreadful set of selections for the squad from the Howler
Kristian Dacey over Sam Parry!!!!!
Scott Andrews over a bag of cement !!!!!
Alex Cuthberk over Keelan Giles/Anyone else who ever played on the wing!!!!!
I cannot believe he has not named
Anscombe,
Gethin Jenkins,
Barry John,
Gareth Edwards,
Robert Norster
and Jeff Whitefoot for the team as after all they were stalwarts of his fomer employer’s, Cardiff, and should always be included in any Wales squad.
The man is a joke and Gatland is almost as bad.
Stll no Priestland so that is one move in the right direction.
gethin Jenkins is injured along with k giles unsure with fitness
He is also ancient, injury prone, increasingly inclined to buckle and gives away too many penalties. There is no way he will be around for the next world cup. With several decent young props like Lee and Francis coming through I can see no future in picking him again.
Cuthbert used to be a decent player a couple of years ago and I can’t help feeling that Welsh supporters would do themselves a favour by getting off his back and helping him to restore a bit of confidence. It is not his fault that he keeps getting picked when out of form and someone obviously believes that he will eventually come good. On the other hand, as an England supporter I am quite happy to see him being crucified by his own fans as it makes it far less likely he will do anything dangerous.
Lee and Francis are both tightheads Jenkins a loosehead the young guns looking to make that spot their own are Rob Evans(24) and Nicky Smith(22)
I am well aware of that……..hence my other suggested Cardiff players that could be called up….dear me…its called irony
Since Paterna Sciences rugby club, we agree with your opinion as they are players that could make a big difference in the games. There are many players underestimated in this championship.