Wales squad for 6n

[pompey-zebra]

Backs - J Adams (Cardiff), E Bevan (Cardiff), D Edwards (Ospreys), J Hathaway (Gloucester), E James (Scarlets), E Mee (Scarlets), B Murray (Scarlets), J Roberts (Scarlets), T Rogers (Scarlets), B Thomas (Cardiff), N Tompkins (Saracens), O Watkin (Ospreys), L Williams (Saracens), R Williams (Dragons), T Williams (Gloucester).


Forwards - K Assiratti (Cardiff), J Botham (Cardiff), E Dee (Dragons), T Faletau (Cardiff), D Jenkins (Exeter), W John (Sale Sharks), E Lloyd (Cardiff), K Mathias (Scarlets), J Morgan (Ospreys, capt), S Parry (Ospreys), T Reffell (Leicester), W Rowlands (Racing 92), N Smith (Leicester), G Thomas (Ospreys), F Thomas (Gloucester), H Thomas (Scarlets), C Tshiunza (Exeter), A Wainwright (Dragons, T Williams (Cardiff).

[Graigwen]

WillGriff John, age 32, unexpected to me. Over three years since his last cap I think. I have no idea how well he has been playing, does he regularly appear for Sale Sharks 1sts?

.

[Mikey Brown]

Llewellyn?!

[Scrumhead]

I can just about understand why Anscombe hasn’t been picked but Llewelyn? WTAF? Having a great season and one of few bright spots for Wales over the Autumn. Weird.

[Wallpaperman]

WillGriff John, age 32, unexpected to me. Over three years since his last cap I think. I have no idea how well he has been playing, does he regularly appear for Sale Sharks 1sts?

.

Hi Graigwen. I read that he made a bit of a mess of the Stormers scrum at the weekend (he was subbed on 46 minutes) and Bristol the week before that. I haven’t seen the games though.

Bit of a desperate selection from Gatland, he has never picked him before, but he is more than capable of shoring up the tight head. I don’t think that Gatland likes Henry Thomas either, as he never picks him, but I’d rather see them the two of them in the squad than a youngster who would cop a hiding. Wales have plenty of problems elsewhere !

[Wallpaperman]

I can just about understand why Anscombe hasn’t been picked but Llewelyn? WTAF? Having a great season and one of few bright spots for Wales over the Autumn. Weird.

Especially as Tompkins and Watkin have been picked

[Wallpaperman]

WoL have been running a series of articles as to potential new caps, saying that they were targeting dual qualified players like Lockett, Tuipolotu and Wimbush. I assume that Gatland tried all 3; and got 3 nos.

[Graigwen]

WillGriff John, age 32, unexpected to me. Over three years since his last cap I think. I have no idea how well he has been playing, does he regularly appear for Sale Sharks 1sts?

.

Hi Graigwen. I read that he made a bit of a mess of the Stormers scrum at the weekend (he was subbed on 46 minutes) and Bristol the week before that. I haven’t seen the games though.

Bit of a desperate selection from Gatland, he has never picked him before, but he is more than capable of shoring up the tight head. I don’t think that Gatland likes Henry Thomas either, as he never picks him, but I’d rather see them the two of them in the squad than a youngster who would cop a hiding. Wales have plenty of problems elsewhere !

I hear that he has appeared five times but has only had one start. I agree it is a bit of a desperate selection.
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[Scrumhead]

Or at least ‘no for now’. Very early days for all three so they may just want to hedge their bets for now.

[pompey-zebra]

Only one recognised 10 in there too, apart from Ben Thomas as a 10/12. I say recognised advisedly, given it'll be his first cap.

You do wonder what happens if one or both of them get injured, given gatland doesn't seem to rate Sheedy, Evans, Lloyd etc. Emergency call to Biggar?

[Graigwen]

Only one recognised 10 in there too, apart from Ben Thomas as a 10/12. I say recognised advisedly, given it'll be his first cap.

You do wonder what happens if one or both of them get injured, given gatland doesn't seem to rate Sheedy, Evans, Lloyd etc. Emergency call to Biggar?

I think Gatland is desperate for Thomas to become a regular 10. I accept he is good enough as a back up at the moment.

Sheedy is a bit of a disappointment, he has not developed as hoped, his kicking seems a bit flakey. Lloyd has great potential, but is still learning. I would not mind having Evans back, but it won't happen.

Anyway, good to see Edwards given a chance. This is still a bit of an experimental squad, I had hoped we would be more settled by now.
.

[Wallpaperman]

Yep, the position at 10 is terrible. I think we can all see the potential of Edwards, but to have an uncapped 10 as the only one in the squad isn’t good. Notwithstanding that Thomas can cover.

Going to be a bumpy 6 nations !!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Backs - J Adams (Cardiff), E Bevan (Cardiff), D Edwards (Ospreys), J Hathaway (Gloucester), E James (Scarlets), E Mee (Scarlets), B Murray (Scarlets), J Roberts (Scarlets), T Rogers (Scarlets), B Thomas (Cardiff), N Tompkins (Saracens), O Watkin (Ospreys), L Williams (Saracens), R Williams (Dragons), T Williams (Gloucester).


Forwards - K Assiratti (Cardiff), J Botham (Cardiff), E Dee (Dragons), T Faletau (Cardiff), D Jenkins (Exeter), W John (Sale Sharks), E Lloyd (Cardiff), K Mathias (Scarlets), J Morgan (Ospreys, capt), S Parry (Ospreys), T Reffell (Leicester), W Rowlands (Racing 92), N Smith (Leicester), G Thomas (Ospreys), F Thomas (Gloucester), H Thomas (Scarlets), C Tshiunza (Exeter), A Wainwright (Dragons, T Williams (Cardiff).

Winnett's absence is a big surprise, even with Sanjay back in the fold. I guess Rogers and Murray (also Mee?) can also cover FB, so no need for Winnett. I'd like to see Nagy capped, but he hasn't had time to make a mark this season.

Almost as much a surprise is Llewellyn, after his form this season (although I've not actually seen much of it). Who will actually get picked at 12 remains to be seen though ... Thomas, Tompkins, Watkin??

Dan Edwards deserves his call up. I don't get the thinking about leaving Anscombe out though. An uncapped 10 and a 12 (occasionally 10) are our only fly half options? (Obviously I'd have included Lloyd in the squad but that wasn't going to happen).

I don't know what else Morgan-Williams needs to do to get noticed - I don't see how Bevan and Williams are ahead of him.

For a hybrid second row/6 I'd prefer Ratti to Tshiunza - I'm not sure what Christ's done to earn this selection.

Glad Gatland has got over himself enough to select Parry (but will he actually play??). Anyway Dee's recovered just in time.

[pompey-zebra]

The Fail has the following as its strongest 23 from the squad. Some positions you could make a case for other players, but it probably won't be far off, unless Gatland gets all experimental ( not a good idea in Paris, I'd have thought.

15 L Williams
14 Adams
13 J Roberts
12 Watkins
11 Rogers
10 B Thomas
9 T Williams
8 Faletau
7 Morgan
6 Wainwright
5 Rowlands
4 Jenkins
3 Assiratti
2 Dee
1 G Thomas

Bench:
16 Parry
17 Smith
18 H Thomas
19 F Thomas
20 Botham
21 R Williams
22 Edwards
23 Mee

[Son of Mathonwy]

I'd just have James instead of Roberts. I've yet to be convinced about Roberts.

[Sandydragon]

Only one recognised 10 in there too, apart from Ben Thomas as a 10/12. I say recognised advisedly, given it'll be his first cap.

You do wonder what happens if one or both of them get injured, given gatland doesn't seem to rate Sheedy, Evans, Lloyd etc. Emergency call to Biggar?

I think Gatland is desperate for Thomas to become a regular 10. I accept he is good enough as a back up at the moment.

Sheedy is a bit of a disappointment, he has not developed as hoped, his kicking seems a bit flakey. Lloyd has great potential, but is still learning. I would not mind having Evans back, but it won't happen.

Anyway, good to see Edwards given a chance. This is still a bit of an experimental squad, I had hoped we would be more settled by now.
.

O’Brian is hardly playing badly.

[Sandydragon]

I’m also confused about Llewelyn. Seems odd after he began to string some time together in the AIs. The return of Liam Williams is a bit worrying. A superb player no doubt but for how much longer? And having gone through the pain of last year, it feels a bit disjointed to throw all that work out and revert back to the previous generation. Looks like a short term approach, although given his job is on the line that’s no surprise I suppose.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I’m also confused about Llewelyn. Seems odd after he began to string some time together in the AIs. The return of Liam Williams is a bit worrying. A superb player no doubt but for how much longer? And having gone through the pain of last year, it feels a bit disjointed to throw all that work out and revert back to the previous generation. Looks like a short term approach, although given his job is on the line that’s no surprise I suppose.

Yeah, the Llewellyn call doesn't make a lot of sense. You really shouldn't ignore that kind of form.

Bringing Sanjay back but dropping Anscombe also makes no sense. Either have a post-world cup clear out or don't. If we're still keeping quality players who are unlikely to make the next world cup then let's do it properly and try to win some games right now. If we're doing that then Anscombe is the obvious choice.

And hoping Ben Thomas is going to be our best 10 with no practice in that position is desperate.

A whole lot of muddled thinking from Gatland.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Only one recognised 10 in there too, apart from Ben Thomas as a 10/12. I say recognised advisedly, given it'll be his first cap.

You do wonder what happens if one or both of them get injured, given gatland doesn't seem to rate Sheedy, Evans, Lloyd etc. Emergency call to Biggar?

I think Gatland is desperate for Thomas to become a regular 10. I accept he is good enough as a back up at the moment.

Sheedy is a bit of a disappointment, he has not developed as hoped, his kicking seems a bit flakey. Lloyd has great potential, but is still learning. I would not mind having Evans back, but it won't happen.

Anyway, good to see Edwards given a chance. This is still a bit of an experimental squad, I had hoped we would be more settled by now.
.

O’Brian is hardly playing badly.

Invisible to selectors.

[Sandydragon]

I’m also confused about Llewelyn. Seems odd after he began to string some time together in the AIs. The return of Liam Williams is a bit worrying. A superb player no doubt but for how much longer? And having gone through the pain of last year, it feels a bit disjointed to throw all that work out and revert back to the previous generation. Looks like a short term approach, although given his job is on the line that’s no surprise I suppose.

Yeah, the Llewellyn call doesn't make a lot of sense. You really shouldn't ignore that kind of form.

Bringing Sanjay back but dropping Anscombe also makes no sense. Either have a post-world cup clear out or don't. If we're still keeping quality players who are unlikely to make the next world cup then let's do it properly and try to win some games right now. If we're doing that then Anscombe is the obvious choice.

And hoping Ben Thomas is going to be our best 10 with no practice in that position is desperate.

A whole lot of muddled thinking from Gatland.

It feels like we are asking a lot from Thomas. He’s not playing fly half for his club week in week out and whilst a talented player, it’s really not a position to be taking risks with. We could be one disastrous performance from yet another promising player disappearing for good.

[Wallpaperman]

The Fail has the following as its strongest 23 from the squad. Some positions you could make a case for other players, but it probably won't be far off, unless Gatland gets all experimental ( not a good idea in Paris, I'd have thought.

15 L Williams
14 Adams
13 J Roberts
12 Watkins
11 Rogers
10 B Thomas
9 T Williams
8 Faletau
7 Morgan
6 Wainwright
5 Rowlands
4 Jenkins
3 Assiratti
2 Dee
1 G Thomas

Bench:
16 Parry
17 Smith
18 H Thomas
19 F Thomas
20 Botham
21 R Williams
22 Edwards
23 Mee

Can’t argue with much there, although I don’t think it is a lineup that will cause too many sleepless nights for the opposition. I can’t go with Assiratti starting, I just don’t think he is good enough at the scrum, especially for the France game. He may still get the nod as Gatland doesn’t seem to pick Henry Thomas, and Willgriff is coming back from the wilderness.

I’d go with Thomas to start, possibly Assiratti on the bench.

I’m scratching my head as to who is missing from the squad that would improve it ?

Fender is a great prospect but he’s just back from a long injury;

I really like Rhys Davies but Freddie Thomas is similar and more mobile;

I would have picked Cracknell, but he is not too dissimilar to Botham, although Cracknell is a much stronger carrier;

Lake is a miss

I’ve always been a big fan of Anscombe but he may be coming to the end of the road;

I’m not convinced yet by Llewelyn or Grady and Gatland doesn’t like Johnny Williams;

Please come back Rees-Zammit. And get Regan Grace fit.

Going to be a tough watch.

[Sandydragon]

The issue f9r us is that there isn’t really anyone else who could come along and be a huge improvement. A fully fit a
Anscombe maybe, but I think he’s too risky at the moment and liable to break.

Rees Zammit, definitely, but that’s not going to happen for at least another season.

A player like Carre would make an impact, but his work rate isn’t high enough. Hopefully some additional wide heads will be enough to overcome some of the narrow losses we experienced last season. But I very much doubt that France or Ireland will be that worried.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The issue f9r us is that there isn’t really anyone else who could come along and be a huge improvement. A fully fit a
Anscombe maybe, but I think he’s too risky at the moment and liable to break.

Rees Zammit, definitely, but that’s not going to happen for at least another season.

A player like Carre would make an impact, but his work rate isn’t high enough. Hopefully some additional wide heads will be enough to overcome some of the narrow losses we experienced last season. But I very much doubt that France or Ireland will be that worried.

Llewellyn would be a big improvement if he bought his Gloucester form with him.

Anscombe is our best proven 10. If we're still picking old players then he should be in.

[normanski]

After the results of the last 12 months there’s a feeling of dread for the match on Friday week.

I can’t see us winning or even coming close in terms of competitiveness.

The eternal optimist in me recalls a number of games in Paris where against the odds we snatched victory. Gatland and his team have done it in the past, what wouldn’t we give for them to do it again.

[Son of Mathonwy]

After the results of the last 12 months there’s a feeling of dread for the match on Friday week.

I can’t see us winning or even coming close in terms of competitiveness.

The eternal optimist in me recalls a number of games in Paris where against the odds we snatched victory. Gatland and his team have done it in the past, what wouldn’t we give for them to do it again.

I have very little confidence that Gatland can turn the corner on this dreadful run. And we obviously have very little chance against France, in Paris.

I think we can probably get a win, probably Italy. But that shouldn't be enough to save Gatland. At least two wins or some strong, close losses would be needed. Some real sign of an upward trajectory.