RugbyRebels

Not something Glos have to deal with over the past few years, but looks like we’ll have to cope with a few.

Chris Harris and Alex Craig for Scotland, LRZ and surprisingly Owen Williams for Wales, Braley and Polledri for Italy. Just watch Eddie take Atkinson and Thorley too.

Not sure our squad is strong enough to cope with that plus injuries.

Thorley is a maybe

As is Atkinson. I'd be surprised if Eddie picks him, but he might take Thorley.

Those are the two with the largest chance of selection based on current form. Can’t see Morgan getting a recall and I’m not sure Eddie likes what he has seen of Woodward.

Heinz is likely to be selected I think. Not that I agree with it.

Danny C is now out for 6 to 8 weeks with a torn calf, think that puts any iota of hope of selection to bed once and for all. Sharples also under the knife with knee surgery, more than likely out for the rest of the season. Looking quite threadbare.

And with Owen Williams being inexplicably called up by Wales, things do look a little challenging!

Wasps have surprisingly been hit with the news that Will Rowlands is Welsh and has been called up by Pivac - though Thomas Young hasn't, which could create an interesting dynamic in the squad

Peej wrote:Wasps have surprisingly been hit with the news that Will Rowlands is Welsh and has been called up by Pivac - though Thomas Young hasn't, which could create an interesting dynamic in the squad

That is quite barking.....

Also quite astounding, Billy Burns has been called into the Irish squad. With Carbeary injured I reckon he might get a cap. Fair play to him. Been doing well at Ulster.

Looks like Burns is one of only two 10s in the Ireland squad so he’s highly likely to get capped. He’s been very good for Ulster so fair play to him indeed.

To be fair, wasn't that the point of his move? Good for him that it's paid off

Gloskarlos wrote:Not something Glos have to deal with over the past few years, but looks like we’ll have to cope with a few.

Chris Harris and Alex Craig for Scotland, LRZ and surprisingly Owen Williams for Wales, Braley and Polledri for Italy. Just watch Eddie take Atkinson and Thorley too.

Not sure our squad is strong enough to cope with that plus injuries.

What's your opinion on Craig as I don't think that I've seen him play. Toonys comments were:

Name: Alex Craig
Position: Second-row
Club: Gloucester (previously Hartpury College)
Age: 22
Appearances in top tier of pro rugby: 4
Place of birth: Dumfries
Previous Scotland honours: 12 caps at Scotland U20 level in 2016 and 2017

Townsend said –

“We visited Gloucester about six weeks to two months ago now and Alex had just come off the bench.We had gone down to meet Chris Harris and spend some time with Alex, to tell him we were looking at him and a lot would depend on him getting game time. He was very engaging. The coaches talked highly of him. They felt like he’d been training really well but just hadn’t had an opportunity. Then, over the next four or five games, he got the opportunity – and was outstanding.

“Against Connacht away, he made 28 tackles out of 28. And he went off for ten minutes for an HIA. So that’s up at 30-plus tackles [if he plays the full 80] – that’s Jonny Gray levels.

“Every time he’s played, he’s looked more confident. He’s got a real explosive, dynamic quality in his ball-carrying, allied to his huge work-rate and that huge defence.

“For him to get in the starting XV of that Gloucester team, who have World Cup-winning second-rows and some big men there, it showed that he’s earned that opportunity.

“He could have the potential to come into consideration at blindside flanker, because he’s so explosive.Obviously, Sam Skinner has moved from second-row to back row before. He’s a different player from Sam Skinner but his work-rate shows he could do that job.”

Congratulations to WGJ at Sale as well. Since joining from Doncaster 3 years ago, he has become first choice tighthead at the club. Does all the basics well, just gets on with the hard work. Rarely overpowered at scrumtime. Another great signing by SD!

switchskier wrote:

Gloskarlos wrote:Not something Glos have to deal with over the past few years, but looks like we’ll have to cope with a few.

Chris Harris and Alex Craig for Scotland, LRZ and surprisingly Owen Williams for Wales, Braley and Polledri for Italy. Just watch Eddie take Atkinson and Thorley too.

Not sure our squad is strong enough to cope with that plus injuries.

What's your opinion on Craig as I don't think that I've seen him play. Toonys comments were:

Name: Alex Craig
Position: Second-row
Club: Gloucester (previously Hartpury College)
Age: 22
Appearances in top tier of pro rugby: 4
Place of birth: Dumfries
Previous Scotland honours: 12 caps at Scotland U20 level in 2016 and 2017

Townsend said –

“We visited Gloucester about six weeks to two months ago now and Alex had just come off the bench.We had gone down to meet Chris Harris and spend some time with Alex, to tell him we were looking at him and a lot would depend on him getting game time. He was very engaging. The coaches talked highly of him. They felt like he’d been training really well but just hadn’t had an opportunity. Then, over the next four or five games, he got the opportunity – and was outstanding.

“Against Connacht away, he made 28 tackles out of 28. And he went off for ten minutes for an HIA. So that’s up at 30-plus tackles [if he plays the full 80] – that’s Jonny Gray levels.

“Every time he’s played, he’s looked more confident. He’s got a real explosive, dynamic quality in his ball-carrying, allied to his huge work-rate and that huge defence.

“For him to get in the starting XV of that Gloucester team, who have World Cup-winning second-rows and some big men there, it showed that he’s earned that opportunity.

“He could have the potential to come into consideration at blindside flanker, because he’s so explosive.Obviously, Sam Skinner has moved from second-row to back row before. He’s a different player from Sam Skinner but his work-rate shows he could do that job.”

Work rate sums it up. I’ve been impressed with him, not awestruck in any way, always makes yards, a proper work horse. Not been used a lot by Glos in the line out too much so I’ll not pass judgement there, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised in this breakthrough season

chris1850 wrote:Congratulations to WGJ at Sale as well. Since joining from Doncaster 3 years ago, he has become first choice tighthead at the club. Does all the basics well, just gets on with the hard work. Rarely overpowered at scrumtime. Another great signing by SD!

Agreed. He's not caught the headlines like Tomkins and Rowlands, but he's done very well to work himself into international consideration.

Puja