Warren Gatland has announced a 35-man Wales squad that will play England at Twickenham before heading off to New Zealand for a three test tour this June.
The experienced group, that averages over 30 caps per player, will be captained by Sam Warburton. The biggest name to miss out is Leigh Halfpenny, who is yet to return from a long term injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.
“We have picked a squad that is packed full of experience for what is going to be a challenging, but exciting five match campaign,” said Gatland.
“We will be facing the Six Nations Champions at Twickenham first up and that will be an important start to the tour and will set the tone for the weeks ahead.
“We will have a bit of time together when we land in New Zealand before the first Test then its into three Test matches against the All Blacks plus a midweek match against the Chiefs.
“It is a great opportunity for us to test ourselves, build on the World Cup and the Six Nations and it’s a challenge we are all looking forward to. We are in a great position in terms of the experience in the squad especially when you look at the age of most of the players and this is going to be another important summer.”
WALES SQUAD FOR ENGLAND TEST AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR
FORWARDS: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT).
BACKS: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
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If I was a Wales fan I’d be really disappointed that Thomas Young and Sam Davies have been ignored, two top young talents.
I understand Young has some competition, but Davies doesn’t at 10. Fly half is Wales’ weakest position by a mile in my opinion. Biggar has proven time and again that he has absolutely no ability to get a back line moving and Priestland, whilst a good player, tends to be quite flaky. Surely when someone like Sam Davies comes along he should be involved quite quickly?
Add in the fact that Wales’ no.1 fly half was made to look like an amateur by Ireland’s 2nd/3rd choice fly half.
What about Owen Williams? Offers everything, gets back line moving, big strong runner, can take down forwards in defense and can convert from inside his own half. Gatland’s law missing out on best Welsh number 10
As to be expected from Wales, and you wonder if and when they are ever going to change anything with regards to the way they play.
The simple fact is, Gatland has 2 (I think) wins against the SH teams since 2008. He lost to Australia and South Africa in the World Cup, scoring 1 try in those games. Unsure where their tries are going to come from.
If I were Wales coach, I’d be using Moriarty over Lydiate, Priestland, Williams and Tyler Morgan in the midfield and Matthew Morgan at 15 against England and looking at potentially giving these guys tests against New Zealand. Even if they end up with Biggar, Roberts and Williams at 13, I jus t think something needs to change for them.
statmanjohn
Good? IMO it’s missing the point to a large extent when commentators discuss this or that player.
Of course they are important, but it’s mainly the coaching that determines how a team will play.
For me, Wales lost v England not because they ‘lacked energy’ etc, but because they DIDN’T flood the breakdown.. & from early on. Gave England ball, initiative & ultimately the game.
You can have ‘world beaters’ in your team, but if the tactics are wrong, or they don’t adapt to meet circs, then forget it.
Basically, when a team has the ball, they ought to look to score. When they don’t, they need to stop the opposition from doing so.
However, without the ball a team can only defend.. & they don’t want to do that for too long, especially with the opposition racking up points.
Gatland needs more innovation in midfield. Wrap arounds, 2nd line attackers entering the line, inside passes & straightening the line for room @ wing etc. And get G. North to carry under the OUTSIDE arm. Might have fended England off @ the death if he’d done so then!
He must also get the front & back rows passing like backs. You just have to watch a couple of NZ S 18 games to see that this is what happens down there.
Wales have the players it seems, but he must inject more than R1 @ back & numbers @ breakdown up front.
Might be the 2nd Little Bighorn if not!?