Team for Wales

[Oakboy]

I hope Pollock gets on. Him looking good in a competitive 6N match will hopefully mean we stop seeing 'he's only 20' as a reason not to pick a player. IFW proved the point for the backs. Pollock can confirm it for forwards.

[Mikey Brown]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

[Banquo]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

well quite, its ability, not age. Frankly, I don't think we've an issue with getting young talent in.

[fivepointer]

I’m concerned.

Aside from the absolute weirdness of this selection, he's pretty much written their team talk for them: "These guys think they can pick anyone anywhere and win."

I'm kind of hoping they over compensate and abandon whatever gameplan they had in mind all week.

You're right to be.

This could go horribly wrong. An early injury could be catastrophic. We're also relying on a 3 quarter line who have never played together with a rookie FB. The only consolation is that the forwards are mostly intact, though CCS as an emergency lock doesnt fill me with confidence.

Plus, Wales are far better than they were at the start of the 6Ns, they are at home and Cardiff is never an easy place to play.

I expect a very tough, close game.

[Scrumhead]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

Exactly this. He’s not being ignored. He’s just not better than the more established players in his position. He’ll get his chance.

[Puja]

I hope Pollock gets on. Him looking good in a competitive 6N match will hopefully mean we stop seeing 'he's only 20' as a reason not to pick a player. IFW proved the point for the backs. Pollock can confirm it for forwards.

Do we actually see that as things stand? Say what you will about Selects Brandnew (and I know you do), but he's not been afraid of selecting a youngster. Cunningham-South was picked when he was 20 last season, although his tepid form this season is possibly more of an illustration of why it is oftimes important to be cautious and patient with a young player rather than of pretending that age and experience doesn't matter.

Having just defended Shoddy Benchpicks, I fully expect Pollock to be an unused sub, or maybe get 2 minutes at the end, just to annoy everyone that's hyped about the selection.

Puja

[Banquo]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

Exactly this. He’s not being ignored. He’s just not better than the more established players in his position. He’ll get his chance.

If anything he’s been fast tracked

[Stom]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

well quite, its ability, not age. Frankly, I don't think we've an issue with getting young talent in.

Absolutely. We do pick youth. Our problems are with getting mediocre talent out...but at least Slade has been given the shepherd's crook.

[oldbackrow]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

well quite, its ability, not age. Frankly, I don't think we've an issue with getting young talent in.

Wilkinson, Ford, Farrell, Curry, Itoje, IFW, Marcus Smith etc etc

[Mikey Brown]

I hope Pollock gets on. Him looking good in a competitive 6N match will hopefully mean we stop seeing 'he's only 20' as a reason not to pick a player. IFW proved the point for the backs. Pollock can confirm it for forwards.

Do we actually see that as things stand? Say what you will about Selects Brandnew (and I know you do), but he's not been afraid of selecting a youngster. Cunningham-South was picked when he was 20 last season, although his tepid form this season is possibly more of an illustration of why it is oftimes important to be cautious and patient with a young player rather than of pretending that age and experience doesn't matter.

Having just defended Shoddy Benchpicks, I fully expect Pollock to be an unused sub, or maybe get 2 minutes at the end, just to annoy everyone that's hyped about the selection.

Puja

That’s one of those situations I’m actually not massively against a short stint towards the end, depending how the game is going. Getting him a taste of a blaring Welsh crowd and the initial nerves of the top level, then see if he’s really demanding to play in the summer.

It’s also crazy to remember how young CCS actually is.

[Mikey Brown]

Happy to see him get a go, but is it really the age thing, rather than ‘is he better than both Currys, Underhill and Earl?’

well quite, its ability, not age. Frankly, I don't think we've an issue with getting young talent in.

Absolutely. We do pick youth. Our problems are with getting mediocre talent out...but at least Slade has been given the shepherd's crook.

I keep seeing that Slade is injured but nobody seems to know for sure. I’m just not 100% whether this is goodbye for him.

[Stom]

well quite, its ability, not age. Frankly, I don't think we've an issue with getting young talent in.

Absolutely. We do pick youth. Our problems are with getting mediocre talent out...but at least Slade has been given the shepherd's crook.

I keep seeing that Slade is injured but nobody seems to know for sure. I’m just not 100% whether this is goodbye for him.

I hope so...he's been a big problem for a while now

[Banquo]

I hope Pollock gets on. Him looking good in a competitive 6N match will hopefully mean we stop seeing 'he's only 20' as a reason not to pick a player. IFW proved the point for the backs. Pollock can confirm it for forwards.

Do we actually see that as things stand? Say what you will about Selects Brandnew (and I know you do), but he's not been afraid of selecting a youngster. Cunningham-South was picked when he was 20 last season, although his tepid form this season is possibly more of an illustration of why it is oftimes important to be cautious and patient with a young player rather than of pretending that age and experience doesn't matter.

Having just defended Shoddy Benchpicks, I fully expect Pollock to be an unused sub, or maybe get 2 minutes at the end, just to annoy everyone that's hyped about the selection.

Puja

It’s also crazy to remember how young CCS actually is.

This, time is on his side, but he needs developing properly. His athletic talent is huge.

[Which Tyler]

Am I the only one still waiting for someone to say 'he's only 20' as a reason not to pick a player?

I think I'm the closest with "I want him to play 25 matches" (which he has), or "I wouldnt start him until he's had a chance to suffer and overcome, or avoid 2nd Season Syndrome" (which he hasn't)

[FKAS]

Wales: Murray; Mee, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Roberts; Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Smith, Dee, John, Rowlands, Jenkins, Wainwright, Morgan (capt), Faletau.

Replacements: Lake, G Thomas, Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Reffell, R Williams, J Evans, Tompkins.

[Banquo]

So they've gone more carry up front as conjectured by jngf.

[FKAS]

So they've gone more carry up front as conjectured by jngf.

Wainwright onto the blindside and Roberts onto the wing. Roberts is partially injury enforced, he is normally a centre iirc. Wainwright does seem to be to try and give them more go forward early doors.

[Banquo]

So they've gone more carry up front as conjectured by jngf.

Wainwright onto the blindside and Roberts onto the wing. Roberts is partially injury enforced, he is normally a centre iirc. Wainwright does seem to be to try and give them more go forward early doors.

Indeed

[TheDasher]

Do we actually see that as things stand? Say what you will about Selects Brandnew (and I know you do), but he's not been afraid of selecting a youngster. Cunningham-South was picked when he was 20 last season, although his tepid form this season is possibly more of an illustration of why it is oftimes important to be cautious and patient with a young player rather than of pretending that age and experience doesn't matter.

Having just defended Shoddy Benchpicks, I fully expect Pollock to be an unused sub, or maybe get 2 minutes at the end, just to annoy everyone that's hyped about the selection.

Puja

It’s also crazy to remember how young CCS actually is.

This, time is on his side, but he needs developing properly. His athletic talent is huge.

I keep hearing this and I'm not being difficult, he's big, quite fast, strong etc etc. But is he THAT stand-out? I mean, I think he's carrying too much timber probably, he gasses quite quickly and definitely doesn't look to have 80 in him. Then as an impact player, does he actually bust through tackles? Not really does he? He runs hard and direct but does he flatten people? Is he that quick?

As the many podcasts have said Ted Hill is winger quick, Jonny May saying Ted Hills intl winger quick and we all saw IFW unable to catch him that time in the prem, he's also an inch taller than CCS. Does CCS break tackles more than Tom Willis? Apparently Tom Pearson broke all the targets/record in England training or something and he's only an inch shorter, etc etc.

I like CCS, obviously has great potential, is big, mobile and I like the physicality - I can't say that I think he's THAT good yet and I'm not sure he's any more of a physical freak than other good specimens...

As I've said before, he looks a No8 to me I think anyway, I don't think he looks a clever breakdown player in the way top flankers are.

[Banquo]

It’s also crazy to remember how young CCS actually is.

This, time is on his side, but he needs developing properly. His athletic talent is huge.

I like CCS, obviously has great potential, is big, mobile and I like the physicality - I can't say that I think he's THAT good yet and I'm not sure he's any more of a physical freak than other good specimens...

Well that's my point on developing, and I do think he made dents carrying v good sides, plus his lineout is good. Worth investing in tbh.

[FKAS]

Vs Italy - 2 carries for 31m and a defender beaten
Vs Scotland - 3 carries for 17m and a defender beaten
Vs Ireland - 3 carries for 8m and a defender beaten

CCS doesn't get a lot of time on the pitch but he does make some dents ball in hand.

My main issue with him is his tendency to be caught coming out the line. Is it twice now this 6N he's been caught out of the line leading to line breaks from which we concede tries, Ireland and Italy? Got to keep his defensive positioning.

He's still only 21, keep the experience coming and he'll be some player eventually.

[Banquo]

Vs Italy - 2 carries for 31m and a defender beaten
Vs Scotland - 3 carries for 17m and a defender beaten
Vs Ireland - 3 carries for 8m and a defender beaten

CCS doesn't get a lot of time on the pitch but he does make some dents ball in hand.

My main issue with him is his tendency to be caught coming out the line. Is it twice now this 6N he's been caught out of the line leading to line breaks from which we concede tries, Ireland and Italy? Got to keep his defensive positioning.

He's still only 21, keep the experience coming and he'll be some player eventually.

crikey, he's hardly unique in not being in defensive sync....though in fairness, pack's defence has been solid close in.

[Oakboy]

This, time is on his side, but he needs developing properly. His athletic talent is huge.

I like CCS, obviously has great potential, is big, mobile and I like the physicality - I can't say that I think he's THAT good yet and I'm not sure he's any more of a physical freak than other good specimens...

Well that's my point on developing, and I do think he made dents carrying v good sides, plus his lineout is good. Worth investing in tbh.

I think CCS will be THAT good but he's having a bit of a lull in improvement (possibly 2nd season syndrome, echoing WT's concerns). IMO, with the young pretenders in the 19 - 21 bracket, it is a case of the HC identifying special talent and backing his judgement. The aim should be to get them in early in the RWC four-year cycle to give them time to adjust, survive form glitches and fail or succeed. There is always risk in selection at both ends of players' careers. Ceilings matter. The very top teams discard good players for better ones (the selector's hardest decisions). I think Pollock and CCS can both get beyond the best of both Currys, Earl, Underhill and Hill. So far, I'd give SB credit for at least allowing for the possibility - all he can do at this point.

[Banquo]

I like CCS, obviously has great potential, is big, mobile and I like the physicality - I can't say that I think he's THAT good yet and I'm not sure he's any more of a physical freak than other good specimens...

Well that's my point on developing, and I do think he made dents carrying v good sides, plus his lineout is good. Worth investing in tbh.

I think CCS will be THAT good but he's having a bit of a lull in improvement (possibly 2nd season syndrome, echoing WT's concerns). IMO, with the young pretenders in the 19 - 21 bracket, it is a case of the HC identifying special talent and backing his judgement. The aim should be to get them in early in the RWC four-year cycle to give them time to adjust, survive form glitches and fail or succeed. There is always risk in selection at both ends of players' careers. Ceilings matter. The very top teams discard good players for better ones (the selector's hardest decisions). I think Pollock and CCS can both get beyond the best of both Currys, Earl, Underhill and Hill. So far, I'd give SB credit for at least allowing for the possibility - all he can do at this point.

as did your mate Eddie...

[Stom]

So...I wasn't being 100% serious saying Earl at 12. But it appears he is the first choice to play centre if there is an injury...

lol.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... ions-rugby