Welsh Touring Squad

[Sandydragon]

Forwards: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), James King (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Thomas Young (Wasps).

Backs: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Steff Evans (Scarlets), Keelan Giles (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (captain, Harlequins), Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers), Rhun Williams (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues).

No place for Patchell, Beck or Cubby. In Beck's case, it seems that the desire to allow him a full off season to prepare for next season has taken precedence over the tour. Lots of new faces in the forwards, but I hope that some of the new players get a chance to stake a claim. I understand why experienced players like Roberts are in the squad, but I do want to see up and coming youngsters given an opportunity.

[ALunpg]

If the objective of this squad was to.blood new talent then it seems Patchell and James Davies don't have enough.
Anscombe is never going to.make the real deal as a Welsh 10 ..he is a fine club player but a 3rd choice 10 or 15. Patchell has weaknesses but he has pace and skill ...I think one more season with Stephen Jones and he will iron out his sometimes over pondered decisions.
Maybe Anscombe us there as a 15 ?

Cubby is probably unlucky that there is a plethora of good Wales back row at the momemt and he is not an easy fit to the Welsh style. But ...surely this is an opportunity to see what the lad can do.

.. in reality why should I understand these selections more than any other ...what am I thinking !!!!

[Sandydragon]

Hopefully Davies is being considered as the fly half with Anscombe as full back. There is some real talent in that squad, but what Id really like is for one of the younger centres to put his hand up. I feel that we need some real competition in that position.

[Ross. S]

There is some real talent in that squad, but what Id really like is for one of the younger centres to put his hand up. I feel that we need some real competition in that position.

The fact that bob is captain makes that a very tough job

ETA: Scott is also in the party so with Jamie and Scott as 12's its going to be impossible to develop an inside center which is what we need IMO, unless they play either out of position? A midfield of JR and Scott doesn't really inspire much hope does it?

[Sandydragon]

There is some real talent in that squad, but what Id really like is for one of the younger centres to put his hand up. I feel that we need some real competition in that position.

The fact that bob is captain makes that a very tough job

Aye. Although Im not sure who else would be a suitable captain. Gethin if not injured, otherwise??? Hopefully Jamie won't play the full 80 and someone will get a chance off the bench.

[Numbers]

Hopefully Davies is being considered as the fly half with Anscombe as full back. There is some real talent in that squad, but what Id really like is for one of the younger centres to put his hand up. I feel that we need some real competition in that position.

Hopefully they can start the Tonga test with Tyler Morgan, he's the only 13 they have selected tho, out of interest when did Corey Allen last lace up his boots? Even Beck has been getting more game time.

[bruce]

I don't see what the point of picking players such as Cuthbert (particularly) and Roberts is on this tour

[Numbers]

I don't see what the point of picking players such as Cuthbert (particularly) and Roberts is on this tour

Aye, not really looking to the future, I suppose we need to maintain some senior players in order to try and actually win the tests (tho you would imagine that both Tonga and Samoa will have someone binned for a high tackle at some point during the tests)

[Son of Mathonwy]

No Beck, no Cracknell?
And Cuthbert, why oh why? I'd like to think we'll start with Steff and Keelan, but I expect Cuthbert will be on one of the wings. For his experience or something.
I can understand why they're bringing Roberts, but I'd be much happier if he was on the bench, to be used only if things go pear-shaped mid-match. but he's captain, so that's all hope of developing another 12 gone.
Why is Cory Allen going? He hasn't played much this season, so what's the excuse for that? How about Ben John? What does has have to do? Or Dixon for that matter?

[ALunpg]

I think Ben John is out with injury . I can't understand not selecting Beck and Cracknell ...I like Cory Allen but he has been out of contention for a while.
As to to Alex Cuthbert..let him have a proper off season to get his mentally sharp.
I also fear that Doc and Scott in the centre means the rest are going for a holiday... I don't care honestly if they lost both matches if we had a good look at some new players in the international environment.

So...what would be your starting team of this group of players.I have put Don and Scott as they will be the starters.
I just think that with Stephen Jones there it may open up some movement.

Rob Evans
Scott Baldwin
Tomas Francis
Jake Ball
Cory Hill
Ellis Jenkins
Thomas Young
James King

Gareth Davies
Sam Davies
Steff Evans
Jamie Roberts
Scott Williams
Keegan Giles
Gareth Anscombe

Subs

Samson Lee
Kristian Dacey
Nickly Smith
Rory Thornton
Josh Navidi
Aled Davies
Owen Williams
Tyler Morgan


However I know that Cuthbert will be there somewhere.




.

[MrK]

I think Ben John is out with injury . I can't understand not selecting Beck and Cracknell ...I like Cory Allen but he has been out of contention for a while.
As to to Alex Cuthbert..let him have a proper off season to get his mentally sharp.
I also fear that Doc and Scott in the centre means the rest are going for a holiday... I don't care honestly if they lost both matches if we had a good look at some new players in the international environment.

So...what would be your starting team of this group of players.I have put Don and Scott as they will be the starters.
I just think that with Stephen Jones there it may open up some movement.

Rob Evans
Scott Baldwin
Tomas Francis
Jake Ball
Cory Hill
Ellis Jenkins
Thomas Young
James King

Gareth Davies
Sam Davies
Steff Evans
Jamie Roberts
Scott Williams
Keegan Giles
Gareth Anscombe

Subs

Samson Lee
Kristian Dacey
Nickly Smith
Rory Thornton
Josh Navidi
Aled Davies
Owen Williams
Tyler Morgan


However I know that Cuthbert will be there somewhere.

.

Cuthbert, for once, does deserve a place given the end of season form

I think we will see

Anscombe, Cuthbert, Williams, Roberts, Evans, Davies, G Davies
Evans, Dacey, Francis, Ball, Hill, Young, Jenkins, King

Baldwin, Smith, Lee, Thornton, Griffiths, A Davies, O Williams, Giles

[PoolerSaint]

Wouldn't surprise me to see Ollie Griffiths at No8, seeing as the Welsh management specifically asked the Dragons to select him there for the last few games of the season.

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[ALunpg]

So Phil Dolman is selected...Dan Evans must have upset someone ...I agree neither is looking to the futurear. ..but at least Evans plays in Wales.

[Son of Mathonwy]

So Phil Dolman is selected...Dan Evans must have upset someone ...I agree neither is looking to the futurear. ..but at least Evans plays in Wales.

Makes no sense whatsoever. Evans is 28, Dollman 32. Evans plays in Wales. I haven't seen Dollman but I doubt he's better than Evans. Crazy.

[Sandydragon]

So Phil Dolman is selected...Dan Evans must have upset someone ...I agree neither is looking to the futurear. ..but at least Evans plays in Wales.

Makes no sense whatsoever. Evans is 28, Dollman 32. Evans plays in Wales. I haven't seen Dollman but I doubt he's better than Evans. Crazy.

Huge game for Exeter last time out, but Evans has been good for a long while.

Face don't fit

[Numbers]

Good news in that Steff Evans is not facing any ban from the tip tackle, he's available for the Play-off final and the Wales summer tests.

[PoolerSaint]

I see Jake Ball has been ruled out by injury. Wonder who we'll see as a replacement?
We're not exactly overflowing with quality locks.

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[Son of Mathonwy]

So Phil Dolman is selected...Dan Evans must have upset someone ...I agree neither is looking to the futurear. ..but at least Evans plays in Wales.

Makes no sense whatsoever. Evans is 28, Dollman 32. Evans plays in Wales. I haven't seen Dollman but I doubt he's better than Evans. Crazy.

Huge game for Exeter last time out, but Evans has been good for a long while.

Face don't fit

Dollman may have been injured in the final. Tough on him if he has... wonder if they'd still not want Evans..?

After the Scarlets's recent run, James Davies's exclusion seems bizarre. Patchell's too, to a lesser extent.

[PoolerSaint]

Rob Evans ruled out with broken finger now.
At least we have Nicky Smith & Wyn Jones in the squad but bloody hell, are we cursed or something !

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[Sandydragon]

I fear the Samoa game could be unpleasant watching. Not that I'm expecting much better against Tonga.

[Ross. S]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40079464

Patch called up

[Son of Mathonwy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40079464

Patch called up

Could be worse, but since it's a full back they need they really should have called Dan Evans.

[PoolerSaint]

Ospreys prop Gareth Thomas called up to replace Rob Evans.
Bit of a strange one, not really been on the radar with only 5 appearances for the Osprey's.
I'd have thought someone like Rhys Gill or the young kid from the Blues Corey Dom(something)
I guess as 3rd loosehead he'll be spending most of the time holding tackle bags.

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[Scrumhead]

Rob Evans ruled out with broken finger now.
At least we have Nicky Smith & Wyn Jones in the squad but bloody hell, are we cursed or something !

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No consolation I'm sure but England have been battered by injuries. It could be as many as 9 ruled-out from the 31 picked for the Argentina tour for us.

In some ways it's a good test for both sides and it gives the new players a chance to shine, but on the other hand, it's hard to gauge the value when the sides are so piecemeal. It would be a real shame if the likes of Sam Davies or Keelan Giles don't get much ball to play with becasue they're playing behind a 6th choice pack.

[Sandydragon]

Rob Evans ruled out with broken finger now.
At least we have Nicky Smith & Wyn Jones in the squad but bloody hell, are we cursed or something !

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No consolation I'm sure but England have been battered by injuries. It could be as many as 9 ruled-out from the 31 picked for the Argentina tour for us.

In some ways it's a good test for both sides and it gives the new players a chance to shine, but on the other hand, it's hard to gauge the value when the sides are so piecemeal. It would be a real shame if the likes of Sam Davies or Keelan Giles don't get much ball to play with becasue they're playing behind a 6th choice pack.

This is the problem with these games. On all likelihood we will lose against Samoa and perhaps even tonga if we fail to play . Young players then get written off because the team is so depleted. This attitude of having to win every game is killing development.