RugbyRebels

Scrumhead wrote:

PoolerSaint wrote: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.

Your depth is far superior to ours but I see your point.
We have the odd position like openside where we can afford to leave someone as talented as James Davies at home but still select Ellis Jenkins, Ollie Griffiths & Thomas Young who are all great players too.
Somewhere like 2nd row is scarily weak when you remove Alun Wyn, Charteris, Ball & Bradley. And three of them are on the wrong side of 30.


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Second row is going to be a problem area post the next RWC when I expect AWJ to retire. Probably charteris and Bradley davies as well. Cory Hill is a decent club player but I can't see him as a top,flight international.

Sandydragon wrote:Second row is going to be a problem area post the next RWC when I expect AWJ to retire. Probably charteris and Bradley davies as well. Cory Hill is a decent club player but I can't see him as a top,flight international.

I wonder if Shingler could convert to 2nd row? He's tall enough.

Son of Mathonwy wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:Second row is going to be a problem area post the next RWC when I expect AWJ to retire. Probably charteris and Bradley davies as well. Cory Hill is a decent club player but I can't see him as a top,flight international.

I wonder if Shingler could convert to 2nd row? He's tall enough.

Aaron will be 30 in August so after the world cup he'll be a stop gap at most

Cupboard is pretty bare at lock. Not a happy place to be.

Ross. S wrote:

Son of Mathonwy wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:Second row is going to be a problem area post the next RWC when I expect AWJ to retire. Probably charteris and Bradley davies as well. Cory Hill is a decent club player but I can't see him as a top,flight international.

I wonder if Shingler could convert to 2nd row? He's tall enough.

Aaron will be 30 in August so after the world cup he'll be a stop gap at most

True, although Charteris is still going at 34. If he can make it till 2019 (which is pushing it, I admit), then Shingler and Bradley could make it till 2023 (when they'll both be about 36). I just see there being so many good flankers coming up that Shingler would serve Wales better at lock (he's actually taller than Hill).

But yeah, the future will need to be young guys like Thornton and Beard...

Son of Mathonwy wrote: But yeah, the future will need to be young guys like Thornton and Beard...

Hopefully Thornton absorbs as much as he can from AWJ. He looks tidy and was U20 captain so hopefully is AWJ's replacement as our talisman. Just need 2 or 3 other youngsters to show some tallent to go with him.

Seb Davies has potential but as you say the cupboard is pretty bare. Hence why we're sniffing around Wales qualified boys in England such as Huw Taylor at Worcester, George Nott at Sale & Max Davies at Newcastle.
Another who may come into the equation is another convert from England. A former worldcup winner with their U20's, Tom Price at the Scarlets. Still not the finished product but improving all the time. He's added some bulk to his 6'8" frame this season but needs a bit more. Could mature into a good lock.


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