Squad for Summer

[MrK]

So with the Lions out and Argentina and Canada in the summer before the monumental task of the AIs is upon us, what are we thinking for the Summer Squad

Back 3 - Halfpenny, Holmes, Lloyd, McNichol - Protheroe? Lane if available? Who else?
Centres - J Williams, Halaholo, Watkin, JD2 - Cant see anything past these 4
10 - Sheedy, Evans - wheres Patchell at these days?
9 - T Williams, K Hardy - will D Blacker get the nod as cover?
Props - Smith, Carre, Domachowski, Francis, Brown, Lewis - No place for R Jones, will Will Griff get a look in?
Hookers - Dee, Elias, Parry? - is Ifan Phillips worth a shout? Seems to have overtaken Dewi Lake
2R - Beard, Hill, Rowland, Seb - Is Ball available?
BR - Moriaty, Navidi, Botham,Wainwright, - I guess its then a case of one from Basham, Morgan, Morris outside bet?

[Son of Mathonwy]

Depending how much of a development tour this is going to be, Halfpenny and JD2 might get left out.

Other possibilities:
Amos, Keelan Giles, Jordan Williams
Keiran Williams
Sam Davies
Keddie

[Sandydragon]

Depending how much of a development tour this is going to be, Halfpenny and JD2 might get left out.

Other possibilities:
Amos, Keelan Giles, Jordan Williams
Keiran Williams
Sam Davies
Keddie

I suspect this has to be a development tour as I don’t see other opportunities for new players to put their hands up before the next RWC. I’d agree with your names except Jordan Williams. Good club player but with significant issues at international level.

Keddie is well worth a look.

[Numbers]

I think Jac Morgan will be in with a shout, I'd like to see Ben Thomas at the next level also.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Also, Ollie Griffith's is fit again. Wales should take a look while they have the chance.

[Sandydragon]

Also, Ollie Griffith's is fit again. Wales should take a look while they have the chance.

He should have had a sackful of caps by now (Ellis Jenkins too) but has been cursed by injury.

[Sandydragon]

I think Jac Morgan will be in with a shout, I'd like to see Ben Thomas at the next level also.

Ben Thomas has massive potential. I don’t see him forcing his way into the top spot just yet and we should allow him to develop but a game against Canada would give him a taste and see if he can step up to international rugby.

[MrK]

Amos is a maybe, he looks much better at 15 than wing

Id happily swap Watkin for Ben Thomas - I like the guy, but he has had a lot of opportuities for Wales without really doing anything - the one Id really like to see brought on is Mason Grady, but probably too early for him - Ben Thomas also covers the problem 3rd 10 spot

[Sandydragon]

Ben Thomas is doing well. Without wishing to put pressure on him as the next Barry John, it would be good to see him operate in a red shirt and see if he has what it takes.

Whilst the Ospreys won well yesterday, I wasn’t blown away by either of their centre.

[Wallpaperman]

Ben Thomas is doing well. Without wishing to put pressure on him as the next Barry John, it would be good to see him operate in a red shirt and see if he has what it takes.

Whilst the Ospreys won well yesterday, I wasn’t blown away by either of their centre.

Haven’t been very impressed at all by the Welsh Rainbow Cup performances. Still, the squad is being announced today...

[Wallpaperman]

... delayed though. I wonder how their plans to organise a drinks reception in a brewery are coming along.

[Wallpaperman]

Not the worst squad, as it turns out. 5 uncapped players are in, all of whom are worth worth looking it, being Ben Carter, Taine Basham, Gareth Thomas, Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers.

Very interesting to see Gareth Thomas in ahead of Rhys Carre, who has some work to do. Dillon Lewis is in yet again, would have liked to have seen Willgriff John get a look in. Hopefully he will get a chance to establish himself next season.

Would also have liked Ollie Griffiths to get a chance, I am sure it will come if he can stay fit.

Probable best 23 out of the squad selected:

Rhodri Jones, Elliott Dee, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams, Callum Sheedy, Owen Lane, Willis Halaholo, Jon Davies, Jonah Holmes, Leigh Halfpenny
Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Ioan Lloyd

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales squad
Forwards: Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Leon Brown (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Cardiff Rugby), Will Rowlands (Wasps), Taine Basham (Dragons), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Rugby), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs: Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, capt), Willis Halaholo (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Hallam Amos (Cardiff Rugby), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), Jonah Holmes (Dragons), Owen Lane (Cardiff Rugby), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets).

Surprisingly conservative squad. Pivac really wants to win these matches (fair enough, I guess!), and some development will have to wait. I wouldn't take JD2 and Halfpenny, rather see others given a chance.

[Graigwen]

I agree the squad is a bit conservative. We have a few more players we need to see in action, even if it is just one game against Canada.

I am pleased to see Gareth Thomas, Ben Thomas and Ben Carter in. I am not sure about Tom Rogers but hope to be proved wrong. I would have like to see WiiGriff John in amd Dillon Lewis out. I believe Rhys Carre will one day be a good international prop, but that belief is becoming more diffecult to sustain.

The back row situation is a pleasant chaos, so many others in waiting.

.

[Numbers]

I agree the squad is a bit conservative. We have a few more players we need to see in action, even if it is just one game against Canada.

I am pleased to see Gareth Thomas, Ben Thomas and Ben Carter in. I am not sure about Tom Rogers but hope to be proved wrong. I would have like to see WiiGriff John in amd Dillon Lewis out. I believe Rhys Carre will one day be a good international prop, but that belief is becoming more diffecult to sustain.

The back row situation is a pleasant chaos, so many others in waiting.

.

I was similarly underwhelmed by Tom Rogers until he did this:

[Sandydragon]

Not the worst squad, as it turns out. 5 uncapped players are in, all of whom are worth worth looking it, being Ben Carter, Taine Basham, Gareth Thomas, Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers.

Very interesting to see Gareth Thomas in ahead of Rhys Carre, who has some work to do. Dillon Lewis is in yet again, would have liked to have seen Willgriff John get a look in. Hopefully he will get a chance to establish himself next season.

Would also have liked Ollie Griffiths to get a chance, I am sure it will come if he can stay fit.

Probable best 23 out of the squad selected:

Rhodri Jones, Elliott Dee, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams, Callum Sheedy, Owen Lane, Willis Halaholo, Jon Davies, Jonah Holmes, Leigh Halfpenny
Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Ioan Lloyd

Gutted for Ollie Griffiths, one of the best player in Wales when in firm but plagued by injury. I hope throw is about allowing him a good pre season and not a judgement on him in relation to others.

[Numbers]

I'm glad their having a look at Aneurin Owen, he's overtaken Tompkins at the Dragons this season.

[Sandydragon]

I'm glad their having a look at Aneurin Owen, he's overtaken Tompkins at the Dragons this season.

He’s certainly taken his chance. Tompkins was a bit disappointing to be honest, I was hoping for a bit more. He hasn’t quite hit the heights of last season.

Owen has been very good and I’m sure he will be in a Welsh shirt in the not too distant future.

[Numbers]

I'm glad their having a look at Aneurin Owen, he's overtaken Tompkins at the Dragons this season.

He’s certainly taken his chance. Tompkins was a bit disappointing to be honest, I was hoping for a bit more. He hasn’t quite hit the heights of last season.

Owen has been very good and I’m sure he will be in a Welsh shirt in the not too distant future.

He looks very composed on the ball and makes very few mistakes, good in defence too.

[Sandydragon]

I’m also hoping Basham gets a decent run out. I had my doubts about whether he could be effective but he routinely knocks over far bigger players and makes good yardage. He might not make it at international level but he definitely deserves an opportunity.

[Wallpaperman]

I’m also hoping Basham gets a decent run out. I had my doubts about whether he could be effective but he routinely knocks over far bigger players and makes good yardage. He might not make it at international level but he definitely deserves an opportunity.

All a bit strange with Cory Hill

[Sandydragon]

Has there been any more information on this? I thought he had signed a multi year contract with Cardiff, but now he wants to move abroad. He must have had an offer that he couldn’t refuse, you surely wouldn’t turn your back on an international career on a whim?

[Digby]

Has there been any more information on this? I thought he had signed a multi year contract with Cardiff, but now he wants to move abroad. He must have had an offer that he couldn’t refuse, you surely wouldn’t turn your back on an international career on a whim?

A number of players have agreed to taking pay cuts in the sense that agreed can be equated to them feeling they had no choice, now he has a choice

[Numbers]

Has there been any more information on this? I thought he had signed a multi year contract with Cardiff, but now he wants to move abroad. He must have had an offer that he couldn’t refuse, you surely wouldn’t turn your back on an international career on a whim?

I don't know the details but it wouldn't surprise me at all if it's a 2 year contract so he can make himself available for the next World Cup.

[Numbers]

He didn't agree to the 25% reduction in wages, so in effect his contract with Cardiff is null and void which is why this has become an option.