Summer Tour Squad...

[Sandydragon]

That seems pretty harsh on Liam who has been a quality player, but I feel that he wasn’t at his best last time out and we missed Halfpenny.

[Numbers]

I’m wondering if our backlone looks something like:

9. Davies
10. Patchell
11. North
12. Parkes
13. JD
14. Amos
15. Halfpenny

Tomos Williams, Anscombe and Scott Williams on the bench.

Amos has a habit of creating opportunities against good defensive teams and should be involved. We could use him off the bench as a utility back 5 player with Adams on the wing. I’m preferring Halfpenny over Liam as he has brought his attacking game on whilst retaining defensive qualities not to mention the goal kicking.

I think I'd have Liam Williams or Steff Evans on the bench as Centre can be covered by Amos/North and those two offer a bit more x factor.

[normanski]

Like most Welsh ‘pundits’ I’ve had my reservations about the coaching team not blooding in-form youngsters over the past few years fearing that we would end up with a crocked ageing line-up and untested and inexperienced reserves for Japan.

Perhaps this has been Gatland’s strategy all along with this tour in mind.

Suddenly out of the hat he conjures up players in their early 20s who can perform on the big stage with skill and panache.

I know it was a scratch Saffer side last week but in the conditions it was a remarkable win.

It got even better on Saturday night even though I suspect the RGs would have been more competitive with a warm up game.

Next Saturday will be a real test of character for the newbies and if we can stop the RGs bouncing back to give ourselves a clean sheet tour then I think confidence for the Autumn and the 6N will be sky high.

I would be optimistic this squad could get to the semis next year. I hope so.

[Sandydragon]

I’m wondering if our backlone looks something like:

9. Davies
10. Patchell
11. North
12. Parkes
13. JD
14. Amos
15. Halfpenny

Tomos Williams, Anscombe and Scott Williams on the bench.

Amos has a habit of creating opportunities against good defensive teams and should be involved. We could use him off the bench as a utility back 5 player with Adams on the wing. I’m preferring Halfpenny over Liam as he has brought his attacking game on whilst retaining defensive qualities not to mention the goal kicking.

I think I'd have Liam Williams or Steff Evans on the bench as Centre can be covered by Amos/North and those two offer a bit more x factor.

Good point. In extremis we could always move north to the centre.

[Sandydragon]

Like most Welsh ‘pundits’ I’ve had my reservations about the coaching team not blooding in-form youngsters over the past few years fearing that we would end up with a crocked ageing line-up and untested and inexperienced reserves for Japan.

Perhaps this has been Gatland’s strategy all along with this tour in mind.

Suddenly out of the hat he conjures up players in their early 20s who can perform on the big stage with skill and panache.

I know it was a scratch Saffer side last week but in the conditions it was a remarkable win.

It got even better on Saturday night even though I suspect the RGs would have been more competitive with a warm up game.

Next Saturday will be a real test of character for the newbies and if we can stop the RGs bouncing back to give ourselves a clean sheet tour then I think confidence for the Autumn and the 6N will be sky high.

I would be optimistic this squad could get to the semis next year. I hope so.

I think the RGs will be much better next week, but even if we lose then I won’t be too disappointed if we are competitive.

[Numbers]

Like most Welsh ‘pundits’ I’ve had my reservations about the coaching team not blooding in-form youngsters over the past few years fearing that we would end up with a crocked ageing line-up and untested and inexperienced reserves for Japan.

Perhaps this has been Gatland’s strategy all along with this tour in mind.

Suddenly out of the hat he conjures up players in their early 20s who can perform on the big stage with skill and panache.

I know it was a scratch Saffer side last week but in the conditions it was a remarkable win.

It got even better on Saturday night even though I suspect the RGs would have been more competitive with a warm up game.

Next Saturday will be a real test of character for the newbies and if we can stop the RGs bouncing back to give ourselves a clean sheet tour then I think confidence for the Autumn and the 6N will be sky high.

I would be optimistic this squad could get to the semis next year. I hope so.

It does remind me of the blooding of the youngsters prior to the 2011 WC, we're lined up for an England Quarter final unless we beat Aus in the pools, so that could be fun.

[Ross. S]

It does remind me of the blooding of the youngsters prior to the 2011 WC, we're lined up for an England Quarter final unless we beat Aus in the pools, so that could be fun.

Thats assuming they can haul themselves out of their pool this time, on current form......

[Numbers]

It does remind me of the blooding of the youngsters prior to the 2011 WC, we're lined up for an England Quarter final unless we beat Aus in the pools, so that could be fun.

Thats assuming they can haul themselves out of their pool this time, on current form......

[MrK]

I’m wondering if our backlone looks something like:

9. Davies
10. Patchell
11. North
12. Parkes
13. JD
14. Amos
15. Halfpenny

Tomos Williams, Anscombe and Scott Williams on the bench.

Amos has a habit of creating opportunities against good defensive teams and should be involved. We could use him off the bench as a utility back 5 player with Adams on the wing. I’m preferring Halfpenny over Liam as he has brought his attacking game on whilst retaining defensive qualities not to mention the goal kicking.

Id like to see

Davies, Patchell, North, Parkes, JD, Adams, Halfpenny

T Williams, Anscombe, H Amos

Id rather see Webb in than G Davies, but thems the cards we are dealt
Patchell gets the nod for me over Anscombe - just a personal choice
Ive gone with Adams, I genuinely think he has the ability to be a an attacking force at international level - he has more speed than Amos
Ive gone with halfpenny too - reluctantly I havent got L WIlliams in my 23 either
Ive gone with Amos on the bench here - my theory behind this is I have a theory (and of course this is unsubstantiated) but his best position could be outside centre - with that in mind, and his ability to cover back 3 he gets my vote as 3rd back sub.

[MrK]

Our forwards could look like this:

Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, Ball, Moriaty, Tipuric, Faletau
B: Dee, W Jones, D Lewis, A Beard, J Navidi

Ive gone for maximum ball carrying - I do have a concern about lineout options with Ball but I'll risk it.

[Son of Mathonwy]

It will be interesting to see how Keelan Giles looks on his return, hopefully in October. Hope he can get a chance to show what he can do prior to the world cup.

I see Amos ahead of Adams at this point, even on the wing. Adams has yet to show that he can bring his premiership game to the test level (although I'm not saying he won't...).

[Numbers]

Wales team to face Argentina: Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Cory Hill (C); Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie.

[Numbers]

Wales team to face Argentina: Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Cory Hill (C); Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie.

Nice to see Ellis and James Davies in the backrow, pretty much what I expected as he did say everyone would get a start.

[normanski]

Wales team to face Argentina: Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Cory Hill (C); Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie.

Nice to see Ellis and James Davies in the backrow, pretty much what I expected as he did say everyone would get a start.

Interesting playing the two opensides with only Turnbull as cover.

If the back row can get through most of the game without injury then on last week’ form they could cause mayhem at the breakdown and set this game up as a fitting finale to a successful tour - something I couldn’t have imagined three weeks ago.

[Numbers]

Wales team to face Argentina: Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Cory Hill (C); Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie.

Nice to see Ellis and James Davies in the backrow, pretty much what I expected as he did say everyone would get a start.

Interesting playing the two opensides with only Turnbull as cover.

If the back row can get through most of the game without injury then on last week’ form they could cause mayhem at the breakdown and set this game up as a fitting finale to a successful tour - something I couldn’t have imagined three weeks ago.

He can play anywhere over the back 5, I'm not sure what the other options are tbh.

[Ross. S]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... d-14782099

This is a different level from Parks. motm performance after playing 76 mins, at inside centre, with a broken finger and the bone piercing the skin

Thats dedication though it does make you think why couldn't anyone else out perform him? Is he superman or are the other players a bit pants?

[Sourdust]

It stands to reason that we won't catch Argentina cold a second time. This will be much tougher and even after last week, I'm not confident of a win.

But I don't care that much, really. If you'd offered any of us a win over SA and a series draw in ARG this summer, there's none of us who wouldn't have taken that. Yes, you would have, shut up.

It's already been a very successful and encouraging tour, and the only things that could really spoil it would be a slew of key injuries, or an epic hammering. Neither seem very likely. If we carry on with the same intensity and find a few more useful combinations, then I'll be philosophical about a 10-point defeat on Saturday. It's been a development tour, and for once, we've developed.

[Numbers]

It stands to reason that we won't catch Argentina cold a second time. This will be much tougher and even after last week, I'm not confident of a win.

But I don't care that much, really. If you'd offered any of us a win over SA and a series draw in ARG this summer, there's none of us who wouldn't have taken that. Yes, you would have, shut up.

It's already been a very successful and encouraging tour, and the only things that could really spoil it would be a slew of key injuries, or an epic hammering. Neither seem very likely. If we carry on with the same intensity and find a few more useful combinations, then I'll be philosophical about a 10-point defeat on Saturday. It's been a development tour, and for once, we've developed.

This is the good thing about having genuine competition for places, the players coming in will be out to prove a point, I think we may win again, but what do I know I predicted a whitewash for Argentina before the tour started.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Pleased with that selection - not changing too much. Hope they can function without Parkes binding it all together... he will be missed, but they should still win. Just need to weather the onslaught in the first ten minutes (or preferably bring their own onslaught to the field).

[Sourdust]

Pleased with that selection - not changing too much. Hope they can function without Parkes binding it all together... he will be missed, but they should still win. Just need to weather the onslaught in the first ten minutes (or preferably bring their own onslaught to the field).

Parkes missing is a big problem in terms of getting the result, But he had nothing left to prove, so if we are serious about development we should be starting Watkin anyway. For my money he's a massive prospect but he's still very undercooked. Needs a big game.

[PoolerSaint]

Pleased with that selection - not changing too much. Hope they can function without Parkes binding it all together... he will be missed, but they should still win. Just need to weather the onslaught in the first ten minutes (or preferably bring their own onslaught to the field).

Parkes missing is a big problem in terms of getting the result, But he had nothing left to prove, so if we are serious about development we should be starting Watkin anyway. For my money he's a massive prospect but he's still very undercooked. Needs a big game.

Don't think it's helped Watkin moving between 12 & 13 for Wales.
Think he's always been a 12 but Gatland/Howley have tried converting him to 13 with varying degrees of success.
So much more to learn especially defensively at 13.
It's a similar situation to Scott Williams when he first came through.
As you say huge talent though.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

[Sandydragon]

Pleased with that selection - not changing too much. Hope they can function without Parkes binding it all together... he will be missed, but they should still win. Just need to weather the onslaught in the first ten minutes (or preferably bring their own onslaught to the field).

Parkes missing is a big problem in terms of getting the result, But he had nothing left to prove, so if we are serious about development we should be starting Watkin anyway. For my money he's a massive prospect but he's still very undercooked. Needs a big game.

Completely agree.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Pleased with that selection - not changing too much. Hope they can function without Parkes binding it all together... he will be missed, but they should still win. Just need to weather the onslaught in the first ten minutes (or preferably bring their own onslaught to the field).

Parkes missing is a big problem in terms of getting the result, But he had nothing left to prove, so if we are serious about development we should be starting Watkin anyway. For my money he's a massive prospect but he's still very undercooked. Needs a big game.

Completely agree.

Indeed, there are several players who promise much at club level but have yet to really show it at test level. Parkes is definitely not one of those.

[Graigwen]

Indeed, there are several players who promise much at club level but have yet to really show it at test level. Parkes is definitely not one of those.

What has been outstanding about Parkes is his intelligence and game awareness. I feel he is making decisions for a big chunk of our team.

.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Indeed, there are several players who promise much at club level but have yet to really show it at test level. Parkes is definitely not one of those.

What has been outstanding about Parkes is his intelligence and game awareness. I feel he is making decisions for a big chunk of our team.

Yup. Classy from the moment he appeared at PyS. It was like, who is this guy? and, hope he's Welsh (but we got over that).