Back 3 options for NZ tour

[Son of Mathonwy]

With Cuthbert and 1/2p definitely out, and maybe even North and Liam Williams with fitness issues, the tour will be a chance for some new wingers/full backs... but who?

Is Amos still next in line, or did he fail to impress in the Italy game?
I'm guessing that Tom James won't get another chance (rightly or wrongly).
Nipper will presumably be in the frame for full back cover.

Who else is out there?

Is Eli Walker still an option, or has Gatland given up on him as too fragile?
Ashton Hewitt for the Dragons looks like a promising option.
Ditto the Scarlets' Steffan Evans, also a full back.
Dan Evans should be considered, he's been around for a while, but he's not yet past it at 27.
Osprey and Wales U20 Keelan Giles would be an outside option.
My Ospreys-tinted spectacles say that Dirksen should be given a chance, but I don't think this is going to happen.
Jordan Williams has yet to prove himself at club level, so I doubt that he's in the frame.
Ben John is only an occasional winger for the Ospreys... but is he an option as Gatland likes 'em big?
(I suppose if we lose another 10 players to injury, Gatland may call on Hook again )

Am I missing anyone?

[Sandydragon]

If we are going to be genuinely short, then I'd like Giles to be give a shot. He has the potential to worry defences and do something different.

Hewitt is playing well for us, potentially he could do a job at international level. Amos would be the next obvious candidate in line, I think James is an outside bet (which does seem harsh).

If Liam is fit, then perhaps Anscombe (!!!!!) at FB and Liam to the wing. Or Priestland? It depends how much Gatland wants to give someone new a shot or rely on a squad player out of position.

[cadofyddol]

Going to NZ you have to pick defensively sound players, or it will be exploited ruthlessly. You can maybe run the risk of having a slightly iffy winger if the other two are sound, but all it takes is for the opposition to do their homework and they could exploit them. Hopefully North and Liam will be fit, if not it's looking a bit disastrous.

For me Eli is too brittle, he needs a good six months of injury free playing for the O's before he's considered again.
Ashton Hewitt is too much of a risk defensively for me at the moment and
Keelan Giles is too young. Although having said that if you're good enough you're old enough. He's still only 18 I think and has another year maybe two with the U20s. He did look fairly physical which is a good thing but think its a risk to take him with a potentially unsettled back three.

I would say this is the chance to play Amos at 15, but I guess with Anscombe and Priestland we have options at 15. James should definitely be given another opportunity and it has made Gatland's decision to drop him look a little foolish.

If Halfpenny, North and Williams are all out then my back three squad players would be ;
Priestland, Liam, Amos, James, I was going to say Cuthbert but remembered he's out too, and either Dirksen or Steph Evans.

[Sandydragon]

Amos would fit the criteria of being defensively sound. Id seriously consider Giles if North and Liam are both fit. I wouldn't bring a young player into a completely new back 3 touring NZ.

A back 3 of Liam, Amos and North would be alright; I think Amos grew in confidence in the RWC so a chance to shine would be welcome for him. Alternatively, Gatland seems to like Anscome at FB to allow him to act as second receiver occasionally, so tht is probably an option. Im still concerned at the replays for that final Scottish try to be entirely comfortable with that.

[cadofyddol]

I know there's an argument that Giles might get more from touring with the first XV, but I think actual game time is important too. He can train wit the 1st's throughout the season but it's unlikely he'll get any game time in NZ. Let him go to the U20s World Cup as part of the GS winning team, how great would it be for the players if they came back with a SH scalp.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Anscombe at FB as I agree Gatland seems to like him. I haven't been impressed with him under the high ball though or defensively. For me Priestland is better at both.

[Len]

It'll be Abscombe won't it? He won't enjoy this tour.

[cadofyddol]

Not if he's playing across the whole back 3 by himself!

[Sandydragon]

I know there's an argument that Giles might get more from touring with the first XV, but I think actual game time is important too. He can train wit the 1st's throughout the season but it's unlikely he'll get any game time in NZ. Let him go to the U20s World Cup as part of the GS winning team, how great would it be for the players if they came back with a SH scalp.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Anscombe at FB as I agree Gatland seems to like him. I haven't been impressed with him under the high ball though or defensively. For me Priestland is better at both.

That's a good point regarding the JWC. I agree that if there is a gap, then Anscombe is likely to be shoe horned into it. Personally I'd at her an actual full back rather than a fly half brought in to fix a problem in the midfield.

[Lizard]

It'll be Abscombe won't it? He won't enjoy this tour.

Yeah, there's no way Gatland could resist bringing him home.

[Son of Mathonwy]

If we need to find a new back three (or 2 of 3) it's a tough choice: there are several upcoming players I'd like to see given a chance, but on the other hand against NZ we hardly want to be fielding an experimental team (at least for the first couple of tests). And do we want our 15 to be a full back/fly half or a full back/winger? (All else equal , I prefer a the full back/winger type).

If we are only without 1/2p and Cuthbert, I'd have Priestland/North/Liam
If North or Liam are missing, Amos slots in.
If we need an entirely new back three, I'd have Priestland/Amos/Dirksen
I'd like to see what Hewitt, Steffan Evans or Giles could do, but they are too inexperienced at this point. And, agreed that at 18 Giles should be enjoying the U20 RWC.

This said, I assume Gatland will use Anscombe to plug the gap. Any gap.

[Dacre]

Dan Fish!

[UKHamlet]

Dan Fish!

Dan is playing well as an out and out winger, but I think NZ would break him permanently.