6N Squad

[Graigwen]

Wales’ 2020 Six Nations Squad:

Forwards (21)

Rhys Carre (Saracens) (6 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (36 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (22 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (29 Caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons) (6 Caps)
WillGriff John (Sale) (*uncapped)
Dillon Lewis (Blues) (22 Caps)
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (20 Caps)
Seb Davies (Blues) (7 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (134 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
Will Rowlands (Wasps) (*uncapped)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (24 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (18 Caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (72 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (41 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Blues) (23 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Osprey) (72 Caps)

Backs (17)

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Toulon) (31 Caps)
Tomos Williams (Blues) (16 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Northampton) (79 Caps)
Owen Williams (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
Jarrod Evans (Blues) (3 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens) (*uncapped)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
George North (Ospreys) (91 Caps)
Josh Adams (Blues) (21 Caps)
Owen Lane (Blues) (2 Caps)
Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) (*uncapped)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (*uncapped)
Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers) (3 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (85 Caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens) (62 Caps)

[Graigwen]

There are some good calls in that squad, but I did not expect Hammersmith born Will Rowlands!

[normanski]

There are some good calls in that squad, but I did not expect Hammersmith born Will Rowlands!

Pivac has certainly laid out his attacking philosophy with these selections.

With three years plus till the next RWC he’s blooding youngsters early.

Thank goodness we have the easier game of the 6N at home to start the campaign.

Looks exciting!

[Digby]

There are some good calls in that squad, but I did not expect Hammersmith born Will Rowlands!

Justice 4 Sidcup born Nick Tompkins. I think WillGriff John is a slightly different case even if born in England.

[Sandydragon]

Wales’ 2020 Six Nations Squad:

Forwards (21)

Rhys Carre (Saracens) (6 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (36 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (22 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (29 Caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons) (6 Caps)
WillGriff John (Sale) (*uncapped)
Dillon Lewis (Blues) (22 Caps)
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (20 Caps)
Seb Davies (Blues) (7 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (134 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
Will Rowlands (Wasps) (*uncapped)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (24 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (18 Caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (72 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (41 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Blues) (23 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Osprey) (72 Caps)

Backs (17)

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Toulon) (31 Caps)
Tomos Williams (Blues) (16 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Northampton) (79 Caps)
Owen Williams (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
Jarrod Evans (Blues) (3 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens) (*uncapped)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
George North (Ospreys) (91 Caps)
Josh Adams (Blues) (21 Caps)
Owen Lane (Blues) (2 Caps)
Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) (*uncapped)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (*uncapped)
Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers) (3 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (85 Caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens) (62 Caps)

I like that. Some good strength there which we need but lots of players who are in form. We have issues at centre and to an extent at right head but there’s some young players at TH who get a great opportunity, ditto in the centre. Owen Williams’ return to fitness is very well timed.

A back line of:
Webb
Biggar (with Evans in the bench or vice versa)
McNicholl
Parkes
Owen Williams
Adams
Halfpenny

Will trouble many defences and with the exception of Owen Williams out of position, should be reasonably robust without the ball (we will miss JD2 but that can’t be helped).

I’d like to see LRZ on the bench for the Italy game.

[Sandydragon]

Carre out for first games due to ban.

[normanski]

Carre out for first games due to ban.

Good lesson for him to adjust his tackling technique before he gets a bad reputation.

What a great prospect he looks, especially in the loose. If he and Leon Brown can up their scrummaging skills we have a couple of youngsters who could be around (barring injuries) for the next ten years putting the fear of God into opposing front rows.

[PoolerSaint]

Rowlands and Tomkins are good additions to the squad.
It'll be interesting to see how Pivac views the Italy game as to whether we'll see a couple of the new boys or fringe players make the matchday squad.
I'd put LRZ straight in to start if he shows up as well in training camp as he has in recent games.
Tompkins should come straight in given our midfield problems with injuries.

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[Sandydragon]

I don't think Privac will be too bold in selection, which is an approach helped by the fact that the senior players in that squad have been playing well (barring the perennial question mark over North). That said, its the perfect time to try out a few new faces where we are forced to (centre) and potentially LRZ either as a starter or on the bench.

[Sandydragon]

So how confident and excited are we by this years six nations? Post Gatland seems a strange place to be after 12
Years and many of the certainties have gone.

That said, despite some key injuries, we have a string and experienced squad and a management team that is looking to play a more open game.

I think we can give a good account of ourselves this year. We have two hard away games and I think France will be up for revenge and will be hard work. I’d be stunned if we won the six nations but I’m perhaps less worried by the overall result this year and more interested in our progression and performance.

I think I’m looking forward to this six nations more than I have in recent years.

[Banquo]

Wales’ 2020 Six Nations Squad:

Forwards (21)

Rhys Carre (Saracens) (6 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (36 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (22 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (29 Caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons) (6 Caps)
WillGriff John (Sale) (*uncapped)
Dillon Lewis (Blues) (22 Caps)
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (20 Caps)
Seb Davies (Blues) (7 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (134 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
Will Rowlands (Wasps) (*uncapped)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (24 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (18 Caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (72 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (41 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Blues) (23 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Osprey) (72 Caps)

Backs (17)

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Toulon) (31 Caps)
Tomos Williams (Blues) (16 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Northampton) (79 Caps)
Owen Williams (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
Jarrod Evans (Blues) (3 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens) (*uncapped)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
George North (Ospreys) (91 Caps)
Josh Adams (Blues) (21 Caps)
Owen Lane (Blues) (2 Caps)
Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) (*uncapped)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (*uncapped)
Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers) (3 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (85 Caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens) (62 Caps)

I like that. Some good strength there which we need but lots of players who are in form. We have issues at centre and to an extent at right head but there’s some young players at TH who get a great opportunity, ditto in the centre. Owen Williams’ return to fitness is very well timed.

A back line of:
Webb
Biggar (with Evans in the bench or vice versa)
McNicholl
Parkes
Owen Williams
Adams
Halfpenny

Will trouble many defences and with the exception of Owen Williams out of position, should be reasonably robust without the ball (we will miss JD2 but that can’t be helped).

I’d like to see LRZ on the bench for the Italy game.

Tomkins is a much better centre than Owen Williams. Did you mean Owen Watkins? Tompkins is excellent, I'd like to have had him in our squad.

[Spiffy]

I read somewhere that North and Adams were getting a run in the centre at the club level. North has played there in the past for Wales and has done quite well. He's big, powerful and fast and his defensive frailties are less exposed than on the wing. Any possibility of this happening this season?

[Son of Mathonwy]

I imagine Pivac will want Tompkins capped in the first game (both to make him 100% Welsh and to see how he looks at test level in what should be an easy opener). Ditto LRZ (but with less urgency).

I'm feeling pretty confident about this 6N. The coaching team is too much of an unknown to say I think we'll win, but I wouldn't be shocked. It's particularly handy to have the easy Italy game up first.

[cashead]

[Sandydragon]

Wales’ 2020 Six Nations Squad:

Forwards (21)

Rhys Carre (Saracens) (6 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (36 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (22 Caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (29 Caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons) (6 Caps)
WillGriff John (Sale) (*uncapped)
Dillon Lewis (Blues) (22 Caps)
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (20 Caps)
Seb Davies (Blues) (7 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (134 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
Will Rowlands (Wasps) (*uncapped)
Cory Hill (Dragons) (24 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (18 Caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (72 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (41 Caps)
Josh Navidi (Blues) (23 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Osprey) (72 Caps)

Backs (17)

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Toulon) (31 Caps)
Tomos Williams (Blues) (16 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Northampton) (79 Caps)
Owen Williams (Gloucester) (3 Caps)
Jarrod Evans (Blues) (3 Caps)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens) (*uncapped)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
George North (Ospreys) (91 Caps)
Josh Adams (Blues) (21 Caps)
Owen Lane (Blues) (2 Caps)
Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) (*uncapped)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (*uncapped)
Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers) (3 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (85 Caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens) (62 Caps)

I like that. Some good strength there which we need but lots of players who are in form. We have issues at centre and to an extent at right head but there’s some young players at TH who get a great opportunity, ditto in the centre. Owen Williams’ return to fitness is very well timed.

A back line of:
Webb
Biggar (with Evans in the bench or vice versa)
McNicholl
Parkes
Owen Williams
Adams
Halfpenny

Will trouble many defences and with the exception of Owen Williams out of position, should be reasonably robust without the ball (we will miss JD2 but that can’t be helped).

I’d like to see LRZ on the bench for the Italy game.

Tomkins is a much better centre than Owen Williams. Did you mean Owen Watkins? Tompkins is excellent, I'd like to have had him in our squad.

I was thinking of Williams who has been a bit unfortunate the past few years and who I think is a very good player. I’ve not seen Tompkins play but looking at the English fan reaction we seem to have grabbed a good un there.

[Sandydragon]

I read somewhere that North and Adams were getting a run in the centre at the club level. North has played there in the past for Wales and has done quite well. He's big, powerful and fast and his defensive frailties are less exposed than on the wing. Any possibility of this happening this season?

Adams was due to play centre on the weekend but it didn’t happen due to other injuries IIRC.

North at 13 would be defensively worrying. Might be worth looking at but heaven forfend we try it would against good opposition. Maybe if he has a run of games there for the Ospreys.

Hallam Amos would make a very good centre in my opinion. He has enough bulk and isn’t slow, but not a winger, and is a very good intelligent footballer.

[PoolerSaint]

Tompkins should be 1st choice centre for me whether at 12 or 13.
Parkes has been struggling with form all season, Tompkins has impressed me whenever I've seen him play.
Not spectacular by any means but a very good all round player.
Excited to see what he can bring to the test environment.


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[Mikey Brown]

Just seen LRZ on crutches at the Toulouse game.

[Digby]

Tompkins should be 1st choice centre for me whether at 12 or 13.
Parkes has been struggling with form all season, Tompkins has impressed me whenever I've seen him play.
Not spectacular by any means but a very good all round player.
Excited to see what he can bring to the test environment.


Sent from my SNE-LX1 using Tapatalk

The Sarries chat about Tompkins is he's really come on, he's now not just a solid cog filling in, he's a player making a difference just by himself and they fully excepted to lose him to test rugby this season, though I don't know if they thought to Wales. I've not seen that in him, but I suspect the Sarries coaching staff watch him more often and more closely than I do

[Buggaluggs]

Just seen LRZ on crutches at the Toulouse game.

He still scored three tries. Should have had a fourth, but the crutches slowed him up a bit.

[Sandydragon]

Just seen LRZ on crutches at the Toulouse game.

He still scored three tries. Should have had a fourth, but the crutches slowed him up a bit.

Let’s hope nothing serious.

[newgalesurf]

Looks like a physically big squad.

Good mix of experience throughout. Have been out of the loop as rugby coverage has become really limited over here.

[Sandydragon]

Hey Newgale, good to see you.

Lots of exciting talent in the squad. Genuinely excited by the six nations this year. I’ve no idea what’s going to happen and I’m not really expecting us to win, but after the 12 years of Gatland certainty, I’m really interested to see what the changes will be.

[newgalesurf]

Glad to be back. Did check in a few years ago to a dead forum link, and for a while couldn't find my way home.

Don't know much of Pivac, not seen the Scarlets play under his control ut the resume looks good. Other teams have improved, but the bunch of Welsh lads should be pretty battle hardened

Never say never on the championship. New leadership may have a dramatic effect

[Sandydragon]

Privac will almost certainly be promoting attack so I think many of us who have seen the Scarlets play under him are looking forward to getting more out of our back line. The real question is whether we will
Be so defensively resilient.