AI Squad

[Numbers]

Forwards: Rhodri Jones (Dragons – 21 caps), Nicky Smith (Ospreys – 41 caps), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 13 caps), Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 30 caps), Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 8 caps), Ken Owens (Scarlets – 87 caps), Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 65 caps), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 41 caps), Sam Wainwright (Saracens – 2 caps), Adam Beard (Ospreys – 37 caps), Ben Carter (Dragons Rugby – 6 caps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys 153 caps), Will Rowlands (Dragons Rugby – 21 caps), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 91 caps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys – 68 caps), Josh MacLeod (Scarlets – uncapped), Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 3 caps), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 3 caps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 86 caps), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 2 caps)

Backs: Dane Blacker (Scarlets – uncapped), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 14 caps), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 36 caps), Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys – 32 caps), Sam Costelow (Scarlets – uncapped), Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Rugby – 52 caps), Joe Hawkins – (Ospreys - uncapped), George North (Ospreys – 105 caps), Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 23 caps), Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 33 caps), Josh Adams – (Cardiff Rugby – 42 caps), Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 52 caps), Rio Dyer (Dragons Rugby – uncapped), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 96 caps), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 19 caps)

[Numbers]

It's good to see Rio Dyer in the mix tho I think Hewitt is further along in terms of development and Conbeer is unlucky to miss out, weird that we have picked 4 opensides, perhaps Pivac is looking at playing 2 at a time, Blacker is a slightly left field selection Rhodri Williams must feel a bit disappointed.

[Numbers]

I think from that list I'd have the following for the ABs game:

1. Gareth Thomas
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomas Francis
4. Adam Beard
5. Will Rowlands
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Jac Morgan
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Josh Adams
12. Nick Tompkins
13. George North
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Dewi Lake
17. Nicky Smith
18. Dillon Lewis
19. AWJ
20. Josh MacLeod
21. Kieron Hardy
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Owen Watkin

[Numbers]

Amended to take into account the international window or lack of.

1. Gareth Thomas
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomas Francis
4. Adam Beard
5. Will Rowlands
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Jac Morgan
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Josh Adams
12. Owen Watkin
13. George North
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Dewi Lake
17. Nicky Smith
18. Dillon Lewis
19. AWJ
20. Josh MacLeod
21. Kieron Hardy
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Rio Dyer

[Son of Mathonwy]

Last real chance to experiment gives us Blacker, Hawkins, Costello and Dyer.

Costello is most likely to actually play in a significant way. I'm disappointed for Patchell not to make it, although his current form hasn't helped. No idea how Costello's form compares with Sheedy's but Costello deserves a chance.
Blacker is one of several 9s in Wales that could step up to this level. I don't think he'll disappoint.
Hawkins is one I'd leave till after the RWC. I'd take Scott Williams at this point.
Same with Dyer. I'd take Giles or Conbeer - surely their form has been better than Dyer's?

Surprised that McNichol didn't make it with Sanjay out of action.
No idea why the injured Cuthbert is there when it would have been good to try Giles and/or Conbeer.

No major disagreements with the forwards although a little surprised Carre didn't get called, since his form has been pretty good (I think). Maybe a last Pivac kick up the backside before the RWC.

[Numbers]

He said Carre has fallen short of the targets he was set, so not fit enough by the sounds of it. I like Dyer and think he will feature against the ABs as there is literally no-one else to bench as an outside back with Tompkins and LRZ unavailable for that game (unless he goes for Hawkins on the bench with North able to cover wing in the event of an injury).

I quite like that he is looking at these young players in terms of succession and Conbeer or Giles may well be called up at some point if there are injuries, he's said that Dyer impressed when he was with the Wales camp in the build up to last summers tour and that he is good under the high ball (perhaps a hint that the other two are a little diminutive in stature).

I think Scott Williams picked up another injury on Saturday as he was subbed for Steff Evans in the second half, I think I'd have picked Max Llewellyn instead of Hawkins purely due to the fact he's featured more so far this season, tho Pivac sees Hawkins as a playmaking 12 who can cover 10 as well so maybe that option from the bench could offer up a 6/2 forwards/backs split.

Could we see MacLeod at 6 for the ABs game? Pivac does like to maximise jackalers.

[Mikey Brown]

You guys been following Tshiunza’s development? I was a bit surprised to see what a force he’s become in the loose recently.

[Numbers]

You guys been following Tshiunza’s development? I was a bit surprised to see what a force he’s become in the loose recently.

Yes mate, tho Exeter are playing him at 7 which isn't ideal, he's shown he can be quite a handful in wide areas and has all the natural attributes to be a great player.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah but you can just ignore the stupid positions Exeter select their players in. They played Sam Skinner at 7 a few times.

I don’t know what his preferred position is supposed to be, to be honest, but he’s starting to look like the sort of player that might offer something a bit different to what you’ve currently got.

[Sourdust]

Several surprises, quite a few glaring omissions but it's hard to argue against too many of the inclusions.

Exceptions would be Cuthbert and Dyer, I think. TBF Dyer has been pretty great for two games, so... [shrug] Ryan Conbeer and Keelan Giles have been on excellent, consistent form, so they'd not be human if they didn't start to wonder seeing call-ups for Dyer and particularly Cuthbert, who hasn't played at all.

Morgan Morris is pretty unlucky but with Faletau and Tshiunza there, that one's more understandable. Hawkins is probably the better long-term centre prospect, but he's a bit lucky to see off Llewelyn this time, I'd say. And whjle I rate Watkin a lot more than some, i think I'd prefer to see Halaholo.

Ho hum...

[Wallpaperman]

Carre’s omission is a surprise as he has been playing well and and Wyn Jones is crocked. His scrummaging looks to have improved but if he hasn’t hit fitness targets he can only blame himself. Hope he’s not Nicky Thomas version 2.0. Never been sure about Nicky Smith, lots of good attributes but he seems to get on the wrong side of referees.

It was probably always going to be those 3 hookers with Ken Owens being fit, but both Scott Baldwin and Bradley Roberts have been playing really well, both in better form at regional level than Elias in my view.

Still looks threadbare at tight head although Leon Brown and Samson Lee are both young enough to return. Really thought Willgriff John would make it, but he’s behind Sebastian and Harri O’Connor in Peel’s view. Wainwright didn’t make the bench for Saracens at the weekend, but he didn’t let anyone down in South Africa. Joe Jones was getting some good press last season, maybe he needs to move to Wales.

I saw a few commenters below the line one the WoL site thought Jason Jenkins might get a call up in the second row, and he has made an impressive start at Leinster. He is Welsh qualified and I would be surprised if Wales didn’t at least talk to him, but if they did he presumably said ‘no’ ! The first choice second row of Rowlands and Beard, with a fit looking AWJ on the bench looks good.

Sounds as though Macleod is seen as a 6 or 7. He was unlucky not to get capped a couple of years ago but he hasn’t pulled up any trees this season. Moriarty and Thomas Young can count themselves unlucky I think.

Agree with the comments re Dyer, I think both Giles and Conbeer have looked great, and will wonder what they have to do to get picked.

Nice to see Hawkins included, hopefully he can fill the Owen Williams shaped gap in the squad. Thought Max Llewelyn would have been in though, especially with Johnny Williams injured again.

Would go for pretty much the same side as UKHamlet and Numbers although Reffell might get the nod over Morgan at 7.

[Numbers]

Carre’s omission is a surprise as he has been playing well and and Wyn Jones is crocked. His scrummaging looks to have improved but if he hasn’t hit fitness targets he can only blame himself. Hope he’s not Nicky Thomas version 2.0. Never been sure about Nicky Smith, lots of good attributes but he seems to get on the wrong side of referees.

It was probably always going to be those 3 hookers with Ken Owens being fit, but both Scott Baldwin and Bradley Roberts have been playing really well, both in better form at regional level than Elias in my view.

Still looks threadbare at tight head although Leon Brown and Samson Lee are both young enough to return. Really thought Willgriff John would make it, but he’s behind Sebastian and Harri O’Connor in Peel’s view. Wainwright didn’t make the bench for Saracens at the weekend, but he didn’t let anyone down in South Africa. Joe Jones was getting some good press last season, maybe he needs to move to Wales.

I saw a few commenters below the line one the WoL site thought Jason Jenkins might get a call up in the second row, and he has made an impressive start at Leinster. He is Welsh qualified and I would be surprised if Wales didn’t at least talk to him, but if they did he presumably said ‘no’ ! The first choice second row of Rowlands and Beard, with a fit looking AWJ on the bench looks good.

Sounds as though Macleod is seen as a 6 or 7. He was unlucky not to get capped a couple of years ago but he hasn’t pulled up any trees this season. Moriarty and Thomas Young can count themselves unlucky I think.

Agree with the comments re Dyer, I think both Giles and Conbeer have looked great, and will wonder what they have to do to get picked.

Nice to see Hawkins included, hopefully he can fill the Owen Williams shaped gap in the squad. Thought Max Llewelyn would have been in though, especially with Johnny Williams injured again.

Would go for pretty much the same side as UKHamlet and Numbers although Reffell might get the nod over Morgan at 7.

Reffell not available for that game mate, England based player see.

[Wallpaperman]

He won’t be getting the nod then !! Thanks for the heads up.

[Puja]

Carre’s omission is a surprise as he has been playing well and and Wyn Jones is crocked. His scrummaging looks to have improved but if he hasn’t hit fitness targets he can only blame himself. Hope he’s not Nicky Thomas version 2.0. Never been sure about Nicky Smith, lots of good attributes but he seems to get on the wrong side of referees.

It was probably always going to be those 3 hookers with Ken Owens being fit, but both Scott Baldwin and Bradley Roberts have been playing really well, both in better form at regional level than Elias in my view.

Still looks threadbare at tight head although Leon Brown and Samson Lee are both young enough to return. Really thought Willgriff John would make it, but he’s behind Sebastian and Harri O’Connor in Peel’s view. Wainwright didn’t make the bench for Saracens at the weekend, but he didn’t let anyone down in South Africa. Joe Jones was getting some good press last season, maybe he needs to move to Wales.

I saw a few commenters below the line one the WoL site thought Jason Jenkins might get a call up in the second row, and he has made an impressive start at Leinster. He is Welsh qualified and I would be surprised if Wales didn’t at least talk to him, but if they did he presumably said ‘no’ ! The first choice second row of Rowlands and Beard, with a fit looking AWJ on the bench looks good.

Sounds as though Macleod is seen as a 6 or 7. He was unlucky not to get capped a couple of years ago but he hasn’t pulled up any trees this season. Moriarty and Thomas Young can count themselves unlucky I think.

Agree with the comments re Dyer, I think both Giles and Conbeer have looked great, and will wonder what they have to do to get picked.

Nice to see Hawkins included, hopefully he can fill the Owen Williams shaped gap in the squad. Thought Max Llewelyn would have been in though, especially with Johnny Williams injured again.

Would go for pretty much the same side as UKHamlet and Numbers although Reffell might get the nod over Morgan at 7.

Reffell not available for that game mate, England based player see.

Leicester don't have a game that weekend, so I'm not sure how that affects things. Might be that we make an exception and eat the fine if he gets latitudde to stay at Leicester?

Puja

[Numbers]

He won’t be getting the nod then !! Thanks for the heads up.

I have assumed that mind you as the first game is usually always outside the international window and for some reason we always schedule the ABs for that game. I may be wrong however as with the players selected if Adams turns out to be unavailable Dyer would have to start with Hawkins on the bench which would be a bit of a baptism of fire.

[Numbers]

Tips is our Captain then, I wonder what this means for Reffell as I can't see room for him unless he plays 6 and Lydiate or McLeod would probably be better in that position. I thought Reffell would be the incumbent for the 7 shirt after his performances v SA.

[francoisfou]

Tips is our Captain then, I wonder what this means for Reffell as I can't see room for him unless he plays 6 and Lydiate or McLeod would probably be better in that position. I thought Reffell would be the incumbent for the 7 shirt after his performances v SA.

Can Tipuric wear 6?

[Numbers]

Tips is our Captain then, I wonder what this means for Reffell as I can't see room for him unless he plays 6 and Lydiate or McLeod would probably be better in that position. I thought Reffell would be the incumbent for the 7 shirt after his performances v SA.

Can Tipuric wear 6?

He can but Lydiate or MacLeod would be better suited to that role, tho Pivac does like a lot of jacklers, but then again Tipuric doesn't turn over a great deal of ball.

[Sandydragon]

He’s an odd choice captain given that his place in the team isn’t guaranteed. Tips on top form is worth his place. But after such a long time out and potentially playing at 6 I’m less sure. Equally I’m
Not sure Lydiate would suit the all blacks game. Should really have Moriarty or Wainwright in there.

Personally I would have gone for Rowlands who is in good form and has captaincy experience

[Numbers]

He’s an odd choice captain given that his place in the team isn’t guaranteed. Tips on top form is worth his place. But after such a long time out and potentially playing at 6 I’m less sure. Equally I’m
Not sure Lydiate would suit the all blacks game. Should really have Moriarty or Wainwright in there.

Personally I would have gone for Rowlands who is in good form and has captaincy experience

Agreed, I think Rowlands along with Francis are the first two names on the team sheet, I would like to see MacLeod given a go against the ABs as he is physical and is a great jackler, I'd have gone with him and Reffell as the two flankers tbh, tho depending on Faletau's injury MacLeod may need to play 8.

[francoisfou]

Tips is our Captain then, I wonder what this means for Reffell as I can't see room for him unless he plays 6 and Lydiate or McLeod would probably be better in that position. I thought Reffell would be the incumbent for the 7 shirt after his performances v SA.

Can Tipuric wear 6?

He can but Lydiate or MacLeod would be better suited to that role, tho Pivac does like a lot of jacklers, but then again Tipuric doesn't turn over a great deal of ball.

Being a long-term supporter of Leicester Tigers, I would like to see Reffell given a string of games at open-side wing forward, as he’s in outstanding club form and deserves a shot, but with Tipuric as captain, that probably won’t happen.

[Numbers]

Can Tipuric wear 6?

He can but Lydiate or MacLeod would be better suited to that role, tho Pivac does like a lot of jacklers, but then again Tipuric doesn't turn over a great deal of ball.

Being a long-term supporter of Leicester Tigers, I would like to see Reffell given a string of games at open-side wing forward, as he’s in outstanding club form and deserves a shot, but with Tipuric as captain, that probably won’t happen.

I agree, I think he's our best 7, certainly on form.