Squad announcement day

[UKHamlet]

The Wales squad is announced today. Any surprises expected? A tautology I realise, but you get my drift.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I don't know what surprise to expect but I do expect a surprise

[pompey-zebra]

I don't know what surprise to expect but I do expect a surprise

You do surprise me!

[UKHamlet]

Surprise surprise the squad is announced and the WRU's website 404s.

[UKHamlet]

Then they managed to actually put a page at the end of the link.

https://www.wru.wales/2023/01/owens-cap ... les-squad/

[UKHamlet]

Four uncapped players are selected. Rhys Davies, who was called into Wales camp during the autumn, features alongside Ospreys team mate Keiran Williams plus Cardiff Rugby duo Mason Grady and Teddy Williams.

[UKHamlet]

WALES SQUAD FOR 2023 Guiness Six Nations

Forwards (20)

Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby 17 caps)

Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 45 caps)

Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 17 caps)

Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 8 caps)

Ken Owens (Scarlets – 86 caps), Captain

Bradley Roberts (Dragons – 3 caps)

Leon Brown (Dragons – 22 caps)

Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 67 caps)

Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 45 caps)

Adam Beard (Ospreys – 41 caps)

Rhys Davies (Ospreys – uncapped)

Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 1 cap)

Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 155 caps)

Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)

Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 95 caps)

Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 6 caps)

Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 4 caps)

Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 89 caps)

Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 3 caps)

Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 36 caps)



Backs (17)

Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 16 caps)

Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 36 caps)

Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 40 caps)

Dan Biggar (Toulon – 103 caps)

Rhys Patchell (Scarlets – 21 caps)

Owen Williams (Ospreys – 3 caps)

Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)

Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 1 cap)

George North (Ospreys – 109 caps)

Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 25 caps)

Keiran Williams (Ospreys – uncapped)

Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 44 caps)

Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 55 caps)

Rio Dyer (Dragons – 3 caps)

Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 97 caps)

Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 22)

Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 81)

[pompey-zebra]

Well a few surprises there! A number of players returning from injury too so probably another reason to pick a bigger squad than usual. Good to see kieron Williams getting recognition. Still a pity Morgan Morris hasnt got a place, though back row competition is obviously very strong.

[normanski]

With Wales hugely underrated to do anything this 6N, then this is a squad which can upset the form book.

Ireland may already be having a few jitters about their visit to Cardiff and expect Gatland to play on that.

Gatland’s big task is to stop the Wales habit of playing badly in the first half of the opener and conceding lots of points which they can’t overcome in the second half.

I think I’m going to enjoy this 6N!

[Numbers]

With Wales hugely underrated to do anything this 6N, then this is a squad which can upset the form book.

Ireland may already be having a few jitters about their visit to Cardiff and expect Gatland to play on that.

Gatland’s big task is to stop the Wales habit of playing badly in the first half of the opener and conceding lots of points which they can’t overcome in the second half.

I think I’m going to enjoy this 6N!

We're 12-1 to win the tournament, maybe worth a tenner.

[Graigwen]

A pretty good squad overall, in my opinion.

.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Really pleased to see Webb, Patchell, Owen and Keiran Williams get called up. Quite a few inexperienced locks, but needs must. Owens will be a good captain but I hope this doesn't limit Lake's time too much - he needs to play a fair bit.

Overall, a good squad. Bring on the first 23, then we'll really see what Gatland thinks.

[normanski]

I wonder what Ireland’s attitude will be when they come to Cardiff. At the moment they’re top of the world and must be hugely confident of doing a number on Wales.

Being hot favourites (like Wales too) doesn’t sit well with Ireland and with Gatland selecting a strong and pretty experienced squad this could be a game much like two years ago when we almost nilled them.

I have a feeling Ireland will lose momentum going into this 6N and we will just take the wind of their sails. It won’t be as wide a margin as two years ago but I have revised my match result in Hammy’s competition from a draw to a six point Wales win. I bloody well hope so to wipe the smile from Irish eyes.

[Sandydragon]

Four uncapped players are selected. Rhys Davies, who was called into Wales camp during the autumn, features alongside Ospreys team mate Keiran Williams plus Cardiff Rugby duo Mason Grady and Teddy Williams.

Teddy Williams is a real bolder, but definitely has the physical attributes needed. I'd suspect he is there more for experience but Gatland can throw the odd surprise.

Grady is less of a surprise, albeit still inexperienced. But as mentioned previously the inside centre position is well up for grabs and he or Keiron Williams could put their hand up for it.

[SDHoneymonster]

I wonder what Ireland’s attitude will be when they come to Cardiff. At the moment they’re top of the world and must be hugely confident of doing a number on Wales.

Being hot favourites (like Wales too) doesn’t sit well with Ireland and with Gatland selecting a strong and pretty experienced squad this could be a game much like two years ago when we almost nilled them.

I have a feeling Ireland will lose momentum going into this 6N and we will just take the wind of their sails. It won’t be as wide a margin as two years ago but I have revised my match result in Hammy’s competition from a draw to a six point Wales win. I bloody well hope so to wipe the smile from Irish eyes.

I cast my mind back to 2019 and England rocking up in Dublin to the hue and cry of the Irish press claiming they were finally going to break the World Cup hex and England would be put to the sword, only for them to suffer an utterly deflating loss that seemed to throw them off course for the rest of the year. In my mind Farrell is a better motivational coach than Schmidt and it's less likely to happen this time around, but it will certainly be in the back of a few minds and a rejuvenated Wales under Gatland are a very slippery banana skin indeed.

[Numbers]

Four uncapped players are selected. Rhys Davies, who was called into Wales camp during the autumn, features alongside Ospreys team mate Keiran Williams plus Cardiff Rugby duo Mason Grady and Teddy Williams.

Teddy Williams is a real bolder, but definitely has the physical attributes needed. I'd suspect he is there more for experience but Gatland can throw the odd surprise.

Grady is less of a surprise, albeit still inexperienced. But as mentioned previously the inside centre position is well up for grabs and he or Keiron Williams could put their hand up for it.

He plays 13 or wing iirc.

[MrK]

I like what hes done with the backs

3 9s obvioulsy
2 10s that are mostly 10s but can play 15 - Biggar/ Patchell
2 10/12s O Williams/ Hawkins
2 Direct ICs - K Williams/ Tompkins
2 OC/ WIngs - North/ Grady
2 Wings - Dyer/ Cuthbert
2 FB Wings - Adams/ LRZ
2 FBs - WIlliams/ Halfpenny

Its almost like he thought this through - unlike some of Pivacs decisions

Which way he goes with 12 will be very interesting

[Tuco Ramirez]

Halfpenny Last good game was about 4 seasons ago