6N Uncapped players

[Son of Mathonwy]

Some great responses.

I thought I had included Habberfield myself, duh! He's an obvious choice for me, with Davies way behind his form of last year. Not only is he on better form, but he's captained the Ospreys several times to good effect. I'll never forget Lloyd Williams' one moment of triumphant brilliance, but that was on the wing! He's a deeply unconvincing scrum-half IMO.

Of course with my Ospreys head on, having all four frontline half-backs in the Wales squad would be sub optimal...

I was really thinking of players who haven't played for Wales at all, but yes there are several "unproven" players who also deserve a chance too.

Main mentions for me:
Parry
Cracknell
Habberfield
Owen Williams (not going to happen, especially with his move to Glouc... has he given up on Wales completely??), Shingler maybe...
Beck (back in form, should return to the squad... especially since none of the 3 Wales centres are remotely on fire), Ben John
Giles, Steff Evans, Hewitt. (Even Dirksen is back in form... albeit too late). Re wingers, clearly Cuthbert should be out, but I'm not even sure if North should be included. Even ignoring his glass jaw, it's been a while since he showed us what he's capable of, or used to be capable of....

[ALunpg]

Our national team has picked itself for years, but there feels like a real push for places this year, with some great club performances against experienced international players who maybe aren't hitting the heights. This should be a chance for new blood - no one is expecting much from us and at some point form needs to b rewarded.

It won't happen though, Howley will be very conservative IMO.

Some of it will happen simply because Howley needs to progress his claim as the natural succesor. I dont beleive that success will come if there is no progress from the AI . That said I dont thInk the initial match day team fot Italy will have many suprises...but the starting full squad itself may contain a few who are on the lists. For me with a few old regulars out injured and others out if form....lets see what they come up with.

[Numbers]

Some great responses.

I thought I had included Habberfield myself, duh! He's an obvious choice for me, with Davies way behind his form of last year. Not only is he on better form, but he's captained the Ospreys several times to good effect. I'll never forget Lloyd Williams' one moment of triumphant brilliance, but that was on the wing! He's a deeply unconvincing scrum-half IMO.

Of course with my Ospreys head on, having all four frontline half-backs in the Wales squad would be sub optimal...

I was really thinking of players who haven't played for Wales at all, but yes there are several "unproven" players who also deserve a chance too.

Main mentions for me:
Parry
Cracknell
Habberfield
Owen Williams (not going to happen, especially with his move to Glouc... has he given up on Wales completely??), Shingler maybe...
Beck (back in form, should return to the squad... especially since none of the 3 Wales centres are remotely on fire), Ben John
Giles, Steff Evans, Hewitt. (Even Dirksen is back in form... albeit too late). Re wingers, clearly Cuthbert should be out, but I'm not even sure if North should be included. Even ignoring his glass jaw, it's been a while since he showed us what he's capable of, or used to be capable of....

You have a very short memory, he scored some excellent tries last 6 nations and was excellent in NZ before injury.

[Numbers]

Our national team has picked itself for years, but there feels like a real push for places this year, with some great club performances against experienced international players who maybe aren't hitting the heights. This should be a chance for new blood - no one is expecting much from us and at some point form needs to b rewarded.

It won't happen though, Howley will be very conservative IMO.

Some of it will happen simply because Howley needs to progress his claim as the natural succesor. I dont beleive that success will come if there is no progress from the AI . That said I dont thInk the initial match day team fot Italy will have many suprises...but the starting full squad itself may contain a few who are on the lists. For me with a few old regulars out injured and others out if form....lets see what they come up with.

The main things I'd like to see for Italy are Nicky Smith starting at 1, Moriarty starting at 6, Sam Davies starting at 10 and Steff Evans given a start on the wing.

I can see maybe one of those being the case, after our recent performances against Italy we should be using them as a trial game surely.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Some great responses.

I thought I had included Habberfield myself, duh! He's an obvious choice for me, with Davies way behind his form of last year. Not only is he on better form, but he's captained the Ospreys several times to good effect. I'll never forget Lloyd Williams' one moment of triumphant brilliance, but that was on the wing! He's a deeply unconvincing scrum-half IMO.

Of course with my Ospreys head on, having all four frontline half-backs in the Wales squad would be sub optimal...

I was really thinking of players who haven't played for Wales at all, but yes there are several "unproven" players who also deserve a chance too.

Main mentions for me:
Parry
Cracknell
Habberfield
Owen Williams (not going to happen, especially with his move to Glouc... has he given up on Wales completely??), Shingler maybe...
Beck (back in form, should return to the squad... especially since none of the 3 Wales centres are remotely on fire), Ben John
Giles, Steff Evans, Hewitt. (Even Dirksen is back in form... albeit too late). Re wingers, clearly Cuthbert should be out, but I'm not even sure if North should be included. Even ignoring his glass jaw, it's been a while since he showed us what he's capable of, or used to be capable of....

You have a very short memory, he scored some excellent tries last 6 nations and was excellent in NZ before injury.

Fair enough, I went too far.... you're right, a lacklustre Autumn for North erased my memory of North's excellent 6N and first match from the NZ tour. Hopefully he will return to that kind of form for the 6N.

[Numbers]

Main mentions for me:
Parry
Cracknell
Habberfield
Owen Williams (not going to happen, especially with his move to Glouc... has he given up on Wales completely??), Shingler maybe...
Beck (back in form, should return to the squad... especially since none of the 3 Wales centres are remotely on fire), Ben John
Giles, Steff Evans, Hewitt. (Even Dirksen is back in form... albeit too late). Re wingers, clearly Cuthbert should be out, but I'm not even sure if North should be included. Even ignoring his glass jaw, it's been a while since he showed us what he's capable of, or used to be capable of....

You have a very short memory, he scored some excellent tries last 6 nations and was excellent in NZ before injury.

Fair enough, I went too far.... you're right, a lacklustre Autumn for North erased my memory of North's excellent 6N and first match from the NZ tour. Hopefully he will return to that kind of form for the 6N.

He looked quite sharp for Saints the other day, albeit with limited ball.

[DerbyTaff]

Given our 9 issues surely Habberfield has to be in there. Lloyd has been woeful. McShingler? Staff Evans has to be better than Cuthbert at the mo.

[DerbyTaff]

Given our 9 issues surely Habberfield has to be in there. Lloyd has been woeful. McShingler? Staff Evans has to be better than Cuthbert at the mo.

[ALunpg]

You have a very short memory, he scored some excellent tries last 6 nations and was excellent in NZ before injury.

Fair enough, I went too far.... you're right, a lacklustre Autumn for North erased my memory of North's excellent 6N and first match from the NZ tour. Hopefully he will return to that kind of form for the 6N.

He looked quite sharp for Saints the other day, albeit with limited ball.

It is strange and may be unmerited ... but Norths style and the Saints style seem to often limit the amount of ball he sees. It could be a outcome of either team or player but for me the more ball he has in hand the more of a threat he becomes. It will be good if he has some opportunities in the next two weekends to get some ball time.

[Sandydragon]

Fair enough, I went too far.... you're right, a lacklustre Autumn for North erased my memory of North's excellent 6N and first match from the NZ tour. Hopefully he will return to that kind of form for the 6N.

He looked quite sharp for Saints the other day, albeit with limited ball.

It is strange and may be unmerited ... but Norths style and the Saints style seem to often limit the amount of ball he sees. It could be a outcome of either team or player but for me the more ball he has in hand the more of a threat he becomes. It will be good if he has some opportunities in the next two weekends to get some ball time.

The same for Wales sadly, at least much of the time.

[joshfishkins]

Our national team has picked itself for years, but there feels like a real push for places this year, with some great club performances against experienced international players who maybe aren't hitting the heights. This should be a chance for new blood - no one is expecting much from us and at some point form needs to b rewarded.

It won't happen though, Howley will be very conservative IMO.

Some of it will happen simply because Howley needs to progress his claim as the natural succesor. I dont beleive that success will come if there is no progress from the AI . That said I dont thInk the initial match day team fot Italy will have many suprises...but the starting full squad itself may contain a few who are on the lists. For me with a few old regulars out injured and others out if form....lets see what they come up with.

The main things I'd like to see for Italy are Nicky Smith starting at 1, Moriarty starting at 6, Sam Davies starting at 10 and Steff Evans given a start on the wing.

I can see maybe one of those being the case, after our recent performances against Italy we should be using them as a trial game surely.

God i hope not. The last few years have been good to us against Italy, but we've played them last and run up points at the time they've usually given up. First up game against Italy is always the best they play all season. We should play our strongest team until the 50 minute mark, then bring on any new blood/inexperienced players.

With Howley in charge I think you're all dreaming that there will be any change from the dross served up last November and indeed the last time he coached us (2013). Putting that last England game aside, we were fecking awful and lucky that everyone else was worse.

[Numbers]

Some of it will happen simply because Howley needs to progress his claim as the natural succesor. I dont beleive that success will come if there is no progress from the AI . That said I dont thInk the initial match day team fot Italy will have many suprises...but the starting full squad itself may contain a few who are on the lists. For me with a few old regulars out injured and others out if form....lets see what they come up with.

The main things I'd like to see for Italy are Nicky Smith starting at 1, Moriarty starting at 6, Sam Davies starting at 10 and Steff Evans given a start on the wing.

I can see maybe one of those being the case, after our recent performances against Italy we should be using them as a trial game surely.

God i hope not. The last few years have been good to us against Italy, but we've played them last and run up points at the time they've usually given up. First up game against Italy is always the best they play all season. We should play our strongest team until the 50 minute mark, then bring on any new blood/inexperienced players.

With Howley in charge I think you're all dreaming that there will be any change from the dross served up last November and indeed the last time he coached us (2013). Putting that last England game aside, we were fecking awful and lucky that everyone else was worse.

A 53 point margin last year and a 41 point margin the previous year, they are the one team we seem to be able to score plenty of tries against so why not try some of the fringe players?

[MrK]

So the team I'd like to see start would include some "fringe" players, of course this assumes those fringe players get the nod for the squad and assumes Taulupe is fit (Options in Brackets if not)

Halfpenny, North, BECK, S Williams, L Williams, DAVIES, Webb
SMITH, DACEY, Francis, AWJ, Ball, Moriaty (Cracknell), Tipuric, Faletau (Moriaty)

Bench: Owens, Evans, Lee, Charteris, Warburton, G Davies, Biggar?, S Evans

I would actually go Beck, having thought about it and how we want to play, Ive got a feeling he will get in the squad too so id pick him over JD2 at the moment
Ive gone Sam Davies, wouldnt be surprised of course if its the other way around, but I just think Sam playing flatter against the Italians would work.

Ive stuck with Nicky Smith over Rob Evans but again, either or really, they are going to be 1 and 17 either way around
Ive gone Dacey - Baldwin actually came out of the AI better than Owens and Elias has been pushing Owens at The Scarlets, likewise PArry at the Os with Baldwin, for me Dacey gets the nod with Owens impact off the bench.
Ive gone Ball over Charteris although again thats a 50/50
Ive assumed Faletau is fit and have gone with my preferred Back 3 of Moriaty, Tipuric and Faletau - If Faletau is out Id bring Cracknell straight in at 6 even though hes not on my first choice bench. - Id then have Warburton as Back 3 bench cover

On the bench Id have liked Habberfield, but unlikely to get picked so stick with G Davies on the bench over a likely to be in the squad LL Williams
Ive chosen Steff Evans as the replacement with North covering Centre in casae of injuries

[joshfishkins]

The main things I'd like to see for Italy are Nicky Smith starting at 1, Moriarty starting at 6, Sam Davies starting at 10 and Steff Evans given a start on the wing.

I can see maybe one of those being the case, after our recent performances against Italy we should be using them as a trial game surely.

God i hope not. The last few years have been good to us against Italy, but we've played them last and run up points at the time they've usually given up. First up game against Italy is always the best they play all season. We should play our strongest team until the 50 minute mark, then bring on any new blood/inexperienced players.

With Howley in charge I think you're all dreaming that there will be any change from the dross served up last November and indeed the last time he coached us (2013). Putting that last England game aside, we were fecking awful and lucky that everyone else was worse.

A 53 point margin last year and a 41 point margin the previous year, they are the one team we seem to be able to score plenty of tries against so why not try some of the fringe players?

I already said why not. It's the first game, when Italy are traditionally at their best and we're at our worst. It's a tournament where we need to get off to a good start. It's a massive banana skin, and we need to play much better than we did in any game in November to win it, let alone run up those sort of scores.

[Numbers]

So the team I'd like to see start would include some "fringe" players, of course this assumes those fringe players get the nod for the squad and assumes Taulupe is fit (Options in Brackets if not)

Halfpenny, North, BECK, S Williams, L Williams, DAVIES, Webb
SMITH, DACEY, Francis, AWJ, Ball, Moriaty (Cracknell), Tipuric, Faletau (Moriaty)

Bench: Owens, Evans, Lee, Charteris, Warburton, G Davies, Biggar?, S Evans

I would actually go Beck, having thought about it and how we want to play, Ive got a feeling he will get in the squad too so id pick him over JD2 at the moment
Ive gone Sam Davies, wouldnt be surprised of course if its the other way around, but I just think Sam playing flatter against the Italians would work.

Ive stuck with Nicky Smith over Rob Evans but again, either or really, they are going to be 1 and 17 either way around
Ive gone Dacey - Baldwin actually came out of the AI better than Owens and Elias has been pushing Owens at The Scarlets, likewise PArry at the Os with Baldwin, for me Dacey gets the nod with Owens impact off the bench.
Ive gone Ball over Charteris although again thats a 50/50
Ive assumed Faletau is fit and have gone with my preferred Back 3 of Moriaty, Tipuric and Faletau - If Faletau is out Id bring Cracknell straight in at 6 even though hes not on my first choice bench. - Id then have Warburton as Back 3 bench cover

On the bench Id have liked Habberfield, but unlikely to get picked so stick with G Davies on the bench over a likely to be in the squad LL Williams
Ive chosen Steff Evans as the replacement with North covering Centre in casae of injuries

I think I'd stick with the Clart over Ball, purely because Ball can give away quite a few penalties and for the Clart's maul defence, I would pick Parry over Dacey (not sure what the lineout success stats are like for either of them tbh but I prefer Parry's all round game), although I suspect Owens will start with Baldwin on the bench. I wouldn't pick Beck to feature at all, he's not as good as Corey Allen imo.

Is Webb fit? Good news if so, Davies is slightly more of an attacking threat but Webb has much better decision making.

[Numbers]

God i hope not. The last few years have been good to us against Italy, but we've played them last and run up points at the time they've usually given up. First up game against Italy is always the best they play all season. We should play our strongest team until the 50 minute mark, then bring on any new blood/inexperienced players.

With Howley in charge I think you're all dreaming that there will be any change from the dross served up last November and indeed the last time he coached us (2013). Putting that last England game aside, we were fecking awful and lucky that everyone else was worse.

A 53 point margin last year and a 41 point margin the previous year, they are the one team we seem to be able to score plenty of tries against so why not try some of the fringe players?

I already said why not. It's the first game, when Italy are traditionally at their best and we're at our worst. It's a tournament where we need to get off to a good start. It's a massive banana skin, and we need to play much better than we did in any game in November to win it, let alone run up those sort of scores.

I think you may be confusing Italy with a half decent rugby team, unless O'Shea has worked wonders/miracles we should win comfortably even with 2-3 changes.

[Sandydragon]

I think the core of the team will be familiar, but there are some positions where we can afford to make changes.

Id definitely start with the Clart - Italy will try to maul us and he is invaluable despite the additional carrying ability of Ball (better off the bench IMO).

The Fail were calling for a backline of Webb, Biggar, Gilles, Scott Williams, Beck, Liam Williams, Halfpenny. I haven't seen Beck play this season much, but JD2 hasn't impressed thus far. I think Id start with North and bring Gilles on mind.

Up front and there aren't too many changes Id make, depending on Faletaus fitness. Tips to start and Moriarty in the Back row for sure. A case for calling Young into the squad or stick with a rusty but experienced Faletau (is Faletau ever rusty?).

[Numbers]

I think the core of the team will be familiar, but there are some positions where we can afford to make changes.

Id definitely start with the Clart - Italy will try to maul us and he is invaluable despite the additional carrying ability of Ball (better off the bench IMO).

The Fail were calling for a backline of Webb, Biggar, Gilles, Scott Williams, Beck, Liam Williams, Halfpenny. I haven't seen Beck play this season much, but JD2 hasn't impressed thus far. I think Id start with North and bring Gilles on mind.

Up front and there aren't too many changes Id make, depending on Faletaus fitness. Tips to start and Moriarty in the Back row for sure. A case for calling Young into the squad or stick with a rusty but experienced Faletau (is Faletau ever rusty?).

I wouldn't be averse to Gilles starting with North at 13, at least North may get a few touches for a change, we don't seem to have anyone who is in top form at OC, pre World Cup and for the first game Allen was looking very sharp, unfortunately he's now behind the two NZ'ers in the pecking order at the Blues.

[Sandydragon]

I think the core of the team will be familiar, but there are some positions where we can afford to make changes.

Id definitely start with the Clart - Italy will try to maul us and he is invaluable despite the additional carrying ability of Ball (better off the bench IMO).

The Fail were calling for a backline of Webb, Biggar, Gilles, Scott Williams, Beck, Liam Williams, Halfpenny. I haven't seen Beck play this season much, but JD2 hasn't impressed thus far. I think Id start with North and bring Gilles on mind.

Up front and there aren't too many changes Id make, depending on Faletaus fitness. Tips to start and Moriarty in the Back row for sure. A case for calling Young into the squad or stick with a rusty but experienced Faletau (is Faletau ever rusty?).

I wouldn't be averse to Gilles starting with North at 13, at least North may get a few touches for a change, we don't seem to have anyone who is in top form at OC, pre World Cup and for the first game Allen was looking very sharp, unfortunately he's now behind the two NZ'ers in the pecking order at the Blues.

Of all the OCs, I'd suggest that John has been the best WQ player, but I'm not sure he is an international centre. Neither is north to be fair, but he will worry the opposition and if he gets some ball on the front foot then he will cause them problems.

[ALunpg]

Interesting to see that Allan and Beck are back in peoples minds. Allan has the track record but not only is he behind the two southern hemisphere players for the Blues, but also on present form ... he is behind Beck .
Now that may be contencious ...but he is not playing enough rugby .. and on match day has not shone.
For me that is very dissapointing as he is a player I really like and hope that he turns that around soon as we need some options .

[joshfishkins]

A 53 point margin last year and a 41 point margin the previous year, they are the one team we seem to be able to score plenty of tries against so why not try some of the fringe players?

I already said why not. It's the first game, when Italy are traditionally at their best and we're at our worst. It's a tournament where we need to get off to a good start. It's a massive banana skin, and we need to play much better than we did in any game in November to win it, let alone run up those sort of scores.

I think you may be confusing Italy with a half decent rugby team, unless O'Shea has worked wonders/miracles we should win comfortably even with 2-3 changes.

Nope, I'm confusing us with being half decent at the moment. As you say, we should beat Italy comfortably. We should also have beaten Japan comfortably. I'm feeling really, really pessimistic about this 6N. I'll probably still put a bet on for us to Grand Slam it though, as I'm a twat like that.

[Sourdust]

I'm feeling really, really pessimistic about this 6N.

Same here. I think we'll do well to come third. We're miles off England and Ireland, and Scotland and France are on upward curves. That seldom means anything for Scotland in the 6N, but still...

All that said, I won't be too worried if we come out of the tournament stronger than we went in; namely, with a settled centre partnership, an improving front-row, genuine half-back options and some sign of a functional passing game. We're unlikely to lose too many players to the Lions so we'll probably be able to send a strong squad to the Pacific Islands, and that tour could be a lot of fun provided they don't just want to smash our heads off.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I'm feeling really, really pessimistic about this 6N.

Same here. I think we'll do well to come third. We're miles off England and Ireland, and Scotland and France are on upward curves. That seldom means anything for Scotland in the 6N, but still...

All that said, I won't be too worried if we come out of the tournament stronger than we went in; namely, with a settled centre partnership, an improving front-row, genuine half-back options and some sign of a functional passing game. We're unlikely to lose too many players to the Lions so we'll probably be able to send a strong squad to the Pacific Islands, and that tour could be a lot of fun provided they don't just want to smash our heads off.

Third is the most likely outcome. We'd need a minor miracle to beat England (unfortunately they're the second match up, so little time for our team to gel). On paper we're miles behind Ireland too, but anything could happen there, we drew in Dublin last year after all. The biggest glimmer of hope is that both of these tough matches are in Cardiff.

Re the centres, I don't see any of Roberts, JD or Scott shining brightly at the moment.

Inside centre is difficult. What we really want is Matavesi! , but I guess of all our options I would choose Scott. Patchell or Sam Davies would probably be effective, but they're concentrating on being 10s, fair enough.

For outside centre we have lots of options. For me Beck and Ben John are the leaders - I'd pick Beck at the moment, but only perhaps because I haven't seen much of John recently.

[Dacre]

Francis wasn't in the Exeter squad for their European Cup game with Ulster - does anyone know why? Injury, Suspension?

[Son of Mathonwy]

I'm feeling really, really pessimistic about this 6N.

Same here. I think we'll do well to come third. We're miles off England and Ireland, and Scotland and France are on upward curves. That seldom means anything for Scotland in the 6N, but still...

All that said, I won't be too worried if we come out of the tournament stronger than we went in; namely, with a settled centre partnership, an improving front-row, genuine half-back options and some sign of a functional passing game. We're unlikely to lose too many players to the Lions so we'll probably be able to send a strong squad to the Pacific Islands, and that tour could be a lot of fun provided they don't just want to smash our heads off.

Third is the most likely outcome. We'd need a minor miracle to beat England (unfortunately they're the second match up, so little time for our team to gel). On paper we're miles behind Ireland too, but anything could happen there, we drew in Dublin last year after all. The biggest glimmer of hope is that both of these tough matches are in Cardiff.

Re the centres, I don't see any of Roberts, JD or Scott shining brightly at the moment.

Inside centre is difficult. What we really want is Matavesi! , but I guess of all our options I would choose Scott. Patchell or Sam Davies would probably be effective, but they're concentrating on being 10s, fair enough.

For outside centre we have lots of options. For me Beck and Ben John are the leaders - I'd pick Beck at the moment, but only perhaps because I haven't seen much of John recently.

Scott Williams certainly put his hand up for the Wales 12 shirt with an excellent MOM performance today. Scarlets unlucky to only get the draw.