Autumn Internationals Squad

[wayneha50]

Forwards: Nicky Smith, Rob Evans, Wyn Jones; Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Leon Brown; Kristian Dacey, Ken Owens, Elliot Dee; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Seb Davies, Adam Beard, Cory Hill; Justin Tipuric, Sam Cross, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi.

Backs: Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Aled Davies; Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Rhys Priestland, Owen Williams; Hadleigh Parkes, Owen Watkin, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan; Alex Cuthbert, Steffan Evans, Hallam Amos; Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny.

[Numbers]

It seems to have been picked on form for a change, I'm suprised there's no Scott Williams tho, maybe making way for Parkes to get capped.

[Sandydragon]

It seems to have been picked on form for a change, I'm suprised there's no Scott Williams tho, maybe making way for Parkes to get capped.

Definitely, although I'd also suggest that Parkes has been the more consistent of the 2. I did think that Owen Watkin might be the one to miss out, but its good to see him get an opportunity.

Cuthbert in the squad - I wonder if North hadn't been injured who would not have made the cut? Hopefully Stef Evans will get meaningful game time.

[Numbers]

It seems to have been picked on form for a change, I'm suprised there's no Scott Williams tho, maybe making way for Parkes to get capped.

Definitely, although I'd also suggest that Parkes has been the more consistent of the 2. I did think that Owen Watkin might be the one to miss out, but its good to see him get an opportunity.

Cuthbert in the squad - I wonder if North hadn't been injured who would not have made the cut? Hopefully Stef Evans will get meaningful game time.

Probably the only really poor selection but there's not much depth on the wing and a few are injured, I'd have preferred Corey Allen. I would have also had Boyde in over Cross but all in all I'm quite pleased with the selection, plenty of young players and Owen Williams looks like he's being considered at 12 so that should be interesting.

[ALunpg]

There is some good changes..seems like Charteris and Roberts are out of favour .I am not surprised by the selection of Cuthbert with so many new options hwith wants someone he knows....hopefully there will be plenty chances for Evans to shine.

I am still not convinced by Owen Williams form he didn't really impress in the recent Gloucester games in Europe.
He is skilled but a few brain farts.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Cuthbert, again. I give up. Giles or Hewitt should have had that slot.

A bit surprised that Morgan and Watkin got the nod ahead of Scott Williams, even if Scott's form hasn't been spectacular this season.

A shame for Sam Davies but difficult to shine with the Ospreys in such disarray. Not that that stopped Watkin and Cross getting picked despite very little game time.

Good to see Shingler getting another chance. Surprised Charteris missed out, has his form slipped, or is this just a clear out of an aging player?

All in all, an interesting squad, with a number of new players getting a chance. We'll see who actually gets in the team... please tell me not Cuthbert, not even for Georgia.

[ALunpg]

Cuthbert, again. I give up. Giles or Hewitt should have had that slot.

A bit surprised that Morgan and Watkin got the nod ahead of Scott Williams, even if Scott's form hasn't been spectacular this season.

A shame for Sam Davies but difficult to shine with the Ospreys in such disarray. Not that that stopped Watkin and Cross getting picked despite very little game time.

Good to see Shingler getting another chance. Surprised Charteris missed out, has his form slipped, or is this just a clear out of an aging player?

All in all, an interesting squad, with a number of new players getting a chance. We'll see who actually gets in the team... please tell me not Cuthbert, not even for Georgia.

Your may be right about age ...but it will be up to the new lads to sort out the lineout which at times can become an issue.

It is not a suprise that Cuthbert is in but the others will hopefully get a chance against Aussie first. I agree that as has been put forward if North was fit Cuthbert may have lost the spot...Giles will not get another sniff until his form improves again...and I think Hewitt may have got another knock but not sure they would have popped for him anyways.

[Sandydragon]

Still feel that this is a positive squad. However, I have a note of caution given recent track record of Welsh management; will any of those in form players who haven't been part of the recent set up get meaningful game time? If Gatland does try out a few new players who have been in good form, then there is time for them to bed in before the next RWC. If they are there to hold tackle bags then this is a real opportunity lost.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Cuthbert, again. I give up. Giles or Hewitt should have had that slot.

A bit surprised that Morgan and Watkin got the nod ahead of Scott Williams, even if Scott's form hasn't been spectacular this season.

A shame for Sam Davies but difficult to shine with the Ospreys in such disarray. Not that that stopped Watkin and Cross getting picked despite very little game time.

Good to see Shingler getting another chance. Surprised Charteris missed out, has his form slipped, or is this just a clear out of an aging player?

All in all, an interesting squad, with a number of new players getting a chance. We'll see who actually gets in the team... please tell me not Cuthbert, not even for Georgia.

Your may be right about age ...but it will be up to the new lads to sort out the lineout which at times can become an issue.

It is not a suprise that Cuthbert is in but the others will hopefully get a chance against Aussie first. I agree that as has been put forward if North was fit Cuthbert may have lost the spot...Giles will not get another sniff until his form improves again...and I think Hewitt may have got another knock but not sure they would have popped for him anyways.

You may say Giles's form needs to improve, but he's scored 2 tries in 6 games this season, compared with 1 try from 7 games for Cuthbert. But I guess Cuthbert's form has been irrelevant to his selection for several years now.

[ALunpg]

Cuthbert, again. I give up. Giles or Hewitt should have had that slot.

A bit surprised that Morgan and Watkin got the nod ahead of Scott Williams, even if Scott's form hasn't been spectacular this season.

A shame for Sam Davies but difficult to shine with the Ospreys in such disarray. Not that that stopped Watkin and Cross getting picked despite very little game time.

Good to see Shingler getting another chance. Surprised Charteris missed out, has his form slipped, or is this just a clear out of an aging player?

All in all, an interesting squad, with a number of new players getting a chance. We'll see who actually gets in the team... please tell me not Cuthbert, not even for Georgia.

Your may be right about age ...but it will be up to the new lads to sort out the lineout which at times can become an issue.

It is not a suprise that Cuthbert is in but the others will hopefully get a chance against Aussie first. I agree that as has been put forward if North was fit Cuthbert may have lost the spot...Giles will not get another sniff until his form improves again...and I think Hewitt may have got another knock but not sure they would have popped for him anyways.

You may say Giles's form needs to improve, but he's scored 2 tries in 6 games this season, compared with 1 try from 7 games for Cuthbert. But I guess Cuthbert's form has been irrelevant to his selection for several years now.

Cuthberts selection is not my optional choice its just not a suprise. And as I said if North was fit Cuthbert would not be there and I would have no argument with any of the selections.
Giles is unfortunate not to be on the radar ... more time to develop and playing more matches will do him no harm but another set of autumn international season warming the bench would not help.
I think he has suffered like Davies, that the Ospreys have been overwhelmingly poor and this has impacted on both of them.

[MrK]

Echo most of the points already raised - Id be interested to see (if as I do) they see potential in Patchell at 12...could be his ideal position

From that Id go

Halfpenny, Evans, JD, Patchell/Watkins, WIlliams, Biggar, Webb
Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, Ball, Shingler, Tipuric, Faletau

B: Dacey, W Jones, L Brown, S Davies, Navidi, G Davies, Patchell/Watkins, Amos

[Numbers]

Echo most of the points already raised - Id be interested to see (if as I do) they see potential in Patchell at 12...could be his ideal position

From that Id go

Halfpenny, Evans, JD, Patchell/Watkins, WIlliams, Biggar, Webb
Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, Ball, Shingler, Tipuric, Faletau

B: Dacey, W Jones, L Brown, S Davies, Navidi, G Davies, Patchell/Watkins, Amos

I'd like to see Patchell at 12 as well, I'd probably only change Nicky Smith to the bench instead of Wyn Jones as I see him as a better impact player with his mobility and perhaps Elliot Dee instead of Dacey tho they are much of a muchness, I'd also like to see Aled Davies given a go from the bench as his passing is sharper than the other options we have and that could suit towards the later stages of the game.

Having said that I wouldn't be too bothered as long as they all get a crack at some point over the four games.

[ALunpg]

I like the idea of Rhys Patchell as a sub for 10 or 12 and is a good option but Watkin should get the start as at least he has some experience playing outside Biggar.

I also really want to see Preistland getting a start or possibly on the bench somehow during these matches. If he can replicate his present form ...he will be difficult to ignore as he really got the backs moving in a way that we have not replicated with any 10 since.

[Which Tyler]

Do you guys think that Gat.s is going to be particularly keen to get Biggar and Priestland up to their 60 cap mark?
He's surely not going to be happy if he selects his RWC squad, and isn't able to pick soeone he wants because they're stuck in the mid-50s.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Do you guys think that Gat.s is going to be particularly keen to get Biggar and Priestland up to their 60 cap mark?
He's surely not going to be happy if he selects his RWC squad, and isn't able to pick soeone he wants because they're stuck in the mid-50s.

Interesting point...
Biggar's so close (4 needed), it should happen unless he gets horribly injured in the AIs. I guess it's an incentive for Gatland to give him game time in each of the AIs.
Priestland needs another 12 caps, which I think means he'd have to play every Welsh match this season including a three test summer tour (assuming that's happening). So a tall order.

[Mikey Brown]

DId Gats not come up with this idea himself? It would seem a bit backwards if he then had to select certain players just to get around it.

[ALunpg]

From my understanding Preistland is not captured until he signs a new non Welsh regional contract under the revised senior players selection policy .

"For clarity, as of Monday 16th October current playing contracts will be respected and fall outside the parameters of the new policy - beyond this the only exceptions are players who hold 60 caps or more and uncapped players currently playing outside of Wales."

[Which Tyler]

"For clarity, as of Monday 16th October current playing contracts will be respected and fall outside the parameters of the new policy - beyond this the only exceptions are players who hold 60 caps or more and uncapped players currently playing outside of Wales."

Thank you - I didn't know that bit - though it was just 60+ caps as of September 2018 - makes much more sense.
Presumably that also means that Rhys Webb will also be exempt for the duration of this contract with Toulon (given that Webb's announcement came before the WRUs)

[ALunpg]

I had been thinking that would be an interesting challenge
But it will be a sort of hard luck as you would have missed out under the previous version as according to Gatland, Webb would have been caught within the 2 player rule for 2019 season although I thought it was 4 ...shows what I know lol.

Also from what has been said by Gatland...he had little input into the mechanism except he wanted it reduced from 70 caps to sixty. The WRU and the regions formulated this as they did the previous version.

[Son of Mathonwy]

"For clarity, as of Monday 16th October current playing contracts will be respected and fall outside the parameters of the new policy - beyond this the only exceptions are players who hold 60 caps or more and uncapped players currently playing outside of Wales."

Thank you - I didn't know that bit - though it was just 60+ caps as of September 2018 - makes much more sense.
Presumably that also means that Rhys Webb will also be exempt for the duration of this contract with Toulon (given that Webb's announcement came before the WRUs)

Apparently not though, which is what is so unfair (and a little crazy): it will apply to any contact that has yet to begin.

Biggar would be in the same place as Webb were he not so close to 60 caps.

[ALunpg]

Scott Williams gets a recall to the sqaud after Tyler Morgan pulls out.
Morgan does not have much positive luck..and hopefully it is short term but a chance for Williams to rekindle his chances of a birth in the team.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Scott Williams gets a recall to the sqaud after Tyler Morgan pulls out.
Morgan does not have much positive luck..and hopefully it is short term but a chance for Williams to rekindle his chances of a birth in the team.

I was surprised that Morgan was preferred to Williams in the first place. But now Gatland is looking for a "playmaker" maybe that's neither of them.

[Sandydragon]

Scott Williams gets a recall to the sqaud after Tyler Morgan pulls out.
Morgan does not have much positive luck..and hopefully it is short term but a chance for Williams to rekindle his chances of a birth in the team.

I was surprised that Morgan was preferred to Williams in the first place. But now Gatland is looking for a "playmaker" maybe that's neither of them.

ThevFail thinks that Owen Williams will be the starting IC. Could also be Patchell.

[kk67]

Scott Williams gets a recall to the sqaud after Tyler Morgan pulls out.
Morgan does not have much positive luck..and hopefully it is short term but a chance for Williams to rekindle his chances of a birth in the team.

I was surprised that Morgan was preferred to Williams in the first place. But now Gatland is looking for a "playmaker" maybe that's neither of them.

ThevFail thinks that Owen Williams will be the starting IC. Could also be Patchell.

Poor Patch,......forced into the Farrell situation.

[ALunpg]

Scott Williams gets a recall to the sqaud after Tyler Morgan pulls out.
Morgan does not have much positive luck..and hopefully it is short term but a chance for Williams to rekindle his chances of a birth in the team.

I was surprised that Morgan was preferred to Williams in the first place. But now Gatland is looking for a "playmaker" maybe that's neither of them.

ThevFail thinks that Owen Williams will be the starting IC. Could also be Patchell.

Yep..they seem to be following on from the hints given in some of the journalistic reports....but I still have a few concerns on Owens defence.That said he has played a few more matches at a regular level at centre more than Biggar, Patchell or Preistland.

I think that possibly Scott Williams could be used at 13 to give Foxy a rest against Georgia instead of Morgan.
I did not see Morgan getting a shot at 12 as he normally plays at 13.