The 6 Nations Squad

[Sandydragon]

Scott Andrews
Nicky Smith
Rob Evans
Rhodri Jones
Tomos Francis
Samson Lee
Kristian Dacey
Ken Owens
Scott Baldwin
Jake Ball
Alun Wyn Jones (Captain)
Rory Thornton
Luke Charteris
Cory Hill
James King
Justin Tipuric
Olly Cracknell
Ross Moriarty
Taulupe Faletau
Sam Warburton
Thomas Young
Gareth Davies
Rhys Davies
Aled Davies
Dan Biggar
Sam Davies
Owen Williams
Jamie Roberts
Jonathan Davies
Scott Williams
Ashton Hewitt
Alex Cuthbert
Steffan Evans
George North
Liam Williams
Leigh Halfpenny

Some in form players in there alongside the old guard. I hope they get a chance are we don't hear the old excuse of so and so being better in training as a rationale for sticking with what we know. Bit of a shame for Gilles getting injured at the worst possible time, but pleased to see Owen Williams and Thomas Young in the mix.

[Numbers]

Scott Andrews
Nicky Smith
Rob Evans
Rhodri Jones
Tomos Francis
Samson Lee
Kristian Dacey
Ken Owens
Scott Baldwin
Jake Ball
Alun Wyn Jones (Captain)
Rory Thornton
Luke Charteris
Cory Hill
James King
Justin Tipuric
Olly Cracknell
Ross Moriarty
Taulupe Faletau
Sam Warburton
Thomas Young
Gareth Davies
Rhys Webb
Aled Davies
Dan Biggar
Sam Davies
Owen Williams
Jamie Roberts
Jonathan Davies
Scott Williams
Ashton Hewitt
Alex Cuthbert
Steffan Evans
George North
Liam Williams
Leigh Halfpenny

Some in form players in there alongside the old guard. I hope they get a chance are we don't hear the old excuse of so and so being better in training as a rationale for sticking with what we know. Bit of a shame for Gilles getting injured at the worst possible time, but pleased to see Owen Williams and Thomas Young in the mix.

Slight correction

I'm quite pleased with that squad, good to see Hewitt getting a chance ditto Steff Evans and the players you mentioned, I'm not sure how Cuthbert has retained his place but other than that it's a good squad.

[MrK]

Yep - Im quite please too - Rhodri Jones must have been picked as back up LH which is odd given he hasnt played there for ages and Gill/ Wyn Jones have been playing regularly. - still barring injury to Evans/Smith he aint going to trouble the 23

Really pleased for Cracknell as he has looke the business, although I havent seen him play other than highlights, really pleased for Young too.

Glad that LLoyd Williams has been overlooked but would have preferred Habberfield

Glad that Owen Williams has been included - I hope he gets himself fit and available as he could be our answer at 12 - lets see

Cuthbert is a "meh" choice - given Hewitt and Evans selcetion they were always going to go with some experience, I think it unlikely we will see him play.

Im as happy as I could be other than no Beck

[Mikey Brown]

The Beeb article list Roberts, North and Faletau as your 'wildcards' but Young and Moriarty are (as they should be) in there? Does it only apply to the match-day team?

[MrK]

The Beeb article list Roberts, North and Faletau as your 'wildcards' but Young and Moriarty are (as they should be) in there? Does it only apply to the match-day team?

Its the vagaries of the daft rule - because they left before the rule or havent been offered Regional deals they dont fall under the rule - ditto Clart, Francis, O Williams and probably more...its a stupid rule.

[Mikey Brown]

The Beeb article list Roberts, North and Faletau as your 'wildcards' but Young and Moriarty are (as they should be) in there? Does it only apply to the match-day team?

Its the vagaries of the daft rule - because they left before the rule or havent been offered Regional deals they dont fall under the rule - ditto Clart, Francis, O Williams and probably more...its a stupid rule.

Interesting, if slightly arbitrary, hadn't realised that. So if Warburton (for example) can get Cardiff to make rubbish, unfeasible offers to Moriarty and Young he could wipe out some of his competition.

[Numbers]

The Beeb article list Roberts, North and Faletau as your 'wildcards' but Young and Moriarty are (as they should be) in there? Does it only apply to the match-day team?

Its the vagaries of the daft rule - because they left before the rule or havent been offered Regional deals they dont fall under the rule - ditto Clart, Francis, O Williams and probably more...its a stupid rule.

Interesting, if slightly arbitrary, hadn't realised that. So if Warburton (for example) can get Cardiff to make rubbish, unfeasible offers to Moriarty and Young he could wipe out some of his competition.

If the offer is deemed below market value then that doesn't count.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh wow, so someone has already had that idiotic thought.

[Mikey Brown]

Hang on, no Patchell? Is that justified? He just looks class on the ball, even if he can't pick a position.

[Numbers]

Hang on, no Patchell? Is that justified? He just looks class on the ball, even if he can't pick a position.

He's injured.

[Sandydragon]

Follow on thoughts:
Only 3 centres? Or is North seen as a genuine option in the event of injury? Bit of a shame for Beck.

Cuthbert! He is experienced, at least in the number of caps he has. Beyond that, meh. Id rather take my chances with a younger player.

I think Warburton is lucky to be in the squad. Whether he will make the match day squad will be interesting. If Faletau is fit then he will be doing very well to start.

A big opportunity for some of the exile players who have been doing well of late. I only hope they get a fair crack of the whip.

[Numbers]

So Alex King is the backs/attack coach, I take it Matt Sherratt was deemed to be cr@p then.

[Numbers]

Follow on thoughts:
Only 3 centres? Or is North seen as a genuine option in the event of injury? Bit of a shame for Beck.

Cuthbert! He is experienced, at least in the number of caps he has. Beyond that, meh. Id rather take my chances with a younger player.

I think Warburton is lucky to be in the squad. Whether he will make the match day squad will be interesting. If Faletau is fit then he will be doing very well to start.

A big opportunity for some of the exile players who have been doing well of late. I only hope they get a fair crack of the whip.

Owen Williams mun.

I think Warburton may start to shine, or at least I am hoping we can see some improvement, he is a world class player when firing, but as you say if he doesn't improve he won't start.

[Sandydragon]

Follow on thoughts:
Only 3 centres? Or is North seen as a genuine option in the event of injury? Bit of a shame for Beck.

Cuthbert! He is experienced, at least in the number of caps he has. Beyond that, meh. Id rather take my chances with a younger player.

I think Warburton is lucky to be in the squad. Whether he will make the match day squad will be interesting. If Faletau is fit then he will be doing very well to start.

A big opportunity for some of the exile players who have been doing well of late. I only hope they get a fair crack of the whip.

Owen Williams mun.

I think Warburton may start to shine, or at least I am hoping we can see some improvement, he is a world class player when firing, but as you say if he doesn't improve he won't start.

Good point, Id forgotten that he has played there.

[kk67]

Hang on, no Patchell? Is that justified? He just looks class on the ball, even if he can't pick a position.

Cardiff couldn't pick him a position. He's been scoring a lot of points at 10, one way or another, before the injury.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Some positive stuff there - particularly the inclusion of Owen Williams, a total surprise. I wonder if we'll see much of him, and if so will he spend any time at 12... that would be interesting.

Also good to see Cracknell, Hewitt and Steff Evans getting recognised. Giles's exclusion is mysterious... we don't know enough about his injury to judge. Surprised Howley didn't keep a position available until more was known.

No Beck (or Ben John for that matter) is a pity, and strange. Surely JD2 is not the form 13 in Wales??

And then Cuthbert. What earthly reason does Howley have for picking him? Regional form? Wales form? It makes no sense to me. There's a whole list of Welsh wingers/full backs who should have been picked ahead of him... Giles (in case he recovers before the end of the 6N), Steffan Hughes, Dirksen, Dan Evans, Dafydd Howells, Tom Prydie. Even Ben John I reckon is in better form on the wing than Cuthbert. Just strange... a total waste of a squad spot (at best).

[ALunpg]

I would not agree with every choice... but...the only one I am really confused with is Alex Cuthbert...
I am not a Cuthbert detractor ...but... the guy is not in form and has not been for at least two seasons.
So hear is my only guess as to why...he is experienced at this level and if during the campaign there is a lot of injuries ot would be easier to drop him in than anyone else.
Yes I know this is not a good thing... but honestly...If there is a better reason..then I am stumped.

[Sandydragon]

It's bad when I feel sorry for a player who has been selected to represent his country, but that's my current thoughts about cuthbert. It would do him good to rediscover form away from the limelight.

[Numbers]

It's bad when I feel sorry for a player who has been selected to represent his country, but that's my current thoughts about cuthbert. It would do him good to rediscover form away from the limelight.

If he could rediscover his form from the SA tour a few years back then I would have him in ahead of Liam Williams, unfortunately his confidence seems to be shot and there is no sign of it returning.