AWJ & Tipuric retire

[pompey-zebra]

From international rugby at least, but will continue to play for the ospreys.

Just announced on bbc sport.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wow. Bizarre timing, just before the World Cup. Wales will manage due to incredible depth at 7 but it's still a big loss.

Brilliant player, stepping back while at the top of his game.

[Puja]

That is wild timing - you'd've thought, even if he was struggling, an imminent RWC would've held sufficient allure to keep going for 4 more months.

Personality conflict with someone in the Welsh setup perhaps? Seems unlikely - not as though he doesn't know Gatland well.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

Wow, did not see that coming and the timing is a bit odd. I can only assume he’s had enough.


But he’s been a great servant for Wales and I can only wish him all the best for the future.

[pompey-zebra]

Yes, real surprise this. Especially as he's still going to play regional rugby. If he'd got a big contract overseas, or retired full stop it might make more sense.
But still, fair play to him, great servant to Welsh rugby, and deserves to go out as he wants to.

[Mikey Brown]

And now AWJ? Or have I been suckered by a joke?

[pompey-zebra]

Nope, its on bbc sport too about AWJ. What the hell's going on?

[Mikey Brown]

Is Wales going in to administration?

[Mikey Brown]

Can Scotland have your pool spot please?

[pompey-zebra]

Can Scotland have your pool spot please?

[Ross. S]

Heartbreaking day. 2 of my all time favourites. Just a wild guess but maybe they've been told they dont figure in Gatland's future plans so are leaving on their terms rather than having the Adam Jones and Martin Williams treatment of not getting picked.

[UKHamlet]

Is this the management giving them a chance to make a graceful exit? I can think of no other reason for the co-ordinated declaration.

Tipuric and "Monkey Boy" have put in amazing shifts for Wales. Tips was one of the most naturally talented players I've seen, and AWJ one of the most determined. Both will be missed enormously.

[Puja]

If it's driven by the management saying they're not going to make the RWC squad, then why name them in the preliminary training squad in the first place?

Puja

[UKHamlet]

If it's driven by the management saying they're not going to make the RWC squad, then why name them in the preliminary training squad in the first place?

Puja

A chance to make the final cut, which they failed to do?

[UKHamlet]

I just saw this amazing stat on Twitter ...

AWJ played in 20% of Wales Tests (1881-2023)

[Puja]

If it's driven by the management saying they're not going to make the RWC squad, then why name them in the preliminary training squad in the first place?

Puja

A chance to make the final cut, which they failed to do?

Maybe. Seems strange that any decisions were being made this far out though - has there even been any training sessions yet?

Puja

[Wallpaperman]

Oof. Gutted. Brilliant players both.

Thought that AWJ would struggle to make the squad, but I fancied Tipuric as the starting 7.

Thanks for everything both.

[Sourdust]

Fully expected... in December. Feels very strange. I can only speculate similarly to what has gone before. They must surely have been given a flat "no chance", which would be bold in the extreme.

[Sandydragon]

Nope, its on bbc sport too about AWJ. What the hell's going on?

Bloody hell. I was expecting that announcement after the RWC.

Another great servant retires. I think the description 'legend' is thoroughly justified.

[Sandydragon]

Heartbreaking day. 2 of my all time favourites. Just a wild guess but maybe they've been told they dont figure in Gatland's future plans so are leaving on their terms rather than having the Adam Jones and Martin Williams treatment of not getting picked.

That's the only explanation that makes sense. To be fair, AWJ has been struggling to keep his place, particularly with a few other test level locks now available such as Hill and Rowlands for Gatland to pick. A great leader for sure, but that only gets him so far and he would only ever be playing for 40 minutes you fancy.

Tips was probably more sure of his place, at least somewhere in the BR, if for no other reason than his line out ability. New players like Morgan and Refill, plus Basham are making strong cases. A huge call by Gatland (assuming this was him telling Tips his time was up) but its not an illogical one given the strength we have at open side.

And I'm glad that they have the opportunity to do this without getting dropped and then quitting. AWJ in particular didn't deserve that.

[Sandydragon]

Fully expected... in December. Feels very strange. I can only speculate similarly to what has gone before. They must surely have been given a flat "no chance", which would be bold in the extreme.

Or this is set up for a fairytale finish where, after a storming run into the finals, AWJ and Tips are recalled due to injuries along the way and help us win the world cup.

Probably not worth a speculative fiver mind.

[Puja]

I just saw this amazing stat on Twitter ...

AWJ played in 20% of Wales Tests (1881-2023)

That is frankly ridiculous.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

I just saw this amazing stat on Twitter ...

AWJ played in 20% of Wales Tests (1881-2023)

That is frankly ridiculous.

Puja

Demonstrates how much the international game has exploded in the last few decades. How many players got 100 caps pre professionalism?

Just had a quick look and only Sella and Campese made it to 100 caps pre professionalism.

[Sandydragon]

The Scrum V podcast has questioned whether this is the end of the retirements of the 30 something players or if more might follow. Some speculation elsewhere on social media about Dan Biggar, and if any of our veterans aren’t selected then it wouldn’t surprise me if they just called it a day.

[pompey-zebra]

There could be something in that, Sandy. Many thought the last world cup would be a swansong for many of our old guard, so this one would surely be the last hurrah. If they dont play in that, then is it worth them flogging themselves for a shot at just maybe one more 6n? They've achieved so much over the past decade or so, and there'll be a point when the body and mind will say enough's enough.