Wales build towards the world cup
Come the 31 August, Warren Gatland will have to trim the squad to his final World Cup number of 31, after they have played a build of internationals versus Ireland home and away, and Italy. The question on all Welsh fans lips is who is going to make that final squad?
The 47 man Wales squad has returned from 2 weeks in Switzerland, training in the mountains under intense heat. Shortly they are off to Qatar as they prepare for a tilt at the World Cup. Come the 31 August, Warren Gatland will have to trim the squad to his final World Cup number of 31, after they have played a build of internationals versus Ireland home and away, and Italy. The question on all Welsh fans lips is who is going to make that final squad?
Barring injuries, some names are guaranteed slots, players such as Halfpenny, North, Roberts, Biggar, Webb, Jenkins, Hibbard, Baldwin, Lee, Wyn-Jones, Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau, however there are some who are on the cusp. Some of those players are experienced internationals, so it will be interesting to see how the training camps go, as well as the upcoming internationals.
There has been some talk that Wales may have a match between the players at the training camp as they did in the build up to the 2007 World Cup; personally I would be surprised if they did this as an arranged match, especially with 3 upcoming internationals. It should be playing in those games and working hard in training that puts your hands up for a spot.
In my opinion, the big decisions need to be made in the following areas:
If Liam Williams is not fit, then who comes in to take his spot? Williams has been outstanding for Wales, on the wing and in his best position of full back. If he fails to recover from his foot injury, then Wales need to look at who will cover wing/full back; they could opt for Hallam Amos from Newport Gwent Dragons who can play both positions, but he is young and untested. If they use Amos as a full back and free up possibly a wing position, Eli Walker may come into the equation. Wales may decide that with Anscombe and Hook in the squad that they have adequate cover at full back anyway, or may look outside of the training squad if Liam Williams does not make it and look for a player who is an out and out full back. If so, then Dan Evans of the Ospreys may come into the mix, and there is also the precocious talent of Matthew Morgan of Bristol to consider.
At outside centre and with Jonathan Davies definitely out, Scott Williams would be an able replacement, and is more than likely to wear the 13 shirt. However, Williams himself has said he prefers playing inside centre, which is a locked in certainty on Jamie Roberts. Outside of those two, then who else covers centre? Cory Allen of the Cardiff Blues is in the squad, but had a disappointing season with his region. Tyler Morgan of Newport Gwent Dragons is an excellent talent and is highly rated. He has been rewarded with a dual contract, but is very young and unproven. Is there an option to have George North at 13? He has the football skills and is a real force with ball in hand, but defensively can be found out on the wing, so at centre could be found out even more so.
Scrum half position will be taken by Rhys Webb who had an outstanding season this last season, however his back up is wide open. Mike Phillips is a proven international, and has the experience, however he has shown signs in recent years of not having the impact he has had previously. The others in the camp are Gareth Davies of the Scarlets, who has had an injury ridden season, and Lloyd Williams of the Cardiff Blues, who in the last few months of the season started to look like the player who a few years ago was really pushing Mike Phillips for the 9 jersey for Wales. Promises to be an interesting battle.
Final selection headache as I see it is in the back row. No doubt the British Lions unit of 2013, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau and Sam Warburton will be in the squad, as will Justin Tipuric, which then leaves potentially one position left to fill in the back row group. This could be a real battle, with Dan Baker of the Ospreys, Ross Moriarty of Gloucester and James King of the Ospreys fighting for the space. Baker and Moriarty are big strong ball carriers who can provide cover for Faletau at the 8 position, and Moriarty can cover 6 which may aid his case, however, James King can play 6 as well as covering lock positions. So again, Welsh coaching staff may want King to give that cover in second row who has also played 7 for Wales, against Japan 2 years ago, so very versatile player.
Promises to be a very interesting battle over the coming month and a half, and great viewing.
Filed under:
Rugby World Cup, Wales
Written by: Craig Muncey
Follow: @CraigMuncey · @therugbymag
