So all the conjecture can finally end. The announcement of Wales’ World Cup Squad – comprising of 17 forwards and 14 backs – produced a mix of experience and youth. 15 players have tasted the World Cup environment before, with Gethin Jenkins set to enter his fourth competition.
There were some surprises. Alex Cuthbert, who has endured a pretty torrid year, made the cut, whilst Eli Walker, who impressed during the first Summer International was unlucky not to. Cory Allen who hasn’t really had the chance to impress recently, also got into the squad as one of only three centres.
In the forwards, there was no place for Ross Moriarty and there were only two hookers named in Scott Baldwin and Ken Owens. The other surprise was the selection of Dominic Day in the second row, one of five.
All round, the squad can probably be described as a mixed bag. Five second rows seem to be a little heavy, but Warren Gatland expressed his concern over the injuries to Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris and the fact that Bradley Davis has only just recovered from his shoulder injury. Covering those who aren’t fully fit seems to be his motivation there.
To sum up then, Gatland said, “I think we have got a nice balance of old heads who give us experience and youngsters who have come through. There’s also a nice balance in there at the moment between the physicality we can bring, which we demonstrated against Ireland at the weekend, and hopefully some skill.”
That’s the key I think. Wales have developed a physical approach which in the Six Nations environment has brought them some success. However, against the Southern Hemisphere Nations, that approach just hasn’t been enough. Combining that physicality, with some more “heads up” rugby will be the key to the success of this team in September.
There’s one more game to go against Italy, in which it’s possible those players who have missed out on selection may well play. Then it’s on the main event. Everyone has an opinion it seems on Wales’ chances, but it’s surely almost impossible to call.
Props: Tomas Francis (1 Cap) Paul James (61 Caps) Aaron Jarvis (12 Caps) Gethin Jenkins (115 Caps) Samson Lee (12 Caps) Hookers: Scott Baldwin (10 Caps) Ken Owens (28 Caps) Second Rows: Jake Ball (13 Caps) Luke Charteris (56 Caps) Bradley Davies (46 Caps) Dominic Day (1 Cap) Alun Wyn Jones (90 Caps) Back Row: Taulupe Faleatu (47 Caps) James King (5 Caps) Dan Lydiate (47 Caps) Justin Tipuric (33 Caps) Sam Warburton (54 Caps) (CAPTAIN) Scrum Halves: Gareth Davies (3 Caps) Rhys Webb (15 Caps) Lloyd Williams (19 Caps) Fly Halves: Dan Biggar (34 Caps) Rhys Priestland (28 Caps) Centres: Cory Allen (2 Caps) Jamie Roberts (70 Caps) Scott Williams (31 Caps) Outside Backs: Hallam Amos (3 Caps) Alex Cuthbert (34 Caps) Leigh Halfpenny (61 Caps) Matthew Morgan (2 Caps) George North (50 Caps) Liam Williams (23 Caps)
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