Planet Rugby Forum

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:Club rugby chat

What the fudge? This table is all crazy n shit

Can you expand? Or are you just surprised at how pants Newport are?

Newport, Swansea, Cardiff all at the wrong end of the table Quins and Llandovery up the top end. Bit of a pity about Tonmawr. If someone had shown you that table at the beginning of the season don't tell me you wouldn't have been surprised.

JAT wrote:Good to see Bridgend bouncing back well though.

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:Good to see Bridgend bouncing back well though.

Good to see Llandovery do well too. Its a bit of a weird season though because theres no relegation, everyone's already been told who is going down and who is staying up - although because this is Wales, it'll probably change again before the end of the season.

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:Good to see Bridgend bouncing back well though.

Good to see Llandovery do well too. Its a bit of a weird season though because theres no relegation, everyone's already been told who is going down and who is staying up - although because this is Wales, it'll probably change again before the end of the season.

What do you think of the WRUs plans for the Premiership?

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:Good to see Bridgend bouncing back well though.

Good to see Llandovery do well too. Its a bit of a weird season though because theres no relegation, everyone's already been told who is going down and who is staying up - although because this is Wales, it'll probably change again before the end of the season.

What do you think of the WRUs plans for the Premiership?

Fair enough in principle but inevitable that in practice there'd be irate men in blazers dragging it out.

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:Good to see Bridgend bouncing back well though.

Good to see Llandovery do well too. Its a bit of a weird season though because theres no relegation, everyone's already been told who is going down and who is staying up - although because this is Wales, it'll probably change again before the end of the season.

What do you think of the WRUs plans for the Premiership?

Fair enough in principle but inevitable that in practice there'd be irate men in blazers dragging it out.

they should bring back the heady days of the Merit table. Ah those were the days South Wales Police giving people a kicking on the pitch and not just off it. Everyone getting two wins a year thanks to Penarth.

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

JAT wrote:Good to see Bridgend bouncing back well though.

Good to see Llandovery do well too. Its a bit of a weird season though because theres no relegation, everyone's already been told who is going down and who is staying up - although because this is Wales, it'll probably change again before the end of the season.

What do you think of the WRUs plans for the Premiership?

Fair enough in principle but inevitable that in practice there'd be irate men in blazers dragging it out.

they should bring back the heady days of the Merit table. Ah those were the days South Wales Police giving people a kicking on the pitch and not just off it. Everyone getting two wins a year thanks to Penarth.

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:

roughneck wrote:The Carmarthenshire clubs are doing well this year.

Not sure why they haven't used Carmarthen Quins' logo there.

Thats a point, they're not using Pontypool's either. Conspiracy theories have been built on less.

Glanmor'sGhost wrote:Actually not that surprising. Those three sides take on a lot of the regional academy players, which isn't the advantage you'd think it might be. It means they have to chop and change from week to week.

muffstuffa wrote:Chateris called up. Rees in contention. Roberts looks likely to be out. I would have rested Roberts even if he had been fit, anyway

henry wrote:

muffstuffa wrote:Chateris called up. Rees in contention. Roberts looks likely to be out. I would have rested Roberts even if he had been fit, anyway

Interesting selection dilemma for Gatland if Charteris is fit.

Ian Evans has done well, Ryan Jones has been immense and AWJ was alright. Where would Charteris fit in? Who's going to miss out?

Frankie Lodge wrote:

henry wrote:

muffstuffa wrote:Chateris called up. Rees in contention. Roberts looks likely to be out. I would have rested Roberts even if he had been fit, anyway

Interesting selection dilemma for Gatland if Charteris is fit.

Ian Evans has done well, Ryan Jones has been immense and AWJ was alright. Where would Charteris fit in? Who's going to miss out?

On form, Ryan Jones is the first choice with a toss up between Two Dad's and Clarteris.

Jeff the Bear wrote:

Frankie Lodge wrote:

henry wrote:

muffstuffa wrote:Chateris called up. Rees in contention. Roberts looks likely to be out. I would have rested Roberts even if he had been fit, anyway

Interesting selection dilemma for Gatland if Charteris is fit.

Ian Evans has done well, Ryan Jones has been immense and AWJ was alright. Where would Charteris fit in? Who's going to miss out?

On form, Ryan Jones is the first choice with a toss up between Two Dad's and Clarteris.

Do you reckon. Personally I don' see how Charteris can force himself back in. Evans has varied from competent to quite good all tournament. Ryan Jones has been immense whenever called upon, and AWJ has two weeks on Charteris.

Personally I'd go for the same locks as against England.

muffstuffa wrote:R Jones downfall is he can play in a number of positions.

roughneck wrote:

muffstuffa wrote:R Jones downfall is he can play in a number of positions.

Aye, I wouldn't have him starting at lock.

He should either cover 4,5,6,8 with Tips covering 7 or just cover the backrow with a proper lock on the bench.

roughneck wrote:I would like to see Gill again. He had a good game against the Irish.

Frankie Lodge wrote:I'm keeping everything crossed for Ianto, I hope we can keep him on the pitch for a whole season, he has some potential that lad, just a shame he's made of glass and twigs.

muffstuffa wrote:

Frankie Lodge wrote:I'm keeping everything crossed for Ianto, I hope we can keep him on the pitch for a whole season, he has some potential that lad, just a shame he's made of glass and twigs.

I think he will get the care once he moves to the scarlets.

We cannot risk Bomb or Melon.

henry wrote:Gill is a better scrummager for starters

celestialstorm3000 wrote:I'm hearing rumours of Gatland going with:

1. Paul James
2. Hibbard
3. Gill
4. Evans
5. Giraffe
6. Ryan
7. Shingler
8. Powell
9. Lloyd
10. Wellies
11. Tom James
12. Henson
13. Scott
14. Halfpenny
15. Byrne

celestialstorm3000 wrote:I'm hearing rumours of Gatland going with:

1. Paul James
2. Hibbard
3. Gill
4. Evans
5. Giraffe
6. Ryan
7. Shingler
8. Powell
9. Lloyd
10. Wellies
11. Tom James
12. Henson
13. Scott
14. Halfpenny
15. Byrne

celestialstorm3000 wrote:I'm hearing rumours of Gatland going with:

1. Paul James
2. Hibbard
3. Gill
4. Evans
5. Giraffe
6. Ryan
7. Shingler
8. Powell
9. Lloyd
10. Wellies
11. Tom James
12. Henson
13. Scott
14. Halfpenny
15. Byrne

Wales' Twickenham hero Scott Williams faces a challenge from Ashley Beck if Jamie Roberts is ruled unfit to face Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Scarlet Williams, 21, replaced knee-injury victim Roberts to score the winning try against England as Wales sealed the Triple Crown on 25 February.

But uncapped Osprey Beck, also 21, could instead debut against Italy.

Assistant coach Rob Howley said: "If Jamie doesn't come through, Scott or Ashley will have that opportunity."

Lock Luke Chateris is also in contention following his successful return from wrist surgery in Newport Gwent Dragons' Pro12 defeat by Munster on Friday.

British and Irish Lion Roberts came off at half-time against England after sustaining a blow in the opening period and Howley says Wales remain hopeful he will be passed fit.

Wales are scheduled to name their team to face Italy at 1300 GMT on Tuesday, but Howley admits Roberts' fitness may not be confirmed until 24 hours later.

That could give Williams or Beck the chance to start against the Azzurri at the Millennium Stadium.

Williams blew a try-scoring chance against England when he failed to release with a two-man overlap and the line at Wales' mercy.

But he redeemed himself by stealing the ball from lock Courtney Lawes before chipping ahead and gathering to score.

“Ashley Beck has been one of the form centres for his region and in Wales and, obviously, Scott Williams has made a huge impression”

However, Howley says Beck has also impressed amid strong competition for midfield places.

"Scott Williams and Ashley Beck have trained very well," said the Wales assistant coach.

"Scott Williams has made a huge impression when he came on last week.

"The competition for places whether it's Jamie, Jon Davies or Scott jumping in or Ashley, it's keeping our options open.

"Competition for places is good to have those options available.

"Ashley Beck has been one of the form centres for his region and in Wales and, obviously, Scott Williams has made a huge impression following on from his Rugby World Cup.

"So if Jamie doesn't come through, Scott or Ashley will have that opportunity."

Howley also confirmed Gavin Henson is not in contention after suffering a calf strain while training with Cardiff Blues.

"I think he had a calf injury - got injured with the Blues last week so he's had flu since, I think," said Howley.

But fly-half hopeful James Hook recovered from chicken pox to play in Perpignan's 22-17 defeat by Agen at the weekend after being ruled out of bench duty at Twickenham.

Charteris comes back into contention after recovering from wrist surgery, which has kept him out of action since playing a starring role for Wales at the 2011 World Cup.

Bradley Davies was banned after a tip tackle in Wales' opening win against Ireland in Dublin, leaving Ospreys Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones and Ryan Jones to contest the second-row spots.

Alun Wyn Jones returned from a dislocated toe to take over from Ryan Jones as Evans' second-row partner in the win over England.

Howley says that, unusually, Wales' strength in depth has increased as the tournament has progressed with players such as Alun Wyn Jones and Charteris returning from injury.

He also insisted Wales will field their strongest available team against the visitors and not repeat events of 2009 when they sent a weakened team to Rome and needed a late Tom Shanklin try to avoid defeat.

Howley pledged: "We'll pick our strongest side available, without a shadow of a doubt.

"I think it's so important in terms of we respect Italy and we know it's going to be a hard game so we need to pick our strongest side."

Wales are unbeaten against Italy at the Millennium Stadium and only Warren Gatland's men can now win a Grand Slam this year after Ireland ended France's 100% Six Nations record by holding them to a 17-17 draw in Paris.

Italy have beaten Wales in Rome, in 2003 and 2007 , and also held the Welsh in Cardiff in 2006.

WALES SQUAD

Backs: Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Gavin Henson (Cardiff Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne)

Forwards: Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Lou Reed (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (capt, Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets).

Howley says that, unusually, Wales' strength in depth has increased as the tournament has progressed with players [...] returning from injury.

coal wrote:Henson has a calf-strain apparently and he has now developed flu..