Warren Gatland has announced his squad to take on Europe in this year’s Six Nations – is this a list of potential Grand Slam-winners?
Dwayne Peel misses out, despite looking sharp in the last couple of appearances (from the bench, admittedly) for Sale.
Can the Welsh win back-to-back championships?
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins, John Yapp, Adam Jones, Rhys Thomas, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Robin Sowden-Taylor.
Backs: Mike Phillips, Gareth Cooper, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Gavin Henson, Andrew Bishop, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Mark Jones, Lee Byrne.
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I’m looking forward to seeing Andy Powell play. There has been a lot of talk about him, with Ryan Jones moving to blindside flanker to let him play at 8, and i didn’t really get a chance to see him in the autumn.
Should be a very interesting six nations!
Peel made a big difference when he came on against Munster. He really injected some urgency into his team. It’s a shame he’s missed out because he’s quality.
Still, if one scrum half gets injured he’ll surely be called straight up wont he? Or are they assuming Shane Williams will cover?
Can’t blame the move to Sale.
Seems a long time since Wales was almost the Ospreys team and vice versa.
Maybe the management team for the Lions tour will have other ideas
http://leaderswedeserve.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/life-with-the-rugby-lions-background-to-the-2009-tour/
A great six months in prospect
Tudor, there are 15 players above that are not in the Ospreys’ squad. This shows that the quality in welsh rugby has finally risen to a level where Ospreys’ players are not guaranteed a place. The management have to go with the best players in Wales which up until last season, were the Ospreys.
omg! dwayne peel should have been picked he is a class player who picks his game up when its needed such as in the six nations. Gareth cooper shouldnt be in there he will be on the pitch 5mins and tehn he’ll be injured!
Glad that Halfpenny is included he is a quality player!
Just replying in Chris and Carla,
Chris, I think that Ospreys/Wales team was the coach’s inspired way of getting started.
But I’ve watching Ospreys (from afar) and there’s something missing. Even several of the quality players aren’t delivering quality games.
Halfpenny looks good. Protect him from the Cipriani-style hype for a bit, though.
Best wishes
That has got to be the best back’s line up for a long time.
Just flicking back and seen this , well Carla you were right on Gareth Cooper’s injury but he didn’t even get his 5 mins on the field.
On Halfpenny yes he is looking as good if not better than predicted even demanding the ball for the longer kicks at goal . I don’t think he is the type to go looking for the Cipriani (or Henson for that matter ) type hype ,very level headed and wants to be a vet in due course as well as play rugby and has the grades to do it.