Six Nations Selection

Warren Gatland has included 6 uncapped players in his six nations training squad who will take to Poland to endure a rigorous training regime. The chosen six are in-form Ospreys duo Rhys Webb and Ashley Beck, Cardiff Blues flyer Harry Robinson as well as Rhodri Jones, Liam Williams and Lou Reed of the Scarlets.

The squad in full reads:

Backs: Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Preistland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), 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 Bryne (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), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Lou Reed (Scarlets), 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).

The most talked-about inclusion is that of the marmite man of Welsh Rugby; Gavin Henson. Your opinion on his selection will either be greeted with welcome optimism or it will make your blood boil, dependant on your views of the ex-Osprey. Those who love him will say that he offers something at 12 that no one else can offer. He’s an absolute rock in defence, he’s got a siege-gun boot and he can unlock the most rigid defences with ease as well as class. He’ll be viewed as an alternative to the uber-physical centre partnership of Jamie Roberts and Jon Davies. Those on the other side of the fence will question the validity of his selection given that he’s only played 3 games of rugby for the Blues and only one of which was at his preferred position at inside centre. Added to this, Henson has failed to make even the match-day squad for their crunch Henieken Cup match against Racing Metro this weekend. Henson’s inclusion has meant that Stephen Jones’ international exile is extended further from missing out the only autumn international against Australia in December.

Gatland’s foreign player policy is all but extinct with French trio Lee Byrne, James Hook and Mike Phillips all making the cut as well as English-based Rhys Gill, Andy Powell and Craig Mitchell.

Sam Warburton keeps hold of the captaincy from the returning Matthew Rees following his well documented success as skipper in New Zealand. Both have publicly stated their desire to wear the captain’s armband and Warren Gatland has stuck to the theme of breeding youngsters in the international environment by backing his 23-year-old over his 32-year-old. This could be the main reason; however, Matthew Rees isn’t guaranteed his place given the World Cup form of Osprey Huw Bennett. Bizarrely and typical of the Ospreys, since returning from New Zealand, Bennett has played second fiddle to Richard Hibbard in the Celtic League as well as the Heineken Cup. The Ebbw Vale man must be wondering why he’s starting the majority of his games on the bench when he’s in possession of the national number two jersey. Furthermore, the man keeping him out of the starting berth at the Ospreys doesn’t even feature in the Welsh squad. Yet another head-scratcher for those on the outside looking in to the Liberty Stadium.

One man in particular must be sat questioning everything that surrounds him today. He’s a stand out performer for his region and has all the physical attributes for the international stage. Although his performances for Wales have not been as eye-catching as his performances for his region, he’d have still been confident of a spot in the 35-man-squad. One can only imagine the rage circling Aled Brew’s body as he see’s young pretenders Liam Williams and Harry Robinson get the nod ahead of him. There is no denying that they are both unquestionably talented and their inclusion in the squad will stand them in good stead for the future. However, if these wingers are deemed good enough to be exposed to the full national set-up, surely there’s a case for Ospreys fly-half Matthew Morgan? With Gatland only opting to name Rhys Priestland as his only out and out number ten, is there no place for a third option alongside James Hook? There are five wingers in the squad as well as Lee Byrne and Scott Williams who are more than capable of deputising on the wing. Understandably, the selection committee are looking for a long-term replacement for retired hero Shane Williams, but Brew must be seething that he’s not seen as one of the five front-runners.

Although 35 players have been named in the squad, Gatland has expressed,

"We are also taking the opportunity to look at one or two youngsters before probably cutting our numbers even further before the start of the RBS Six Nations.

"We have kept a couple of older heads and we have injuries, with Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Turnbull, Rob McCusker and Luke Charteris all unavailable to us, but the emphasis on development and planning for the future is there for everyone to see.

"These are exciting times for Welsh rugby.

"We showed a huge amount of potential at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and we will be working as hard as humanly possible to ensure that we reach our potential in this year's Six Nations championship."

The potential that the Wales Head Coach refers to is indeed quite staggering, especially in the backline. Barring injury, the team could look like this;

15. Lee Byrne
14. George North
13. Jon Davies
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Lee Halfpenny
10. Rhys Priestland
9. Mike Phillips
8. Toby Faletau
7. Sam Warburton (c)
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Bradley Davies
4. Ian Evans
3. Adam Jones
2. Matthew Rees
1. Gethin Jenkins

16. Huw Bennett
17. Paul James.
18. Andy Powell
19. Justin Tipuric
20. Rhys Webb
21. James Hook
22. Gavin Henson

If this squad takes to the field for the majority of the six nations, there won’t be many teams that will match it for talent. The only area of concern for Gatland’s men is the second row. This heaps yet more pressure on Robin McBryde as he looks to sure up the lineout which has been an area of limited success in the past. With his two main jumpers gone in Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, he’s got his work cut out. Sort this area out and Wales will be a serious force in the tournament, if it remains creaky, all that potential in the backline will go to waste.