MISSING OUT ON SA TOUR – THE WALES XV THAT WILL STAY AT HOME
THE second leg of the British Triathlon Paratri Super Series providing some thrilling racing in Llanelli in an event that has ramped up the excitement ahead of a return to south Wales.
The Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea in August will bring the best paratriathletes in the world together and there were some standout performances weekend just down the road.
Four-time world and European champion Dave Ellis and his guide Luke Pollard might have produced the pick of the performances, winning the men’s PTVI by more than three and a half minutes ahead of Oscar Kelly, one of his rivals at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Ellis said: “It’s our first triathlon of the season so it’s good to get a hard race in and blow off the cobwebs.
“We’re looking forward to Swansea, it’s great to have a big race back in the UK. It’s one you want to be at every year and do well for the home crowd, it should be awesome.”
Mel Nicholls, a Paralympian in London and Rio, claimed victory in the women’s PTWC in her first paratriathlon event, while Bret Crossley won the men’s equivalent to build on a strong start to the season.
Megan Richter and Finley Jakes claimed wins in the women’s and men’s PTS4 races respectively, while British men’s PTS5 champion Michael Salisbury won on his return to Llanelli, 12 months after competing in only his second ever paratriathlon at this event last year.
And there were also wins for Jack Howitt and Felix Barrow in the men’s PTS2 and PTS3, respectively.
Next up in the Paratri Super Series is Eton Dorney in July before the Swansea on August 6, and Crossley is already itching for a return to Wales.
He said: “I love triathlon and I think the Swansea event is going to be really big, so I’m hoping I’m going to be able to take part in that.”
Elsewhere Iona Miller took victory in the senior female sprint, while Connor Bentley won the men’s senior tier 1 sprint with Bethany Cook and Joe Sherman taking the junior equivalents.
Finally, Deri McCluskey won the Youth male B race, and Alex Dack finished first in the Youth A race, while in the Youth female race, Lauren Mitchell won both the Youth A and the overall despite being in the younger age category.
Millie Breese finished second to take the Youth B race win.
Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea is Britain’s first standalone race of this level, bringing the world’s best paratriathletes to race.
The event day will also host British Triathlon Para Super Series racing for developing paratriathletes.
Find out more by visiting https://www.britishtriathlon.org/ events/major-events/worldtriathlon-para-series-swansea.
IT was one of the most famous rugby petitions of them all, containing thousands of names, all demanding the inclusion of David Bishop in the Wales team.
Just one Test cap for the scrumhalf maestro over his distinguished career suggests the move didn’t carry much weight with the Big Five selectors at the time. It was Wales’ loss.
Anyway, there were no reports of any such lists being put together insisting Jac Morgan be added to Wales’ squad to tour South Africa this summer, though some in his home village of Brynamman might have been tempted to start one.
But it’s also fair to report the squad didn’t have too many turning cartwheels in the streets.
Who were the notable omissions, though?
Below is a team made up of players Pivac could have chosen to tour this summer, but opted not to. It doesn’t contain any injured players.
15. Michael Collins (Ospreys)
Had put in a late charge for Pivac’s squad, helped by versatility that allows him to play at full-back and centre. Collins is calm, organised and a leader, and he has slotted in nicely as last line of defence for the Ospreys of late. None of which was enough to persuade the selectors to pick him.
14. Owen Lane (Cardiff)
Missed out despite scoring 10 tries for his club this season. Lane has the odd defensive issue to resolve but in attack the 6ft 1in, 15st 3lb Whitchurch High School product is a hard man to contain.
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
He’s 34 but it says much that it must have been a difficult decision for Wales to leave him out for the three-Test series. Imperious against Cardiff at the Arms Park last month and boasting vast experience, he will be determined to reclaim a spot in Pivac’s plans heading for the World Cup.
12. Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears)
It went under the radar a bit, but when Bristol Bears recently named their squad for the 2022-23 season Lloyd was down as a centre. Apparently, he and head coach Pat Lam had been in talks about where the 21-year-old could be best used with the upshot being that the ultra-creative Cardiffian will have a chance to bid for the 12 jersey next term. He played there against the Scarlets in January and the west Walians struggled to lay a hand on him in the 32 minutes he was on the field. Watch this space.
11. Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets, above)
Could not have done much more in his attempt to nail down a spot for the summer under Pivac. He bagged a hat-trick in a closeseason friendly against Nottingham and has notched five tries in as many games of late, including three last time out against the Ospreys. A direct runner, he takes some stopping with his strength and low centre of gravity.
10. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears)
”Everything about him says Artful Dodger - chatting away and then you realise your wallet is gone. That’s how Sheedy plays. He looks no threat physically, he isn’t rapid, his passes are not always perfect but he can scuttle away over 10 to 15 yards.” So said Will Greenwood of Sheedy. Unfortunate not to be in Pivac’s panel this time, with Rhys Patchell returning to the fore.
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys)
He’s been the most consistent scrum-half in Welsh rugby this term, using his experience and competitive spirit to steer the Ospreys during a season that’s seen them deprived of many of their biggest players for long periods either through injuries or Wales calls. Pivac has mentioned pace as being a key ingredient at scrum-half, but Webb’s quick thinking has helped him stay ahead of defences this term.
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
His twisting, powerful ball carries make him a hard man to stop; his work over the ball is strong; his tackling is sound and he can scrummage. But what Smith can’t do is convince Wayne Pivac he should be in favour at Test level. Wales’ loss is the Ospreys’ gain.
2. Elliot Dee (Dragons, right)
For so long he shadowed Ken Owens under Warren Gatland. Indeed, all told 31 of his 41 caps have been won off the bench. Now he’s not in Pivac’s top three hookers. But Dee is a combative sort who puts himself about and doesn’t give up.
3. WillGriff John (Scarlets)
Injuries haven’t helped John since he returned to Wales from Sale Sharks, but he is immensely strong and solid in defence. Needs a run of games to show his true worth, but he is capable of doing a job.
4. Seb Davies (Cardiff)
He had been touted as a hybrid back-five forward, one who could cover lock and blindside flanker. And against France last term he looked quite the part at six, helping Wales neutralise the opposition lineout threat and working hard around the field. He can handle and is mobile and has shown flashes of serious quality for Cardiff in his frontline position of lock, too. He’s out of the Wales picture, but with his athleticism and skill he’s a quality player.
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter)
He’s a player for the future and Wales are aware of his potential. Wise counsel has prevailed, though, and he hasn’t been picked for a series in South Africa at the age of 19. It won’t be too long before he gets the call, with the 6ft 7in, 17st 11lb Jenkins skilful and resolute, a 21st century lock to the laces of the cream boots he has been known to wear.
6. James Botham (Cardiff)
Cardiff’s best performer this season, he was one of the few Welsh players to return in credit when the regions played in South Africa earlier in the campaign. It’s not altogether clear what Botham has done to slip out of favour -perhaps it’s just because the back-row competition is hot, hot, hot. Anyway, he’s abrasive and physical and plays with an edge.
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
Plenty of words have been written about Morgan’s omission and rightly so, with the Brynamman product the top-performing No. 7 in Welsh rugby in many eyes this season. He gets on with his job in a no-frills manner with his super-strength his work over the ball. Strange, then, that Wales have requested him to improve in that area. It’s a bit like telling Spiderman he needs to buck up when it comes to climbing buildings. All very odd.
8. Morgan Morris (Ospreys)
Not too much fuss was made of Morris being left out amid Morgan’s omission, but the No. 8 has been consistently strong on the regional beat. “You want players who influence the game. Jac Morgan does that, Morgan Morris does that.” So remarked Ospreys head coach Toby Booth this week when asked about Morris’ exclusion.