It’s an open and shut case – legend Martyn on Gatland’s Wales No.7 selection dilemma
WITH 15 months to go until the Rugby World Cup, Warren Gatland has a big problem.
The Wales boss is suddenly the envy of his rivals with an incredible stock of openside flankers emerging.
Ellis Jenkins, who captained Wales against South Africa two weeks ago, and James Davies, who earned his second cap against Argentina last weekend, have both put themselves firmly in the debate around who will make it to the global showpiece.
Sat at home, the vastly-experienced Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric are watching on, along with the injured Josh Navidi, whose stock has risen significantly after outstanding autumn and Six Nations campaigns last term.
The problem facing Gatland is that there will only be a finite number of spaces available in his squad and some will have to miss out.
To discuss the fascinating situation developing around the red No.7 jersey, we caught up with Wales back-row legend Martyn Williams in Buenos Aires.
The openside represented his country 100 times, so who better to offer insight?
Martyn Williams’ assessment of the Wales’ five outstanding sevens... SAM WARBURTON
Martyn Williams: First and foremost, he’s not a spring chicken. By no means is he old, but what he brings is that experience and that leadership and that’s invaluable.
He’s been there, done it and seen everything. He’s captained two Lions tours, been to World Cups.
Him and Josh Navidi are the two that can really play six and seven. They’ve got that physicality about them.
But over the ball, winning turnovers, Warby is as good as anybody in the world. That was always his x-factor, it’s what always put him above everybody else.
He’s big-game player. He’s been given a reputation that suggests he hasn’t done it week-in, week-out, but I think that’s down to injury more than anything else and probably playing in a poor Cardiff Blues side over the past five or six years.
But if you look at when the big games come around, he stands up and he’s superb.
JUSTIN TIPURIC
MW: He’s a genius of a rugby player. He could genuinely play in the backs, he could play centre or back three.
His fitness is one of his major attributes. He’s got the biggest engine, it’s phenomenal. I think I was about 36 when he first came into the squad and I remember lining up next to him and he could just run all day.
His footballing ability is second to none and his reading of the game with and without the ball.
Tipuric isn’t an explosive carrier like Sam or Josh but his footwork makes him and effective carrier. I think him and Sam have been able to play together because they’re different in lots of ways. I love watching him.
JOSH NAVIDI
MW: He’s just a warrior. He came through the academy and you watch how he looks after himself – physically, he’s an absolute specimen.
He’s improved a hell of a lot with ball in hand. Defensively he’s like a rock.
Josh isn’t the tallest of men, he’s got quite a low centre of gravity, so he’s unbelievably difficult to stop. He always seems to beat the first man when he carries.
His stats in terms of work rate are off the charts and he’s got that ability, like Warby, to play six internationally.
I’ve always felt, when he was coming through and playing with him a little bit, that six was his best position, but he was absolutely superb in the autumn and then backed it up in the Six Nations.
ELLIS JENKINS
MW: He’s an impressive bloke. He was in the academy when I was at the Blues so I got to know Ellis.
He backs himself in a really good way. When you look at all the sevens at the moment, you could argue that he’s the most complete out of all of them.
He keeps fit, but he’s had some really big injuries. But Ellis has shown that he is a phenomenal player.
As a youngster, the way he held himself and carried himself around the older players showed that he had an old head on young shoulders.
Ellis has also shown that he’s a really good footballer, he’s got great hands, he’s got great vision. He’s a big man as well, he enjoys the physicality of it all.
He’s a complete openside.
JAMES DAVIES
MW: Since he was given his chance at the Scarlets a few years ago, he’s stood out in every game he’s played in just about.
A little bit like Tips, he could play in the backs.
He’d be comfortable there because he’s quick enough and he’s a good footballer. He’s tough as old boots as well.
He wins turnovers and he gets over the ball.
Physically, I’d say Cubby is smaller than the rest of them, but he carries well. He reminds me a little bit of Australia’s Michael Hooper.
He’s really dynamic, really quick – not the biggest of men but because he’s so explosive, that makes up for his lack of size. I love the way he plays, he doesn’t care for anybody. He’s the kind of bloke that would back himself against anyone, he’s got that sort of character and that’s what you want.
He’s been brilliant and good for him. I was pleased for him on Saturday because it’s great for boys who just keep plugging away, keep getting knocked back – to get man of the match and play like he did was brilliant.
Let’s look at Wales’ possible back row for the World Cup – how does Gatland do it?
MW: It always depends on what’s happening with the rest of the squad.
Look at 2011, they only took one openside in Sam and left me and Tips at home because they took an extra backthree player with Leigh Halfpenny struggling a little bit with his ankle.
You’re looking at five or six back rowers and I think that’s probably why they’re trying Seb out at blindside, so he can cover there and second row.
People like Sam and Josh, who can cover both sides, are in a good position and Ross will cover six and eight.
Whatever happens, Taulupe Faletau is going.
It’s all going to be about balance. Players will need to bring something to the table that sets you apart from the other boys. Two or three of them are going to be really unlucky next year.
But, unfortunately, there is a chance that someone will get injured between now and then.
Look at what’s just happened with Navidi and Shingler and at the last World Cup.
It’s not only about getting injured before the World Cup either. If you pick up a bump before the Six Nations, the guy coming in will probably have a stormer and he’s in the box seat ahead of Japan.
It’s going to be a hell of a decision, but Gatland is the best in the world when it comes to selection – nine times out of ten he gets it spot on.