So just why are the Evans being ignored
IT’S a question that must have been asked countless times in the pubs and clubs of Wales in recent weeks and months – why is it that Dan Evans and James Davies can’t get a look-in with the national team?
I admit to having pondered it myself a few times.
Especially over Evans, whom I saw playing for the Ospreys against Northampton Saints last Sunday. He just wants to attack and is elusive with it. It is rare that he doesn’t put in around a dozen runs a game and when someone of his attacking menace is doing that, there is a fair chance that one or two of those are going to lead to tries.
Sure enough on Sunday, he ghosted through the Saints defence over 50 metres for Justin Tipuric to post a lovely touchdown.
It’s hard to recall a Welsh full-back like that since Lee Byrne was in his pomp.
But Wales keep overlooking him and they also choose to by-pass Davies, another player who has been simply outstanding for his region.
Here’s my take on the various theories why they are being left in the cold... WALES HAVE STAR PLAYERS IN THE TWO POSITIONS THIS is especially so in James Davies’ case.
He has been unfortunate to be playing at a time when Wales have had Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric at their disposal. It must be like being a fly-half in Wales at the time when both Barry John and Phil Bennett were playing. There are only so many players you can get into a team and it would be asking a lot for Warren Gatland to accommodate Warburton, Tipuric and Davies when all are fit. I do admit to being surprised he didn’t go on the tour to the southern hemisphere last summer, when Warburton and Tipuric were with the Lions. Now he has Josh Navidi in the mix as well. Like Davies, Evans should have toured last summer, when Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and George North were away with the Lions. It just seemed very strange that Wales opted to make that trip without a player whose attacking skills had frequently lit up European and Guinness PRO12 rugby. For me, they travelled south without two of the best players in Welsh rugby and it didn’t really stack up.
Other than that, the competition is hot at full-back in Wales, with Halfpenny and Williams, plus Hallam Amos. DAVIES IS NOT A YES-MAN AND EVANS DOESN’T TOE THE LINE I don’t buy these as being supposed reasons for the pair being left out.
Warren Gatland doesn’t mind individuals in his squad.
If he had a problem with those who do things a bit differently, he would never have picked Mike Phillips or Gavin Henson, let alone Andy Powell. But those three all flourished under the New Zealander.
Yes, Davies is a cheeky chappie who has occasionally ended up in a spot of bother, but there’s probably not a rugby player alive who hasn’t sailed a bit close to the wind over the course of a career.
‘Cubby’ plays on the edge and if you demand that he conforms in all areas the probability is you will sap a key element of his game.
Is Evans the type who doesn’t toe the line? I don’t see it. He seems a nice guy who gives his all for the team. Even if he doesn’t agree with every selection call – which player does? – it would hardly be grounds to leave him out.
For me, there’s nothing to see here. GATLAND HAS HIS FAVOURITES EVERY coach has his favourites, players he simply believes in and will usually pick as a first option.
We have seen it with Wales and Alex Cuthbert getting the nod ahead of rivals such as Steff Evans and Keelan Giles.