Test claims of Davies and byWales chief Gatland?
Gatland also clearly values Leigh Halfpenny in his squad. He called him “the best professional” he’s worked with in the Wales set-up over the past 10 years. And Halfpenny has won countless games with his deadly goal-kicking.
It’s the same with Sam Warburton at No. 7. Gatland clearly has huge regard for him as a captain and openside flanker. And, like Halfpenny, Warburton has repaid the faith.
I don’t think this is controversial. Every coach has his go-to players, those he feels will more often than not produce for him. THE STEP UP FROM REGIONAL RUGBY TO THE TEST GAME IS TOO BIG THERE are some who argue this and only the Wales selectors know if they share the theory in the cases of Evans and Davies.
Undoubtedly, some players do have trouble bridging the gap that exists between the weekly grind and elite level.
But until they are given proper chances to do so, you’ll never know for certain how they will fare.
Cubby has the skill but is he big enough and aggressive enough for Test rugby? Again, we can’t answer that if he is left outside with his nose pushed up against the window. Does an openside have to have Warburton’s physical dimensions to play on the Test stage? I don’t think he has.
Evans won two caps eight years ago, of course, and the selectors do get to watch him train and play with the Ospreys. Have they seen something that makes them doubt whether he can operate successfully in international rugby? If they have, they should share it with us because when he has played this season he has looked the part on pretty much every occasion. THE PLAYERS DON’T FIT INTO THE COACHES’ WAY OF THINKING IT can happen. I played alongside Dwayne Peel and James Hook and they were ever-so-talented players, but they eventually found themselves out of favour.
In Dwayne’s case, Gatland had Mike Phillips as an alternative and he evidently felt he would fit the game-plan better.
Similarly, Hooky found himself out in the cold when a collection of giants became available in the backline, players who could run hard and take Wales across the gain-line. VERDICT WALES are failing to pick two players who would walk into many other Test squads.
But I don’t buy the conspiracy theories that are doing the rounds.
My thinking is they have been overlooked mainly because of the quality alternatives Wales have in those positions. Gatland has others he trusts and he simply believes they are more suited to Wales’s game and the Test scene.
In Evans’s case, especially, I think he has done more than enough to merit a chance, especially on the tour last summer.
I was overlooked for a long time during my career and all I can suggest to the pair of them is they keep knocking on the door.
It may eventually open.