Gatland weighs up playing key stars
Wales are set to name a strong side tomorrow for Saturday’s clash against Ireland, but certain key players will be missing from the starting XV.
Warren Gatland has already suggested Rhys Patchell will start at outside-half, while Elliot Dee is expected to start at hooker instead of first-choice Ken Owens.
Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis are set to join Dee in the front row, and Gatland has to decide whether to pick or rest the likes of Alun Wyn Jones and Ross Moriarty, who was withdrawn from the matchday squad at the Principality Stadium last
weekend with a hip problem.
Although Dan Biggar is likely to be missing from the starting XV, firstchoice centres Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies are expected to start, as is George North on the wing.
Leigh Halfpenny could also get the nod as he looks to improve his match sharpness, having only played one international match since last November. If Moriarty were to be missing it could mean Josh Navidi starting again at number eight, while Justin Tipuric could also come into the equation having not played since the opening World Cup warm-up match against England on August 11, during which he suffered an ankle injury. Aaron Wainwright, Aaron Shingler and James Davies are the other options in the back row.
Speaking about his team for this weekend, Gatland has said: “We’ll be pretty strong. I think there are a few people that need a start, someone like Rhys Patchell.
“Does Elliot Dee get a start? It’ll be a pretty strong squad but we’ll be mixing and matching a little bit.
“Ironically, if we can win next week, it almost reflects what happened in 2011 in the warm-up games.
“We’ll be going over there having had a good week and I’ll be picking a pretty strong side.”
Ireland, meanwhile, are expected to wheel out their big guns in Dublin, with reports suggesting the likes of Johnny Sexton, Cian Healy, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Conor Murray, CJ Stander, Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale will start. Both teams officially name their sides on Thursday.
Rhys Carre made “phenomenal” progress to clinch a place in Wales’ World Cup squad at the age of 21 – so said Warren Gatland, a man who, unlike some coaches, only throws out a compliment when he truly means it.
But it wasn’t bouquets all the way from the Kiwi at his squad announcement for the tournament in Japan.
He also bemoaned the pressure for results regional coaches are under which means they sometimes think twice about giving youngsters opportunities.
“The thing I’ve found frustrating in this role over the years is the pressure the regional coaches have been under to get results and performances,” said Gatland.
“That’s often meant youngsters haven’t been given opportunities and that’s been hard. For coaches, it’s all about results.
“The thing when you pick a youngster is you know you’re going to go through some pain. He’s learning and making mistakes and potentially he’s not going to always have the best performances.
“You need to see the long-term development and often we haven’t seen that in Wales because of results.
“That’s something we need to address and be aware of, so there is a little less pressure on some of the regional coaches.
“We’ve often been poor at developing players through our academies or promoting players from our under-20s when they’ve been successful.
“They end up sitting on the bench for three or four years and we replace them with foreign players who have more experience, but in the long term the younger player might be a better option.”
He added: “It’s ironic sometimes that we’re developing players at the international stage rather than doing it at regional level. That’s Welsh rugby for you.”
Gatland is departing Wales after the World Cup, but the assumption is Wayne Pivac will hope Welsh rugby heeds his fellow New Zealander’s words.
So, who are some of those L-platers who need to put miles on the clock?
We take at look at some of the most promising...
DEWI LAKE (Ospreys)
MAYBE he was the mightiest performer for Wales at the World Rugby U20s Championship in June.
The skipper displayed impressive leadership skills as he inspired a memorable victory over New Zealand with his fine work at the breakdown, powerful carrying and committed defence. His maturity saw him provide a strong lead off the field as well, setting the right tone at press conference, passionate and determined but humble, too.
He plays in the front row but the converted back rower has a real appetite for turnovers, creating the impression his side have a third flanker on the pitch with his technique and bravery in the tackle area.
Former Wales and Ospreys No. 2 Scott Baldwin is a fan, saying: “If we’re looking ahead to the 2023 World Cup, I see him as Wales’ starting hooker.
“He’s a big man, he’s strong, he’s good around the field and he can scrummage.
“He has a lot of growth in him and the attitude to come through.”
HARRI MORGAN (OSPREYS)
THE scrum-half has looked the genuine article in flashes, standing out for the Ospreys against Connacht in Bridgend last term and having a blinder for Wales in the World Rugby U20s clash with Argentina.
Morgan supported strongly, kicked well, created a try and scored a memorable one in the win over the Pumitas.
But injuries had checked his progress and he looked in need of game-time when appearing against Connacht in Galway in March.
His raw talent is clear, though, and he appears a winner to his core.
With care, the Ospreys, and Wales, could have a serious player on their hands.
ANEURIN OWEN (Dragons)
HE is known as NHS after some of his Ebbw Vale team-mates made the connection to Aneurin Bevan, the driving force behind the establishment of the National Health Service.
Some argue the great institution is a bit under-funded and under the cosh these days.
But few have any complaints about NHS the rugby player.
Owen is a class operator who played fly-half until he was 16, then converted to inside centre.
He is a player with big potential and starred for a Dragons XV side as they walloped Munster A 36-10 last Friday evening.
Still only 18, he has plenty of time on his side, but in a different era Scott Gibbs was playing for Wales when just a year older.
If the Dragons can give the Wales U20s player exposure over the next couple of years, both they and Wales are likely to benefit.
BEN THOMAS (CARDIFF BLUES)
THIS lad is another inside centre, who can also play fly-half, and quite the part he looks, too.
He had a superlative campaign for Cardiff RFC last term, ending it by being named Principality Premiership newcomer of the season.
Cardiff Blues believe they have a genuine prospect on their hands and have handed Thomas his first professional contract.
“We look forward to working closely with him on all areas, both on and off the field, to ensure his future success,” said coach John Mulvihill.
“This is the start of a very bright future and we are sure that Ben has the right skills, talent and character to succeed at the next level.”
Thomas is a lovely passer of a ball, can kick accurately, makes good decisions and is able to take play forward if the occasion demands.
It just looks a question of shining up this uncut diamond.
JAC MORGAN (SCARLETS AND ABERAVON RFC)
HE had an outstanding World Rugby U20s Championship in the summer, operating at No. 8 and achieving a stream of turnovers in tandem with his back-row partner Tommy Reffell.
Morgan can play across the back row but many of those who have followed his career believe he will eventually settle at openside.
He has a decision to make about whether he wants to commit to rugby full-time or continue a job outside the game while staying as a semi-professional.
But that he has talent isn’t in doubt.
“Jac is a player of huge promise,” said Wizards coach Jason Hyatt.
“If he develops fully, there is every chance he’ll go all the way. I’m 100 per cent confident on that front.
“We had Adam Beard with us and I remember thinking exactly the same about him.
“You see these youngsters coming through and the top-end ones stand out a mile.
“Jac is one of those.” Throwing is an area where Lake has scope to improve, with Baldwin adding: “I spoke to Allen Clarke and Dan Griffiths at the Ospreys at the end of the season and said they’d have to go through a bit of pain with him.
“He needs to have a run of games, because if you give him the confidence that comes from starting four or five matches he’s not going to be so worried if he loses one line-out that he won’t be selected the following week.
“He needs to go through one of those matches where things don’t go right and then have the opportunity to correct things. That is how you learn.”
‘Twas ever thus.
MORGAN JONES (Scarlets)
THE England-born Jones qualifies for Wales through a Llanelli-born grandfather and joined the Scarlets from Leicester through the Exiles programme.
At 6ft 7in and 17st 7lb, he has the raw materials to go places and he rattled France when he came off the bench for Wales U20s in June, getting in among them and causing several to fall out with him.
Locks of his size are not exactly commonplace in Wales and so the Scarlets could do themselves and the national team a favour by bringing him fully up to speed.
He still has a few rough edges, but with good coaching he could go places.
IOAN DAVIES (Cardiff Blues) THE youngster who looks and plays like Leigh Halfpenny on the pitch, with headguard and distinctive running style to the fore, is as brave as they come and showed during the World Rugby U20s Championship he can also pose an attacking threat.
His work under the high ball is good and he rarely shirks a tackle.
The 19-year-old full-back will remain part of Cardiff Blues’ academy in the new season but will also train with the senior squad.
There are still some boxes to tick – of course there are at his age – but appears to have the temperament and skills to make it on the senior scene.
MAX WILLIAMS (Dragons)
THE Dragons have been bringing this lad through for a while but he suffered a concussion last term which slowed his development.
But the 6ft 5in, 17st 9lb lock or blindside flanker is rated highly at Rodney Parade with his athleticism and commanding height. A couple of years ago, then Dragons boss Bernard Jackman described him as a “rough diamond”, adding that he’d been the find of pre-season.
He bulked up last term, adding muscle to his frame.
Nigeria-born, he is a forward to watch in the seasons ahead.