Howley: It’s a 31-man trial for the World Cup
ROB Howley believes Wales have the perfect age profile to achieve World Cup success.
The ultimate target for Warren Gatland’s side is the 2019 tournament, one they believe they have a realistic chance of winning.
Wales have rested their first-choice stars for June’s clash with South Africa and two Tests with Argentina, but there is still only one uncapped player in the travelling party – Cardiff Blues No.9 Tomos Williams
Howley believes it shows Wales are heading in the right direction with an average squad age of 29.
“When you look at the age profile of World Cup winning sides, you’re looking at an average age of 28 to 30,” the backs coach told The Rugby Paper.
“When you go into a World Cup, age and experience, as well as quality is important. And with the tournament next year it is vital to have flexibility within our squad – hence the trial of 31 players for the tour with a split of 18 forwards and 13 backs.
“Players need the ability to play in other positions and that flexibility within our squad is going to be key to our success.”
With Williams the only player named with no previous Test experience to tour with Wales this summer, Howley revealed Gatland was keen not to experiment too much with new blood.
It explains the selection of winger Tom Prydie ahead of Cardiff Blues youngster Owen Lane, and why Blues pivot Jarrod Evans also missed out.
Wales are aware the Springboks and Pumas will be no soft touch. “Tom is still only 26 but we just feel we might be missing out if we don’t give him an opportunity,” Howley said. “He has learned a lot over the last six years or so, having spent time at the Ospreys, Dragons and Wasps, and now he seems settled at the Scarlets. “There are other wingers around, like Owen Lane and Jarrod Rosser, but in terms of Tom’s age profile in a World Cup year, we want to see where he is at and how he reacts over the three games on the summer tour. “I watched him in the Champions Cup when the Scarlets won at Bath and he showed he’s got pace and can play at that level. He has done well under pressure in the big games.” Howley said there is likely to be a positional switch for Hallam Amos, left, adding: “Not taking our Lions like Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams means we are probably looking at Hallam Amos at full-back. “Other than George North, all the other wingers have the ability to play at fullback and work in combination in the back three.”