Gatland has to give Thomas his chance now
“I think it’s best if Leigh Halfpenny sits out the entire Six Nations. There’s no need to rush him back”
Thomas Young is playing well enough to get in any side right now, so why not Warren Gatland’s Wales? That’s the question puzzling me ahead of the Six Nations squad announcement this week.
In my opinion, Thomas must be involved. He shouldn’t just be in the party that Warren names on Tuesday, he should also be involved on the pitch when the action gets going next month.
Why? Well, because he’s one of the best Welsh flankers playing right now. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t know why, but Thomas’ face hasn’t seemed to fit under Warren. The only times he’s been selected so far were in 2017 when Rob Howley and then Robin McBryde were in charge.
Now that has to change. Thomas is playing some superb rugby and he has been particularly good over the Christmas period for a Wasps side who aren’t having the best of times.
If he’s not selected now, then I don’t think he has any chance of making the World Cup and for me that would be a great shame. As a small country, Wales just can’t ignore a player of his talent.
The other thing to consider is that circumstances have fallen in Thomas’ favour. Unfortunately Ellis Jenkins is out with a long-term injury and Aaron Shingler is on the sidelines, too.
James Davies has had an interrupted season while Josh Navidi – as good as he is – is on the comeback trail. Like I said, if Thomas can’t be selected now, I don’t know when he will be.
We all know Wales are in a great place going into the Six Nations. They’ve won their last nine matches and they’re ranked third in the world behind Ireland and New Zealand.
Warren has a settled squad with a fine mix of youth and experience, but I still think there is room for a little bit of experimentation. Thomas would be someone I’d roll the dice on, not that he would be much of a gamble anyway because we all know what a fine player he is.
Warren will know pretty much what everyone can do among the players he will want to take to the World Cup. But we also know he’s never been afraid to throw in a selection curve ball, as he did in the autumn when he picked Jonah Holmes and Luke Morgan for the November Tests. I wouldn’t rule out another similar shock selection for the Six Nations and I hope Thomas is the man to benefit.
One of Warren’s best characteristics as a coach is that you never know what he is going to do, but I’m not expecting him to pick too many new faces.
The last Six Nations before a World Cup is always massive and the 2019 tournament will also be Warren’s last in charge. I know he’ll want to end on a high.
I’m sure Jonah and Luke will be a bit nervous about their spots, but I hope both men stay involved. Jonah impressed me when he played at fullback against Tonga and I felt for Luke, who started against Scotland but barely touched the ball and wasn’t involved in the other three games after that.
He deserves another chance and with Steffan Evans, Hallam Amos and Keelan Giles all having quiet seasons, Luke is at least a man in form and with plenty of tries to his name.
His confidence will be high and at Test level, that’s priceless.
Alun Wyn Jones will be named as captain again I’m sure and all the usual faces will be involved, but one man who might not be is Leigh Halfpenny. I think it’s best if he sits out the entire Six Nations.
We know Leigh won’t play for the next three to five weeks anyway after a concussion specialist told him to stay on the sidelines following the head knock he suffered against Australia in November.
I’ve read a lot of headlines saying how out of order it was that Samu Kerevi wasn’t penalised for his high hit on Leigh and I agree with that. Ultimately, though, we all have to look at Leigh’s well-being as the most important thing and as a man who I know well, I know he’s put the incident behind him.
Leigh will miss the first couple of games of the Six Nations anyway, so I don’t see any need to rush him straight back in at the highest level for the second half of the tournament.
His health comes first and given the extraordinary service he’s given to his country, he deserves to take a break, especially with his first child on the way. Leigh is one of the first names on the Wales team sheet when fit. He’s our star man, our kicking ace, but he’ll be back better than ever, I’ve no doubt.
He will be a big miss and Wales will be a poorer side without him in it, but at the same time we can also cope without him. Initially, we have no choice anyway.
We have Liam Williams and Jonah who can play full-back and if it takes Leigh to miss the Six Nations for him to get to the World Cup in tip-top shape, then so be it.