Great to hear a bit of positivity around Wales! Still a bit of pain to go I fear but I think we can start moving in the right direction this autumn 🏴
Cheers man yeah I've been trying to watch a bit more of the Welsh sides this season - although apparently I'm missing something by not seeing Gloucester
@@TwoCentsRugby Gloucester are like the 5th Welsh region this year! Near the border so almost Welsh anyway. You seem to have as much welsh rugby knowledge as us welshies!
Been watching a bit of English premiership games... the welsh lads are doing pretty well....can see tomos and max starting.... both on fire for Gloucester
Anscombe and Williams almost definitely starting IMO. Looks like a much more solid group of forwards with some consistency starting to come in to it. I'd expect Wales to focus a little bit less on the rugby and a bit more on physical preparation in this campaign to be ready for the 6n. Target should be at least two wins though. No reason they shouldn't beat Fiji and Australia at home.
I'm hoping we can get something out of this Autumn this squad is hopeful, but I can't shake my nervousness approaching games nowadays 😂 I usually put it down to being Welsh😀
This is pretty much as good a squad as Wales can hope to field currently, though i agree would have loved to have seen Morris get picked! Hope the Welsh actually manage to pick up a win in November!
Yeah I dunno what the deal is that he never gets a chance.... I mean if the issue is the size.... I would point to what a guy like Kwagga Smith has been doing for SA
Like the squad. Especially glad for Nicky Smith. Question on another Gloucester player, the centre Lewellyn who scored a hatrick last weekend, is he in the squad?
I never thought I would say the words " Thank goodness Anscombe is on" but given how dreadful Costelow has been, he's the best we've got at 10. We'll miss Gareth Davies at halfback. With Jac Morgan and Tommy Turnover we've got a chance at the breakdowns. If we're going to win one, it might be Australia. Fiji, if they bring a strong side, will be a real handful. The Saffas will be too strong. I'll be cheering win or lose. Cymru am byth🏴
Difficult to get excited as a Welshman but the squad is fairly decent, as good as we can expect. Just hope he actually picks players in their best positions and stops experimenting.
@@spud7823 If they can click and get build a decent gameplan then maybe but Gatland constantly experimenting with new positions and not picking form players is gonna demoralise them before they get the chance to impress
Bit surprised with some of the players left out as they’ve been the form players in the regions: - Alex Davies - Calum Sheedy - Ioan Lloyd - Taine Basham - Rhys Carre (granted Gatland has always disliked him for some reason) - Kieran Hardy It can be so strange sometimes with selections as you can feel that some of the form players just can’t do anything to make it.
My prediction for the first choice team: 1,2,3: Assiratti, Lake, Gareth Thomas 4,5: Rowlands, Beard, 6,8,7: Morgan, Wainwright, Reffell, 9, 10: Tomos Williams, Anscombe, 12,13: Watkins, Grady 11,14,15: Dyer, Rogers, Winett I'm fairly certain that will be the starting 15. My question marks are at 3,10,14 but other than that I'm confident that's what Gats will pick
Really hope you’re wrong though! I’m very confident he won’t play Reffell and Morgan together. He’s said as much. I’d be shocked if he didn’t start Plumtree. I think he now sees Grady as a wing. I’d rather see Hathaway though, I think. 123 Smith Lake Griffin 45 Rowlands Carter 678 Plumtree Reffell Wainwright 9,10 Tomos Anscombe 12,13 James Llewellyn 11,14,15 Grady Dyer Murray 16,17,18 Lloyd Thomas Thomas 19, 20, 21 F Thomas, Tachiunza, Reffell 22, 23 Bevan and Ben Thomas
Martyn Williams retires and there's Sam Warburton. Warburton retires and there's Justin Tipiric. Tipuric retires and Jac Morgan emerges. Morgan gets injured and Tommy reffell dominates. Wales-just-have-loosies
Not expecting much. Simply because, Gats always used to use this series as a bit of a 'trial'. Half expecting a bad loss in there somewhere. And the media to melt down again, of course. But nothing strange, if you look at the history of Gats and Autumn internationals. Building a good base for 6N in my opinion. Squad is starting to feel nice and strong across the board. Bit more experience for some peeps, and we should be going good. Few others to drop back in also (Josh Adams), and we should be in good nick for 6N. The next 're-vamp' of Wales feels like its about to kick off, so very exciting, from my point of view. In Gats I trust!
And, after watching your video - astonishing how many Welsh / Kiwis there are about. New neighbour is a Kiwi who raised family here. His family used to own a hotel in my favourite place on Earth - Wanaka!
Dan Edward’s any day over Costelow. Would have loved Reuben Morgan-Williams for a second choice 9, nothing wrong with Rhodri Williams though. Thought Dan Thomas the Cardiff Flanker offers a good aggressive option and might have made the cut. With you in regards to Morgan Morris, but I remember Shane Williams wasn’t picked for ages based on his size, maybe a similar mentality from Gats in this case ?
wales need to compete for the full match. tactical kicking and set piece need to be in form or i cant see a win at all. for once can we see some progress, and a winning start is a must . wales could sneak a win against fiji , will just lose out against aussies, and have relatively no chance vs boks.
How he keeps getting picked I'll never know. Dreadful at line out time - games have been lost when he was brought in to replace Elliot Dee, and he's fucked up at crucial times. More of a worry is Costelow, he's not ready and never will be - bring on Ioan Lloyd.
Be nice to see Joe Hawkins centre, Jarrad Evans at 10 and I’m gutted regan graced injured. Either way I see a 30 point win easy for South Africa, and that’s being generous 😂 Wales has been an embarrassment of a team for the last 2 years !
I don't see what Gats sees in Costelow. Nor does my brother and he's a Scarlets fan. Costelow is very hot and cold, either he can have a great game or he has a bad one. Well maybe not bad but lacking game management that 10s need to have. His kicking is also not consistent enough. He hasn't started for the Scarlet for a few games now. Might be the opposition, tactical or Peel is trying new things I don' know. I personally don't think he's up to the international level, not yet at least. We were saying the same about Bigger look how that turned out. I feel bad for Sheedy he should have been picked much better than Costelow. All in all not a bad selection just hoping to see improvements and on top of the list is an attack, we are lacking punch in attack to score try's. Just hope for some happy because Gats looks how I feel about Welsh rugby.
I like Gatland but the Welsh so called 'Fans" can never get behind him or anyone else! They whine a lot! If you read the Welsh press you get it! The truth is that Welsh rugby is in trouble. The english poaching does not help. The memories of the earlier era of great Wales teams is still too fresh and some of the team are now pundits attempting to relive glory days. Whichever way he goes he cannot win. We just need to hope for some wins here - @ of 3 maybe?
‘They whine a lot’….’welsh rugby is in trouble’ Its not all bad, just need time for youngsters to come through and for the organisation to update. Lots of positive shoots, needs time
@@them1stocles Oh I agree and I am fine with Gats and his program. Wales as had almost 50 years for that new crop of youngsters, they are not coming and are sadly stolen away too often. They need to get rid of the silly cap rule and let the players gravitate to where they can do best. The Fans need to be behind them all the time not just singing the anthem. Wales did surprisingly well in the last World Cup with little prep.
The squad they wales have picked is still no where near as good as it could be. So many star players missing… Kirean Hardy, Morgan Morris, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Parry, Liam Belcher, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd… we all know why they won’t get picked
Great to hear a bit of positivity around Wales! Still a bit of pain to go I fear but I think we can start moving in the right direction this autumn 🏴
Yeah man still a bloody young squad in the scheme of things!
Man, your knowledge is truly superb. I follow Wales so, so closely, and you’re bang on.
Cheers man yeah I've been trying to watch a bit more of the Welsh sides this season - although apparently I'm missing something by not seeing Gloucester
@@TwoCentsRugby Gloucester are like the 5th Welsh region this year! Near the border so almost Welsh anyway. You seem to have as much welsh rugby knowledge as us welshies!
Been watching a bit of English premiership games... the welsh lads are doing pretty well....can see tomos and max starting.... both on fire for Gloucester
That's cracking news man!
Thank You .. Welsh in Costa Rica .. All the best
I really like this squad a few boys are unlucky but you want that competition at international level. Nicky Smith and anscombe returning will be huge.
Anscombe and Williams almost definitely starting IMO. Looks like a much more solid group of forwards with some consistency starting to come in to it. I'd expect Wales to focus a little bit less on the rugby and a bit more on physical preparation in this campaign to be ready for the 6n. Target should be at least two wins though. No reason they shouldn't beat Fiji and Australia at home.
Yeah man the first two games in particular are important
I think Wales are going surprise South Africa in these tests.Wales have big tradition in rugby.🏉
I'm hoping we can get something out of this Autumn this squad is hopeful, but I can't shake my nervousness approaching
games nowadays 😂 I usually put it down to being Welsh😀
crazy not picking Macs Page
Beauden is 33 too and starting. It’s fine for Anscombe !
Beaudy is a bit less injury prone I would say 😅
This is pretty much as good a squad as Wales can hope to field currently, though i agree would have loved to have seen Morris get picked! Hope the Welsh actually manage to pick up a win in November!
Yeah I dunno what the deal is that he never gets a chance.... I mean if the issue is the size.... I would point to what a guy like Kwagga Smith has been doing for SA
Like the squad. Especially glad for Nicky Smith. Question on another Gloucester player, the centre Lewellyn who scored a hatrick last weekend, is he in the squad?
Looking forward to the wobs video with their pretty interesting double squad.
Yeah man I'm having a look at the squads now!
I never thought I would say the words " Thank goodness Anscombe is on" but given how dreadful Costelow has been, he's the best we've got at 10. We'll miss Gareth Davies at halfback. With Jac Morgan and Tommy Turnover we've got a chance at the breakdowns.
If we're going to win one, it might be Australia. Fiji, if they bring a strong side, will be a real handful. The Saffas will be too strong. I'll be cheering win or lose. Cymru am byth🏴
Certainly a heaps of loose forwards - but having a classy 10 come through the ranks would be nice
Difficult to get excited as a Welshman but the squad is fairly decent, as good as we can expect. Just hope he actually picks players in their best positions and stops experimenting.
Best pool of young players I have seen in Wales, it's a matter of time before a breakthrough.
Games against Fiji and Australia could be crackers - be interesting to see if the Boks experiment in that game too
@@spud7823 If they can click and get build a decent gameplan then maybe but Gatland constantly experimenting with new positions and not picking form players is gonna demoralise them before they get the chance to impress
We need to be aiming for 2 wins, SA is a step beyond.
Steady set-piece and some inventive running lines in attack, that’s what we all want
If you sir are the ultimate Kiwi Rugby nerd, maybe you can comment on Blair Murray New Zealand age grade performances..
Bit surprised with some of the players left out as they’ve been the form players in the regions:
- Alex Davies
- Calum Sheedy
- Ioan Lloyd
- Taine Basham
- Rhys Carre (granted Gatland has always disliked him for some reason)
- Kieran Hardy
It can be so strange sometimes with selections as you can feel that some of the form players just can’t do anything to make it.
Yeah can't blame Carre for going back to Sarries aye...
My prediction for the first choice team:
1,2,3: Assiratti, Lake, Gareth Thomas
4,5: Rowlands, Beard,
6,8,7: Morgan, Wainwright, Reffell,
9, 10: Tomos Williams, Anscombe,
12,13: Watkins, Grady
11,14,15: Dyer, Rogers, Winett
I'm fairly certain that will be the starting 15. My question marks are at 3,10,14 but other than that I'm confident that's what Gats will pick
Really hope you’re wrong though!
I’m very confident he won’t play Reffell and Morgan together. He’s said as much. I’d be shocked if he didn’t start Plumtree. I think he now sees Grady as a wing. I’d rather see Hathaway though, I think.
123 Smith Lake Griffin
45 Rowlands Carter
678 Plumtree Reffell Wainwright
9,10 Tomos Anscombe
12,13 James Llewellyn
11,14,15 Grady Dyer Murray
16,17,18 Lloyd Thomas Thomas
19, 20, 21 F Thomas, Tachiunza, Reffell
22, 23 Bevan and Ben Thomas
@@StopTheRot to be fair you might be right about Plumtree and Murray he does tend to favour kiwi's
@@StopTheRotI don't think Gats will start reffell over Morgan.
He will probably start Beard.
Winnet will be fullback
Cytuno !
Asserati won't start. Not even bench. Ben Carter the form 2nd row and he will go with a big 6. Either Plumtree or Tshiunza
Can you do Fiji squad?
Ah man is it out?
@@TwoCentsRugby Yeah bro
Martyn Williams retires and there's Sam Warburton. Warburton retires and there's Justin Tipiric. Tipuric retires and Jac Morgan emerges. Morgan gets injured and Tommy reffell dominates. Wales-just-have-loosies
Not expecting much. Simply because, Gats always used to use this series as a bit of a 'trial'. Half expecting a bad loss in there somewhere. And the media to melt down again, of course. But nothing strange, if you look at the history of Gats and Autumn internationals. Building a good base for 6N in my opinion. Squad is starting to feel nice and strong across the board. Bit more experience for some peeps, and we should be going good. Few others to drop back in also (Josh Adams), and we should be in good nick for 6N. The next 're-vamp' of Wales feels like its about to kick off, so very exciting, from my point of view. In Gats I trust!
And, after watching your video - astonishing how many Welsh / Kiwis there are about. New neighbour is a Kiwi who raised family here. His family used to own a hotel in my favourite place on Earth - Wanaka!
Wanaka is flippin beautiful mate!
Welp, Australia and Fiji will give Wales a workout, but yeah the Springboks are an even bigger handful
Sheedy or Edwards should be in front of Costelow IMHO.
Dan Edward’s any day over Costelow. Would have loved Reuben Morgan-Williams for a second choice 9, nothing wrong with Rhodri Williams though. Thought Dan Thomas the Cardiff Flanker offers a good aggressive option and might have made the cut. With you in regards to Morgan Morris, but I remember Shane Williams wasn’t picked for ages based on his size, maybe a similar mentality from Gats in this case ?
No Dragons top or just no space?
I have a Dragons top (old logo one) 😅
is Shaun Edwards looking for a job?
wales need to compete for the full match. tactical kicking and set piece need to be in form or i cant see a win at all. for once can we see some progress, and a winning start is a must . wales could sneak a win against fiji , will just lose out against aussies, and have relatively no chance vs boks.
Ryan Elias continues to blackmail the coaching staff to make the squad
How he keeps getting picked I'll never know. Dreadful at line out time - games have been lost when he was brought in to replace Elliot Dee, and he's fucked up at crucial times. More of a worry is Costelow, he's not ready and never will be - bring on Ioan Lloyd.
How many thomases and williams in wales i reckon ben thomas should be the 10 he's pretty good
Lol yeah there are a lot!
Poor Gatland. It is a struggle for him isnt it? He is trying to rebuild.
Yeah it seems like a long term project for Gats - short term may be tough
I’m sure the 600k salary helps cushion the pain.
@@them1stocles 😂😂
Be nice to see Joe Hawkins centre, Jarrad Evans at 10 and I’m gutted regan graced injured. Either way I see a 30 point win easy for South Africa, and that’s being generous 😂
Wales has been an embarrassment of a team for the last 2 years !
I don't see what Gats sees in Costelow. Nor does my brother and he's a Scarlets fan. Costelow is very hot and cold, either he can have a great game or he has a bad one. Well maybe not bad but lacking game management that 10s need to have. His kicking is also not consistent enough. He hasn't started for the Scarlet for a few games now. Might be the opposition, tactical or Peel is trying new things I don' know. I personally don't think he's up to the international level, not yet at least. We were saying the same about Bigger look how that turned out. I feel bad for Sheedy he should have been picked much better than Costelow. All in all not a bad selection just hoping to see improvements and on top of the list is an attack, we are lacking punch in attack to score try's. Just hope for some happy because Gats looks how I feel about Welsh rugby.
Yeah costello is piss poor I agree. I'd like to see ben thomas at 10 personally
Will be interesting to see which laws Gatland wants to see changed after Wales losses.
England contrbutes more players than any Welsh Region.
I like Gatland but the Welsh so called 'Fans" can never get behind him or anyone else! They whine a lot! If you read the Welsh press you get it! The truth is that Welsh rugby is in trouble. The english poaching does not help. The memories of the earlier era of great Wales teams is still too fresh and some of the team are now pundits attempting to relive glory days. Whichever way he goes he cannot win. We just need to hope for some wins here - @ of 3 maybe?
‘They whine a lot’….’welsh rugby is in trouble’
Its not all bad, just need time for youngsters to come through and for the organisation to update.
Lots of positive shoots, needs time
@@them1stocles Oh I agree and I am fine with Gats and his program. Wales as had almost 50 years for that new crop of youngsters, they are not coming and are sadly stolen away too often. They need to get rid of the silly cap rule and let the players gravitate to where they can do best. The Fans need to be behind them all the time not just singing the anthem. Wales did surprisingly well in the last World Cup with little prep.
The squad they wales have picked is still no where near as good as it could be. So many star players missing… Kirean Hardy, Morgan Morris, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Parry, Liam Belcher, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd… we all know why they won’t get picked
Why?
I would have loved to see Morgan Morris get a crack man - seems unlikely though for whatever reason
@@apgwilym bc scarlets and Cardiff are the favourites… if you want a good chance you gotta play for them
@@TwoCentsRugby unfortunate favouritism… the real reason wales aren’t gonna be winning any time soon
No sheedy is criminal
As a Cardiff, i can live with it… need him for the season