Surprises wing in from Wales camp
- 29 Jan 07, 04:41 PM
Cardiff - "How we sing as we limp through the air; Look below, there's our field over there; With our full crew aboard and our trust in the Lord; We're coming in on a wing and a prayer"
I'm trying to think of a previous time when a player has been definitely ruled out of a major international, only to then miraculously recover just in time (I believe in some rugby circles it's known as an 'anti-Wilkinson', although Jonny's ready for ).
But you know how it is, you wait for one and then two come along at once with from the Wales camp that Shane Williams and Mark Jones could yet face Ireland.
Gareth Jenkins' backs cupboard had been looking a bit bare, what with injuries and possible bans, and we'd all enjoyed keeping a close eye on Gavin Henson to see if he fitted the bill at full-back (general concensus in the last blog seemed to lean towards 'not at the moment').
Now the spiky-haired one may find himself relegated to the bench in the Millennium Stadium if little Shane and sparky Mark on Wednesday or Thursday.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan might have to change his team-talk as well: "If in doubt boys just launch a Garryowen over the full-back's head, you can't miss - just aim for the glow of the perma-tan... What's that? Winning fitness race... both of them? Bugger."
Wales are still struggling to find a centre pairing of J Hook plus A N Other that will stand up to but with their first-choice wings back it would give the home side a real cutting edge, especially if it allows Kevin 'The Knife' Morgan to slot into his preferred full-back role.
All eyes on the training paddock for the next couple of days then and fingers crossed if you're supporting Wales.
Wales 27-18 England
Comments Post your comment
If Shane and Mark Jones fail to make it back will we have a back in their prefered position beyond Stephen Jones?
Complain about this post
I'm old enough to remember 'When they left Phil Bennett out!' Out on the thursday , in on the saturday, played a blinder. Lousy song though.
Complain about this post
It is vital to Wales' chances of success for Jones and Williams to be declared fit for Sunday. I would have Morgan at full back and then Hook and Henson in the centres. OK so Henson is clearly a 12 and not a 13 but with Jones, Hook and Henson you have 3 individuals who can run, kick and distribute brilliantly. I cannot deny that we will miss the directness and incisive running of an out-and-out 13 like Shanklin but with J, H & H in the three-quarters you have individuals who all pose a personal attacking threat but who also all get players playing off them. And who better to play off them than the dynamic trio of Jones, Williams and Morgan as the back three? Notwithstanding the result of the impending hearing Gareth Thomas does not make my starting 15 on present form and if either Williams or Jones fails to regain fitness I would start with Dafydd James on the wing. Whatever else happens Henson MUST NOT play at full-back.
Complain about this post
For the sake of the game let's hope all are fit. Wales do have some strength in depth but could any northern hemisphere team come back from an entire back line being injured? (Jones, Williams, Parker, Shankiln, Byrne, maybe Alfie)?
I'd like to see Henson line up against O'Driscoll. There's enough needle between them to maybe throw the green monster off his game.
Complain about this post
What news on Gareth Thomas's possible suspension? Barring that I'd say he'd be the best player for the no 13 shirt, and probably do a sterling job.
Complain about this post
If both Shane Williams & Mark Jones are fit then we should remember that Gavin Henson is still a world class centre and James Hook is good enough to play anywhere in the backline. Gavin has bags of experience and James Hook should play outside centre next to Gavin. Those positions would suit them best.Stephen Jones also has a lot of experience with Playing Gavin outside him.
Complain about this post
oh please oh please, if only one of them... I've been wondering if this is all a Gareth Jenkins ploy to unsettle the Irish, but decided he wouldn't stoop so low.
Complain about this post
Hi Mervyn, what game was that with Phil Bennett? Such a legend that I guess no one was too surprised that he could do miraculous things on the physio's bench as well as on the pitch ;-) You're right about the song, terribly cheesy but just fitted!
Oliver - unfortunately the injuries are genuine. The whisper is that of the two wings Mark Jones is more likely to make it, although both he and Shane are running in training.
Interesting that a couple of you feel Henson should partner Hook in midfield, I take it no one is too excited about Hal Luscombe or Jamie Robinson then?
Complain about this post
why o why are certain people going on about Henson and how hes world class. Do these people know anything about rugby ??!! Whats he done to be world class ??
World class players do not live off something they did 2 years ago !! He has been found out at last. Wales can not afford to carry a player who will only make a tackle ( and a shoulder barge at that ) when he has no way of getting out the way. Teams would love to play against him as he is shy. When, as it looks like it will against Ireland, it calls for everyone to get stuck in and pull their weight Henson will be hiding in the wings sonewhere, but its Ok, he won a game for us 2 years ago !!!!
Complain about this post
I would take Hal over Jamie as the safer option. I don't think Jamie Robinson has impressed at international level yet and is erratic for the Blues.
I do quite like the idea of Hook and henson in the centres with Morgan, Williams and Jones as the back three.
Complain about this post
Has everyone forgotten the great job gav did at full back against either australia or south africa (i can't remember) for wales last year, he was awesome. SUre, he had a reportdely bad game against ulster on the weekend but if williams and jones are out, put gav at full back, i'm confident he can do a job, even if he doesn't set the game alight, we'l leave that to a certain j.hook!
Complain about this post
Idris Evans has hit the nail on the head here. However, GH is not the first player that the Welsh media and fans have undeservedly hype beyond recognition.
I remember the fuss a few years ago when gareth Cooper started getting his first few caps. And now he's about Wales's 5th choice Scrum Half.
When will Wales learn?
Complain about this post
The most important thing for wales is to avoid picking players by reputation. I went to see Ospreys v Ulster and the worst player on the pitch was Henson. Trust me, if henson plays this weekend: there is NO hope.
Complain about this post
Jenkins has to plat Czekai. He's the fastest thing on 2 legs in Welsh rugby and big and young with it. Holding him back because of youth and relying on crocked players instead is foolish in my opinion.
Complain about this post
Jenkins has to plat Czekai. He's the fastest thing on 2 legs in Welsh rugby and big and young with it. Holding him back because of youth and relying on crocked players instead is foolish in my opinion.
Complain about this post
Wales will look even more dangerous out wide if Shane Williams and Mark Jones come through. However, I think that Wales are particular blessed with alot of quality in the back 3. The fact that someone of the calibre of Dafydd James who has been playing well recently hasnt made the squad says alot about the strength Wales have in this area.
As for Henson at full back personally i think that that position isnt the best area in which he can make a effective impact on the game. I believe that 12 is his best position and so should play there. Hook is a nice problem but in the long term i see Hook replacing Jones at 10.
13 is a problem but I also believe that Watkins can bring alot to that position and I thought he did very well in the 2006 6 nations. but as for the backs against Ireland on sunday it needs to be...
9. Peel, 10. Jones, 11.S.Williams (if not fit then Luscombe),12.Henson, 13.Robinson 14.Jones (if not fit then..Morgan/Czekaj) 15. Thomas (if not avaliable Morgan)
Complain about this post
Czekaj? That boy has Craig Morgan syndrome. Whenever he gets the ball he stops, steps off both feet and gets smashed; he's only good when he's 10 yards from the nearest player. He'll be kicking every ball he gets soon...
Complain about this post
Czekaj is very average, even as a club player. He offers nothing in attack that a good side could not defend against easily.
Complain about this post
Czekaj is very average, even as a club player. He offers nothing in attack that a good side could not defend against easily.
Complain about this post
Just seen the possible team to face Irleand and a little concerned that he looks like hes picking R Jones AND Popham. While they are both good players ( although i dont think they are as good as the Welsh media go on about ) I feel we should have a No 6 in there, someone like Charvis. For me R Jones doesnt play for the full 80 ( against Sale he was brill 1st half, didnt see him at all 2nd half ) and Popham can be too loose. We need a player who will scrap on the floor for the ball.
Complain about this post
the team is suprising generally, id of gone for the 'jones brothers' personally, but jenkins seems to think that brute strenght of the thug that is horsman will do it and fair play, as long as he doesnt get a yellow! and id of gone for johnathon thomas with jones because im afraid popham isnt playing to the same level for wales as he does for the scarlets.
as for the back line, iv never been a fan of luscombe, and robinson either has a good day or a bad day, so thats a bit of a risk too. but iv got faith in hook to come good (as has most of the country at that matter!)
Complain about this post
for whoever said henson was living off what he did 2 years ago, i would half agree, but enlighten you to a certain jonny wilkinson!
backs......... 9.peel, 10. jones, 11. Darren Daniel! 12. Hook 13. Luscombe 14. Daffyd James 15. Morgan............. anyone agree?
Complain about this post
I cannot believe our luck, last year all those injury problems an now again. I thought Gareth's ban did not fit the crime. He is retiring this year, for god sake let it be a good for him. Come on Wales get some back bone and challenge the result.
My view on selection is that we have made a huge mistake on Hal an Jamie. They are weak and flakey. Ireland will see the weakness an take them apart. Jamies oppo is O'Driscol, come on we need a rough neck in there. There is alot of talk about Henson, he is not that good. I think he has lots of skill but has not fulfilled his potential we built him up to early an thinks he is good enough. To play for Wales I think you got to want it and feel a pain in the heart pure pride, passion an love for your country. I don't see this in Henson. He has already said his dream is to play for the SUPER 12. His dream should be winning every game for Wales an taking it to the enemy.
Complain about this post
I'm affraid... very affraid! I saw the line-up at lunchtime in work and i nearly coughed up my lunch! The whole Henson thing is hilarious in the sense that he's beginning to show some of the form people talk about at 12 for the Ospreys and they want him at 15 - so they put him at 15 for 45 mins and he's bad, so now he's not in the squad at all! - Hook in at 12 to start after Jenkins complaining that Lyn Jones should play him at 10! and Luscombe... don't even get me started!?! where's Dafydd James? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE JENKINS... PROVE MY DOUBTS WRONG!! or is it that whenever someone becomes the Wales coach, they lose all common sense!?! I'll be at the stadium with bated breath!
Complain about this post
No No No! Yet more Parochial selection Tactics from Jenkins. I find it hilarious that the Anti-Henson League seems to have taken over this blog. Well lads, you've got your wish. One of your few world Class players has been isolated and in place you have an untried, untested and distinctly average centre!
If Mike Tindall had attracted the same animosity for dating Princess Zara as Henson has for Charlotte Church then perhaps his confidence would have also hit an all time low. why not stop talking about the fake tan, hairgel and warbling girlfriend, and let the guy do his talking on the pitch. Even better, put him On the pitch tomorrow for some much needed defensive mettle and experience against the most dangerous centre partnership in the world.
I see Wales Getting thumped as a result.
And Kevin Morgan.....Kevin Morgan. I look forward to the customary fiesta of missed tackles and dropped balls, which he never fails to deliver!
Good luck Lads, perhaps Jenkins will learn from this defeat
Complain about this post