Six Nations 2017 Preview: Discount the Mongrel Welsh at Your Peril

Could we be in for a more subtle, free-flowing, expansive Wales this year? Here’s hoping, writes James Harrington.

What to look out for
Something a little different, if you don’t mind, Wales? In recent years the Welsh game has been – individual moments of brilliance apart – stultifyingly dull, direct and predictable. Interim coach Rob Howley has selected a side including seven uncapped players that, on paper at least, looks as if they will play something a little more subtle, free-flowing, and expansive. Here’s hoping.

Strengths
The mongrel attitude of the never-say-die Welsh. They have been underdogs before, and despite fairly dire performances in the November internationals (where they still managed to win three of their four games!) it would be a mistake to write them off completely. They have come into this tournament pretty much under the radar, while everyone has focused on England and Ireland. That could work to their advantage – but only if they have come up with a gameplan beyond the much-maligned ‘Warrenball’.

Weaknesses
Form. Those November internationals will have done little to ease the worries of Wales fans. Could this be the beginning of the end of the Warren Gatland-Rob Howley era?

The Man in Charge
With Warren Gatland back on Lions’ duty, the Welsh have put Rob Howley in charge. The last time that happened – again when Gatland was in charge of the big summer tour – Wales won the 2013 tournament despite losing their opening match. This time, he’s developing a team very much in transition… and time is not on his side.

[rugbypass-ad-banner id=”1485479950″]

Player to Watch
Wasps’ mighty Thomas Young. The son of the club’s director of rugby and former British Lion Dai has made the most of the chances that have come his way, while injuries have sidelined both James Haskell and Sam Jones. He has been key to the club’s fast, fluid style; a link-man between forwards and backs. Despite his relatively small stature, Young has proven he is more than robust enough to tangle with the biggest and best of them.

Best Chance of an Upset
Closing the roof at the Principality Stadium. After all, the fixture list is not in their favour. After an opening weekend away-day in Rome, they have two rather more difficult games in Edinburgh and Paris, and their two home matches are against England and Ireland – both sides with noticeably shorter odds on tournament success. But, if the roof is closed and the crowd ramps up the noise, who knows what could happen? A win against either of the tournament favourites would make Wales contenders for the crown.

Prediction
Fourth. Joe Schmidt last week labelled Wales a ‘sleeping giant’ ahead of the tournament – which is often regarded as a hint of better things to come. It’s probably true, but the downside is it also means that they’re not quite good enough yet, despite all the pre-tournament optimism among fans. Three away fixtures, including a final day trip to new-look France, is likely to dull the dragon’s roar this year.

Squad
Forwards: Scott Andrews, Scott Baldwin, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Olly Cracknell, Kristian Dacey, Rob Evans, Taulupe Faletau, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Rhodri Jones, James King, Samson Lee, Ross Moriarty, Ken Owens, Nicky Smith, Rory Thornton, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Thomas Young
Backs: Dan Biggar, Alex Cuthbert, Aled Davies, Jonathan Davies, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Steffan Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, Ashton Hewitt, George North, Jamie Roberts, Rhys Webb, Liam Williams, Owen Williams, Scott Williams