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

Wales' inspirational new captain Alun Wyn Jones on the charge

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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B
BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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