Charvis shows what might have been
- 17 Feb 07, 01:29 PM
Sixty-four minutes into the Dragons' match at Ravenhill on Friday night, a mop of curly hair threw itself onto the ball with Ulster players' feet, elbows, arms and legs all heading in the same direction. But Colin Charvis emerged with the ball and set up a great 10 minutes for the Dragons as they bombarded Ulster's line and did everything but score.
The Dragons' effort was monumental, but was not enough as they lost 14-7. Does the same now apply to the former Wales captain in his effort to start against the French?
Just reading between the lines - admittedly, maybe misreading between the lines - of what Charvis and watching Wales coach Gareth Jenkins said in their post match interviews, you might just suspect that Charvis will be no more than a spectator next Saturday.
Whatever happens, it was great to see a player perform so well when the pressure was really on. And amidst all the injuries, suspensions and poor form it was great to see someone provide the Wales management with a genuine selection headache ahead of the trip to Paris.
Wales 27-18 England
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he played well but i think his time is probably over with the wales management probably looking to the future. how much longer will he be around for?
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Charvis has re-established himself as a real quality flanker and deserves to start in Paris, unlucky to not have started already, perhaps even in the autumn. His skills for grafting are vital when we have a front five incapable of winning any ball.
Richie McCaw didn't label Charvis as the hardest opponent he's played against for nothing.
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Somewhat repetitious!
I had thought Charvis was past it.
Could he last the pace in Paris?
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It really was great see Charvis performing at his best once more. A lot has been made of his age, and the need to look to the future, but are we really at a stage where blooding youngsters is our top priorety? With the World Cup in 7 months, it's time to pick simply our best players.
With Ryan Jones struggling with knee trouble; Charvis, Williams and Popham are the form back row in Wales, and I'd have no qualms about having them all in the starting line up against France.
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If Gareth Jenkins picks the best in form players regardless of age or experience I think the team would always be at its srongest on the day.This would mean playing Colin Charvis and James Hook while they are playing better rugby than
other players in their position.
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Interesting comments from John Connelly Australian coach confirm that NZ is now the envy of all countries re:the conditioning stand down of the All Blacks:
"I believe the way forward, and one of the great gains to be made in rugby, is the development of the athlete in terms of strength and speed, a path New Zealand is going down at the moment."
And the real purpose of Graham Henry's true intentions and the present status of the All Blacks should send shivers and jealousy to all leading rugby nations in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere:
"The guys are doing 'PBs' on the track with speed, and they're certainly lifting a lot more weights, and the combination of those things is power that we're looking for, and that explosiveness," said Henry.
"And explosiveness is the key to our game really. If we can get even more explosive than we have been hopefully it's going to widen the gap between us and the opposition. Thats what we're trying to do
"We're trying to make guys stronger and faster so they're more explosive -- more explosive when carrying the ball, more explosive when tackling, and more explosive at the tackle area. And that's the key to the game."
Rather than critising the stand down, Henry and co should be congratulated to the hilltops!
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"more explosive when carrying the ball, more explosive when tackling, and more explosive at the tackle area" - C Charvis get him in the 22 at least?
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Very good points made by all. I would like to see charvis lining up in the back row in Paris too with Popham reverting back to no.8. Even if fit Ryan Jones wouldn't be in my team because he hasn't got the speed at the base for a no.8 and Popham is better suited to Wales fast open game GAMEPLAN!!!!!!!! Also with Wales seemingly losing the ball every time they go into a tackle we need another ball winner in the tackle area. I would have him on the bench though as he can cover 6&8 positions. In fact I might have picked a back row of Charvis, Tandy and Popham because Tandy has been the best player for Ospreys if not in Wales. He puts his body on the line at all times and wins a lot of opposition ball and would be a better bet in my opinion than Martyn Williams who can be something of a luxury if Wales aren't doing well which is very much the situation now! But in saying this it would be a bit risky bringing in a new cap in such a critical position as 7 is in Paris of all places. This would be my team for France if all fit - Byrne,M. Jones,Shanklin, Hook,S.Williams,S.Jones(last chance!),Peel,Popham,Williams,Charvis,A.W.Jones,Cockbain,G.Jenkins, R.Thomas(last chance!),D.Jones
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maybe you welsh should look to the future for once and stop living in the past. i.e. the greand slam of two years ago and the "glory days" around thirty years ago. leave charvis out
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As for living in the past David, no one is more guilty than one-eyed English fans!
Looking to the future? Endless moans about being world cup champions, bringing back Jason Robinson etc.
As a Kiwi - we constantly have to listen to English fans go on about how they are world cup champions! Over 3 years ago .. at least the Welsh grand slam was more recent!
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7 months is close enough for Charvis to maintain form and be a very relevant to Wales' cause. The Popham/Jones combination did not work paricularly well (the Scots' mobility won hands down) and, in simple terms, I reckon Charvis is better than both of them. A little bit of an enigma is Colin, for sure. As for this 'France in Paris' thing, the French back-row are fairly sparky but not a class apart; Chabal's hair is the only scare! If Wales don't win, which is likely, it won't be because of back-row combinations it will be because France are a stronger team overall - Front 5 and back line, by miles!
Hope Wales win, but my money is not on them. I'm English by the way.
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James the Kiwi! Gosh you are not a fan of the English are you? 脟onstantly? It was only three years ago.. hardly amounts to 'constantly'. And most England fans I know were simply relieved and overjoyed to win it. I certainly was.
Whereas, of course, you have to hark back to the last millenium for your last boast and some say that was just a friendly tourney to show just how far you professional lot were ahead, then. And well done, you were.
James, there is no God-given right to win the World cup. You just have to win it. Despite NZ being the best team going in to all but one World cup, you have not delivered and it bites. If you win this one, well done; plaudits deserved. If you don't, and I suspect that this is a possibility, you'll certainly be favourites for 2011....strange how it ended up there, eh? Small stadia, dreadful transport issues, crap beer and post WW2 ideals (Lions tour 2005-quaint, but not for me!)
And a Wales suppporter to boot!
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Age? If your good enough you should be playing. It's a good job england kept the faith with the likes of Richard Hill and Neil back, instead of blooding youngsters for the future 2 years before the world cup. Charvis to play!
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I would pick THE welsh side 4 next 3 games, why is that useless thoughtless, bafoon still incharge?
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Age doesn't really matter, as long as you can produce the goods, form matters. Kettle calling pot black David? Lawrence Dallaglio making a comeback last year, Jason Robinson this year. Living in the past? No, just making use of still-good players. Wales are also perfectly within their rights to do so.
Cymru am byth!
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If Charvis played well enough he should play. Simple as. However, Alun Wyn-Jones, Ryan Jones and Martyn Williams are a big back row. I don't think Charvis will displace Williams as Charvis is not a out-and-out seven. I think it's more that Jenkins will want to keep his back row as is, because they've played decently, rather than add Charvis.
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age is not an issue. Charvis is world class on his day, and can cover all back row. He changed the game against ulster,and kept neil best quiet. Jenkins has got to bring him in for ryan jones, who's a poor mans michael owen without the hands. Has he broken a tackle this year o'gara took him down a couple of times, he should try to stay on his feet instead of going to floor and holding on for more penalties. Alfie for 100 caps campaign
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Charvis has been Newport's best player this season (along with Aled Brew who also should get a look in ahead of Czekaj!)and has proven himself against the best teams to be the most effective tackler, ball carrier and most importantly ball winner Wales have got.
His season in the sun a few years ago means that he hasn't had the continuous intensity of rugby the average player of his age might and he is easily fit enough to play. Come on Charvissimo!
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JOhn Connelly is of course absolutely correct when he talks about the AB's emphasis on power and speed throughout the whole 15 players. Rugby League have been playing this type of rugby for the last decade and only now, albeit with much cynicism, are certain enlightened souls within the 15 code beginning to understand that fast, powerful athletical footballers with the requisite ball handling skills can and will beat all comers. It's just that in New Zealand the whole 15 players can quite easily execute those skills that are indeed unique to Union in specific roles while ALSO being able to perform those skills that most League players execute without a moments thought.
Thank god the RFU have appointed a coach who is able to see that the only way forward is to develop a range of skills throughout the team. ie Corry can't run or pass the ball with any degree of accuracy while many AB forwards can. Why is this?
Who knows but I think it will never change
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Seems like Colin Charvis gets the wrong end of the stick by every group in Wales. Just over a year ago, he was Man-o-The-Match v. Australia. He might not the best in the world, nor the flashiest, but has skills to burn, and does not lose composure under pressure. He does the little things necessary for winning - all without gel in his hair (I think). Rather attributes key in big games, and sorely lacking in Wales at the moment. Exactly the type of bloke needed to get the ball on the ground when no one else has a clue and light a fire. Can have a tad of a run now and again as well. Wales can - and are doing a lot worse.
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Seems like Colin Charvis gets the wrong end of the stick by every group in Wales. Just over a year ago, he was Man-o-The-Match v. Australia. He might not the best in the world, nor the flashiest, but has skills to burn, and does not lose composure under pressure. He does the little things necessary for winning - all without gel in his hair (I think). Rather attributes key in big games, and sorely lacking in Wales at the moment. Exactly the type of bloke needed to get the ball on the ground when no one else has a clue and light a fire. Can have a tad of a run now and again as well. Wales can - and are doing a lot worse.
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If Charvis does not get a place in the matchday squad for Saturday, it will be a travesty - Gareth Jenkins should not be coach in the first place - he wasn't good enough last time round when Ruddock got the job, why would he be now? Czekaj, Jamie Robinson, Sidoli - surely we have better than these in Wales, even with all the injuries - what about Charvis? Daffyd James? Why players in form like these are not in the squad is unbelievable. Please get rid of Jenkins now before its too late for the World Cup. Not that I have any idea who to replace him with - Phil Davies will do, he seems to have sorted out the mess Jenkins left the Scarlets in.
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Look to the future? The world cup is this year!!
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Charvis should play for his hair alone!
Against the French, you need hard, strong tacklers to hit their backs again and again to disrupt their flowing game. You don't need youth or speed for that, you need experience, guile and heart, all of which Charvis has in abundance. Let them get into their stride and get their tails up and they'll run rings around you. Scare them off from playing passes and draw them into a physical game, where Wales should dominate, and it's yours.
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when charvis was left club-less after the welsh reorganisation a few years ago the best offer he got was from a french second division side.
he's no better now
'nuff said
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Charvis remains one of the best back row in the business. He grafts hard and wins ball at the breakdown. He'll secure ball for the backs quickly and in dangerous situations i.e. in broken play when Wales are in their element.
I've played in the backrow for twenty years and it's the things you don't see that matter. It's not the big flashy runs that win games (although they help) it's all the crafty stuff guys like Charvis get up to around the fringes and at the breakdown. If he's on form and fit then his age doesn't matter.
Williams, Charvis & Popham.
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Wales team to play France has just been announced (read it here and, as Gareth predicted, there is no place for Colin Charvis in the 22.
Is that the right decision by Gareth Jenkins, or an opportunity missed?
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well... team is up and no charvis, which in my opinion is a strange selection, do we need even more cover for the second row despite having cockbain back on the bench? If not then charvis is playing far better and deserved his chance to impress!
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Wales team to faced France.
At last Jenkins has got the right blend for his team, the front five should be able to compete and with some the injuries behind us we have some wide options. I would still have preferred Daffyd James on the bench but otherwise a good selection, perhaps he listened to the pundits.
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I find it a absolute joke Colin Charvis isn't in the team once again. He is in great form, age should not come into it. If he won't pick Henson because of form what is Gareth Jenkin's and selector's picking this team on?
Can't see us getting anywhere near the French score come Sat.
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just watched the team selection on the news. it seems a good enough team to me. should charvis be playing? who knows. the man in charge has all the experience to select the team he thinks is the best. I'm sure he is more qualified than any one else in wales, even the thousands of fans who think they know more. lets give gareth jenkins and the welsh team all the support and stop Criticising. good luck for saturday gnts, lets restore some pride
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oh well a few steps in the right direction for you welshies
ditching the two hair bears in the front row is a start. stephen jones should be able to play flatter against harinordoquy who is not the fastest no. 7 over 5 yards or so.
and listen to jonathan davies in the sunday indie and play hook at 13 with shanklin at 12
don't worry - you'll still lose but at least you might have found a team to compete with scotland next time you meet them
pob lwc!
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The fact is Colin Charvis should be in the starting line up. Jenkins cannot pick the right team to do the right job. He was second rate when Ruddock got the job. Stephen Jones and James Hook in the same line up? Can anybody say Clive Woodward! Remember what he did to SJ on the lions tour, put a certain J Wilkinson inside him, didn't work then and it will not work now.
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Forget Colin Charvis, It bemuses me why isnt Steven Tandy in the Wales team? He has been consistenyly oustanding for the Ospreys over the last two seasons and Jon Thomas has been resigned to the bench while Tandy is ever present, yet we find Jon Thomas on the bench not Steve Tandy? How long before he at least gets a looking in a Welsh Jersey! He would bring the desire and hard working ethic of a true Welsh rugby player not like the rest of the overpaid pre-maddonas!
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He has been the in form flanker in Wales if not in britain. IF Gareth Jenkins can ignore this then what will he ignore next. The simple fact is that he cannot just pick players on their reputations, he has to pick on form.
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Colin Charvis has been outstanding this season and was selected for this Welsh squad simply on form. To ignore him when he is playing so well is folly and simply shows that the management team are intent on maintaining a west wales culture of Scarlets and Ospreys.
For the sake of Welsh rugby, grow up and pick the form players, even if they play in the east!!!
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I thought Popham and Martyn Williams were the only 2 really good performances against Scotland. I still can't fathom why Gareth Jenkins took off Williams when Rhys Thomas was sinbinned. I'd have taken off Ryan Jones who wasn't having his best game. For Williams to then be replaced by Jon Thomas was laughable. I can only assume Williams must have gotten slightly injured. Charvis has been outstanding for the Dragons, he regularly shows his class but to be honest I wouldn't change this backrow just yet. I would however definitely have Charvis on the bench instead of Jon Thomas (who is a decent player in decent form but we already have a spare lock on the bench and could probably put Ryan Jones there in a pinch). Charvis would provide a genuine impact for the last 20-25 minutes and is capable of changing a game.
He has though had lots of chances and let down successive coaches to some degree. I would like to see a couple more of the Dragons in the squad though, I'd love to see what Ashley Smith can do against Italy, he's looked like he has real talent every time I've seen the Dragons.
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Isn't tinkering with the make-up of the Welsh team a bit like moving the deckchairs around on the Titanic?
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There's a lot made of Colins age yet he is the same age as Danny Grewcock, and only a year older than Andy Farrell, Martyn Corry, Jason Robinson, Perry Freshwater, John Hayes, Raphael Ibanez and Fabien Pelous among others.
my point being if your good enough then you play, if your not then you don't. at the moment Colin Charvis is the best 6 around and therefore deserves his chance.
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I think Jenkins has made a mistake in not picking Charvis. His ball-carrying and destructive qualities should make him a must in the Welsh team.
I'd also like to see a recall for Mark Taylor in the centre and start him at 12 alongside Shanklin.
Dafydd James should be on the bench to offer an impact after 60 minutes or so.
People might point to their ages but who cares if they're good enough and could improve our team which has, let's face it, been very disappointing in the Six Nations so far.
I do see Hook as a future Wales stand-off but he looks too leightweight in the centre and out of his depth at the moment.
Final point: Thank the Lord Shane Williams is back. I grow tired of people complaining about his size. The guy's capable of making tries from anywhere on the park. He's a gem and we'll miss his creative spark when he retires.
I'm expecting Wales to put up a fight but go down valiently.
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Charvis appears somewhat unlucky considering the overhaul in the line-up from the Scotland game. Does this signal the end of his international career then? If he cannot gain inclusion in a Welsh team on a run of defeats while he is back at the top of his game it doesnt look great. I think hes unlucky not to get in there with Martyn Williams, their styles complement nicely. Having said that Popham has not been letting himself down during his run in this Six Nations.
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Ben Morgan has just reiterated a conversation I had with my friends while watching the unfathomable subsitution of Williams on the weekend.
I'm starting to get very suspicious of Jenkins abilities as an international coach. Perhaps the world stage is too big for him.
I know there are injury woes he is contending with but none the less, we've underperformed since he's been in charge. The question is why? The players are all talented.
Is it his failure to select an appropriate 22 for the opposition, or is this his problem? Maybe he shouldn't be selecting based on opposition and should be selecting based on his own game plan - if he has one...
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i would rather see an old colin charvis full of agression and desire than the out of form "future of welsh rugby" stars play anyday.steve tandy should be there also as he has more than fronted up to the best in europe for the ospreys this season.pick the best on form players and make the youngsters raise theyre game and play theyre way into the team if they are good enough.
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What's Charvis doing in the squad if your not going to use him and he's past it? I'd def play him and Martyn Williams as flankers, flip a coin for Ryan or popham and leave the loser on the bench. World cup is imminent. He will surely last until then and best of all-He's actually one player in form and with a brain!!!! Gareth Jenkins keeps banging on about form, how come Charvis not playing after recent performances. As for suggestion made for Tandy-get real when the going gets touch Martyn is usually the only one making a difference. Why he was left off in scotland beggared belief. I thought GJ would have been better coach than performances and decisions made to date-disappointing
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What's Charvis doing in the squad if your not going to use him and he's past it? I'd def play him and Martyn Williams as flankers, flip a coin for Ryan or popham and leave the loser on the bench. World cup is imminent. He will surely last until then and best of all-He's actually one player in form and with a brain!!!! Gareth Jenkins keeps banging on about form, how come Charvis not playing after recent performances. As for suggestion made for Tandy-get real when the going gets touch Martyn is usually the only one making a difference. Why he was left off in scotland beggared belief. I thought GJ would have been better coach than performances and decisions made to date-disappointing
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Lets get one thing stright. Colin Charvis is the form player in wales at the moment. Gareth Jenkins does not like the guy. When he had no club a few seasons ago llanelli were crying out for a big back row player. And what did gareth jenks say. He was not good enough for llanelli. Lets face it what did gareth jenkins with with llanelli nothing. Phill Davies is the man to lead wales afer the world cup. I don't think charvis will paly for wales again coz hes not a jenkins man. What a excuse jon thomas is only ahead of charvis coz he can cover second row!!! What id cobain doing on the bench. I have never seen the need to have cover for to locks on a bench. Any way wales to win by 2 points on sat. Ireland to smash a very poor england team on sat.
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Lets get one thing stright. Colin Charvis is the form player in wales at the moment. Gareth Jenkins does not like the guy. When he had no club a few seasons ago llanelli were crying out for a big back row player. And what did gareth jenks say. He was not good enough for llanelli. Lets face it what did gareth jenkins with with llanelli nothing. Phill Davies is the man to lead wales afer the world cup. I don't think charvis will paly for wales again coz hes not a jenkins man. What a excuse jon thomas is only ahead of charvis coz he can cover second row!!! What id cobain doing on the bench. I have never seen the need to have cover for to locks on a bench. Any way wales to win by 2 points on sat. Ireland to smash a very poor england team on sat.
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Lets get one thing stright. Colin Charvis is the form player in wales at the moment. Gareth Jenkins does not like the guy. When he had no club a few seasons ago llanelli were crying out for a big back row player. And what did gareth jenks say. He was not good enough for llanelli. Lets face it what did gareth jenkins with with llanelli nothing. Phill Davies is the man to lead wales afer the world cup. I don't think charvis will paly for wales again coz hes not a jenkins man. What a excuse jon thomas is only ahead of charvis coz he can cover second row!!! What id cobain doing on the bench. I have never seen the need to have cover for to locks on a bench. Any way wales to win by 2 points on sat. Ireland to smash a very poor england team on sat.
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Ah Steve Tandy, I have to agree his is in as good a form as anyone in Europe at 7 this season. I'd like to see him tried out in this 6N because to my mind we currently have no backup to Martyn Williams except to play someone out of position or entrust it to Sowden-Taylor. I do see a lot of Kingsley Jones in Tandy though, superb club player but perhaps just lacking that extra yard for International Rugby. There really only is one way to find out if that's the case or not though, play him. There's a RWC coming up, we're out of this 6N already so it's time to find some form amongst the fringe players with a view to the World Cup. That to me means squeezing in guys like Dafydd James, Colin Charvis, Steve Tandy, Ashley Smith, Scott Morgan, etc. Guys that aren't currently in the 22 but who are having fine seasons for their regions. I'd also like to see what we get if we just threw Richie Pugh in at 7 for a game. He used to be a fantastic prospect but he seems to just be a 7s player these days which is a shame. Martyn Williams is no spring chicken though and we really need to find his eventual replacement.
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Well said Aled, Ryan Jones has to be the most overated player in Welsh rugby (well him and Henson).
Played well 1st half of the Ireland game - didnt see him at all during the 2nd half, didnt see him at all during the Scotland game yet people still rave about him cause of 1 yes thats right 1 good game on the Lions tour. Anyone can have a one off good game (which seems to be ok for the Welsh rugby public - 'AN Other had one good game, he has to be world class now'!!!!)but reg performances count, nothing else.
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Coaches have to pick on form not age.New Zealand failed to win the last world cup simply because they discarded a number of good experienced players prematurely.I think if Charvis played for the scarlets he would definitely be playing,its another indication of why Gareth Jenkins is not the man for the job.At Llanelli he won nothing of worthwhile importance(Welsh cups and league titles are about as impressive as Rangers or Celtic winning the scottish title at football),despite the fact that they constantly exceeded their budget,but to be honest the Ruddock affair illustrated that the wru do not care about success,or the game, simply about turning a profit.
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