Wales 31 Man World Cup Squad


The Prize
By Craig Muncey
August 31 2015

After many weeks and months of debates up and down the country, the 31 man squad was finally announced today, and there were a few surprises after all.   First of all congratulations to Cardiff Blues players who made the final squad, Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Lloyd Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton.  Commiserations to all those who missed out including Gareth Anscombe, Kristian Dacey and Scott Andrews, hopefully all are either fit or close to fitness as they can only help Cardiff Blues out over the next few months in particular and indeed over the season ahead.    

Welsh Squad in full:

 

Outside Backs

 

Hallam Amos - 3 caps

Alex Cuthbert - 34 caps

Leigh Halfpenny - 61 caps

Matthew Morgan - 2 caps

George North - 50 caps

Liam Williams - 23 caps

 

Centres

 

Cory Allen - 2 caps

Jamie Roberts - 70 caps

Scott Williams - 31 caps

 

Fly Halves

 

Dan Biggar - 25 caps

Rhys Priestland - 28 caps

 

Scrum Halves

 

Gareth Davies - 3 caps

Rhys Webb - 15 caps

Lloyd Williams - 19 caps

 

Back Rows

 

Taulupe Faletau - 47 caps

James King - 5 caps

Dan Lydiate - 47 caps

Justin Tipuric - 33 caps

Sam Warburton - 54 caps (CAPTAIN)

 

Second Rows

 

Jake Ball - 13 caps

Luke Charteris - 56 caps

Bradley Davies - 46 caps

Dominic Day - 1 cap

Alun Wyn-Jones - 90 caps

 

Hookers

 

Scott Baldwin - 10 caps

Ken Owens - 29 caps

 

Props

 

Tomas Francis - 1 cap

Paul James - 61 caps

Aaron Jarvis - 12 caps

Gethin Jenkins - 115 caps

Samson Lee - 12 caps

 

So Gatland has gone for a 17 forwards and 14 backs split, is a few surprises, and some are carrying injuries such as Alun Wyn-Jones, Liam Williams and Luke Charteris, which may have influenced one or two decisions. 

 

Two nationally dual contracted players miss out, Gareth Anscombe and Tyler Morgan, which I thought may have given them a bit of an edge in a tight decision for selection.

 

Is a strong squad, with more cover in some places thn others, and we all wish them well.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

Wales 31 Man World Cup Squad
Posted by: 1876 Cardiff Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2015 16:54

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Re: Wales 31 Man World Cup Squad
Posted by: Nickysbeard (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2015 19:16

King making it and moriarty missing out is a strange one for me. With Day being included there's no need for king . Moriarty could have covered 8.

Re: Wales 31 Man World Cup Squad
Posted by: Craig Muncey (IP Logged)
Date: 31/08/2015 19:49

I agree Nicky, I thought King would go allowing for one less lock but not worked out like that.

Re: Wales 31 Man World Cup Squad
Posted by: Rich. (IP Logged)
Date: 02/09/2015 17:06

King can cover 8 as well and I think is a good call over Moriarty. Ross's day will come but for now James King is a better and safer choice IMO. I mean how much of Moriarty have any of us actually seen?? He did well enough against Ireland but was nothing stand out. He did look great in the Bordeaux match for Gloucester but that was one game and as far as I know he struggled to get into the Gloucester first team so .........

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