The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Assessing the Northern Hemisphere teams: Wales

Australia vs Wales: live blog (Image: AAP)
Roar Guru
17th October, 2013
30

The four Welsh regions of the Ospreys, the Dragons, Scarlets and Cardiff Blues are pondering whether to stay in the Heineken Cup or join the English/French clubs in their breakaway Rugby Champions Cup next year.

That is unless the Heineken Cup organisers the ERC are able to make a compromise with the English and French.

Despite this, the national team is in good form.

10 of the starting 15 that played in the victorious third Lions Test in Sydney were Welsh and among them are players vital to the national team.

Winger Alex Cuthbert scored two tries last week in the Pro 12 against Edinburgh for the Cardiff Blues while fellow teammate Leigh Halfpenny chipped in with his trusty goal-kicking boot.

Importantly for Wales tighthead prop Gethin Jenkins made his return for the Blues in that game from a calf injury that forced him out of the Lions tour.

In addition, Toby Faletau of the Dragons is in excellent shape, while fly half Dan Biggar (who was not in the Lions squad) is having a good season for the Ospreys becoming the second player to reach 1,000 points in the Celtic League that is now called the Pro 12.

Wales are also blessed to have a plethora of youth prospects ready to break into the senior side.

Advertisement

Cardiff Blues fly half Rhys Patchell is ready to contest the No.10 jersey with Biggar and Scarlets fly half Rhys Priestland who is fully fit after his serious Achilles tendon injury.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old winger Eli Walker of the Ospreys might be selected to the squad after his long-term injury ended his possible involvement in Wales’ Six Nations and summer tour of Japan last season.

Wales have four games during their autumn internationals period – a tough Springbok side resurgent under Heyneke Meyer, Argentina who deservingly beat Wales last year, Tonga who are certainly no slouches and shocked Scotland last November before facing Australia.

The latter, apart from their victories against Argentina in the Rugby Championship, had a terrible campaign.

Head coach Warren Gatland will feel confident that they can overcome Tonga and Argentina.

But Gatland will have earmarked the games against South Africa and Australia as a chance for the Welsh to lay down a marker: especially as Australia are in their World Cup pool.

close