Tom Shanklin out for Wales vs Argentina

6 Comments

After getting smashed in the nose by his own team mate (Gethin Jenkins) aggressively clearing out a ruck Tom Shanklin is set to miss the Wales vs Argentina clash, the injury has been diagnosed as a small fracture of the nasal bone. The good new is that the twice Grand Slam winning Welsh center should be back for the Australia game.

The BBC are reporting that Andrew Bishop is set to be called up to the squad whilst Jon Davies will take Shank’s starting spot vs Argentina. The wrong decision in my opinion, but one I predicted in my rant about a lack of creativity for Wales earlier today.

So that leaves Hook as the current holder of the 15 shirt and Stoddart the only possible replacement. Why they decided to call Andrew Bishop up, who has been poor this season, is beyond me when they could have selected any of Tovey, Dan Evans or Barry Davies as full backs, all on form, and moved Hook to center where has has been playing for the Ospreys recently.

It seems Gatland and co are determined to prove that Wales can create tries without actually having any creative players. Wonderful.

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6 Comments »

dannykpowell said:

Agree with you re the call up of Bishop, but Jon Davies deserves the chance at center

# 16 November 2009 at 1:49 pm

Rugby Nick (author) said:

Danny – you think that Davies is the answer to our lack of creativity? i admire him as a player but i don’t think he is up to that task

Also he is, predominantly, a 12. Which do we play at 13?

# 16 November 2009 at 2:08 pm

dannykpowell said:

I was assuming Roberts would stay at 12 with Davies outside.

With Stephen Jones running things you don’t need a creative 12 (if you did want that you’d go for Hook), the players outside running the right angles is all you need for SJ to get things moving

# 16 November 2009 at 6:27 pm

Rugby Nick (author) said:

I certaiinly disagree with that, SJ is far from a creative 10 and a creative player at 12 or 13 would be, imo, essential. we have seen a non creative center partnership with roberts and shanks does not work

# 16 November 2009 at 6:29 pm

dannykpowell said:

life would be boring if we all agreed on everything all the time

# 16 November 2009 at 8:18 pm

Rugby Nick (author) said:

How very true, though of course of everyone would agree with me the world would be a better place

honest

maybe

ok, no

# 16 November 2009 at 8:21 pm

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