After Robin McBryde, Neil Jenkins and Sean Holley named the Welsh squad to tour North America many people have expressed their surprise at some of the selections, especially the inclusions. Forums have been busy with people wondering just what some of the players have done to deserve going on a Welsh tour – players such as Craig Mitchell who only has two starts for the Ospreys under his belt.
But it is not just the inclusions that have surprised, not also the exclusions. Considering the level of some of the players taken there are a number of players that can consider themselves unlucky not to be part of the squad. Below I have listed just a few, feel free to use the comments to add your own.
Welsh rugby players unlucky not to be on the North America rugby tour
Richard Fussell
Now it could well be that the Newport Gwent Dragons will be invloved in a play off vs an Italian team for Heineken Cup competition anyway, ruling out of the tour any Dragons players selected for the squad. But whether this happens or not Richard Fussell can consider himself unlucky.
His form this season has been of a very good quality. Fast, elusive and good ball retention, Fussell seems to possess all the qualities needed. He has the occasional tendency to run away from his support but in the main his displays have been very impressive. Worthy of a place, in my opinion, considering Czekaj and Mustoe are touring.
Paul James
It is to Paul James’ credit that the Ospreys didn’t miss Duncan Jones anywhere as much as it was thought they would. Previously a bit of a liability, Paul James really stepped up to the plate this season with a string of very high quality performances.
He captained the Ospreys on regular occasions and this season became the player to put in the most ever Osprey appearances.
Mr injury himself has been on tremendous form since his latest come back. And as a hard hitting 8 who can also do a lot of the donkey work he has to be considered to be very unlucky. When on full fitness he is able to compete on the same level as Ryan Jones and Andy Powell for the Welsh jersey.
A leader, a ball carrier and a big hitter. Surprised not to see him there.
Jamie Robinson
I know the idea of this tour seems to be looking at youngsters, but what more does Jamie need to do to get a call up? Has been impressive all season and has to be considered unlucky not to be in the Welsh set up previously, never mind on such a depleted tour.
Martyn Roberts
A youth tour that hasn’t included one of the most promising youngsters this season? I understand that both Dwayne Peel and Gareth Cooper are quality, but surely this tour was tailor made for Martyn Roberts? I know I’d have taken him, quality youngster who will become a top player very quickly.
Rhys Thomas
A great tight head in the loose, an awful one at scrum time. Welsh rugby lacks the base of wonderful tight heads just to discard him like that in my opinion. Surely we should be trying to work with him on his scrummaging game?
Well they’re my top 6 unluckiest players to miss out on the Welsh tour. Who do you guys think? Should Huw Bennett have made it perhaps? What about Lee Thomas or Ceri Jones? Leave your views below
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Very disappointed Richard Fussell was not picked in the Wales N. America squad. He has performed well in a weak Dragons side and has lots of potential… more than Czekaj, who has already had his chances. This tour would have been perfect to give Fussell a taste of international rugby and to see how he performs, with the possibility of tougher tests to follow in the future.
From Dragons point of view, if he is not selected for tours such as this Fussell may think about moving to a more fashionable regions to pursue his international career. I don’t think moves like that are healthy for Welsh rugby… and certainly not for Dragons.
Mind you, I fear this is all academic for the Dragons players selected as they seem most likely to be involved in the HC play-off in Italy. Terrible luck for *any* selected players, whatever the team, who miss out playing for Wales because of the play-off.
It’s been reported that Delve has made himself unavailable – makes no sense not to take him otherwise.
Couldn’t agree more re. Fussell and Czekaj – I wouldn’t wish to begrudge a player for a long and tortuous return from injury, but Czekaj’s nowhere near the Blues first XV, and wasn’t exactly universally exalted before his injury.
And you have to feel for Ceri Jones – a rock around which Harlequins season has been based, and he doesn’t get a look in.
Yeah, I since read that about Delve, at least that makes sense!
Not a Czekaj fan. Very pleased to see him back from an awful injury – but he has never had ‘it’. Doesn’t back himself on the outside and takes contact far too easily. Look at the difference between him and Fussell when they get the ball – Fussell makes things happen.
From what I have seen of Ceri Jones I am amazed that he isn’t considered. To be fair I would rank Gethin as teh best loosehead in the world right now so he wouldn’t get there without Geth being away – and Duncan hasn’t half hit the ground running since his return from injury. But Ceri is playing an important role in a top class pack at Quins. i suspect that Yapps ability (of lack of imo) to play both sides of the scrum is what gets him the nod.
It’s Czekaj’s seeming inability to run his weight that particularly disappoints me – he’s a big lump, yet gets halted and driven back all too easily. Every time I see the ‘Czekaj shuffle’ I wish he’d take the contact and drive!
Completely agreed re. Yapp – he played a few games at tighthead for the Cardiff club side earlier in the season and duly got tuned (and he looked hopeless against Leicester in the semi). Perhaps as a result of the swapping, he doesn’t even look to be scrummaging particularly well on the loose.