This is interesting in a number of ways. Firstly that the Blues are prepared to get rid of their Lions and Welsh star despite him having two years left on his contract. Whilst they may have managed to somehow keep Xavier Rush when he looked set to join Ulster the loss of Andy Powell is a significant loss in depth at the 8 position.

But it doesn’t seem too much of an issue – reports from those ‘in the know’ (be careful of Chinese whispers mind) is that Andy Powell has burnt a lot of bridges in recent months, especially with those at Cardiff. This certainly seems confirmed in what is a very final statement from Dai Young on the Cardiff Blues Website

”
Everyone at the Blues would like to thank Andy for his services to the region over the past five years.”

When he is fully focused, Andy in one of the best back row forwards in the country, as he showed when he was deservedly called up to represent his country and the British and Irish Lions during his time with the Blues.”

“However, I think it’s fair to say that this last season has been a difficult one for Andy following the unwise incident with the golf buggy and he has lost his way somewhat.”

“Both parties felt it was in the best interests of the region and Andy if we parted company and we wish him well with his future rugby career.”

When you filter that through what is usually more polite ‘media speak’ it seems like there is one not very impressed head coach that is happy to see Andy Powell leave.

Now it is no secret that this blog is not exactly a big Andy Powell fan. But with the rise of importance of dynamic number 8′s, and the loss of form of Ryan Jones, Powell is still an important cog in the (much dilapidated) Welsh machine – and so his move to England comes as a bit of a blow.

That means of the 3 best Welsh 8′s currently plying their trade only Ryan Jones is following the stated wish of the Welsh coaches to have Welsh players in the Welsh set up. Andy Powell moves to Wasps in the same summer Gareth Delve moves down to Australia.

Has Ryan Jones now become immoveable as the Welsh 8?

EDIT: Wasps have now confirmed the signing – saying this

On the news, Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks said, “We are delighted to announce that Andy Powell, a hugely talented and highly regarded international back-row forward, joins Wasps ahead of the new season. Andy makes his move from Cardiff based on his desire to drive both his club and international career and whilst his rugby ability is obvious, the Wasps coaching team have all warmed to Andy immediately and are impressed by his drive and enthusiasm to relocate to London and join Wasps.

“Andy is the first high profile Welsh signing at the club since Rob Howley and we are confident he will benefit from the environment and ‘Wasps way’ in a similar fashion and become a favourite with the Wasps faithful. He will be a welcome addition to the squad and is held in high regard by people in the game that we at Wasps trust and respect – none more so than Wasps’ Lions players who played alongside him and forged friendships with him in South Africa in 2009.

“This is a good fit for both Andy and Wasps – we want to give him the platform, on the back of good club performances, to play at the highest level possible and Andy is committed to developing his game and ensuring success for Wasps in 2010/11.”

On joining Wasps Powell said, “I am extremely excited to be joining London Wasps. My decision was a pure rugby decision. After all the talk and speculation about where I will be playing, all I want to do now is get my head down, improve as a player and hopefully if selected, play in the World Cup next year for my country.

“To do that I need to be playing well for my club, and I think with the coaching team and setup here at Wasps, I will have the perfect opportunity to do that. I know Shaun Edwards well of course from my time with the Welsh team, and I took little persuading once I met with Tony Hanks and Trevor Woodman about how serious this team is about success and winning.

“Wasps have pulled together a great squad, with some great coaches and I think this is an environment in which I will thrive as a player and I hope to do my part to help bring success and trophies to Wasps.”

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What do I mean by this? Gatland has traditionally made substitutions almost by numbers – always making the same substitutions at the same point in the game, with little effect in general. However vs Scotland he realised things needed changing and, for a change, wasn’t afraid to change them.

The Problem Was Balance

There were a number of issues, so I don’t want to make it sound like I am saying it was just one issue. BUT a big part of what went wrong was, in my opinion, balance.

As the commentary rightly said we found that our breakdown and contact area were being hammered by the more enthusiastic Scots. This is a worry, we should be more focussed, more aggressive – and Gats and co need to get on top of that.

What was especially clear to me though was that with Andy Powell on the pitch (not something we have to worry about now thanks to his golf buggy stealing antics) we lacked the blindside presence to properly compete at the breakdown. Our support was slow and our clearing poor – roles the blindside will often be involved in.

People argue that Powell brings with him a carrying game worthy of inclusion, but without quick ball there is no point in him being there – and with him at blindside we struggle to win quick ball. More than that though, we saw how effective the Scottish backrow were at slowing and spoiling our ball, but again our blindside was unable to even try it with them.

What Gatland did, in making his substitutions, was to change the balance. Bradley Davies looked good as a powerful ball carrier, and cleared well. Jonathon Thomas, so often a peripheral figure earlier in the game, came into his own when moved to blindside, effective at the breakdown as a carrier and spoiler. For anyone who thought maybe the Ospreys have found his natural position at 2nd row just take a look at this game.

The change was dramatic, helped initially be the introduction of Gethin Jenkins who plays just like another flanker. Whilst he did go off injured he brought impetus – but to be fair to Paul James it should not be the prop’s responsibility and Paul James still played very well at both scrum time and around the pitch.

Gareth Cooper was ponderous in the first half and whilst God knows I am no Richie Rees fan he was swift to the breakdown to get the ball away – another vital part of the breakdown. His service was pretty good and his decision making better than Cooper’s. We drastically miss Mike Phillips but fair play to Rees, he did well.

What we lacked most though was that balance at backrow. Ryan Jones may well be a 6 but when he is playing 8 he also has his own responsibilities – and he can’t be expected to do 2 jobs. I also felt Ryan improved his game when JT moved to 6 as he was freed of having to perform two roles.

Powell’s antics with the golf buggy now mean we have a backrow that all but selects itself (though Warburton should be played against Italy imo), and one with balance. I honestly think this could help save some face in the remaining games as it will allow us to compete at the breakdown, getting quick ball for ourselves and slowing down opposition ball.

There are plenty fo other problems, but this is a good start.

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That means Tom Shanklin doesn’t recover in time to play, with Jon Davies staying at twelve and Jamie Roberts continuing at 13.

The bad news is that it means that Andy Powell continues at blindside flanker. God knows how, the guy hasn’t got the skills or technique to pull it off, but continue he does. Powell vs Rocky Elsom? Heaven help us.

Wales Team vs Australia

15 James HOOK (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 36 caps (W 16, L 19, D 1; 209 pts – 6T, 34C, 35PG, 2DG)

14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 1lb / 83kgs
International record: 9 caps (W 5, L 4; 40 pts – 5T, 5PG)

13 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 16st 10lbs / 107kgs
International record: 15 caps (W 8, L 7; 5 pts – 1T)

12 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lbs / 103kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 4; 10 pts – 2T)

11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 13lbs / 82kgs
International record: 67 caps (W 33, L 32, D 2; 240 pts – 48T)

10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6’1” / 1.86m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 82 caps (W37, L43, D2; 722 pts – 7T, 120C, 144PG, 5DG)

9 Dwayne PEEL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 994)
DoB: 31.08.81. 5’9” / 1.76m. 13st 8lbs / 86kgs
International record: 71 caps (W 34, L 35, D 2; 25 pts – 5T)

1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 13lbs / 120kgs
International record: 71 caps (W 31, L 38, D 2; 15 pts – 3T)

2 Matthew REES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,033)
DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 1lbs / 108kgs
International record: 33 caps (W 16, L 16, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)

3 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 3, L 1)

4 Alun-Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 34 caps (W 15, L 19; 20 pts – 4T)

5 Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 9lbs / 125kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 10, L 7)

6 Andy POWELL (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 17st 6lbs / 111kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 7, L 4)

7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6’0″ / 1.83m. 15st 11lbs / 100kgs
International record: 90 caps (W 42, L 45, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)

8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 36 caps (W 21, L 14, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 26 caps (W 16, L 10)

17 Duncan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 997)
DoB: 18.09.78. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs
International record: 56 caps (W 26, L 28, D 2)

18 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,013)
DoB: 27.12.82. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 49 caps (W 25, L 22, D 2; 35 pts – 7T)

19 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 15st 13lbs / 101kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)

20 Martin ROBERTS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,062)
DoB: 06.06.86. 5’9” / 1.76m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)

21 Andrew BISHOP (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,059)
DoB: 07.08.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 0lbs / 95kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 6, L 1)

22 Tom JAMES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,055)
DoB: 17.04.87. 6’2″ / 1.88m. 15st 1lb / 96kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3; 10 pts – 2T)

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The huge Cardiff Blues injury list has hit even harder with Xavier Rush missing out on the Heineken Cup clash away at Sale.  The flu bug that struck him, Tom Shanklin and Sam Warbuton has ruled him out – though both Shanklin and Warburton have recovered to resume their places in the team following on from the win against the Harlequins.

With Rush out the backrow has been rejigged, Robin Snowden-Taylor comes in on the openside flank, Andy Powell moves to number 8 and Sam Warburton moves over to the blindside.

Some good news for both Cardiff and Wales is that world class loose head prop Gethin Jenkins returns to captain the side in his first game since getting injured playing for the British Lions vs South Africa (don’t forget the British Lions DVD is coming out next week).

Cardiff Blues Team vs Sale

15 Ben Blair 14 Leigh Halfpenny 13 Tom Shanklin 12 Jamie Roberts 11 Tom James 10 Sam Norton-Knight 9 Richie Rees

8 Andy Powell 7 Robin Sowden Taylor 6 Sam Warburton 5 Scott Morgan 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Taufa’au Filise 2 Gareth Williams 1 Gethin Jenkins (c)

16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Darren Morris 18 Gary Powell 19 Ben White 20 Rhys Williams 21 Gareth Cooper 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Richard Mustoe

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Interesting. Not very accurate though. Indeed calling his game exceptional is pushing it beyond the realms of belief. Through my beer induced haze I admit I thought him the best player on the park and was confused why Mr Warren Gatland appeared to pour cold water on that by commenting on his lack of rucking. Then I took a second, more sober, less passionate look – and it was obvious.

First the positives. Powell gave us go forward the likes of which has been missing since Ryan Jones was on form. His quick feet and power in contact regualrly put the powerful bokkes on the back foot. For a debutant he lacked any fear which was great to see.

But a closer look shows a couple of things

1. Gatland was right, instead of hitting and clearing rucks you could usually see Andy Powell hovering around the centre, wing positions. He is an 8 and needs to do dog work before the fancy stuff.
2. The first try showed he was caught out of position. Ryan Jones protected the fringe of the ruck but Andy powell wandered off into midfield thinking RJ was covering a runner rather than watching for 9 snipes or forwards pick and go.
3. Lack of control at the base of the scrums

Thats not to say he had a bad game he played well. But it does show there is huge amounts of his game yet to work on and its the sort of thing that Gatland, Shaun Edwards et all demand. See how quickly Popham disappeared after what many people thought was a good sub appearance vs England last year.

Hopefully though Gats can fix it because with the sort of power shown by Andy powell in both that Welsh rugby game and for the Cardiff Blues he has a lot to offer us.

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