Has Warren Gatland made a mistake omitting Adam Jones from the Wales International squad?
Phil Lewis, 27, Lab Systems Coordinator, Cardiff
“I think it’s a bad idea. These are crucial international games before the World Cup, where his experience will be invaluable. I appreciate the desire to blood new talent but in the face of such strong opposition, his presence will be missed in the autumn series.”
Ffransis Morris, 42, Personal Trainer, Penarth
“It’s a risky move seeing as Adam Jones has done so well in the squad for so long, and the fact that he is a two time Lion. But it will be interesting to see the new talent in the welsh team.”
Daniel Taylor, 14, At School, Colwinston
“No, because it’s good to let younger talent develop. He’s getting on a bit now. It’s time to give someone else a chance. He always plays really well, but it will be nice to check out the new players that Gatland has chosen.”
Ian Davies, 54, Bank Manager, Brecon
“Yes. He’s always been an inspiration in the past. His previous performances have always been good and he’s and integral part of the team. I think Gatland has made a big mistake as Jones effects the whole teams performance.”
Ben Jones, 24, Business Analyst, Cardiff
“I think it’s good because the scrum rules have changed. Adam Jones has developed as a player, but he is used to the old rules. Gatland is looking to the future by playing fresh talent. His reasoning behind leaving James Hook off the team is much more controversial.”
Samantha Thomas, 48, Councillor, Bridgend
“No. His fitness has not be as well proven in this season as previous seasons. This sends out the right message to the squad. But I would like him to return to the squad as has a positive impact on the team.”
Warren Gatland’s Team for the Autumn Internationals
Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).
Backs:
Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Quotes from Gatland at WRU press conference
“Look at our options in terms of some youngsters”
“The door is not closed” to Adam Jones
“Couple of youngsters we want to persevere with”
“We know what Adam Jones is capable of”
“The game never stays still, it continues to move”
“The rule change in the scrum put pressure on tightheads”
“More paramount is the ability of front rows to be more mobile, something Adam continues to work on”
As the rugby Autumn Internationals draw near, Warren Gatland is facing public criticism for leaving Adam Jones, 95 capped prop and triple six nations winner, out of the squad.
This controversial move has left fans disappointed. The curly haired prop has earned the respect of many welsh rugby supporters and has a major influence over the game both physically and mentally. His experience provides the rest of the squad with confidence and reassurance.
However, Gatland feels that Jones is not ready for the upcoming matches. And, as the scrum rules have changed, he needs to adapt and develop his skills within the scrum.
As the game develops, “More paramount is the ability of front rows to be more mobile, something Adam continues to work on,” said Gatland at the WRU press conference.
Gatland is using the Autumn Internationals as a platform to develop the Welsh talent ready for the World Cup in 2015.
Has Warren Gatland made a mistake omitting Adam Jones from the Wales International squad?
Phil Lewis, 27, Lab Systems Coordinator, Cardiff
“I think it’s a bad idea. These are crucial international games before the World Cup, where his experience will be invaluable. I appreciate the desire to blood new talent but in the face of such strong opposition, his presence will be missed in the autumn series.”
Ffransis Morris, 42, Personal Trainer, Penarth
“It’s a risky move seeing as Adam Jones has done so well in the squad for so long, and the fact that he is a two time Lion. But it will be interesting to see the new talent in the welsh team.”
Daniel Taylor, 14, At School, Colwinston
“No, because it’s good to let younger talent develop. He’s getting on a bit now. It’s time to give someone else a chance. He always plays really well, but it will be nice to check out the new players that Gatland has chosen.”
Ian Davies, 54, Bank Manager, Brecon
“Yes. He’s always been an inspiration in the past. His previous performances have always been good and he’s and integral part of the team. I think Gatland has made a big mistake as Jones effects the whole teams performance.”
Ben Jones, 24, Business Analyst, Cardiff
“I think it’s good because the scrum rules have changed. Adam Jones has developed as a player, but he is used to the old rules. Gatland is looking to the future by playing fresh talent. His reasoning behind leaving James Hook off the team is much more controversial.”
Samantha Thomas, 48, Councillor, Bridgend
“No. His fitness has not be as well proven in this season as previous seasons. This sends out the right message to the squad. But I would like him to return to the squad as has a positive impact on the team.”
Warren Gatland’s Team for the Autumn Internationals
Forwards:
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).
Backs:
Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Quotes from Gatland at WRU press conference
“Look at our options in terms of some youngsters”
“The door is not closed” to Adam Jones
“Couple of youngsters we want to persevere with”
“We know what Adam Jones is capable of”
“The game never stays still, it continues to move”
“The rule change in the scrum put pressure on tightheads”
“More paramount is the ability of front rows to be more mobile, something Adam continues to work on”