Raffell should start always the best Welsh player on the park when he plays.

Love that team mate!

With you except for Hathaway Murray instead

I would go with that line up, good to see Gareth Anscome back. A night mere for the Tv too many Thomas's in the team

I'd love seeing Thomas at 12 for the extra footballer option as you say, great squad bro

My opinion: 1 Smith 2 Lake 3 H Thomas 4 Rowlands 5 Beard 6 Plumtree 7 Morgan 8 Wainwright 9 Bevan 10 B Thomas 11 Dyer 12 James 13 Llewelyn 14 Murray 15 Hathaway 16 Elias 17 G Thomas 18 Assiratti 19 Tshiunza 20 Reffell 21 T Williams 22 Anscombe 23 Grady

Interesting deep dive mate 👏

Fantastic video - da iawn. One antidote on the Cuddy's end to Neath... apparently Regan King was being put up by Cuddy in the Towers Hotel in Swansea while he was playing for Neath. When word came out that Cuddy was in financial troubles, the staff went to confront Regan in his hotel room. Rumours say Regan was wise to this and bolted out the hotel window and got on a plane back to NZ so he wouldn't have to pay Cuddy's bill! Maybe untrue but that's been said by many people!!!

Pontypool rfc where hard done by the wru a few years back and nearly bankrupt the club through legal fees but if it wasn’t for Ben Jeffries pooler would not be in src today so I understand want neath are going through

regions and latterly money have killed Welsh rugby. look at the league today and the state of the national side. there was nothing wrong with club rugby. sides were well supported and the rugby was exciting to watch, with many different styles and flair players. nowadays it's all this formulaic, forward based kicking game. no wonder no one watches. i remember the days of massive local derbies, the old Schweppes cup finals at a sold out national stadium and before that watching clubs like Bonymaen giving the "big" guns a serious run. nobody seems to know what the answer is sadly, and i fear it's now broken forever.

As a Neath fan I have no love for the WRU or regional rugby. Wales is not big enough for regions and most of the rugby watching public agree.If the WRU pulled the massive funding the regions get they would quickly fold.

Good video. Cuddy owned neath before regional rugby .

As an English Rugby fan, I used to watch Welsh club Rugby on BBC2 Rugby Special from 86’ onwards. I always looked for to Welsh Rugby section and highlights. I never held the regional setup in the same regard. I missed, Neath, Swansea, Bridgend, Newport etc, these clubs were the heart of Welsh rugby and its fans. Regions may work well in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, but not in Wales and Scotland.

A lot of doom and gloom in the comments bit sad to see. personally Its fairly obvious why Gats went with the young squad, so much talent but too young and inexperienced, however having gone through all that it is bearing fruit, some of those young players are killing in senior rugby now, Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Daf Jenkins, Grady, Hathaway etc massive talents doing really well, on top of that people seem to forget we were resting players over the summer so we have beard and Rowlands back, plus injuries like Jac Morgan. In all honestly we did have a shortage or winger , centres, props, and decent half backs - I would argue we now have some epic wingers and centres, I think the scrum is looking a lot stronger with some real talent (only concern is against the really big boys like SA and France) and I think we are only short of a set 10. Good to have Anscombe back but he is prone to injury and we can't rely on him forever - I really liked the look of Costelow but he really hasn't improved or been consistently good at international level. I liked Lloyd but again not an experienced 10 and made stupid errors - he is playing more 10 now so he might come good - I and disappointed in Sheedy not being there, very good ball distribution and I am stunned Edwards not being at camp at least. So whiulst there's talent there at 10 we don't seem to be looking to develop it which is what worrys me. Onto how well we will do , actually looks like a very talented team with a lot of experience back and I personally think we have a good chance to beat Fiji AND Australia , think SA scrum will punish us. Six nations I think we will do well, we nearly beat scotland england and Italy last year with a nothing team so I expect we have a good chance this year and think we will be competitive wioth France and Ireland (but lose). remember though we have 2 more years for these young lads to grow even more and I do think this might end up being a very very special squad.

Neath were my fave team in EA Rugby 2004.

Thank you for making this video. I can see a lot of work went into it. This is really worthwhile and will be here on KZbin for anyone who wants to understand the history of Neath RFC. I don't think it's all bad being in the Welsh Premiership this season. There are some great clubs like Bargoed. The big 3 teams haven't had it all their own way. And apparently the attendances have been pretty good.

For anyone who wants to support me and the channel my Buy me a coffee link is bellow. Thank you so much :D www.buymeacoffee.com/CKTquizzer

A quiet man! Haha. Yeah, that’s why he did that show with all the women after him 😂. Decent player though.

I think Johnny Williams is unlucky. He’s never really done it for wales yet but neither has Owen Watkin and he’s in. Johnny has been good recently. I’d have taken Lloyd as a utility player. I think we need to find another option at fullback. I just don’t think Winnett will ever be good enough. The comparisons to halfpenny are laughable. Don’t rate Rogers either. Totally agree about his awful discipline. I believe he’s in solely because of how well he took his try at the weekend.

T Williams, G Anscombe, R Dyer, B Thomas, M Llewelyn, M Grady, C Winnett Ben Thomas is the Locksmith

Good squad, I've watched a few matches in the URC and Plumtree who was MOTM against the bulls I think will start either at 6 or 8, Morgan at 7 I think Wainwright must have some game time to shake of the rust if he does that then those three will make up the back row, In the second row Rowlands must start he's the best second rower Wales have, Christ went well in the summer so those two in the boiler house. Front row will or should be Lake Archie and Smith he must be given chance to transfer his club form onto the international arena, scrum half will be Tomos and I will have Anscombe at 10, had it not been for terrible injuries he was Wales best option, now things get very tricky, at fullback Cam Winnett should start just wish he'd attack the line a bit more, Rio Dyer will take the one wing with Grady on the other, I think the partnership with Watkin failed, so now the centres, I just don't rate Watkin at all, along with Costello neither are international class, I was not impressed with James, yes big unit but lacked intensity in his play, but may come good, so I will go for at 12 Ben and Max at 13 even though I haven't seen him play but if he's pulling up trees let him have a go, but will not be surprised to see Watkin in there or even Tomkins. The game against Fiji is a must win absolutely crucial, if we can beat Australia and then give SA a good game it will give confidence to the team, we must see combinations begin to work then we have a better chance come the 6 nations.

Morning Christian, squad looks OK to me the front rowers look like they can compete and the back 5 forewards have a bit of bulk and few line out options available glad to see Rowlands back, so a lot will depend on Lakes arrows! The backs I think look promising with Tomos and Chicken at h/b, I'd go with Ben Thomas at inside centre with llewellyn or James outside him, any 2 of the wingers and Winnett at 15! All in all quite happy!

Gobeithiol gwnaiff Grady cyfle i chwarae fel canolwr. Pam dydy Jac ddim y Capten ? Dw I ddim yn credu bod , dweudais i "Thank God Anscombe is back." Bydd Costelow erioed ddim yn barod i'r tim genedlaethol

So no Sheedy or Jarrad Evans at 10 still when will Gatland get the hint that costelow cannot control a game has not improved in years !! Also were is regan grace ?

Been watching a bit more english premiership this year....max and thomas are killing it for Gloucester. I'm pretty sure they will start.

I think you have the link for the wrong Archie Griffin in your "more" Lol. Really good again👍

Really surprised to not see Sheedy in the mix, his distribution this weekend was next level,. thought he had played his way in. Also where is Hardy? the only SH that actually gives quick ball. Having said that, we are starting to get depth of strong centres again, think Jonny Williams was unlucky as he has bulked and running really well, but then Ben Thomas, Eddie James, Grady and Max are all great. Also good to see Blair Murry get a shout, very strong runner with a wicked step (bit Shane like) also love Hathaway. Forwards think they look strong but not sure we have the strength to match SA but we will see,

Shame to see Beard and Tompkins in there - could have taken the chance to move on from those two. Shame not to see Leon Brown (I still have hope for him!), Teddy Williams (injured?), Mackenzie Martin (injured), and Macs Page all included. On the whole, lots of youngsters and quite exciting, but a couple of powerful lads not picked in the forwards and I think we’ll regret that. On that theme, I know Rhys Carre was never in the mix, but he’s exactly the sort of player we need.

I think the best news in this squad is having anscombe back as it gives us a viable option at 10 which allows ben thomas to play in his natural position at 12. I think it's going to be another tough block of fixtures results wise but i guess we have to let some of the newer players gain that experience necessary for us to take that next step. I just hope we don't get trounced & can put in some competitive performances! Cheers christian.

Tompkins has played first choice for years for Saracens who have been overall the best team in England for years, so I really think you should try to not to keep putting him down every time you get a chance., You cannot just say I have not seen any English rugby so i am surprised he's in the squad. (They are top of the table) and playing at a lot higher level than most of the other backs play.. Not saying he is a lock in for Wales but that could be because of the other players around him. But I have noticed you have no time for him at all. Sorry to go on and I enjoy your thoughts on things in the main.

Lots of pros and cons with the squad, can see us having a great starting 15 with those players. Hopefully Gatlands choices can be justified but still some questionable decisions made

I agree with Shane Lewis Hughes, he's been pretty good , he will be interesting in years to come. I would give gatland this autumn and the 6 nations to nail down a team , the forwards seem to be almost established apart from injury it's nice to see Will Rowlands back , but the backs still seem to be an undecided issue, I'm hoping Max Llewelin Blair Murray and Tom Rodgers settle into the team after some good displays of magic our old team of yonder used to have.

Largely happy with that squad and the strongest we've probably seen since the world cup. I'd have made a few changes personally (Elias for Coghlan, Costelow for Edwards, Botham for SLH, Tompkins for J Williams) but there aren't many form players who missed out or undeserving players who got selected I think I'd go with this as a 23 1 Nicky Smith 2 Dewi Lake 3 Archie Griffin 4 Adam Beard 5 Will Rowlands 6 Jac Morgan 7 Tommy Reffell 8 Aaron Wainwright 9 Tomos Williams 10 Gareth Anscombe 11 Rio Dyer 12 Ben Thomas 13 Max Llewellyn 14 Mason Grady 15 Cameron Winnett 16 Evan Lloyd 17 Gareth Thomas 18 Henry Thomas 19 Freddie Thomas 20 Taine Plumtree 21 Rhodri Williams 22 Blair Murray 23 Josh Hathaway

Hi Christian, Good to see some familiar faces, Nicky Smith, Nick Tompkins, Gareth Anscome, Adam Beard. Good to see Dewi Lake as captain. Just have to see whats going to happen, we got to have one win out of the three games ( we normally play 4 games ). I don't feel negative of the summer tour of Australia losing by 10 points on both games and beating the Reds. Being honest looking forward but nervous. Good to catch your thoughts on the Autumn internationals catch you soon take care

Agree with you about the "same old thing" with Gatland again. He only goes with what he knows and is too afraid to throw caution into the wind

Agree with Aneurin Owen and Rhodri Williams always been a good player.Should start at scrum half.

Is Coughlan in the squad.Showing up well for the Dragons and their winger.Forgotten his name now,but been very good again for the Dragons this season.

Let's face it.Rugby has been a dying sport in Wales for decades.They were brilliant in the seventies because the game was less physical comparatively and thus more space for the Welsh players to show their skills.

I think the pack is the strongest its looked since the WC and with the potential of very experienced half back pairing plus choice of exciting options at 12 & 13, its a good squad. Just whether we can utilise them not shoehorn the talent we have into off positions like grady at 12 and thomas at 10 etc

🤞we can grind a win or 2 , Thanks Christian , keep the faith 😘🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Elias can't hit a barn door.

I can see Wales losing all three games.None of those countries will have drinks parties before the games.

Although Dragons lost over the weekend I thought Rhodri Williams had a good game in particular his speed of recycling the ball. Given how good defences are at International level you need a scrum half that is quick and has vision. Wales now need to start to get wins to build confidence. Most of these players, if they are consistent, will be around for a while, and hopefully they will provide a structure where the likes of Dan Edwards, who I rate highly, will find a place. Personally I want to see 2 wins in the Autumn. Argentina who I would place on par with Wales beat New Zealand and South Africa in the Rugby Championship through playing a fast paced game. Sometimes I despair when I watch the regions play with the amount of handling errors which kills off any good momentum. In the past a forward might be forgiven but in today’s game that is not acceptable.

Ryan Elias must have Gatlands nudes. Only explanation as to why he’s still playing international rugby

I’d like to see this, because it gives us a strong bench, with a mix of experience and class. 1. Smith 2. Lake 3. Griffin 4. Rowlands 5. Carter 6. Plumtree 7. Morgan 8. Wainwright 9. Tomos 10. Anscombe 11. Dyer 12. Eddie James 13. Llewellyn 14. Hathaway 15. Murray 16. Thomas 17. Lloyd 18. Thomas 19. Tschiunza 20. Beard 21. Reffell 22. Bevan 23. Ben Thomas

Thanks

Christian do you agree Mason Grady needs to step up, great to see Jac Morgan back.

It sounded like Gats suggested in the press conference that Ben Thomas and Mason Grady could be returning to center/wing respectively. Have a read if you haven't seen it

Nicely explained Christian for my self i also think it is a more competitive squad Wales actually may win a match this autumn? As you said a few surprises But i do feel that the inclusion of F.Thomas is a good thing as he gives the pack just a little more power in the ball carrying department ,along with M.Llwellyn for the backs Also such a shame E.Dee and D.Jenkins are injured As they would have enhanced the squad alot .I also have to say im disappointed that S.Costelow as selected ahead of C.Sheedy and that D.Edwards isn't in the squad [just for his development ] Costelow isn't even starting for the Scarlets at the moment I would also have liked to see I Lloyd in the squad as a utility player as he covers the back 3 and flyhalf Any way here's hoping Wales are COMPETITIVE and can win one or two games this series

Thank You .. Best wishes from Costa Rica