Wales Announce Their Team To Face Fiji

I discuss the Wales team as they get ready for their first game in the autumn series against The flying Fijians

[@delboyd72]

totally agree there is an air of expectation now . lets go out there and get the much needed win and momentum.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah totally agree 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@jonathoncollins6861]

Cautiously optimistic. Sad no Eddie James in the 23 but thats it really. Best looking side Wales have put on the field since the world cup

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah same. Would have made more sense to me to have him 23 but other than that. All happy

[@SkiwithMike]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Agreed. Thomas to 10 if Anscombe injured

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Maybe he just wants the back Costelow

[@stephendavies-hale6348]

Let’s go, its time for Wales to show us what they can do. Whole country behind you boys. Cymru Am Byth 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yesssss 💪🏼💪🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Agree, C'mon Cymru, pob lwc

[@xxwales15xx33]

Everyone is really positive about this team for a change and it's nice to see! Of course, Fiji get all their big guns back for us though! 😅

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

It’s always the same isn’t it 😂 I’m backing the lads. Looking forward to it 💪🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Christian, I think Warren Gatland has picked a good squad for the Fiji game, shame it's on a Sunday. Good to see he has picked Max Llewellyn and Ben Thomas also Blair Murray. Good luck boys on Sunday, catch you soon Take care

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Agree with you totally my friend. Hope you enjoy the match. Come on boys 💪🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@sionjames89]

Spot on with everything you've said. I thought he'd go James at 12 but really glad he's given Thomas a chance to play in his best position. Don't really get Costelow at 10 on the bench either (instead of a wider player) when we have 2 starters who can play 10, 3 if you count Murray. Excited to see Grady play with less pressure on him too. Most exciting selection since Gatland came back I reckon

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Can’t disagree with anything you said as usual mate. Really excited to see what this team can do. Finally got a good balance. Feeling a W for this one pal 💪🏼💪🏼

[@richarddykes8550]

I like the look of this team. I am glad that both Mason Grady and Ben Thomas are playing in familiar positions. I also like the experienced combination of Williams and Anscombe. I am pleased to see Blair Murray as I have been impressed with his work rate along with Plumtree for the Scarlets. The bench also looks good with some impact players to come on. Good to see Costelow also. I know it’s a bit of a cliché to say he is aconfidence player but it is good tha Gatland is supporting him. He is still young and has come back from injury but no one can fault him for the effort he puts in.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah I agree mate. Really hoping the boys can pull it of. Would like to see Costelow come of the bench and make a big impact 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Reecewgee]

Finally a footballer at 12! Centre partnership is sweet. Loving Grady back on the Wing, half back partnership is looking sick! My only criticism of this squad is not necessarily the 6-2 split but the fact they seem to have made the mistake England made with 6 forwards and 2 half backs. We effectively have 3 fly halves in the 23. Why aren't we having 23 shirt as a utility back?

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I would have had Eddie James as the 23 but other than that I’m pretty happy. Maybe the 6-2 will give us the edge towards the last 20 🙏🏼

[@robday3968]

They are going to throw the kitchen sink at us, but I am hoping we can absorb that pressure, keep calm, and then let some solid set play, and solid decision making set the platform for those backs to get us over the line. They are talented enough, and should be hungry enough. Come on Wales!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I agree mate. I think we have enough to be able to hold our own and then the bench is pretty strong to come on and make a difference

[@funkopopswalkthoughsunboxing]

All the best to the scarlets players 👏 congrats on first wales cap blair murray

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🔴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@davidaldridge6870]

I don't understand why Costelow is on the bench. We already have Anscombe and Thomas, so why another flyhalf as a sub?

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah I would have gone with Eddie James or Hathaway

[@howardjones1180]

Great summary mate - spot on. For me, I was hoping to see someone other than Beard in - he has merits, I just don’t think he does enough in the loose. Also not a fan of Winnett - I think the ceiling for Rogers or Hathaway is far, far higher. And gutted for Eddie James. He looks so classy. But, overall, lots to be positive about. So fingers crossed we can stop the rot!!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Thanks mate. I think Winnett will continue to get better. He’s so sturdy, under the high ball he’s the best in Wales

[@howardjones1180]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcast I hope so, I just worry about his size/ strength. Maybe he’ll become Liam Williams. 😂 Maybe. Fingers crossed!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

That would be great. I feel he’s more similar to Halfpenny as more of a steady guy. His attack is coming on more this season so far for Cardiff though so I’m hopeful

[@westy8065]

Pretty much as I hoped the side would be, hopefully this is the start of a rebuild!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah completely agree my friend 💪🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@kirstyjenkins8995]

very exciting side.. think hes gone for size in the pack due to the opposition.. expect Morgan to come on when the big boys are tiring...

[@SuperNictastic]

I would have left out Costelow for Eddie James. Ben Thomas could cover 10 as has been mentioned.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah that’s what I would have done tbh

[@deanjones6149]

Good side. Time for excuses is gone, we now need good performances and results. We need to beat both Fiji and Australia for the campaign to be seen as a success.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Couldn’t agree more Dean. I think this group can do it

[@justinthomas6942]

I hope beard is feeling angry......otherwise he's like a baby giraffe around the place , I agree with you on assirati he's done ok with his small size, but I haven't seen any defining moments yet 😕. I'm really excited to see this team play especially with Andscombe back , a couple of new caps but we SHOULD be leaving those silly game losing mistakes behind us by now so 🤞

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Let’s hope the experienced players coming in help raise everyone else

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Wales players need to run inside shoulder angles more.Creates space and puts players off balance.

[@samothemano]

An interesting selection for sure! The pack is pretty much what most would go for. The backs could go either way… if they click they could cause chaos, but if they don’t then I can see us getting g steamrolled. Should be a very exciting game either way! I’m going to say Fiji by 5

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Nice to hear from you again mate. I think that back line is going to do some damage. I think we might finally be able to create some space for our wide guys. I hope at least 🙏🏼😂

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

In South Africa the children play junior rugby on concrete pitches.This encourages greater physicality at a younger age.

[@gallois3]

Yeah, either Jac Morgan is 100% or he’s not … no comprendo. Botham a surprise tbh, and why is Costelow there when we’ve got cover already for Anscombe? But, overall, it’s exciting, best selection for a while. Particularly promising in attack, (slick training ground moves! why not ??) as it’s been too predictable lately. They’ll have to front up though, those Fijians are big boys.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah you’re spot on with everything you said and I echo the is Jac fit or not 🤷🏻‍♂️ Lucky for us we have Reffell who though different is also still World call in my opinion 👌🏼

[@maximus6249]

Costello for me is just not good enough, hoping he can prove us wrong but it might be a tough few years

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I think he will come good with time

[@maximus6249]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcasthope so mate, gonna miss the days of biggar tho

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

100% We didn’t realise how lucky we were over the past 10 years

[@callumraza5046]

People saying Costelow needs time, but in reality does he just not lack the natural athleticism to be an international 10? Maybe this is my SH thinking of what i expect from a 10

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I don’t think he let his size causing an issue. I think he always fronts up in defence. I guess the biggest physical issue he has is he hasn’t got a big boot which I guess goes into your theory🤷🏻‍♂️

[@callumraza5046]

@TheWelshSportsPodcast blistering pace, ability to glide past defenders like the Fijian 10 did. He wouldn't get a single international cap if he was English or Irish

[@clivesilver463]

Good side but a couple of buts, First Beard I hope to god his line out calls are right and he for once stars to punch his weight I would have had Christ in there, Don't understand Morgan on the bench I would have him to start along with Nicky Smith other than that the pack looks pretty solid, the backs is what I expected and for once players in position and ball distributors, but cannot understand why Eddie James is not on the bench and you have Costello there instead , my other concern is our new winger Blair Murray he is 5ft 7in and will no doubt be facing a monster against him he will be targeted, overall not a bad side other than my gripes, hopefully combinations will begin to gel and Wales look like a dangerous side once more there is the personal to do that, Thomas and Max should be interesting to watch, Wales though must not let themselves play into Fiji hands drive them back then build from there, rock solid scrum and solid line out and with the home advantage should do it.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I think Beards there for his experience. They the Morgan one is strange, he’s either injured or not 🤷🏻‍♂️ Would have liked to see James too. It’s going to be an interesting day. Can’t wait to be honest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@marrokklongfall1116]

Why does alias pick himself?

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Because Evan Lloyd is still a development player, or do you think he’s better thy Elias?

[@marrokklongfall1116]

Well hoping so in the future. But I do see your point

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah, me too, mate. I’m not a fan of a Elias at all to be honest.

[@marrokklongfall1116]

Same

[@cro649]

Wales have wasted circa 20 years on Gatland. He couldn't beat New Zealand, in fact had a terrible record against the southern hemisphere big 3 with a golden generation. What he can be expected to do with this bunch of muffins i dont know.

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Dan Edwards should get a run of games.Dont think Costelow is up to it.

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Wales haven't got these players who can get us over the gain line so they are constantly playing on the back foot.

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

And when parents go to watch their children playing rugby on weekends they're not allowed to swear from the touchlines.

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Where's Freddie Thomas.?

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Probably give him a go against Aus

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Don't hold out much hope for Wales against the Aussies after today's result.The Southern hemisphere teams show what you can do if your prepared to be dedicated and cut out the beer.UnlikeWelsh players.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I don’t think they’re on the Beer Elfed. They seam to be working pretty hard

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Never been a fan of Adam Beard's.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Me either tbh

[@maximus6249]

Can’t stand him

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

😂

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Another poor Welsh performance.Blair Murray only plus point.

[@ElfedMorris-z3j]

Rugby is a dying game in Wales.Parents don't want their children taking up the sport because it's dangerous.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Hopefully we can turn it around