Can the Welsh squad win the Six Nations?
The Welsh Rugby Union have announced a 35 man training squad ahead of next month's Six Nations tournament and after finishing in 4th place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, expectations in Wales have gone through the roof ahead of this year's campaign. The squad consists mainly of those who performed so well in New Zealand, with the main exception being Shane Williams who retired from international rugby in December. One of the biggest surprises though is of course the inclusion of Gavin Henson. The Blues man's last action in an international jersey was to be withdrawn from the field after sustaining a wrist injury in the 19-9 World Cup warm up win against England in August, an injury that ruled the 29 year old out of the World Cup.
While Henson's inclusion in the squad will be debated, one thing that fans can be delighted with is the inclusion of several uncapped players. Rhodri Jones, Lou Reed and Liam Williams have all earned call-ups after impressing for the Scarlets this season. Ashley Beck and Rhys Webb of the Ospreys have also been called up by Gatland along with Blues winger Harry Robinson in what is already a very young squad with the likes of Toby Faletau, George North and even the captain Sam Warburton being in the early years of their careers. Obviously the reason why this is such good news for Welsh rugby is that Warren Gatland has shown that he is preparing for the long-term future as opposed to planning for immediate success. The World Cup is the most prestigious event on any sports calendar which is why the WRU are setting their sights ahead to the 2015 tournament in England and Wales.
Of course one of the downsides of having such a young squad is that vital experience can be lost. Shane Williams has left huge boots to fill on the wing as a result of his retirement and Rhys Priestland's impressive form has ensured that fellow Scarlet Stephen Jones misses out on the squad altogether.
With several uncapped players making the squad and the loss of experience from players like Williams and Jones, it could be easy for people to think that Wales could flop in the forthcoming Six Nations tournament, but as we saw in New Zealand, Wales' young squad are more than capable of competing with the world's elite and here's hoping to a successful Six Nations campaign and an even more successful future beyond that.
35 man training squad
Forwards: Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Lou Reed (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (Captain, Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks).
Backs: Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Gavin Henson (Cardiff Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne).
.jpg "Henry Pollock, who was part of the England U20s set-up last term, scored two tries off the bench")