Poor Wales double punched by injuries

Wales went into their final warm up game, against Italy, riding a wave. They'd just defeated Ireland on their own turf, the final squad had been named and it looked incredibly strong, and the two big injuries had made big leaps forward towards being fit for the tournament. A near full strength side had been named, Gatland giving his big name players a chance to get more game time and really fire before the World Cup started. The game started poorly and got worse.

Williams was by far the star man against Italy

The opening minutes had Wales controlling position and making good in roads in Italian territory, that was until out of form Cuthbert pushed too hard, and Parisse intercepted. Brought down by man of the match Scott Williams, Italy still managed to score from the ensuing ruck, although how Dan Biggar did not win a penalty is beyond me. It set the home team back a bit, but they worked their way back, Scott Williams yet again the catalyst. Italy kicked clear, Scott Williams returned it, stepping outside his opposite number and running into space. The chance was squandered by Sam Warburton out-wide however, one of multiple chances that went begging for the Welsh. It is something that they are going to have to work on if they have any hope of escaping the Pool of Death. Eventually they did take the opportunity after a few more phases, Williams yet again creating it, with a perfect flat miss pass to put George North in with not a single blue shirt near him.

Webb in agony after damaging his ankle

Just as Wales were looking in control and able to exert their game on the Italians, tragedy struck as Rhys Webb was crushed under the weight of other players, before being stretchered off in extreme
pain and on oxygen. Silence struck the stadium. The effect on the players was obvious from the kick off as the normally faultless Faletau spilled the ball, and the problems spread. Wales looked devoid of intent, not one player seemed to still have their head in the game, and the gameplan went out the window. In the end the game was still flat when the unimaginable happened for the second time in the game. When Halfpenny - in the process of attempting to collect a kick - twinged his knee which at the time looked innocuous. Once again Wales were left reeling as, perhaps, their biggest name was once again stretchered off the pitch.

Some - myself included - was questioning what Halfpenny was doing on the pitch with 10 minutes left. Gatland has always chosen to win a game over giving players a chance, but with a World Cup looming and wild-card Matthew Morgan sitting on the bench waiting to get more test match experience. I feel that Morgan should have been given at least 20 minutes to prove his ability - not including the brief blood sub cameo - instead he got 10 minutes at the end of the game when no one else wanted to be playing. He did provide a brief moment of excitement for the crowd, akin to when Shane Williams was playing in the Welsh jersey. I really hope that he gets game time during the World Cup, especially now Wales may have to consider a new game plan, having an exciting try anything player could give them an extra dimension. Against Uruguay - Wales' first game - he could easily set up three or four tries against the semi-pro team. Especially with Liam Williams still regaining fitness, it might be an idea to bring him on from the bench, rather than start him fresh.

Talismanic Halfpenny after collapsing his knee, his goal kicking threat will be sorely missed

While discussing Liam Williams, especially now Halfpenny is missing the tournament, it's a certainty that he will own the 15 shirt for the big games in the pool. Which means the wing slot that Williams would have taken initially is wide open. Based on the previous years with Gatland it's pretty clear that

Cuthbert not living up to form

Alex Cuthbert is in the pole position, however his performances over the last year have been mediocre at best. His defensive issues have always been well documented, but recently they seem to have been fully understood my the opposition too, which means he's been caught out on multiple occasions and against an Australian side with infamous lethality out wide, and an England team who's wingers have found perhaps the form of their life. It could spell disaster for Wales' World Cup hopes, especially considering that last weekend he couldn't even seem to make a tackle on a static Parisse. To be fair to the large winger, he has traditionally always been rated on his attacking ability, with good reason. He had a try scoring record which any international winger would have been proud of, he provided clinical finishing and a powerful drive which Wales used to great effect. However despite scoring against Ireland, his tries have dried up to almost zero, he seems unable to get over the gainline any more, and spends most of the time absent on the wing. In fact the one time he was spotted in mid-field against Italy who threw the pass which was intercepted.

Hallam Amos is a proven finisher

With all that considered, surely it's time for Gatland to give the other wingers in the squad a chance on the big stage. Freshly called up Eli Walker provides electrifying pace which does seem to lack in the side, as well as a side-step which seems to be able to move him 5 meters laterally with little effort, not to mention an acrobatic finishing ability akin to the legendary Shane Williams. Although considering he was dropped from the initial 31-man party, perhaps Hallam Amos stands a better chance of stealing the 14 shirt from Cuthbert. Amos has also shown an incredible finishing ability over the last season, certainly proving more effective at wing than the fullback slot he was given against Ireland. He also provides a reliable left footed kicking option that has been lost to the side due to Jonathan Davies' absence, and a defensive ability leagues ahead of Cuthbert (as proven by his ability to play fullback). Not to mention the fact he has a central contract implies that Gatland and Co. believe he is a star in the making, and who can blame them with the rumours being he is capable of matching George North in the gym. It is his kicking ability that interests me the most, he brings a different dimension to the Welsh wing with his willingness to kick the ball in behind the opposition and pressure the fullback.

The loss of Rhys Webb could be felt more keenly than Halfpenny, with Biggar providing equal kicking prowess and Liam Williams able to slot in at fullback. Webb was arguably  the inform player in Europe, sitting in the same bracket as All Black Aaron Smith, and could have been one to really light up the tournament. Plus the link between he and Biggar was instinctive, both trusted each other entirely, and that ability to know exactly what the other is thinking meant they ran the game incredibly well. Not to mention his try scoring ability which could be greatly missed. Wales have replacements but none exactly in the same bracket. Mike Phillips has been recalled and could happily slot in for the big games, it's well known what he can do, but perhaps his lack of speed at the breakdown could lead to Gatland looking elsewhere. So that leaves either Gareth Davies and Lloyd Williams. Davies brings the snappy, eye for a gap, try scorer element of Webb; while Williams certainly looks the fastest at the breakdown and with Wales wanting to test their fitness against their opponents that increased tempo of game could give the Blues' player the nod.

Who will win the battle for the 9 shirt, after Webb has been ruled out?

The rest of the Welsh team practically picks itself, especially with the news that Samson Lee and Alun Wyn Jones are expected to be match fit for the opening fixture. Based on the three warm up games, it's obvious how crucial Jones is the team, he not only provides huge leadership presence, but the scrum seems to function much better with his power behind the tight-head. Tomas Francis looked strong with the Osprey's captain behind him, but struggled against the Italians. Ken Owens has failed to impress me as a starting choice hooker, he doesn't have the same ball carrying impact he does from the bench.

The back row is still a loud and raging debate. Tipuric's displays in the first two warm-ups was impossible to ignore, yet I still can't imagine him fitting into the back row for the big tests. Captain Warburton will never be dropped if he is fit, and Toby Faletau (ignoring the Italy game) is infallible, a work-horse who helps Wales retain possession constantly, and has apparently been busting his arse in the gym to get even stronger. He is one of the world's top number eights without a doubt. Which just leaves a straight fight between Lydiate and Tipuric. And while Tipuric has perhaps the game of his life against Ireland in Dublin, Lydiate was ferocious in his tackling display. Showing just how much he brings to the breakdown battle, he may not be the jackler in the side, but he efficiently and effectively brings opposition players to the floor with brutal speed. Allowing one of Wales' premier "jacklers" to get on the ball before support can arrive. It's because of this that I still don't see Tipuric making the first choice back row, he may be a magician able to create chances at will, and he may be committed at the breakdown, and an incredible tackler in his own right, but he'll always been second to the intrinsic Lydiate/Warburton team.
James King should also get a mention, but against Italy he didn't really have a noticable performance, but he can't be accused of doing anything wrong either, meanwhile unselected Ross Moriarty had an incredible game from the substitutes bench, practically his first touch produced a rampaging 60 yard sprint up-field fending off the attention of three Italian defenders before linking up with Charteris with aplomb. Gatland could be regretting not taking the Gloucester player, he provides No. 8 cover which is severely lacking from the squad. And in my opinion the selection of five locks and King (who can cover there too), was excessive, Moriarty would have been a useful choice especially against Uruguay first up.

Wales power house back-row look certain to re-live their World Cup four years ago

So looking to the first game of the World Cup, it's obvious that Wales need to rack up a sizeable points tally against Uruguay, and they need to ensure that their first team is full rested before the three tricky games. So it's likely that a team close to full strength but not entirely will take the field. Gatland is not one to back down from the risks, even after last weekend. So expect him to take it as an opportunity to give first team players more game time, and give players returning from injury a run out. I would like to see Matt Morgan start a fullback, but it's more likely that Liam Williams will. Tipuric is highly likely to start the game, probably with Warburton to give the captain more time, considering he's only played one of the warm ups. Samson Lee will get the chance to ease back into test scrummaging, and I highly expect Cuthbert to be given another chance to impress, although personally I would choose Walker or Amos, and North will be given another game to recover from months out.

Predicted Team vs Uruguay:
Backs: L Williams, A Cuthbert, S Williams, J Roberts, G North, D Biggar, G Davies
Forwards: G Jenkins, K Owens, S Lee, AW Jones, B Davies, S Warburton, J Tipuric, T Faletau
Replacements: S Baldwin, P James, T Francis, L Charteris, J King, Ll Williams, R Priestland, M Morgan

Suggested Team vs Uruguay:
Backs: M Morgan, A Cuthbert, G North, S Williams, H Amos, D Biggar, Ll Williams
Forwards: G Jenkins, S Baldwin, S Lee, AW Jones, L Charteris, S Warburton, J Tipuric, T Faletau
Replacements: K Owens, P James, T Francis, J Ball, J King, G Davies, R Priestland, L Williams

I pick Morgan to start hoping for an early attacking intent, North gets the opportunity to play and get more experience at centre. Lloyd Williams with his quick tempo around the breakdown can be utilised to tire out Uruguay before unleashing the try scoring Davies with 20-30 minutes left. Charteris plays in an effort to steal lineout possession and keep the pressure on their opponents. K Owens also provides impact from the bench, alongside fellow Scarlet Liam Williams who could come on shortly into the second half to give him a longer run out back from injury.

Score Prediction: Wales by 30