World Cup Squad Announcements

[Tigerbeat]

Congratulations to Tommy Reffell on being selected in the Welsh squad

Wales forwards
Forwards (19):
Taine Basham
Adam Beard
Elliot Dee
Corey Domachowski
Ryan Elias
Taulupe Faletau
Tomas Francis
Dafydd Jenkins
Dewi Lake
Dillon Lewis
Dan Lydiate
Jac Morgan
Tommy Reffell
Will Rowlands
Nicky Smith
Gareth Thomas
Henry Thomas
Christ Tshiunza
Aaron Wainwright

[Tigerbeat]

Welsh Backs
Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies, Rio Dyer, Mason Grady, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams, Tomos Williams

No space for Owen Williams

The unlucky XV:
Fifteen players omitted from the provisional squad:

Kieron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Rhys Davies, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Parry, Taine Plumtree, Teddy Williams,

Alex Cuthbert, Cai Evans, Kieran Hardy, Max Llewellyn, Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers, Kieran Williams, Owen Williams.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Congratulations to formerly of this parish Sam Costelow.

[wigworth]

Steve Hansen joins the Wallabies coaching setup in an advisory role for the WC.

[Darc Tiger]

Kata in the Tonga squad: https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/statu ... 4871589985

[trendylfj]

Not sure of the truth of this but the South African is reporting the following - Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed that the NINE players currently placed on standby will be flown back to their respective clubs.

Therefore, they will not join the Springboks in France unless any player is injured against NZ on Friday evening. This is bad news for Handre Pollard and Lukhanyo AM fans. Let's take a look at the NINE players who be sent back to their clubs.

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/r ... gust-2023/

He must be gutted

[Darc Tiger]

Be nice to get him integrated into camp for a bit at least.

Still fully expect him to go to France at some point.

[Grimlish]

In all the noise about Hooper and Quade missing out on a squad place for the Aussies I had missed that Potter's return to Oz has yet to see any international recognition, not even in the training squad sfaik. Does that mean there was something else going on, for which the story of a return to gain that recognition was just a smokescreen? Did he know he doesnt fit McKeller's preferred style? What does that tell us about the Watson situation?

[ay2oh]

In all the noise about Hooper and Quade missing out on a squad place for the Aussies I had missed that Potter's return to Oz has yet to see any international recognition, not even in the training squad sfaik. Does that mean there was something else going on, for which the story of a return to gain that recognition was just a smokescreen? Did he know he doesnt fit McKeller's preferred style? What does that tell us about the Watson situation?

Think you’re reading a bit too much into it. Eddie probably said if you come back to Australia you’ll have a chance to get in the World Cup squad but doubt he would have made any promises. Anyhow I think OHC and Bassett are both good wingers.

[CJ]

Odogwu in Italy squad

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66581861

[KiwiTig]

Delighted for Tommy Reffell

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... b0Klw&s=19

So if Watson & Daly are out injured what does that mean

Suspect Porter may be one of those getting the nod as the versatile back in the squad

Likely May the other one based on this

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... b0Klw&s=19

So if Watson & Daly are out injured what does that mean

Suspect Porter may be one of those getting the nod as the versatile back in the squad

Likely May the other one based on this

Seems like big Joe and May have got the nod so no Porter for England.

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... mGacg&s=19

[GB72]

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... b0Klw&s=19

So if Watson & Daly are out injured what does that mean

Suspect Porter may be one of those getting the nod as the versatile back in the squad

Likely May the other one based on this

Seems like big Joe and May have got the nod so no Porter for England.

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... mGacg&s=19

Just seems like another decision that makes no sense. Both Daly and Watson were flexible on where they played (especially Daly) and so to pick 2 out and out wingers seems to remove even more options (and put pressure of Steward as that was one, possibly even 2, full back options removed).

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... b0Klw&s=19

So if Watson & Daly are out injured what does that mean

Suspect Porter may be one of those getting the nod as the versatile back in the squad

Likely May the other one based on this

Seems like big Joe and May have got the nod so no Porter for England.

https://twitter.com/TightFive_Rugby/sta ... mGacg&s=19

Just seems like another decision that makes no sense. Both Daly and Watson were flexible on where they played (especially Daly) and so to pick 2 out and out wingers seems to remove even more options (and put pressure of Steward as that was one, possibly even 2, full back options removed).

Reports of Smith practicing at 15 are also making more sense...