Posted by When it comes to patience around rebuilds you don’t need to tell Cardiff supporters twice this season. We are fast becoming the experts on clinging to positives when everything around seems negative.
It’s been just three wins in 12 games so far this campaign for the Blue and Blacks, but there is a greater excitement and buzz around the club than there has been for a good few years as a crop of talented youngsters emerge playing an attractive style of rugby. With a favourable run of attractive fixtures, and a takeover from some seemingly wealthy investors, the Arms Park has been bouncing.
Now though our small bubble of positivity, within the wider context of where Cardiff are, needs to be replicated on the scale of Wales’ Six Nations following as the annual tournament approaches. Post-Rugby World Cup, with retirements and injuries aplenty, there is a fresh look to Warren Gatland’s squad that supporters will have to prepare for.
The list of those unavailable for at least the first half of this year’s edition of the Championship is quite extraordinary; Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny have all retired, Tomas Francis and Liam Williams are unavailable due to club commitments, while the likes of Ken Owens, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Taine Plumtree, Christ Tshiunza, Gareth Anscombe and Alex Cuthbert remain sidelined due to injury.
That run of names has an average of 65.7 caps each, and an average age of 30.8, compared to 21.6 caps per player in the announced Six Nations squad and an average age of 25.5. Not to say that leaning on more elder statesmen is preferable, a balance is the ideal approach, but losing that much seniority and experience is bound to have some impact on the field.
There is a huge amount of potential in the squad though, even if some positions are looking very fresh. At tighthead Leon Brown, Keiron Assiratti and Archie Griffin have 25 caps between them, there are two uncapped members of the back row corps and only Aaron Wainwright has more than 16 caps, while the two out-and-out 10s of Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd are both 22 with 10 caps between them.
Those at the Principality Stadium should be seriously excited by some of those names, as well as Corey Domachowski emerging at loosehead, a high quality lock group, Tommy Reffell having the chance to nail down the seven jersey, Joe Roberts or Mason Grady coming into the three-quarter line, and Cam Winnett getting a run at full-back.
Welsh supporters will have to be patient with this group and look for growth outside of results. This is a squad evolution that should have begun slowly after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but the same old faces were stuck with and now it’s been forced upon the national team rather than being planned for.
Warren Gatland’s comments insisting this team could win the Six Nations were unhelpful. He should take a leaf out of Matt Sherratt’s book around being clear and honest in his communication through the media. Let these young players develop, let them express themselves, and help them improve week-on-week.
If all Wales take from this tournament is a win over Italy after improving each round through to Super Saturday, then that can still be a success. Winning a Grand Slam now is not realistic, and it may not even be on the cards next year, but post-British & Irish Lions as the 2027 RWC comes into view then there should be a squad built that is ready to compete.
For too long Gatland has used a golden generation of players to paper over the cracks, and now we’re back to square one. Supporters have to be realistic about what this team will produce and get behind these young men as they start their journey of the next two years, otherwise they’ll be crushed under the weight of expectation and the pain will be prolonged.
Ymlaen Cymru!
Cardiff Rugby Life 