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Just 3 new caps in 18 months?

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roy munster View Drop Down
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    Posted: 19 March 2017 at 7:32pm

We seem to be consistent at under 20s, the regional results this season are improved overall...Our squad is settled. But just 3 new caps in the last 18 months? Compared to 26 for Argentina, 23 french, 20 Italians, 19 Irish, 13 aussies, 12 English, 11 all blacks etc More than suggests complacency and failure to develop more and offer more opportunities. The welsh squad is a similar average age to everyone else, so that cant be used as an issue. Lack of depth is the usual defence. Well we will never improve our depth without giving opportunities. In addition to this lack of development , the failure to try liam williams in his specialised position is bone headed at best. 


But match up this data to the average age of the countries’ World Cup squads and the average number of caps and it starts to reveal some very interesting comparisons.
NationAverage age of squad at World Cup 2015Average number of caps at World Cup 2015New caps since the end of the tournament
Argentina26.53926
France28.43223
Italy27.63820
Ireland28.23419
Australia27.34113
England26.22512
South Africa28.24212
New Zealand28.24811
Scotland26.6237
Wales26.3343

Source: The Telegraph.

It’s long been a criticism of the Gatland era of Welsh rugby that the coaches tend to rely on the same old heads and don’t look to new players to take the team forward. Given the Wales side has only capped three new players since 2015, you might start to think there is something in that accusation.

But match up this data to the average age of the countries’ World Cup squads and the average number of caps and it starts to reveal some very interesting comparisons.

ROYMOND MUNTER MBE (FOR SERVICES TO THE COMBOVER)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote najbritcol Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 March 2017 at 8:40pm
What this most likely shows is that much of the current Welsh squad emerged in and around RWC2011, whereas perhaps other teams didn't cap so many new players around then.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote roy munster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 March 2017 at 9:10pm
Originally posted by najbritcol najbritcol wrote:

What this most likely shows is that much of the current Welsh squad emerged in and around RWC2011, whereas perhaps other teams didn't cap so many new players around then.

There is some water in that , these squads come and go in cycles and the vast bulk of this one has been together for 5 or 6 years. But 3 caps in 18 months is surely complacency and will continue to come back and bite us. I am not however for the opposite end of the scale either where we chuck in a whole load of inexperienced players all at once. We simply need better balance as we evolve. 
ROYMOND MUNTER MBE (FOR SERVICES TO THE COMBOVER)
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