Rob Howley Confirms The Worst-Kept Secret In Wales As Six Nations Squad Announced

Wales have named their squad for the 2017 Six Nations. Lee Calvert takes a look at the list and wonders if they can do a better job than last November.

The thirst for change among Welsh rugby fans is palpable.  The miserable, stuttering efforts they were forced to endure from the national team over the previous six months has left the population stuck somewhere between fury and depressed resignation. Can the squad named by Rob Howley turn this around?

The worst-kept secret in Wales has been confirmed as Sam Warburton relinquishes the captaincy of the team. He has not been in his best form in the last 12 months and after six years in the role it seems a sensible move for him to focus solely on returning consistently to what he is: one of the best sevens in world rugby. This is no embarrassing resignation for Warburton, who has been exemplary in the role after being given the captaincy and relatively tender age of 23, and neither is he leaving his side in the lurch as the literally and figuratively towering Alun Wyn Jones takes over. England, for example, with their depth of leadership issues, would love to have such a player as the next off the rank.

Several uncapped players have been brought in. Back row Thomas Young has been ripping the Premiership apart at Wasps, and fellow breakaway Olly Cracknell is revelling in Ospreys' resurgent season. They are joined by lock Rory Thornton, Leicester five-eigth Owen Williams, Scarlets scrum half Aled Davies and outside backs Ashton Hewitt and Steffan Evans.

Perhaps more notable than the new faces are the old ones who have returned. Jamie Roberts is still there to once more showcase his world-class holding onto the ball to kill attacking momentum, Jon Davies is in such poor form that he was dropped by Scarlets for their huge European fixture vs Saracens last weekend and Alex Cuthbert, a player in such wretched form and confidence he could do with a six week-long cuddle rather than selection in an international team. Completing the old dogs, old tricks parade is Leigh Halfpenny, who appears to have contracted permanent sunstroke in his time in the south of France such is the hideousness of his recent showings.

And therein lies the problem. For all the new blood and newish prospects like Ospreys out-half-cum-fullback Sam Davies, the core of this side remains the one that has often been abject, and Howley – Stan Laurel’s less amusing, permanently confused cousin – will be overseeing this from his bafflebox on high. Whoever is in the side, there are plenty of questions for him to address.

Can he use Taulupe Faletau in a wider handling role that utilises his immense talents, as Bath have done? Will the backrow of Faletau, Moriarty and Warburton be empowered to be the best in Europe or will they be trapped by the invisible force-field around the ruck as before? Will the ball get beyond the 12 shirt and will someone - anyone! - run off Dan Biggar to make their attack just a little less obvious? Speaking of Biggar, will he finally shut his forever-flapping mouth and get on with his job? And will Howley find the minerals to finally play the mercurial, bow-legged wonder Liam Williams at fullback ahead of the recently lumpen Halfpenny?

We’ll find out in a few weeks.

WALES SQUAD

Forwards: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Olly Cracknell (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Thomas Young (Wasps).

Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Steffan Evans (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets) Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon).