Stars who won and lost in Wales’ training squad for RWC 2023

Posted by Xchange Tickets on May 5th, 2023

For the Rugby World Cup 2023, Warren Gatland has selected a preliminary practice group of 54 players. Although the Wales head instructor maintained his choices exposed, there are still many topics of discussion. Rugby supporters can book Wales Rugby World Cups Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

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Our Source examines a few of those and identifies those who won and those who lost.

Winners those selected

They are, in a nutshell, one step closer to being selected for the final 33-man team for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, which is an accomplishment in and of itself.

While some players are being called up for the first time, others are gearing up for their last Rugby World Cup. Every player's situation is unique, but overall, as determined by Gatland and his assistants, these are the 54 greatest players in Wales right now. Being in this group is an accomplishment.

Henry Thomas

Gatland's decision to call up the Montpellier tighthead prop, who represented England seven times between 2013 and 2014, caught many by surprise. Thomas is eligible to play for Wales because his father is Welsh and has fulfilled the three-year stand-down requirement of World Rugby to do so.

Thomas is a strong scrummager and brings something unique to the front row with his experience in the Premiership and Top 14. Even though he was not widely anticipated by fans or analysts, this was a wise move from the Welsh coaching team.

Will Davies-King, Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti

The Cardiff trio are evidence that Gatland is a head trainer who rewards good form, even though it may not always look that way. The Wales coach invited 13 front-rowers and 9 props to the practice camp, and the Cardiff group has earned a spot in that group via their rugby union skills.

The coaching staff are searching for mobility in their front row, which is what prompted the shuffle. Since Dillon Lewis and Rhys Carre regularly find personally on the bench at Cardiff, the recently chosen trio can press their claims for a position on the quick flight to France.

Joe Roberts

Roberts spent a significant amount of time this season in the Scarlets' starting lineup due to the injuries sustained by Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies.

The 23-year-old seized the opportunity and is now a good candidate for a bolter position in France Rugby World Cup because the outside centre assets in Wales are currently less than normal.

Nicky Smith

With the return of Ospreys' star loosehead Smith, it was very successful roster news for the props. He had been playing in the finest form of his career for Wales, thus several questioned why the committee members were neglecting him. Can he secure his position now that he has a foot in the door?

Cai Evans

The Ospreys full-back shined against Montpellier in the Champions Cup this year, but injuries have plagued his career. Gatland, who is not easily forgotten, is supporting the 23-year-old in his efforts to build a claim for the RWC and beyond.

The manager of Wales continued, "He may develop into a 10 soon, though I think 15 has been a terrific position for him. In order to add some expertise going forward, we must consider this position. We've been captivated by Cai," he continued. In addition to being bold and having a big boot, he also kicks goals well."

Max Llewellyn

The largest beneficiary of Joe Hawkins' omission more on that later was Llewellyn, who copied and pasted information from the Gatland inside-centers handbook. He is a rough ball carrier who possesses the playmaking skills to have a successful Test record in the Welsh midfield.

The 24-year-old, who is moving to Gloucester, is in a fantastic position to win the tournament's number 12 jumper after rapidly moving up in the ranking system.  Llewellyn, sometimes known as "Skinny Bill Williams," is unquestionably a player to watch in RWC 2023.

Kemsley Mathias

Mathias, a loosehead for the Scarlets who plays in the front row, has received a well-deserved call-up. Wyn Jones' absence has drawn a lot of attention, but Mathias has been a regular starter for his region and came up when the British and Irish Lion was out.

Cory Hill

Hill had the opportunity to reclaim the red jersey thanks to the modification to the 25-Test cap policy for players who are living abroad. Before signing the Canon Eagles in Japan, Hill was a regular for Gatland in the run-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Hill also excelled under Wayne Pivac.

The 31-year-old immediately improves Wales' lock options, and with the RWC spot potentially up for seizures, anticipate Hill to make a strong comeback.

Wales

Hawkins' departure is a setback for the whole Wales squad. Even though one man cannot carry an entire team, the 20-year-old had previously lived up to the hype. In an RWC year, Gatland also gave the teenager four Test matches and considered the Exeter-bound talent as a crucial member of his backline.

"I have to respect that decision, but from the perspective of trainers, we regret losing someone with his potential and skills, at least for a few years," Gatland added.

Since Hawkins committed to a long-term contract with Exeter, it appears that it will be a while, if not never, before we witness the skilled centre wearing a Wales jersey once more. Hawkins was always going to be a key player for Gatland both currently and in the future. To become Rugby World Cup 2023 eye witness you can buy Wales Vs Portugal Tickets from our online platform.

Losers

Morgan Morris

Wales has plenty of good back-row players, so some loose forwards continue to feel unfairly treated. Morris, who had a fantastic season for the Ospreys, easily comes into that group.

Joe Hawkins

The focal point of Gatland's group. The talented teenager made an appearance versus Australia in November of last year, displaying talent beyond his years, and went on to play in four of Wales' five Six Nations games.

He was, however, unable to represent Wales since he did not meet the requirement of 25 Test caps and failed to register with the Premiership team before making his debut due to his agreement with Exeter Chiefs before the upcoming season.

Bradley Roberts

Roberts has been a star for the Dragons ever since he joined them from Ulster, although his Rugby World Cup aspirations have been harmed by his Six Nations performances this year.

Wyn Jones

Few people would have predicted that Jones would not make Gatland's practice team, let alone his final Rugby World Cup roster, after playing in three of the five Six Nations games this year and five of the nine British and Irish Lions matches in 2021.

Injuries have plagued the Scarlets prop, which will suffer as Wales switches to greater mobile props in RWC 2023. Unfortunately, injuries do occur, and this year's limited playing time for Jones ultimately prevented him from reaching his Test goal.

Scott Baldwin

The same is true for Baldwin, who pushed his way back into Wales' lineup but was unable to persuade the instructing staff that he merited a second chance.

Both hookers' chances have been harmed by the injury returns of Elliot Dee and Dewi Lake, and Ryan Elias was also compelled his way back into the lineup.

Tom Botha

The props have been a recurring element in our evaluation of the Wales team, so it only makes sense that we close with them. While Thomas was called up and qualified to play for Wales once more, tighthead Botha of the Ospreys wasn't as fortunate. He qualifies through residence and originally joined the Ospreys in 2018.

Botha is similar to Springbok tighthead Frans Malherbe in that he enjoys finding ways to fold the opposition loosehead in an origami-like surrender while in a scrum. He is a capable player all over the field, but he is more of a typical front-rower who will spend the majority of the game seeking to clear out rucks and make his tackles rather than making mobile carries and sending a flawless flat ball out the back to a fly-half or full-back.

Unfortunately for Botha, Wales' head coach is simply searching for a different type of player and may be considering options beyond the RWC, which may rule out the 32-year-old prop.

Rhys Patchell

Patchell, a different performer Gatland has preferred in the past, simply didn't start enough games for Scarlet's current season and also saw time on the bench.

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