Wales head coach Wayne Pivac named his 36-man squad for the 2021 Guinness Six Nations on Wednesday morning, a tournament which could potentially make or break his reign as Wales coach.
There were a few surprises in the squad with veteran flanker Dan Lydiate being re-called after two and a half years away from the international game while there was a surprise omission with Wales and Lions scrum half Rhys Webb missing out on selection. Josh Macleod is the only uncapped player named in the squad and he’ll be hoping to finally get his first cap after being named in the squad for the Autumn Nations Cup but missing out on his first cap after picking up an injury while playing for the Scarlets.
Rhys Webb was the high profile omission from the squad and gained the most headlines but I’ll take a look at some of the players who will feel unlucky to have missed out on selection.
Shane Lewis Hughes
The 23 year old Cardiff Blues flanker was one of the real standout performers for a Wales team that struggled in the Autumn. Initially not named in the squad he was called up in October and such was his impact in training he was chosen to start the re-arranged Six Nations game against Scotland. Lewis Hughes put an impressive shift in against Scotland and went on to feature twice more in the Autumn against Ireland and England. However for the Six Nations campaign, Pivac has opted for the more experienced 33 year old Dan Lydiate as a result of his outstanding form for the Ospreys in the Pro14 and European Challenge Cup. Shane Lewis Hughes will feel unlucky to miss out but there’s no question we’ll see him back in the Welsh shirt sooner rather than later whether that be in the Summer or in the Autumn.
Rhys Webb
Arguably the biggest omission from the Wales squad was 36 time capped Wales & Lions scrum half Rhys Webb. Having been ineligible to play for Wales for the best part of two years due to playing outside of Wales and not having the required 60 caps, Webb returned to his home region the Ospreys in the summer. His second spell for the Ospreys couldn’t have started better, winning man of the match in their season opener against Edinburgh which saw him called up for the Wales squad in the Autumn. He was solid without setting the world alight for Wales in the Autumn playing three games, and crossing for a try against Georgia. He’s only featured twice for the Ospreys since then which has counted against him while his rivals for the No.9 jersey have featured more regularly. Pivac has told Webb what he wants to see from him now and it’ll be no surprise if he ups his game significantly for the Ospreys in the coming weeks.
Jamie Roberts
Arguably Wales’ form centre, 34 year old Jamie Roberts will feel that his international career must have ended after missing out on selection. Since signing for the Dragons in the summer Roberts has impressed week in week out for the men of Gwent playing in a side that has traditionally struggled. In the Dragons’ most recent game against the Ospreys, he was at his best, hitting the gain-line at speed, making breaks, and creating space for his teammates. Roberts has said he’s playing as well as he was in his 20’s and that’s a statement I completely agree with. I don’t think there’s any question that if Roberts was a few years younger that he’d be involved, but being 34 years old, two years into a RWC cycle has counted against him and it’s unlikely that we’ll see him in the red shirt of Wales again.
Mat Protheroe
The Swansea born back finally returned to Welsh Rugby in the summer of 2020 after beginning his professional career at Gloucester before moving to Bristol Bears in 2017. Protheroe actually played for England at U18 and England U20 level despite not being English qualified. This is because you’re eligible to represent England at age grade level as long as you’re at an English club regardless of if you’re qualified not, the only exception to this rule is playing in the Junior World Championship, where it’s not allowed to happen. Despite playing for England’s age grade teams, Protheroe has made it clear he sees his international future with Wales and his form for the Ospreys this season has prompted suggestions that he should be involved in the Welsh squad. He’s scored three tries this season for the Ospreys and his ability to make breaks from anywhere along with his pace has made him one of the most dangerous attackers in the Pro14. Despite his size (5”9 & 79 Kilos) he’s proved he’s a capable defender and should be in Wayne Pivac’s plans for the summer tour.
James Botham
Similarly to his Cardiff Blues back row team mate Shane Lewis Hughes, James Botham was initially not named in the Wales squad for the Autumn before being called up and immediately put into the starting line up. Botham featured against Georgia, England and Italy in the Autumn and impressed throughout. Only 22 years old, there’s still plenty of time for Botham to get himself back in the mix and can count himself unlucky due to Cardiff team mate Josh Navidi being fit again which has seen Botham miss out. I think it’s fair to say we’ll see Botham back in the international mix sooner rather than later, and will turn his attention to regional duty with the Cardiff Blues ahead of Wales’ summer tour where he’ll surely be involved, especially with Wales’ Lions contingent set to be away in South Africa
There are a few other honourable mentions that missed out on the squad, the likes of Ioan Lloyd, Kieran Williams, Steff Evans. Lloyd Williams will all now turn their attention to the Summer when Wales are due to tour Argentina.
By Adam Cleary
AWC SPORT 