By Craig Muncey
August 27 2015

Three weeks left to the Rugby World Cup, a tournament all competitors have been working towards for the last few years.  Teams have been looking at combinations, looking at strength in depth in key positions and now are just putting the finishing touches for a tilt at the biggest prize in rugby union.   England had a run out last weekend against France, and after a disappointing performance with majority of the first team playing, it seems to have thrown up for them more questions than answers.  Some will say the run out has now got the rustiness out of their system, but transferring this across to Wales this weekend, who have picked similarly to England a very strong starting fifteen, my question is do certain key players need to play and risk injuries just before we go into a World Cup?

When I look at Wales and some positions I do fear for the depth of the squad in certain positions, especially with at this moment in time, some players carrying injuries, so when I say key positions and key players, the players I would not risk are Leigh Halfpenny, Alun Wyn-Jones, Taulupe Faletau or Dan Biggar in any warm up matches before we play in the World Cup.

Many people will totally disagree with this, as players finished the season in May, so the 4 players I mentioned with the exception of Faletau who came on against Ireland start of the month, will not have played for more than 3 months, so need a run out to find their legs again etc, and I do understand this, but for me the risk of injury this close to the big kick off for those 4 outdo the need to get some game time.  Of curse, injuries can occur at any time even in training, as the unfortunate Gareth Anscombe has found out, however, less chance in a training environment, than in Dublin against a fired up Irish side and next week an Italian side.

Looking at the players individually I have mentioned then firstly Leigh Halfpenny, the player has to play in the back three whether at full back or as a winger, especially with his goal kicking abilities which he has showed on the biggest stages of international rugby time and time again.  Liam Williams is doubtful for the tournament who is another outstanding back three player and George North has not played since March since another head injury and I certainly accept he needs game time.  Taking all this into account, we cannot take any risk in Halfpenny, and I would hold him back. 

Secondly, Alun Wyn-Jones, a genuinely world class middle line jumper and a fantastic leader within in the group, even if he is not the regular captain.  As it stands, Wales are struggling in the 5 position, the other locks in the squad are mainly front line jumpers, such as Jake Ball, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris.  Dominic Day is currently still in the squad, but looked bit short on international standard on his debut, and barring injuries expect him to miss out.  The other potential middle line jumper we have is James King, who is a hybrid 5/6 player, a good athlete, who is versatile and is moved between the two positions.  Alun-Wyn is an absoute most for this team, especially with what we have in the squad, I would of played King on Saturday to see if he warrants the back up slot to Alun-Wyn with Day on the bench.  We absolutely need nothing to happen to Alun-Wyn Jones. 

Moving onto Taulupe Faletau, he again is absolutely vital to the Welsh game plan, he is the main ball carrier in the pack, and his work off defensive kick offs and his relationship with Rhys Webb is critical.  Wales have taken the option to drop Dan Baker from the squad, so as it stands the cover for Faletau appears to be Ross Moriarty.  We still have not seen enough of Moriarty on the international scene as he has come into the international set up only very recently.  Moriarty is not in the match day squad Saturday, I would of had him in the team let alone the squad, let's see how he goes in the cauldron of the Aviva Stadium. 

Lastly, Dan Biggar, the pivot and the orchestrator in the important position of fly half.  Biggar has proved many critics wrong in last 18 months or so, and has raised his game on the international stage and is now proven.  If Biggar gets an injury, then we have only at moment Rhys Priestland as the only regular 10 as cover as Gareth Anscombe is injured and doubtful for the World Cup .  Matthew Morgan can play 10 but seems to be seen as an impact player from the bench or as a full back.  Priestland is a confidence player, and when is playing well, can really ignite a back line, however his tactical kicking and defensive game management can let him down, right now if Biggar is missing, I am fearful of the pool stages.

In closing, you may read the fact I am fearful of injuries to key players as a bit negative, but I just feel that with these 4 players, that I would not take the risk, they know the plays and calls that the team have, they have built relationships within the team, and are supremely fit individuals, keep them on the leash and release them for the World Cup and the massive challenges upcoming against Fiji, England and Australia.