One of the top ranked rugby teams in the world Wales go to the World Cup with a 31 man squad showing more than a few shock exclusions. Coach Warren Gatland was brutal in his squad selection, and no less than 9 regulars have missed the cut. The Welsh are in Pool D for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan alongside Georgia, Australia, Fiji and Uruguay.
In February 2018 Wales were ranked 7th in the world, last month they got to the top of the mountain as the number one ranked test team in the world. With that in mind, Gatland has been far more ruthless in his World Cup squad selection, adamant that his side can’t afford to have passengers, and that they are genuine contenders for Rugby’s ultimate prize.
“I think it’s good enough to win. I think the most difficult thing about this squad is the depth we’ve created over the past three or four years, and so we’ve left out some real quality players. In the past when you’re picking a world cup squad you may have been happy with 23 or 24 and the others making up the numbers, you’re not quite sure about their ability and quality,” says Gatland.
Flyhalf, Rhys Patchell has made the cut, ahead of Jarrod Evans, which indicates that Gatland values form over experience going into the World Cup. Gatland has also opted for just five props, when many teams automatically select six, with regulars Rob Evans and Samson Lee getting the chop. According to Gatland, those that were cut, took it on the chin.
“Obviously it’s a difficult conversation to have, they’re pretty disappointed but I’ve got to say that, we have a World Cup Whatsapp group and the players who have missed out, I think all of them have commented on the Whatsapp group and wished the guys all the best. I think that’s a sign of the character of the players that have missed out, those players that have missed out will be on a standby list if we do pick up any injuries over the next few weeks,” says Gatland.
Wales begin their world cup campaign on the 23rd of September against Georgia.
