The year 2008 will long be remembered by Welsh fans as a Grand Slam year. They won the championship that year by playing an attractive brand of rugby built on rock solid defence. One of the stars of that campaign was Osprey wing wizard, Shane Williams. Since the little wizard departed the international scene in 2011, the attractive, off-the-cuff rugby has dried-up and Wales have become all too predictable. It is not all down to Shane Williams’ departure; with several of the class of 2008, that helped facilitate a looser and more flexible style of play, having been forgotten by Welsh management and fallen out of favour.
As successful as 2008 was for Wales, it can be seen by many as something of a Trojan horse. Although success was celebrated in the immediate aftermath, it would not be long before this success would create problems of its own. Offers to jump ship to the cash rich clubs in France and England began to flood in, as the best Welsh talent was snapped up. Wales started that tournament, away at Twickenham, with 13 Ospreys in the starting XV, a feat which would now be impossible only six years on. It was a watershed moment in Welsh rugby.
The national side success and the financial troubles of the regions, combined to bring about the end of the 'Galactico' glory days in Ospreylia. Lee Byrne, Gavin Henson and James Hook all left the Liberty Stadium outfit in the years following the 2008 clean sweep. These players have since been discarded from the Welsh team, failing to make the squad on a regular basis, with the exception of Hook. However, should the unlikely occur, would selecting certain individuals from the class of 2008 really be such a step backwards?
James Hook was a member of the 2008 team, and still makes the squad as a ‘utility back’. His talent has led him to be damned with this tag and it has prevented him from nailing down a starting role. He can play anywhere 10 to 15 and has many fans in Wales, who believe he deserves another chance. I agree Hook is far more creative than either of the current incumbents of the number 10 jersey. I believe to an extent, that Welsh rugby fans would rather watch their team play in the ‘right way’ than play in the methodical pattern of Warren Gatland, even if the latter is more successful.
Lee Byrne is another man who is deserving of a recall. The full-back has held down a starting position in Clermont’s starting-XV since his arrival in 2011. That takes some doing in a team that contains the talents of Wesley Fofana, Morgan Parra and Aurelien Rougerie, to name but three. Yet, despite his obvious quality, he cannot get near the Welsh squad. Leigh Halfpenny is the first name on the Welsh team sheet as his kicking is worth its weight in gold. However, if Halfpenny was moved to the wing, where he started his career, it would free up the full-back berth for Lee Byrne to step in. This would, in turn, force Alex Cuthbert to the bench, which would provide greater defensive solidity in the back three. The kicking game that both Halfpenny and Byrne could provide, would be a real boost to Gatland's game plan.
Lastly the eternal enigma, Gavin Henson, unquestionably one of the most talented players that Wales has ever produced but also one the biggest problems that Wales has ever produced. The last time we saw Henson in a Wales jersey was prior to the World Cup in 2011 in the warm-up games. He would have gone to that World Cup had injury not forced him out. His form at Bath has been good whilst only playing a bit role. His performance against Brive in the Amlin Cup was nothing short of sensational, his passing and creativity was brilliant. The will to tackle and effort in defence are something we do not associate with Henson, but his work rate was superb that day and noteworthy for the Welsh selectors.
All three of these ex-Ospreys are on form and deserving of a nod. The league that they are each playing in, should also be taken into account. The English and French leagues are amongst the most competitive in the World and of a higher standard than the Pro12. These leagues are closer to test match intensity and these three players cope with it, playing in big games week in week out. All too often we have seen Rhys Preistland let the pressure of test match rugby get to him. The Scarlets do not get to play in the big games; preventing the likes of Priestland from adapting to the harsher surroundings.
So they have the experience and they have the form, why shouldn’t they be picked? Unfortunately time is not on their side. They are all now over 28 and Gatland does tend to avoid older players if he possibly can. There are also younger players who are on form, Owen Williams at Leicester, Jordan Williams at the Scarlets and Cory Allen at the Blues, who are more than capable of filling the same gaps. They would also be an investment for the future; I would not begrudge any of these a call-up as they all deserve it.
There are options for Wales; we are blessed with talent young and old. I think a change has to be made to freshen up what is becoming a very stale set-up and create an atmosphere that ensures the status quo need to work harder for their starting positions . A change in either direction along the age scale would help, Gatland should not be afraid of the elder statesmen of the game as their big game mentality could prove invaluable.
These players will know they are in last the chance saloon and if Hook, Henson or Byrne ever appear in Welsh colours again, rest assured they will grasp the opportunity with both hands. In turn, it would place more pressure on the current squad to perform, which is required to get the most out of them as players.
With the injuries that Wales already have, I find it unlikely that they will go to South Africa and win. Wales need all their best players available to have a chance of beating the Boks. It should be an ideal opportunity to try new and old players to see how they fit into the team. It is the last chance for the older players and if they do get the call they will face the acid test of the Springboks. If they can perform in South Africa they can perform anywhere.
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