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'It's absolutely terrible' - Wales set to be at Six Nations disadvantage - Davies
Jonathan Davies believes that reigning Guinness Six Nations champions Wales will be at a “disadvantage” if they play home games without crowds in this season’s tournament.
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Welsh Government coronavirus restrictions mean that Wales’ opening home Six Nations fixture against Scotland on February 12 could take place behind closed doors.
Wales also host France and Italy in March at the Principality Stadium.
Crowds in Ireland and France are currently capped at 5,000, but no restrictions apply in England.
Restrictions on crowds at outdoor sporting events in Scotland, meanwhile, will be lifted next Monday after a limit of 500 was imposed three weeks ago in a bid to deal with a surge of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
It means that Murrayfield will be able to hold capacity crowds for Six Nations visits by England and France, with existing restrictions in Wales set to be reviewed by the Welsh Government next week.
Wales and Scarlets centre Davies, who has won 93 caps during a 12-year Test career, said: “Having experienced last year’s Six Nations with no crowds, it’s just not the same.
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“Seeing every other country having crowds, you are going to be at a disadvantage if you are playing in an empty stadium for your home games.
“It’s absolutely terrible when you play in front of no crowds.
“I’ve been fortunate to play for such a long time and playing in front of crowds is where you get that excitement and buzz.
“As much as I want to, I am not going to go into more depth. Boys love playing in front of crowds and boys want crowds.”
Wales hooker Ken Owens, meanwhile, looks set to miss the Six Nations while he recovers from a back injury.
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The 35-year-old Scarlets forward, capped 82 times and a British and Irish Lions Test player, sat out Wales’ entire Autumn Nations Series in October and November.
And it is another blow for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, whose team begin their title defence against Ireland in Dublin on February 5.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones is unlikely to play in the competition after undergoing two operations on a shoulder injury suffered during the autumn.
Flanker Josh Navidi has also had a shoulder problem and is another long-term absentee and full-back Leigh Halfpenny remains sidelined due to a knee injury.
Elsewhere, George North (knee) and Justin Tipuric (shoulder) are firmly on the recovery trail, but it is understood they are not expected to be ready for at least Wales’ early Six Nations games.
Back-row pair Ross Moriarty (shoulder) and Taulupe Faletau (ankle) have also been unavailable ahead of Pivac’s expected Six Nations squad announcement next week.
On Owens, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: “He has had a procedure and he is doing rehab.
“I would hope to see him this season – the plan is to get him back playing this season. With a back, he has got to get moving again.
“He may make the end of the competition (Six Nations). Hopefully for him, he will. We would like to see him before the end of the season.
“With that sort of injury, it’s caution, especially where Ken is in his career. We are not going to be risking anything with him.
“The thing for him is that we get him back on his feet and back in training, when that time is right, and we will see where we are with that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments