Just how many international standard back rows could Wales field?
The back row depth that Wales have is well-known – just ask Scarlets fans, who have long protested the lack of international recognition for James Davies, or any of the Welsh flankers playing in England who can’t get a look in.
Even when the world-class Sam Warburton announced his retirement, the response was one of respect and sadness rather than concern for the future of his position.
But plenty of nations can claim to have depth in this area. Ireland fans met the news of Seán O’Brien’s latest injury with calmness, New Zealand – as usual – have bags of talent across the back row, and even England are starting to look like they have options in this area after years of frustration.
So just how much depth does Wales have at the back of the scrum? RugbyPass has put together a list of the many international-standard back rows Wales have available to them.
1. Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau (157 combined caps)
Arguably the first-choice back row for Wales at the moment, although Ross Moriarty might have some thoughts on that, and definitely world-class. If fit, all three are guaranteed to be on the plane to Japan.
Tipuric’s ball-handling skills made him a cult player for Wales fans for a long time but he has absolutely come into his own of late, tackling and jackaling with the best of them. He has stepped up as a leader since Warburton’s retirement.
Navidi had to wait more than four years for his second cap but has rapidly become a key player with his jackaling, tackle count, and all-round work-rate routinely impressing. His versatility is also extremely useful.
Faletau has proved his quality time and again, regularly managing to do the business for Wales behind a retreating scrum and having an outstanding personal tour with the British and Irish Lions in 2017. One of the best in the world.
2. Aaron Wainwright, Ellis Jenkins, Ross Moriarty (42 combined caps)
Three players who have made a name for themselves in the past two years with some truly special performances. Moriarty actually went to the last World Cup as a replacement but he really gained recognition in the late loss to England during the 2017 Six Nations, after which he kept Faletau on the bench and earned himself a Lions call-up.
Jenkins and Wainwright both had outstanding games against South Africa in the autumn, with Jenkins called up from the bench to start at short notice and Wainwright, having taken his spot on the bench, being summoned early in the first half. Neither was able to play in their preferred position but both were standout performers and instrumental in the win.
3. Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Dan Lydiate (87 combined caps)
Lydiate is much more used to playing on the blindside although he has occasionally covered No8 where his big-match experience, hard tackling and carrying game come in handy.
The Scarlets’ partnership of Shingler and Davies complement his skill-set in this back row, with their excellence at the breakdown and ball-playing abilities. Davies’ background in sevens makes him particularly useful around the park.
All three have had injury troubles recently but their international quality is not in doubt. None of them will have given up on the dream of playing in Japan just yet.
4. Josh Turnbull, Thomas Young, James King (23 combined caps)
That Young would only be the fourth choice openside (without considering those players who play on the blindside to accommodate another flanker at No7) is often used to demonstrate Welsh depth in this area. Given his consistent form over the past few seasons, that is understandable.
Turnbull’s versatility has seen him regularly summoned to national squads, both for the sevens and 15s, from an early age, but hasn’t picked up many caps. His flexibility – he can also cover lock and No8 – and work ethic is valued but, throughout Warren Gatland’s tenure, the back row has been an area of strength so Turnbull has never really managed to break through.
King, a loyal servant at the Ospreys for years, boasts similar strengths and has suffered in the same way.
5. Ollie Griffiths, Sam Cross, Dan Baker (6 combined caps)
We’re down to the fifth-choice now and still looking at an all-internationally capped back row. Baker was once seen as a genuine rival to Faletau at No8 but a horrendous injury record, including a 15-month lay-off with knee ligament damage, has seen him fall far down the pecking order.
Griffiths has also suffered with injuries but is highly-rated within the Wales camp, often compared with Warburton for his conditioning and ability over the ball. He will almost certainly add to his tally of caps at some point.
Cross is another openside with a sevens background, appearing in the GB 2016 Olympic medal-winning side with Davies and charting up more than 100 appearances in the shorter format. He impressed for Ospreys against Saracens in his first professional 15s game and was immediately summoned to play his second for Wales. Since then, his form has faded but he remains a talent to keep an eye out on if that first game was any indication.
Ones for the future: Harrison Keddie, James Botham, Josh MacLeod
Ask any Welsh regional rugby fan and they will tell you they have got talent to spare in their back row still waiting for a cap. Even accounting for rose-tinted glasses, these are a trio who justify the enthusiasm.
Dragons’ Keddie is another who has seen his chances thwarted by injury, although his name has been bandied around for a few years now having impressed in the under-20s. His ball-carrying and mean means he is likely to be called up at some point if he can stay fit.
Cardiff Blues’ Botham made his PRO14 debut last season. He is highly-rated at the Blues and he will be looking to learn from his esteemed team-mates Navidi, Jenkins, Olly Robinson and Nick Williams.
Scarlets’ MacLeod is comfortable playing across the back row where he has been a regular since 2016, but his physicality and defence may see him emerge as a future Welsh No8. All three have the potential to feature in the future.
The bottom line is it seems the Welsh back row factory isn’t going out of business any time soon.
WATCH: Part one of the two-part RugbyPass documentary series, Operation Jaypan, which gives fans an insight into what they can expect at the World Cup finals in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 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.
12 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.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 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,
12 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.
12 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.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments