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InternationalWales

Wales resort to the tried and tested

Wales centre Jamie Roberts in action for Harlequins

Jamie Roberts and Scott Andrews have been called up to the Wales squad to provide injury cover ahead of Saturday’s Test against Georgia.

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Roberts captained his country against Tonga and Samoa but was left out of Warren Gatland’s squad for their November and December internationals.

The experienced centre has now been drafted in by the coach after Jonathan Davies suffered an ankle injury during Saturday’s defeat to Australia.

Prop Andrews also comes into the squad as Samson Lee continues his recovery from an Achilles injury, with Tomas Francis unable to face South Africa on December 2 as the match will be played outside the Test window.

A brief Welsh Rugby Union statement said: “Jamie Roberts and Scott Andrews have been called into the Wales squad as injury cover.

“They arrived in camp this morning as the squad re-convened ahead of the game against Georgia on Saturday.

“Further injury update will be made in due course following medical assessments.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

c
cw 29 minutes ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Cannot disagree - but it is interesting to note in those games the Boks were materially bigger (@ 38 point weight and height diferential where as the ABs and Boks were about even at Eden Park) and the English 6-2 combination was a clear point of difference. I also think the Boks had a blinder.

And to your last point - isnt that weird? An AB pack of the present dimensions should be at least achieving parity with both the Boks and Poms. Your post England game article highlighted a potential problem



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219 Go to comments
c
cw 57 minutes ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

This is a huge piece of data NB! Thanks for sharing it. It absolutely confirms our intuitions about how Robertson is wanting to play the game. It is based on set piece dominance and hence the “powering” up of the forwards. The ABs midfield strategies are so muddled its no wonder the team struggles. Look forward to your post Christmas analysis re attack!!

219 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

What makes you think Jake is?

219 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

He will have a clause, they all do these days.

219 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

With PMCD and I sorry.

New Zealand had more meters carried but England had more meters gained, so England had a much narrower margin between the two, or more specifically, because NZ had a much wider margin (gained only half or meters carried) that it proved England had a good rush D (the topic of discussion).



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219 Go to comments
c
cw 1 hour ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Thanks JW for clarifying your point and totally agree. The ABs are still trying to find their mojo” - that spark of power that binds and defines them. Man the Boks certainly found theirs in Wellington! But I think it cannot be far off for ABs - my comment about two coaches was a bit glib. The key point for me is that they need first a coach or coaches that can unlock that power and for me that starts at getting the set piece right and especially the scrum and second a coach that can simplify the game plans. I am fortified in this view by NBs comment that most of the ABs tries come from the scrum or lineout - this is the structured power game we have been seeing all year. But it cannot work while the scrum is backpeddling. That has to be fixed ASAP if Robertson is going to stick to this formula. I also think it is too late in the cycle to reverse course and revert to a game based on speed and continuity. The second is just as important - keep it simple! Complex movements that require 196 cm 144 kg props to run around like 95kg flankers is never going to work over a sustained period. The 2024 Blues showed what a powerful yet simple formula can do. The 2025 Blues, with Beauden at 10 tried to be more expansive / complicated - and struggled for most of the season.

I also think that the split bench needs to reflect the game they “want” to play not follow some rote formula. For example the ABs impact bench has the biggest front row in the World with two props 195cm / 140 kg plus. But that bulk cannot succeed without the right power based second row (7, 4, 5, 6). That bulk becomes a disadvantage if they don’t have a rock solid base behind them - as both Boks showed at Eden Park and the English in London. Fresh powerful legs need to come on with them - thats why we need a 6-2 bench. And teams with this split can have players focused only on 40 minutes max of super high intensity play. Hence Robertson needs to design his team to accord with these basic physics.



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219 Go to comments
c
cw 1 hour ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Yes agree - this AB’s performance in London was bewildering - it should have been their statement game - and it was - just the wrong statement.

219 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

I just saw Kemeny’s try on the highlights lol

What a run him and Genge, love the leagues where you can still see those sorts of plays.



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219 Go to comments
W
WN 3 hours ago
Top 10 Test points scorers of 2025: Sacha just fell short at the death

Ranked points per match

1



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3 Go to comments
M
MO 5 hours ago
'To lose one Welsh captain is unfortunate; to lose two might be considered a bit careless'

Merry Christmas, mate. Sadly a miserable one for too many in Welsh rugby. Those responsible should be directed to the workhouse.

7 Go to comments
R
RobOC25 6 hours ago
Boks need more depth: 5 things on South Africa's Christmas wishlist

11 12 13 14 assuming no new talents push through I’d have thought would look like:

KLA Esturheizan Moodie Hooker.



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15 Go to comments
C
CS 8 hours ago
Top 10 Test points scorers of 2025: Sacha just fell short at the death

Morgane Bourgeois (France) 106.

3 Go to comments
C
CS 8 hours ago
Top 10 Test points scorers of 2025: Sacha just fell short at the death

Zoe Harrison (England) 101. Any others? You didn't state it was only men!

3 Go to comments
P
PMcD 8 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

I don’t think AUS are alone Ardy, I think IRE (and Leinster) are suffering a similar thing, as are ENG where the Lions players have been dropping like flies with injuries and they have been limiting their playing time since returning after the Lions.

I think an awful lot went into that Lions series but the toll has been felt since in AUS, IRE & ENG who provided the majority of the players.



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219 Go to comments
P
PMcD 8 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Merry Christmas NB - have really enjoyed our chats this year and look forward to many more.

I’m not sure what has happened in IRE but having been blessed with multiple tightheads . . . . since Furlong emerged, the THP stocks have been a little bare in that department.



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219 Go to comments
D
DG 9 hours ago
Boks need more depth: 5 things on South Africa's Christmas wishlist

Comforting that you considered my views credible. Hope we can agree to disagree again in 2026.

15 Go to comments
N
NB 9 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?



So when you say they are overcomplicating it I’m thinking about how they’re trying to use the ball in hand, which is what any DNA refit would have to revolve around?

Funnily enough, a well-known international analyst just sent me a stat pack for the TRC which showed that among other stats, NZ scored 86% of their tries from scrum or lineout starters, and 70% from launches inside the opposing 22. They only scored two tries starting from their own side of halfway, lowest by far in TRC 2025!



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219 Go to comments
N
NB 9 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Well he knew they could not cycle backwards so you could say it clarified his vision of where to go next.

219 Go to comments
N
NB 9 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Israel Folau JW??

Yes he has footwork and speed in a straight line so let him use it in space for once. Not running into traffic.



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219 Go to comments
N
NB 9 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Munster are chronically weak at THP where they have had to recycle John Ryan for the umpteenth time and pick a guy who has played all his life in the AIL!

219 Go to comments
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