3 Players Who Will Not Feature for Wales in 2017 6 Nations

Wales were runners up in the 2016 RBS Six Nations but the championship may prove the final tournament for one of the team’s great stalwarts, lead to an international hiatus for an out-of-form winger and the dropping of a bumbling second rower.

Here are Bleacher Report’s three players who we should bet against featuring for Wales in the 2017 RBS Six Nations.

Gethin Jenkins, the Wales and British Lions loose-head prop, has had a distinguished career but will not feature for Wales in the 2017 Six Nations on account of his age.

Jenkins has not been a regular starter for Wales since the arrival of Rob Evans during the 2015 championship, and now 35, Jenkins is unlikely to feature in next year’s edition.

Jenkins, when at the peak of his powers, was one of the world’s premier props, combining a strong set piece with a breakdown contribution then unparalleled by his fellow front-rowers (see video above).

But ahead of the 2016 championship, head coach Warren Gatland spoke of easing the Cardiff Blue out of the test arena and transitioning to Rob Evans. As per Simon Thomas of Wales Online:

We have spoken about how we manage that process where we bring someone on as a replacement and his potential exit strategy as well.

We have a couple of loose-heads who have been around a long time and have given brilliant service, but how much longer they will be involved internationally, we are not too sure.

We are giving Rob [Evans] an opportunity looking forward to 2019. He’s a young player of the future. He’s had a few caps now and we’ve been impressed with his form for the Scarlets.

Jenkins may remain in the Wales squad as a reserve for the 2017 Six Nations, but it is more likely Gatland will have enough confidence in Evans by then to be able to give a younger prop a position on the bench.

If it is the case that Jenkins won’t be appearing in another Six Nations match, then it is worth mentioning the veteran of 128 international caps is arguably Wales’ greatest-ever prop forward.

Alex Cuthbert, as England found to their cost when chasing a Grand Slam in 2013, can be a devastating runner when given a platform by the Welsh forwards and midfield.

Cuthbert’s attacking prowess has never been in doubt, but it is the winger’s all-round game, particularly his defence, which means his place in the side is in serious jeopardy. Too often has he been found wanting. Against South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, his error led to Fourie Du Preez’s decisive late try for the Springboks.

England targeted Cuthbert too this Six Nations, and in the very same area of the Twickenham pitch his mistake gave South Africa a semi-final berth, Anthony Watson crossed the whitewash for England’s only score in their 25-21 victory. See video above for one of the causes: Cuthbert’s lacklustre tackle on Maro Itoje.

Wales, and especially defence coach Shaun Edwards, are harsh markers and Cuthbert’s repeated errors will have been highlighted by the backroom team.

Come 2017, the magisterial Leigh Halfpenny will be available again after his long-term injury. This will certainly lead to Liam Williams moving to the right wing in Cuthbert’s stead to accommodate Halfpenny at 15.

What’s more, Warren Gatland may consider the merits of Hallam Amos, Eli Walker, Tom James or even Matthew Morgan on the bench to provide the guile Cuthbert can’t.

Cuthbert had a chance this Six Nations to make a compelling case to the selectors. Unfortunately for the wing, he didn’t capitalise on it. Bet against him being involved in 2017.

Bradley Davies, the Wasps lock is also in danger of missing out on the 2017 RBS Six Nations. Alun Wyn Jones is a certainty in the Wales second row, and Luke Charteris’ defensive work across the field and at the lineout gives him something unique to add to the team.

Davies is meant to provide Gatland’s Wales with a ball-carrying option in the pack, but he is just not effective enough.

In his place, Gatland could look to the Ospreys’ Rory Thornton, a Wales under 20 captain included in the initial 2015 Rugby World Cup squad. If Thornton matures over the next year, Davies will be out.