By Andrew Collins
January 19 2006

7 Blues have been chosen by Mike Ruddock to defend Wales' 6 Nations title in February. While the Blues have been under-performing, there are many who feel some Blues have been hard done by.

Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons), Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dafydd James (Llanelli Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Llanelli Scarlets), Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hal Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), Barry Davies (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse, captain).

Duncan Jones (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Mefin Davies (Gloucester Rugby), Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Robert Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), Gareth Delve (Bath Rugby), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Alix Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Colin Charvis (Newcastle Falcons).

7 Blues were called up, but what about those who weren't?

Andy Powell
Andy has been Cardiff's most outstanding player in the last 3 years. He has played with his heart on his sleeve and hasn’t given everything even when there was nothing to achieve. At 24, he also offers a much more long-term solution than say Colin Charivs.

Robin Sowden-Taylor
RST has found game time hard to come by since Martyn Williams' return. Yet, with every game he's played, he's been a stand out man. He is developing into a great player, and a mini-Martyn. However, his place has been kept out by the sudden, and over-hyped, rise of Gareth Delve. Delve is a Cardiff boy, who is playing well at Bath, however, he is in a similar position to RST as he too spends much time on the bench.

Jamie Robinson
With Henson, Shanklin, Taylor and Parker all missing from last year, there was a spot open for the Blues centre. However, he still doesn't look like the player he was before his injury. I personally feel he's completely fit, but needs to be playing with Shanks or a centre of better quality than Strchebina. I am a big Stitch fan, but sometimes feel he doesn't give Jamie those flat passes for him to run on as he does so well. I'd love to have seen him play with Henson at 12. Instead, Ruddock has opted for fewer centers with a possibility of moving Daffyd James or Gareth Thomas there. Jamie should be in the squad.

Rhys Williams
Not as unlucky, he form hasn't been great, but he does offer a good wing outlet. Surely a good squad player to have. Barry Davies gets the nod over him though, despite starting just 2 games in the last 6.

Forum Opinions:

Mike Rayer Fan Club:
Powell lost out in his battle with Popham at Scrappy Park, RST can feel unlucky to being overlooked in favour of Thomas.

Jamie should be there - I think he can thank Dai for his being overlooked. Rhys also has never played badly in red either.

Alex Breverton:
What has he (Ruddock) got against blues players? Surely Powell, Jamie, RST should be in the squad. He (Ruddock) does seem to favour players he has worked with before.

And whenever Robin Sowden-Taylor gets the chance he shines. . . . . IMO he has been far better than Martyn this season!

Old Man of The Hills:
Given the Blues showings, what do you see - internationals ?
I don’t. Sorry but there it is. The question is do you rate Ruddock as a coach? If so let him pick his team & stand or fall based on it. After all it’s what we want Dai to do!