Wales' attempts at replacements for Aus match and other news

"Wales decided not to appeal because of the risk of the ban being increased. Warburton will effectively only miss Friday's match against Australia, a repeat of the 1987 play-off which Wales won 22-21, because he was due to rest for a couple of weeks after returning home. He will be available for Cardiff Blues' Heineken Cup match against Racing Métro in Paris on 11 November. Wales cannot replace him but they will call up someone for the injured prop Adam Jones, who tore a calf muscle against France. They want a specialist openside flanker to compete with Australia's David Pocock but Martyn Williams, who is in New Zealand as a television pundit, is injured and Justin Tipuric is facing a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, after being cited for a tip tackle during an Ospreys victory in Munster."

Full source here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oct/16/rugby-world-cup-alain-rolland

Are they really going to call up a 7,

If Tipuric is available then it maybe worth it for the experience, but without Williams, Tipuric or Turnball is there really any point. Someone like Gavin Thomas isnt going to play in the 6N anyway and wont do a better job than Lydiate.

To fly somebody out solely to play in this game would be a real slap in the face to the players who have worked so hard out there.

They should just accept they don't have an out and out openside and go left/right on the flanks.

Alyn Wyn Jones can cover back row if need be, so I'd just go for Ryan at 6, Lydiate at 7 and Faletau at 8 with Wyn Jones moving back if injuries occur, or start him on the bench with big bird and Bradley starting in the 2nd row.

Failing that, Jamie Roberts did alright in the scrums as a flanker against France. Why not give him a game there!

we do have powell aswell griff- and i would enjoy to see him running at quade

I see no point in calling up another specialist openside for this game

Welshy, forgot all about him! I'd therefore retract my idea and have him either on the bench or starting at 8 with Ryan on the bench as cover for 6, 8 and lock at a push. A back row of Lydiate, Faletau and Powell would be pretty big wouldn't it!?

A newcomer at 7 wouldn't be battle-hardened or know the drills well enough at this stage.

Im actually more worried about tighthead.

They wont fly anyone out.

Tuperic is waiting a hearing for doing the same tip tackle as warbutron for Ospreys, Williams has a Brocken. Arm and Turnbull is injured

Whoever played would be our fifth choice openside...!

Might as well chuck Toby on the flank or Ryan jones.