The Rugby Thread

[talkshowhost86]

It’s hard to make predictions as there’s 4 or 5 positions I’m not sure who he’s going to go with. For example if he goes Tomos Williams and Anscombe with Williams at FB I’d say we’ll lose by 14 plus. If we’re going Davies and Biggar with Halfpenny at 15 at Williams on the wing it’ll be closer.

Assuming the below team plays my head says England by 5 something like 22-17 but my heart says Wales to nick it by 3 something like 18-15

Evans
Owens
Francis
Ball
AWJ
Navidi
Tipuric
Moriarty
Davies
Biggar
Adams
Parkes
Davies
North
Williams

I'm fairly certain Gatland will revert to the 'old heads' for the England game, particularly as the team hasn't exactly excelled in the previous two matches.

I fully expect to see Biggar, Davies and Halfpenny all playing and I agree that with that experience back in the team it looks a much closer match-up.

England are slowly losing ball carrying again as the tournament goes on with Itoje and now Mako out, which also makes it a tighter contest.

Add on to that the fact that Wales always up their game in this fixture and it should be a great game.

I don't expect it to be the most expansive of games, certainly for the first 50-60 minutes. I'd have thought Wales are much better suited to dealing with England's kicking game than France were, and England are better matched in the forwards this year than last year when we got blown away.

All in all should be a very exciting game. It's a weird six nations in a World Cup year as it feels like teams are experimenting a bit with Japan in mind rather than the 6Ns itself, but you feel that neither team will give anything other than everything in this game.

 

[midoNdefoe]

I'm fairly certain Gatland will revert to the 'old heads' for the England game, particularly as the team hasn't exactly excelled in the previous two matches.

I fully expect to see Biggar, Davies and Halfpenny all playing and I agree that with that experience back in the team it looks a much closer match-up.

England are slowly losing ball carrying again as the tournament goes on with Itoje and now Mako out, which also makes it a tighter contest.

Add on to that the fact that Wales always up their game in this fixture and it should be a great game.

I don't expect it to be the most expansive of games, certainly for the first 50-60 minutes. I'd have thought Wales are much better suited to dealing with England's kicking game than France were, and England are better matched in the forwards this year than last year when we got blown away.

All in all should be a very exciting game. It's a weird six nations in a World Cup year as it feels like teams are experimenting a bit with Japan in mind rather than the 6Ns itself, but you feel that neither team will give anything other than everything in this game.

This bit confused me...? Do you mean last years tournament in general?

 

[talkshowhost86]

This bit confused me...? Do you mean last years tournament in general?

Do you know what I'd actually forgotten we beat Wales last time, so crap were we generally and considering how boring a game that was.

But yes overall our forwards seem much better equipped generally this six nations.

Actually looking at the team from that England v Wales game, only two England players will be playing in the same position as they did that day. Insane really.

 

[SugarRay]

Maro isn’t really known for his carries, Mako is a monster although I think Genge might get a start so it’s not exactly a massive drop off in terms of carrying. Sinckler, Genge, George, Billy, Manu are five pretty decent carrying options. Kruis, Lawes and Wilson can gain a few hard yards too.

Look back to when England really struggled against Gatlands Wales. Zero carrying options and underpowered set piece with no dynamism in the forwards. I don’t see either being an issue this time, quite the opposite actually.

 

[E17yid]

I'm fairly certain Gatland will revert to the 'old heads' for the England game, particularly as the team hasn't exactly excelled in the previous two matches.

I fully expect to see Biggar, Davies and Halfpenny all playing and I agree that with that experience back in the team it looks a much closer match-up.

England are slowly losing ball carrying again as the tournament goes on with Itoje and now Mako out, which also makes it a tighter contest.

Add on to that the fact that Wales always up their game in this fixture and it should be a great game.

I don't expect it to be the most expansive of games, certainly for the first 50-60 minutes. I'd have thought Wales are much better suited to dealing with England's kicking game than France were, and England are better matched in the forwards this year than last year when we got blown away.

All in all should be a very exciting game. It's a weird six nations in a World Cup year as it feels like teams are experimenting a bit with Japan in mind rather than the 6Ns itself, but you feel that neither team will give anything other than everything in this game.

I can’t see Halfpenny starting to be honest and I like to think Gatland appreciates that without Halfpenny starting you have to play, in the big games, Biggar just for goal kicking. Like I say though I think Gatland wants to give Anscombe some big game experience to see if he can cut it especially in the goal kicking department.

I think Davies will start at 9 and seeing as it’d be to soon to start Halfpenny Williams obviously keeps playing 15. I hope he does play Biggar not just for his goal kicking but defensively too but I’m less sure about who’s starting 10 than I am 9 and 15.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Maro isn’t really known for his carries, Mako is a monster although I think Genge might get a start so it’s not exactly a massive drop off in terms of carrying. Sinckler, Genge, George, Billy, Manu are five pretty decent carrying options. Kruis, Lawes and Wilson can gain a few hard yards too.

Look back to when England really struggled against Gatlands Wales. Zero carrying options and underpowered set piece with no dynamism in the forwards. I don’t see either being an issue this time, quite the opposite actually.

Whilst Mako doesn't make lots of yards, he does punch little holes that the likes of Marler and Cole didn't do consistently enough.

But you're right there's still a fair bit of carrying power, with Billy and Manu being the big difference makers from last seasons 6Ns.

Will be interesting to see how it all works in that area of the pitch. Wales look solid, but unspectacular in the loose. If England get on top in that department it should give them a great platform.

 

[midoNdefoe]

Do you know what I'd actually forgotten we beat Wales last time, so crap were we generally and considering how boring a game that was.

But yes overall our forwards seem much better equipped generally this six nations.

Actually looking at the team from that England v Wales game, only two England players will be playing in the same position as they did that day. Insane really.

It was an utterly uninspiring 12-6 victory which flattered us, but also made us think we may be able to scrape by... We didn't....

 

[E17yid]

Do you know what I'd actually forgotten we beat Wales last time, so crap were we generally and considering how boring a game that was.

But yes overall our forwards seem much better equipped generally this six nations.

Actually looking at the team from that England v Wales game, only two England players will be playing in the same position as they did that day. Insane really.

I can’t remember it at all. It’s like that game has been totally erased from my memory. It must’ve been a bad dream.

 

[mpickard2087]

Maro isn’t really known for his carries, Mako is a monster although I think Genge might get a start so it’s not exactly a massive drop off in terms of carrying. Sinckler, Genge, George, Billy, Manu are five pretty decent carrying options. Kruis, Lawes and Wilson can gain a few hard yards too.

Look back to when England really struggled against Gatlands Wales. Zero carrying options and underpowered set piece with no dynamism in the forwards. I don’t see either being an issue this time, quite the opposite actually.

Agree, lack of carriers is no longer the problem and injuries shouldn't hurt that. Genge isn't going to thud into people as well as Mako but is a good carrier and more mobile on his feet. Itoje isn't a huge threat as a carrier but will pop up once in a while with a break (often in the wider channels) and Lawes offers much the same, you also get Launchbury back into the squad who is a big heavy solid carrier who can soften up defensive lines.

Off the bench you also have Williams, LCD, Hughes etc. and if you wanted an additional option, even someone like Te'o could come onto the bench for one of the outside backs.

That part of the game really shouldn't be an issue.

 

[midoNdefoe]

I've always wondered if we are ever going to see Tuilangi and Te'o together at any point. Manu has always had much more craft to his game than just being a battering ram and could be well tear it up at 13...

Slade coming into form has really squashed that idea though and i'm guessing its almost always going to be one of the two partnering Slade...

 

[SugarRay]

I've always wondered if we are ever going to see Tuilangi and Te'o together at any point. Manu has always had much more craft to his game than just being a battering ram and could be well tear it up at 13...

Slade coming into form has really squashed that idea though and i'm guessing its almost always going to be one of the two partnering Slade...

I’d still play Daly outside of Manu. I think that could be very special

 

[midoNdefoe]

I’d still play Daly outside of Manu. I think that could be very special

I would have agreed with you up until a couple of weeks ago. Slade has really made the 13 shirt his own for now, while Daly at full back has made me vitually forget, one of my faves, Brown... his running from deep has been electric and between him and may managed they to withstand the Irish bombardment which is no easy ask!

 

[E17yid]

Fucking hell. Franks has joined Northampton. @Japhet you must be liking that.

 

[E17yid]

What’s Genge like as a scrummager?

 

[SugarRay]

What’s Genge like as a scrummager?

Apparently he’s done well this season.

 

[Japhet]

Fucking hell. Franks has joined Northampton. @Japhet you must be liking that.

Loving that. Front row has been a bit hit and miss for the past couple of seasons so he'll be a welcome addition. Boyd's contacts are serving us well with Matt Procter recently signed as well.

 

[E17yid]

Loving that. Front row has been a bit hit and miss for the past couple of seasons so he'll be a welcome addition. Boyd's contacts are serving us well with Matt Procter recently signed as well.

Unbelievable signing. I thought he was a little older than 31. In his prime still for a prop.

 

[E17yid]

Apparently he’s done well this season.

I’ve only seen him on some highlights here and there. He puts in about.

Still, will be his first 6N start if he does start against us. Cardiff is a bit of a baptism by fire so will be targeted by us at the scrum I’m sure. Francis will know him well and has been in good form especially in the scrum against France.

 

[Japhet]

Unbelievable signing. I thought he was a little older than 31. In his prime still for a prop.

Reminds me of how football used to be before transfer windows. All of a sudden 'Boom' we've got a new player.

 

[E17yid]

So, Peyper is the ref. I’m not a fan.

It’s equally bad for both teams but the last game I remember him reffing was that England V Australia game in the Autumn. How the fuck he didn’t sin bin Farrell and give a pen try I’ll never know. He’s incompetent and it’s not just that game. I don’t think I’ve seen him officiate any game even as a neutral and thought he had a good game.

There will be some controversy. Guaranteed.