Who's going to win: Wales or England? Plus team discussion.

It looks like the England team will be as below, I make it that 9 of Englands 1st team are been rested including the potent strike runners of Foden and Ashton. Possibly more as Wood impressed in the 6 nations and could be considered a 1st team player. It seems Wales will be naming a first choice team. Will it be a disaster if Wales loose this game against a experimental England team 'B' team?

Armitage Irish - 2nd choice (Foden 1st Choice)
Banahan Bath - 2nd choice (Ashton 1st choice)
Tuilagi Leicester - 2nd choice (Tindall first choice)
Flutey Wasps - 2nd choice (Hape 1st choice)
Cueto Sale
Wilkinson Toulon - 2nd choice (Flood 1st choice)
Care Quins - 2nd choice (Youngs first choice)
Corbisiero Irish -2nd choice (Sheridan 1st choice)
Hartley Saints
Stevens Saracens - 2nd choice (Cole 1st choice)
Shaw Wasps - 2nd choice (Lawes 1st choice)
Palmer Stade
Croft Leicester
Moody Bath
Haskell Unattached

I see your reasoning but how many of those second choices are on a par with, if not better than their first choice alternative?



I think it's going to be a cracking match which either team could win. Don't think Wales should feel too bad if they lost, it's an experimental team and i very much doubt it'll result in the try fest of 07.

No.

It depends on what Welsh side take to the feild. If it is the 'leaked' Welsh side, I would personally be disappointed if they did not run rings around that English side, as the potential is in that Welsh side to run the ball from anywhere on the pitch. However, i would not be suprised if they lost to that English side.

First you give us a leaked understrength welsh team then say we'll be at full strength. Which is it?

England pack looks very strong and the centre's are better than the Hape/Tindall combo.

wrfc1980
bit arragant there?

ScarletSpiderman wrote:It depends on what Welsh side take to the feild. If it is the 'leaked' Welsh side, I would personally be disappointed if they did not run rings around that English side, as the potential is in that Welsh side to run the ball from anywhere on the pitch. However, i would not be suprised if they lost to that English side.

the word to look out for there is "potential". Wales has always had the potential to run from anywhere just lacked the ability.
just as this english side has the potential to run the ball back from anywhere.

The thing is if Wales dont win who will they bring in in the next game where England should start at near if not at full strength?

Flutey Wasps - 2nd choice (Hape 1st choice)

Odd because just yesterday I was being told how Hape was useless and in no way an English first choice.

Team to face England:

15. Rhys Priestland
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. Michael Phillips
8. Toby Faletau
7. Sam Warburton (c)
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Bradley Davies
3. Craig Mitchell
2. Huw Bennett
1. Paul James

Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Morgan Stoddart

2011 RWC warm-up match: England v Wales

Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday

6 August Kick-off: 1430 BST

Coverage:
Live commentary on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

Highlights on BBC Sport website and on BBC Three (Saturday 1900-2000 BST) and on BBC Two (Sunday 1100-1200 BST), live text commentary on BBC Sport website

WalesOnline: Team to face England:

15. Rhys Priestland
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. Michael Phillips
8. Toby Faletau
7. Sam Warburton (c)
6. Dan Lydiate
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Bradley Davies
3. Craig Mitchell
2. Huw Bennett
1. Paul James

WalesOnline: Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Morgan Stoddart


England team is

England team to play Wales:
D Armitage (London Irish)
M Banahan (Bath Rugby)
M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
R Flutey (London Wasps)
M Cueto (Sale Sharks)
J Wilkinson (Toulon)
D Care (Harlequins)
A Corbisiero (London Irish)
D Hartley (Northampton Saints)
M Stevens (Saracens), S Shaw (Unattached)
T Palmer (Stade Francais)
T Croft (Leicester Tigers)
L Moody (Bath Rugby, capt)
J Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams).

Replacements: L Mears (Bath Rugby), D Wilson (Bath Rugby), M Botha (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton Saints), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), C Hodgson (Saracens), C Sharples (Gloucester Rugby).

i am suprised that henson isnt in, not because he is the best player but because i felt sure (as did many others) that gats would give him lots of game time.

looks like a good team.

Gatland wont name his 1st team either.

There may be a few more first team players than England, but Englands 2nd team have a lot more caps than Wales's and England are playing at home.

It should be an interesting game and if we win in the Millenium I wont mind losing at Twickernam.

Also, those 2nd choice English centres look better than the 1st choice to be honest.

That looks like a very good side. Twitchy bum time till Saturday now!

Yep, looks like a good team. I'm surprised Henson isn't even on the bench (what do we read into that then?) Disappointed they've gone for Bennet and Phillips, but otherwise a solid looking team

GG
That was a Welshmans view of it, to me hape should not be even in the squad as there are better players around for England

The side I expected

Not very happy about the centres - we've seen this combination! Let's try something else! Ditto about Phillips. Hope he has the game of his life!

Rhys Priestland
Scarlets star Rhys Priestland will make his first Wales start at full-back in the team to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has got the nod over club colleague Morgan Stoddart for the position, with James Hook and Lee Byrne missing out with neck and knee injuries respectively.

Jamie Roberts returns to the centre after an injury lay-off, while Stephen Jones will win his 101st cap at outside-half, and will be partnered at half-back by Mike Phillips.

There is no place in the squad for Gavin Henson.

Among the forwards, Wales' first choice front row all miss out, with toe and neck problems respectively ruling out Adam Jones and Matthew Rees, while Gethin Jenkins is still regaining match fitness after his long spell out with a foot injury.

Toby Faletau is given the nod over Ryan Jones in the back row, with the former skipper forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Coach Warren Gatland said: “We have made changes but we have some pretty established combinations coming back with Jamie Roberts returning to the midfield and Alun Wyn and Bradley in the second row.

“These are the men in possession of the jersey at the moment and it is now up to them to hold on to it and they will only do that with a performance at Twickenham at the weekend.

“The stakes are high for individuals, but as a team it is also important for us to create some momentum as we head for the World Cup in New Zealand.”

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley added: “It is a tremendous achievement for Stephen, but he had all the well deserved accolades when he won his 100th cap and the spotlight this weekend should really go to Alun Wyn on winning his 50th.

“We are fielding nine of the players who played in the final 6 Nations match this year and have some senior men coming back in with Jamie and Shane bringing a wealth of experience.

“At full-back Rhys has done very well for the Scarlets and we have an opportunity to test him now at this level and we are sure he won’t let anyone down.”



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/08/04/priestland-and-faletau-but-no-henson-in-wales-line-up-to-face-england-91466-29177947/#ixzz1U3jPffv2

Hook, Adam Jones, Halfpenny, Byrne bot considered because of minor injuries

So who is cover for 10, Priestland? Hmmm not sure about him starting at FB then. I'm sure England will target him early on. Lets hope he doesn't get injured?

Pity, I was looking forward to seeing L.Williams and Hook at halfback.

No Turnball, Henson or L.Williams as predicted earlier in the week.

Is this a change in tactics from last week? Because of Hooks injury?

Im suprised that Henson isnt injured is Scott Williams is in ahead of him.

Gethin Jenkins is still regaining match fitness by not playing? Genius.

A tad more first team than England. I think it might be a tough day at the office for the wearers of the Red Rose. JD vs Manu in the centres should be interesting though.

Loking at the welsh team named it is probably about 80% first team IMO. SO if we lose it will be crushing.

I wouldnt read too much into certain people not playing, this is the first of three games, lots of combos to try out plus a few injuries

Shame we don't get to see Henson vs MT2

Now we know the XV, please can we have something off first phase ball other than Jamie Roberts taking the ball up the middle ?

Bit of a let down really was hoping for something a tad more exciting, but yeah okay...hmmmm

Happy with all apart from Bennett and Phillips.

Our main problem recently has been slow ball, meaning we can't get our backs working/running at pace/using first phase ball.

WHY?! are they still picking Phillips? He's the slow link in our backline. I would love to see what that backline could do with a quicker scrum half. I reckon we'd all be pleasently surprised.

I also hope Priestland has worked extra hard on his defence in training, it got a bit wobbly in the 2nd half of last season.

At least 4 of the Welsh team are not first choice, and there is a question mark over at least one other (Phillips).

The back line is worryingly close to the back line that didn't really seem to have much bite in the 6N.

Reading the England team thread it seems that the English fans have mixed opinions on their team too...

They have a very strong side, Wales will seriously have their work cut out.

Engand start new movement in world Rugby

"Owing to the lack of speed of Number 8 Nick Easter, and the lack of other reliable options, England have elected to start without a number 8 for their test against Wales on Saturday"

Captain Lewis Moody says "We were accused of playing 10 man rugby during our WORLD CUP WINNING SEASON IN 2003. We will now play 14 man rugby because we believe it will confuse the Welsh"

I want Wales to win but it's unlikely. England I reckon will be too strong up front.

Not too sure about Warburton as captain either.

Well, Wales have got a second string front row out, and 18 year old at no.8 and our best/most creative/star player Hook (delete as appropriate) is not even in the squad. So not Wales' strongest team either.

Well, Wales have got a second string front row out, and 18 year old at no.8 and our best/most creative/star player Hook (delete as appropriate) is not even in the squad. So not Wales' strongest team either.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I want Wales to win but it's unlikely. England I reckon will be too strong up front.

Not too sure about Warburton as captain either.

Really? Fair enough I guess. I actually think we're stronger up front, very mobile and athletic. It'll be interesting to see what Shaw brings to the game. Our weakness is our lack of creativity in the backs I think. I hope to god there's a master plan where we do something except turn to Jamie for the crash bang wallop.

Given the injuries Im happy with the pack and Gats clearly sees these guys as the ones in possession after the 6n and the babas. The same goes for the backs really.

expect Adam, Hook, Henson, Lloyd Williams, Delve Gethin to come into contention for the next game.

Honestly if were thinking of taking Henson then surely he has to play, otherwise get rid of him now to avoid the complications he brings.

Draigoch wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I want Wales to win but it's unlikely. England I reckon will be too strong up front.

Not too sure about Warburton as captain either.

Really? Fair enough I guess. I actually think we're stronger up front, very mobile and athletic. It'll be interesting to see what Shaw brings to the game. Our weakness is our lack of creativity in the backs I think. I hope to god there's a master plan where we do something except turn to Jamie for the crash bang wallop.

3 Scarlets players who are used to playing running attacking rugby

15. Rhys Priestland
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies

I think we SHOULD be Ok

Yeah I actually think you guys have the advantage in the backs, Banahan and Tualagi are not exactly flair players. They are big and strong but to be honest I would not have said the most creative backs.

I think Wales will do well at the breakdown with Warburton scrapping for every ball and Lydiate making a nusence of himself but I think England will edge both the set peices.

I'm not holding out much hope for our line out with Benny throwing in. Couldn't hit a cow's bum with a spade!!!!! Also a little concerned about his penalty count, with Mr W in the England back line???

One things for sure its going to be a cracking game,can't wait.

Don't really know the Welsh players but the England team is very much an experimental side with some players playing for their seat on the plane, literally. England are at their weakest with this team right now so I expect it to be very close or a Welsh win.

Disaster? Only if you think losing to the BaBa's would be a disaster. These might be English players playing at home but they're comparative strangers as a unit. Johnson playing all range of potential back-ups, Gatland tinkering with starters. This Welsh team should be wiining these sorts of games - if it doesn't then this close to RWC it bodes increasingly badly for the pool challenges to come.

Oddschecker have england at 1/5 so no, it wouldn't be much of a shock.

But lets get real no matter who wins or loses it wont mean a pinch come the World Cup,knock out rugby can either bring out the best or worst come the world cup,so even thou i think Wales are in good stead to win all 3 warm up games i still couldn't tell you if we will get out of our group in the world cup.

Going for Wales by 5 or less.

tomathy wrote:Oddschecker have england at 1/5 so no, it wouldn't be much of a shock.

In that case Id put my money on Wales. At those odds its value.

You can argue over one or tow places on boths ides as to who would be first choice but its clear that the Wales side is much closer to Gatlands ideal than the England one is. That follows the pattern of last world cup build up, mostly probables in one possibles in the other. Trade wins.

These games should not be considered as full internationals any more than barabrians games are.

Hape is Englands current 12, Flutey is getting the chance to prove he should be number one. GG I think you are mixing up people saying that Hape isnt Englands best 12 vs him beiung Johnsons first choice. It was also you who got the two mixed up to muddy the waters even more.

englandglory4ever wrote:Don't really know the Welsh players but the England team is very much an experimental side with some players playing for their seat on the plane, literally. England are at their weakest with this team right now so I expect it to be very close or a Welsh win.

I wouldnt say this is an experimental side. You have some very experienced old heads in your team.