ESPN classic Wal v Eng 2005, a few things......

Of course a happy heart warming game for any Welsh man, but i have got to say the line speed on both defenses are unbelievably slow compared to even club rugby right now! only eight seasons ago but it is night and day in comparison.

Stevo and Peel were magic such speed and accuracy from Peel at the breakdown.

Also England would have seriously struggled with the laws on side entry and off your feet were imposed properly.

Also any English man who says Henson is only famous for "that kick" is a one eyed idiot.

He is collecting all Charlie Hodgson loose kicks and returning them pinning England in there own 22,

He also made Jason Robinson and Lewsey look daft on so many occasions, his kick and chase is exposing the complete lack of spacial awareness of them both.

How the hell did this lot from England earn there Lions 2005 tour place?? they are rubbish

I think most English fans think of Henson as an exceptional, but wasted, talent.

SCW famously said post 05 slam that if he were picking a Lions side at the time it would have been Wales....clearly he must have employed Campbell to come up with that little gem as he couldn't have got it more wrong when choosing his test team

Lol love it final whistle goes the Millennium goes mental, camera shot to Ruddock hugging his fellow coaches and Sean Holleys little keen face pops up in camera shot from his analysis desk

SHAVE AWAY GAVIN!
SHAVE AWAY!!

So Wales (the best team in the NH) scraped past England (who were Poopie)? No wonder the Lions got hammered.

Henson looked good when they played Southland as well.

There is a trend there if you look closely.

SCW always had an eye to the future. Perhaps he didn't see the Welsh GS players of '05 so much as those that slumped to 5th some months later in '06. Just a thought.

Jeez view, and you say us Eng fans still live in the past ?!

Tbh, we were never in this game. Altho this whole thing was built on sand....

anotherworldofpain wrote:Henson looked good when they played Southland as well.

There is a trend there if you look closely.

The best game I have ever seen him play was against the All Blacks in Cardiff 2004.

Yes, I recall a lot of young all black talent was blooded that day! A pre-cursor to Carter's dominance of the Lions in 2005, and Weepu at 9 shuffling along Byron Kelleher. Although some of the rotated players on show that day sank without trace. Laulala, Tuiali'i, Gear snr and Marty Holah who I think was headhunted for a Welsh province around that time.

I don't recall Henson's performance that day, maybe I'll rewatch the game. I remember they got close! and on their day, might have just snuck a win!

It's a shame I thought this thread was going to be really interesting about the difference in line speed, defence and physicality today compared to even the recent past - It's a shame it's going to fall into the same England/Wales slanging match.

Agreed about the physicality today rather then now. Although way off international standard, i remember watching the schools second team playing when i was younger and i wasnt frightend by the physicality or looked away at vicious rucks. Speed foward afew years and I watched the same team again (albet with different players) and the physicality was frightening, the sound of impact was ridiculous and the game, partially down to the line speed was alot faster. Even looking at old international matches of the 80's, its like they are moving in slow motion.

viewtothegym wrote:Also any English man who says Henson is only famous for "that kick" is a one eyed idiot.

He is collecting all Charlie Hodgson loose kicks and returning them pinning England in there own 22,

He also made Jason Robinson and Lewsey look daft on so many occasions, his kick and chase is exposing the complete lack of spacial awareness of them both.

Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey & Gavin Henson pick 2 from 3?

Tough one

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

viewtothegym wrote:Also any English man who says Henson is only famous for "that kick" is a one eyed idiot.

He is collecting all Charlie Hodgson loose kicks and returning them pinning England in there own 22,

He also made Jason Robinson and Lewsey look daft on so many occasions, his kick and chase is exposing the complete lack of spacial awareness of them both.

Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey & Gavin Henson pick 2 from 3?

Tough one

Robinson and Henson for me in terms of sheer talent. Robinson and Lewsey in terms of careers. However on that day in 2005, Gavin Henson was deservedly man of the match.

You can see why creative 12's are becoming old school with the defensive line speed,
crash ball massive centres are needed to bust through the line