Welsh team based on HEC round 1

15. L Halfpenny

14. A Cuthbert

13. J Davies

12. A Beck

11. E Walker

10. D Biggar

9. T Knoyle

8. J Thomas

7. J Tipuric

6. R Jones

5. I Evans

4. AW Jones

3. A Jarvis

2. R Hibbard

1. R Bevington

16. D Jones

17. M Rees

18. S Lee

19. B Davies

20. A Powell

21. L Williams

22. R Priestland

23. L Williams


As usual, to promote debate, post your own team before you comment on anything else.

No Adam Jones? (sorry cannot post a team as not knowledgable enough - and only saw the Scarlets game)

LondonTiger wrote:No Adam Jones? (sorry cannot post a team as not knowledgable enough - and only saw the Scarlets game)

LT rules are rules, post your team before commenting. Your knowledge will be taken for granted, but your outsider input is just as valid in good and interesting debate. Which is what we would all like to read.

Re Adam Jones, he had an awful game. Worst ever seen. Needs to get fit.

maestegmafia wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:No Adam Jones? (sorry cannot post a team as not knowledgable enough - and only saw the Scarlets game)

LT rules are rules, post your team before commenting. Your knowledge will be taken for granted, but your outsider input is just as valid in good and interesting debate. Which is what we would all like to read.

Re Adam Jones, he had an awful game. Worst ever seen. Needs to get fit.

Ok. as I said did not see enough of the Welsh play as was trying to keep up with the English teams performances.

LondonTiger wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:No Adam Jones? (sorry cannot post a team as not knowledgable enough - and only saw the Scarlets game)

LT rules are rules, post your team before commenting. Your knowledge will be taken for granted, but your outsider input is just as valid in good and interesting debate. Which is what we would all like to read.

Re Adam Jones, he had an awful game. Worst ever seen. Needs to get fit.

Ok. as I said did not see enough of the Welsh play as was trying to keep up with the English teams performances.

I find that hard to believe, on these boards you seem to spend just as much time discussing the ramifications of Welsh rugby as you do of any other...

Be a good sport and give it a go. All opinions are welcome... You may see things from that steely Leicester eye that we don't through our rosy, "willow the whisp" appreciating ways over here...

www.planetrugby.com

Team of Round One:

15 Delon Armitage (Toulon): Both Armitage brothers were in fine form for RCT and Delon makes our team thanks to his two tries against Montpellier. Mentions too for Alex Goode , who touched down for Saracens and Jared Payne who gained 117 metres for Ulster with ball in hand.

14 Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues): It's never fun when you score a hat-trick and your team still loses! Northampton's Ken Pisi deserves a mention as does Sitiveni Sivivatu , who scored for Clermont.

13 George Pisi (Northampton): The Pisi brothers are proving to be a real threat for Northampton. George bagged two tries with a another scorching performance. Jonathan Davies did well for Scarlets while Waisea Nayacalevu scored twice for Stade Français in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

12 Gael Fickou (Toulouse): Another fantastic talent rolls off the Toulouse academy production line. The 18-year-old's try in his European debut against Leicester was out of the top draw. Guy Novès doesn't need to look much further for a replacement for the ageing Yannick Jauzion. Wesley Fofana was dangerous as ever for Clermont with over 100 metres gained.

11 Eli Walker (Ospreys): A tough call because there were plenty of good wings but Walker's solo try against Treviso will long be remembered. Simon Zebo must have thought he'd scored the winner for Munster in Paris but the Fat Lady was yet to sing.

10 Charlie Hodgson (Saracens): Another difficult decision with a handful of candidates. The veteran pivot scored a try amongst his 25 points and didn't miss a tackle. Luke McAlister, Danny Cipriani and Ben Botica all made headlines.

9 Paul Marshall (Ulster): Danny Care is unlucky to miss out after an outstanding display for Quins but Marshall edges it thanks to his double against Castres.

8 Nick Easter (Harlequins): This one nearly caused a fight at Planet Rugby HQ and Ed is still sulking because Louis Picamoles was outvoted but Easter's man-of-the-match performance cannot be ignored.

7 Shane Jennings (Leinster): It was a tough day at the office for the defending champions, as illustrated by the 16 tackles made by their openside flank. A mention too for Steffon Armitage and Chris Robshaw.

6 Julien Bonnaire (Clermont): Another veteran still putting in the hard yards...and the big hits. A try was his reward. Keep an eye on Toulon's 22-year-old flank Pierrick Gunther, who is a star in the making.

5 Samu Manoa (Northampton): The big American wore 4 on his back but we can't leave him out after he carried the ball for 84 metres, beating four defenders along the way. Exeter Chiefs nearly caused the upset of the year and skipper Tom Hayes was in the thick of the action. Johan Muller was a tower of strength for Ulster.

4 Steve Borthwick (Saracens): There's life in the old dog yet! The flash boys got the headlines for their tries but the Sarries captain led the tackle count in Edinburgh with 14 hits. Bakkies Botha was so good for Toulon that France coach Philippe Saint-André said he wished he could pick the South African enforcer for les Bleus!

3 Census Johnston (Toulouse): The Tigers scrum was under the cosh in wet conditions in Toulouse and the fiery Samoan was the root cause of the trouble. John Afoa put in another big game for Ulster while former a certain Carl Hayman was fit enough to make 16 tackles (!) for Toulon. Davit Zirakashvili helped Clermont win a penalty try.

2 Richard Hibbard (Ospreys): The Ospreys dominated a very strong Treviso scrum and Hibbard made a impact on defence with 10 hits. Rob Buchanan's try for Quins changed the complexion of the encounter against Biarritz.

1 Thomas Domingo (Clermont): Getting back to his best form, Domingo caught the eye with his energy around the park. Saracens prop Mako Vumipola also had very strong game. Honourable mention too for Racing's Andrea Lo Cicero.

maestegmafia wrote:www.planetrugby.com

Team of Round One:

15 Delon Armitage (Toulon): Both Armitage brothers were in fine form for RCT and Delon makes our team thanks to his two tries against Montpellier. Mentions too for Alex Goode , who touched down for Saracens and Jared Payne who gained 117 metres for Ulster with ball in hand.

14 Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues): It's never fun when you score a hat-trick and your team still loses! Northampton's Ken Pisi deserves a mention as does Sitiveni Sivivatu , who scored for Clermont.

13 George Pisi (Northampton): The Pisi brothers are proving to be a real threat for Northampton. George bagged two tries with a another scorching performance. Jonathan Davies did well for Scarlets while Waisea Nayacalevu scored twice for Stade Français in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

12 Gael Fickou (Toulouse): Another fantastic talent rolls off the Toulouse academy production line. The 18-year-old's try in his European debut against Leicester was out of the top draw. Guy Novès doesn't need to look much further for a replacement for the ageing Yannick Jauzion. Wesley Fofana was dangerous as ever for Clermont with over 100 metres gained.

11 Eli Walker (Ospreys): A tough call because there were plenty of good wings but Walker's solo try against Treviso will long be remembered. Simon Zebo must have thought he'd scored the winner for Munster in Paris but the Fat Lady was yet to sing.

10 Charlie Hodgson (Saracens): Another difficult decision with a handful of candidates. The veteran pivot scored a try amongst his 25 points and didn't miss a tackle. Luke McAlister, Danny Cipriani and Ben Botica all made headlines.

9 Paul Marshall (Ulster): Danny Care is unlucky to miss out after an outstanding display for Quins but Marshall edges it thanks to his double against Castres.

8 Nick Easter (Harlequins): This one nearly caused a fight at Planet Rugby HQ and Ed is still sulking because Louis Picamoles was outvoted but Easter's man-of-the-match performance cannot be ignored.

7 Shane Jennings (Leinster): It was a tough day at the office for the defending champions, as illustrated by the 16 tackles made by their openside flank. A mention too for Steffon Armitage and Chris Robshaw.

6 Julien Bonnaire (Clermont): Another veteran still putting in the hard yards...and the big hits. A try was his reward. Keep an eye on Toulon's 22-year-old flank Pierrick Gunther, who is a star in the making.

5 Samu Manoa (Northampton): The big American wore 4 on his back but we can't leave him out after he carried the ball for 84 metres, beating four defenders along the way. Exeter Chiefs nearly caused the upset of the year and skipper Tom Hayes was in the thick of the action. Johan Muller was a tower of strength for Ulster.

4 Steve Borthwick (Saracens): There's life in the old dog yet! The flash boys got the headlines for their tries but the Sarries captain led the tackle count in Edinburgh with 14 hits. Bakkies Botha was so good for Toulon that France coach Philippe Saint-André said he wished he could pick the South African enforcer for les Bleus!

3 Census Johnston (Toulouse): The Tigers scrum was under the cosh in wet conditions in Toulouse and the fiery Samoan was the root cause of the trouble. John Afoa put in another big game for Ulster while former a certain Carl Hayman was fit enough to make 16 tackles (!) for Toulon. Davit Zirakashvili helped Clermont win a penalty try.

2 Richard Hibbard (Ospreys): The Ospreys dominated a very strong Treviso scrum and Hibbard made a impact on defence with 10 hits. Rob Buchanan's try for Quins changed the complexion of the encounter against Biarritz.

1 Thomas Domingo (Clermont): Getting back to his best form, Domingo caught the eye with his energy around the park. Saracens prop Mako Vumipola also had very strong game. Honourable mention too for Racing's Andrea Lo Cicero.

Are these all WELSH PLAYERS???

Is this not a little pointless? Maybe Jonathan Thomas played well this weekend for example, but I wouldn't have him anywhere near the Welsh squad.

Also, though most Dragons players wouldn't warrant selection, why limit selection to just the Heineken. Gatland/Howley won't.

Risca Rev wrote:Is this not a little pointless? Maybe Jonathan Thomas played well this weekend for example, but I wouldn't have him anywhere near the Welsh squad.

Also, though most Dragons players wouldn't warrant selection, why limit selection to just the Heineken. Gatland/Howley won't.

Why don't you post who you think played well then?

Josh Navidi at 6, Ryan to 8.

Roberts played well too

majesticimperialman wrote:Are these all WELSH PLAYERS???

Wow..! What a comment. You surpass yourself far too often.

maestegmafia wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:Are these all WELSH PLAYERS???

Wow..! What a comment. You surpass yourself far too often.

It's fair for him to post questioning the relevance of your post. Why did you post the planet rugby team?

You wouldnt pick Byrne (purely based on this weekend) ahead of Halfpenny? Or even on the bench?

Why is it on this forum a thread on welsh rugby attracts 90% English responders, who just want to criticise and distract a thread, where as the exact same English thread gets hardly any input from Welsh fans...????

I commented on the English thread and was applauded by Beshocked for my insightfulness. It would be great to be able to do the same for any of the English posters above.

Maesteg

Agree with you there mainly but we all know Adam will start unless he breaks a leg. Also worried about Hibberd. Cocks up our Aus series with his indiscipline then starts the next Test? I dont think so. Might have another rush of blood to the head. Owens is our no2

Dontheman wrote:Maesteg

Agree with you there mainly but we all know Adam will start unless he breaks a leg. Also worried about Hibberd. Cocks up our Aus series with his indiscipline then starts the next Test? I dont think so. Might have another rush of blood to the head. Owens is our no2

You have to go on current form and Ken Owens is off his game. Hibbard is in rude form. Matthew Rees was far better at hooker than Owens the last few weeks.

I don't doubt all three will make the cut, and ken is the type of lad who will graft to get his shirt back.

This team was based purely on last weekends performances. Adam needs to get fit fast. He had a very rare poor game last weekend. Including a first ever yellow card and a first warning for fighting.

Like Owens, Adam knows what to do to make sure he starts.

It is good to see Jarvis and Lee coming on as players. They will help fill a few gaps in depth.