The Rob Howley prediction game.

thebluesmancometh wrote:PSW

Bang on mate, I'll add that now.

gavstar wrote:bet he says ' you never know what french team will turn up'

and 'look ,you know , its small margins '

gavstar wrote:bet he says ' you never know what french team will turn up'

and 'look ,you know , its small margins '

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Unlike Morgan Waldrom has a reputation for being extremely fit despite the excess chins. Its agility and acceleration he struggles with.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've heard a lot about this backlash from the French, but the fact that they lost their opening game could work in Wales's favour. If - and it's a big if, as they say - we can start really well, and early try or two, get a lead and stop them playing for the first 20 minutes, then the home crowd could well turn on them. I've seen it happen before.

nobbled wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I've heard a lot about this backlash from the French, but the fact that they lost their opening game could work in Wales's favour. If - and it's a big if, as they say - we can start really well, and early try or two, get a lead and stop them playing for the first 20 minutes, then the home crowd could well turn on them. I've seen it happen before.

Very true - France have a very vocal and fickle crowd - they can get on the backs of their players if they aren't happy making it easier for visitors who start strongly.

This will mean Wales have to actually play in the first half though...

glamorganalun wrote:I put down the lions tour because the way he is going he won't be going (with luck).

Ospreydragon wrote:After this 6n and the Lions tour, I wonder what the state of Welsh international rugby will be when Gat's and Howley's return. It's all building up nicely for a re-run of the Henry saga.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Why don't someone just take over from him full stop!!!!!!!!!!!

glamorganalun wrote: Henson.

bedfordwelsh wrote:Henson hasn't been playing or been good enough over the last few years.

Byrne has been off form and was one of the ones who was being picked on rep.

R Jones likewise was picked for to long on rep, he hasn't for sometime been our best 6, 8 or 2nd row but admit has been in great form.

Hook, if as good as people say he is would have cemented his own place in the side.

Peel, ok give you that one should be in squad

RubyGuby wrote:What we can predict from Howley on Saturday evening is:

"I thought the boys performed a lot better than last week, we were sharper from the start and our heads didn't drop when we were put under pressure. We showed better composure with ball in hand and scored some good trys. There were definite improvements for all to see and I think this shows that we have turned the corner. I see no reason why we can't build on this for our next game and get that much needed win under our built. After that I can see the confidence returning. In fact you could see the players performing with more confidence today and that was against a very good french team playing with a hostile french crowd behind them. I'm pleased with how the boys performed and I am proud of how they did today"

ROB Howley has taken an extraordinary swipe at the media, accusing it of trying to drive a wedge through the Wales camp.

The caretaker Wales coach spoke out just before his squad leave for tomorrow’s crucial Six Nations shoot-out with France in Paris.

Wales have lost their last eight fixtures – two short of the record of 2002-03 – to face intense questioning from press and public about where it’s gone wrong since clinching the Grand Slam by beating France last March.

Former Cardiff Blues backs guru Howley revealed he had spent the last couple of days ensuring the Wales squad and management were as one.

“You have to talk to players and get feedback from them, creating that bit of unity and trust within your coaching team and players,” he said.

“That’s the key for me this week. But by the very nature of international sport, the media try to split the atom, the players and the coaches.

“I’ve been working on that over the past 72 hours because, to be successful in sport, you need unity and trust. The one thing this environment has created over the past four years is a team and a coaching team of unity, that’s been my main focus.”

Former Wales outside-half Gareth Davies’ assertion that rookie Six Nations playmaker Dan Biggar would have increased confidence if entrusted with goal-kicking duties ahead of Blues star Leigh Halfpenny brought short shrift from Howley.

“We have Leigh, who’s one of best goal-kickers in the game,” he declared.

“Dan had a steady Test match. It’s his first Six Nations and so you have to take into account his emotions.

“You have to all realise, too, that it’s a big step up from regional to Test rugby. He warmed to the task and his second half display was good.

“He had a kick charged down, but did well to recover from a mistake like that.

“Let’s not all put pressure on our No.10. There are 23 players that play for Wales. Obviously, a No.10 is an individual who can offer us a lot in international rugby. It will take Dan time, but we are prepared at this moment to give him time.

“The way he orchestrated the second-half display, and became a running threat, putting the ball through his hands on occasions ... we scored three tries in the second-half and Dan had a part to play in that.

“There’s a style of game that we need to play and implement against France in attack and defence.

“We feel our intensity and mindset in training this week has been sharper. When you lose or play as we did in the first-half it certainly focuses your mind.

“The players have been great this week, particularly the first two days, putting the stuff from the weekend behind them. Now we’re focusing on the challenge of playing a very good French side.”

Howley said Wales’ second-half display against Ireland, battling back from a 27-point deficit to lose 30-22, had persuaded him to keeping changes to a minimum.

“That second-half performance showed me we have enough talent,” he said.

“We can be good when we are accurate. That was important to look at before making wholesale changes.

“Last Saturday night I was frustrated and disappointed because I know this side is much better than they showed in the first-half, and the players know that as well.

“That was the frustration. If we’d started as we played the second-half there would have been a totally different feeling this week. But that’s international sport – it’s all or nothing. Momentum is hugely important.

“In previous years, we’ve lost to England at the Millennium Stadium then gone away and beaten Scotland and Italy. But France will pose a different challenge. The one thing you want to see from players is a reaction.”

“That reaction has come in the early part of the week in terms of them analysing their game and focusing on the areas they need to work on.

“Now it’s about getting our mind-set right for Saturday. “

Casartelli wrote:"Split the atom."?

Casartelli wrote:One suggestion from an ex international No.10 and Howley's finally flipped.

Split the f***ing atom!!!?