Wales U20 - England U20 title decider.

First topic message reminder :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21758093

Wales U20s: Wales Under-20: Jordan Williams (Scarlets/Llanelli); Harry Robinson (Blues), Cory Allen (Blues/Cardiff), Jack Dixon (Dragons), Ashley Evans (Ospreys/Bridgend); Sam Davies (Ospreys/Swansea), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets/Llandovery); Nicky Thomas (Ospreys/Swansea), Elliot Dee (Bedwas), Nicky Smith (Ospreys/Swansea), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets/Carmarthen), Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys/Swansea), Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues/Cardiff), Daniel Thomas (Scarlets/Llanelli), Ieuan Jones (Dragons).

Replacements: Ethan Lewis (Blues/Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Scarlets /Carmarthen), Dan Suter (Ospreys/Bridgend), Jack Jones (Ospreys/Rovigo), Sion Bennett (Scarlets/Carmarthen) Joshua Davies (Dragons/Bedwas), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets/Llanelli).

Four changes to the side that beat Scotland. Dixon, Evans, Dee and Smith. The undefeated Wales now get to test themselves against one of the top U20 sides in world rugby in a sold out Parc Erias. If Wales win then it is their first win over England and first title at U20 level. Any win for England will see them take the title. This squad this year is probably the best we have had at this level so we have a good chance. Last years crop were not good in the 6 Nations but did well with a stronger squad at the JWC. Many have remained at U20s since then.

Or Lawes

Or Vunipola actually

Ah ok, I thought Ben played in the 2009 JWC - so 4 years ago.

Lawes and Vunipola are still on the bench aren't they?

Well that was pretty easy in the end, so much for our non-exsistant defence in the wide channels.

Pack was too much as expected, backs went ok.

Stop splitting hairs, I'm making a point an' that.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Well that was pretty easy in the end, so much for our non-exsistant defence in the wide channels.

Pack was too much as expected, backs went ok.

It wasn't needed, all Wales really did was send bombs up and wait for mistakes. I think they'd have had a much better chance if they had given it a lash.

Vunipola was at least from that year though

Well played and congrats to Eng U20's

Pretty good from England, who I thought looked the better side. For me England dominated the breakdown, getting quick ball time and time again. The forwards have power and good skills. It'll be easier to judge the backs in the JWC - I think they lack the exceptional skills on the ball of the u18 group but there are still some decent players there and the wingers and Slade may well go on to play for the senior side.

LT if I remember rightly Benny was fast tracked out of the under 20s and into the full England side by Johnno the the 6N after the JWC and then into the tour in OZ.

Yappy, the two Tigers in the England under 20s have both played LV rugby this year and Wells made his AP debut at lock as well. As did the other England under 20s lock Price who has been overlooked since his neck injury in said AP debut. It's only the outside backs we leave to stagnate and then leave.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Well that was pretty easy in the end, so much for our non-exsistant defence in the wide channels.

Pack was too much as expected, backs went ok.

Sadly as predicted.

Congrats England, well deserved victory, good to see a more competitive match tho, am really sick of seeing Englands pack win by 40 points week in week out!

You predicted right Blue, the boys didn't take your advice though.

Good comp this year

Aye it was a good comp, but one English had in the bag from the get go realy, they made it hard on themselves.

I can see what the U20 coaching team were trying to do, pin the English back deep and make them use their backline to gain yardage, exploit where we might have an advantage. Try to avoid the armwrestle up front.

Sadly that was such a negative option it was always going to result in mistakes and the English pack getting what they wanted.

I mean to tell your squad of 19 yr olds they wouldnt compete up front and had to kick the ball away to stand a chance wouldve done as much damage as the English pack ever could, I wouldve hyped the boys up and sent them out to play total rugby, a one off final type match that was win or lose, throw the ball to the wide channells have fun and try everything. I think thats the only way we wouldve taken the English.

But like I said congrats England

The weather gave the huge England pack the aces to play as it was far too wet for Wales' accomplished backs to show their stuff.England played to their strength and fully deserved the result.
Credit to the Welsh boys for not getting steamrollered.

Anyone know if there are highlights anywhere?

Hood83 wrote:Anyone know if there are highlights anywhere?

Dunno about highlights, but the whole game is on S4C catchup, only welsh language, though.

http://s4ci.com/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=507764791

Dubbelyew L Overate wrote:

Hood83 wrote:Anyone know if there are highlights anywhere?

Dunno about highlights, but the whole game is on S4C catchup, only welsh language, though.

http://s4ci.com/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=507764791

Brilliant, cheers Dubbelyew!

Taffineastbourne wrote:The weather gave the huge England pack the aces to play as it was far too wet for Wales' accomplished backs to show their stuff.England played to their strength and fully deserved the result.
Credit to the Welsh boys for not getting steamrollered.

England played to the conditions.

I was furious watching this game. It's not the result, England deserved that win and the back 5 really powered into breakdown area. I guess two second rows at 6 and 7 does pay off. My gripe is the fly-half. I said England would target him because he can't tackle and they did. They run right through him all game! When they did they made the yards and capitlised from it. He also kicked out on the full and they capitalised from that. He kicked so aimlessly all game, when we actually passed the ball across the backline we looked good, I wish we would have persisted with that. I've seen stronger fly-halves at amateur level, the only way he is there is because of his dad. It certainly isn't on merit and he's been in the set-up two years now without developing another fly half. Fingers crossed that Patchell will be with us at the JWC, I could see us potentially winning it. England look extremely professional again at this level and could beat the baby Blacks too I reckon.

nathan wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:The weather gave the huge England pack the aces to play as it was far too wet for Wales' accomplished backs to show their stuff.England played to their strength and fully deserved the result.
Credit to the Welsh boys for not getting steamrollered.

England played to the conditions.

Isn't that what I said?