Wales to play England. Again.

If this is correct, then I'm afraid it is the beginning of the end for rugby union. Test rugby will have finally destroyed domestic rugby.

WalesOnline: Wales are set to play a one-off Test match against England at Twickenham next May ahead of the two countries respective tours Down Under.

It’s understood the game is to be staged on Sunday, May 29 next year, with official confirmation expected soon.

Surely they have the date wrong?

If that is the date, then I guess the WRU are pretty pessimistic about any of their clubs making the final.

What about the Aviva Prem final?

Surely the date is wrong, that would be madness

For England it will be the development style side that would otherwise be playing the Barbarians.

So think of it as an England XV vs Welsh BaaBaas. funniest thing is Wales will award caps and England may not.

LondonTiger wrote: England XV vs Welsh BaaBaas.

So how can they justify it? If the players invovled will not be the ones touring in the Summer?

I just can't stomach test rugby. It's killing the game.

I guess if its in place of the side that plays the Baa Baas that isn't too much of a change

For completeness, this is the team that ran out against Barbarians in 2015

England Tait (Geraghty, 55); Wade, Daly, Slade, Yarde (Lewington, 61); Cipriani, Dickson (capt; Chudley, 64); Mullan (Waller, 48), Cowan-Dickie (Taylor, 48), Brookes (Denman, 61), Slater (Fisher, 55), Launchbury (Gaskell, 48), Wilson, Clifford, Beaumont.

BamBam wrote:I guess if its in place of the side that plays the Baa Baas that isn't too much of a change

For completeness, this is the team that ran out against Barbarians in 2015

England Tait (Geraghty, 55); Wade, Daly, Slade, Yarde (Lewington, 61); Cipriani, Dickson (capt; Chudley, 64); Mullan (Waller, 48), Cowan-Dickie (Taylor, 48), Brookes (Denman, 61), Slater (Fisher, 55), Launchbury (Gaskell, 48), Wilson, Clifford, Beaumont.

Why not just call it what it is: A money making fundraiser, rather than try and dres it up as a Summer tour warm up.

I guess this year there was the extra influence of potential RWC squad places, the likes of Slade, Cipriani, LCD etc made it as far as they individually did in the process partly due to this game, where all 3 played very well.

But I would rather they did another game against Barbarians than devalue a Wales v England game

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LondonTiger wrote: England XV vs Welsh BaaBaas.

So how can they justify it? If the players invovled will not be the ones touring in the Summer?

I just can't stomach test rugby. It's killing the game.

Something of a sweeping generalisation isn't it....

Jimpy wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LondonTiger wrote: England XV vs Welsh BaaBaas.

So how can they justify it? If the players invovled will not be the ones touring in the Summer?

I just can't stomach test rugby. It's killing the game.

Something of a sweeping generalisation isn't it....

No.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Jimpy wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LondonTiger wrote: England XV vs Welsh BaaBaas.

So how can they justify it? If the players invovled will not be the ones touring in the Summer?

I just can't stomach test rugby. It's killing the game.

Something of a sweeping generalisation isn't it....

No.

With all your inane ramblings on a daily basis, it seems to me that you just can't stomach rugby full stop.

Perhaps you should move on and try something else.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
With all your inane ramblings on a daily basis, it seems to me that you just can't stomach rugby full stop.

Perhaps you should move on and try something else.

I'm a big believer in the premise that if you want to watch and talk about your team on the pitch, then you should be able to discuss the reasons why they are there in the first place.

If that makes me a Muppet then so be it.

So the answer to that would be they are in this game to test some fringe players and make some money.

I thought now that the big bad man of Welsh rugby has been run out of town and burned at the stake after being hung, drawn and quartered just before being tarred and feathered..... I thought when Evil Lewis was deposed that all was going to be good now that the true rugby men of Wales had taken back the reins of control of WRU???

So... Lord Protector and Savior of Welsh Rugby, Gareth Davies, is the new man with the price on his head? I did warn you all not to be hasty in welcoming him.

Such odd timing. The Pro 12 needs as much attention as can get from the clubs and that is massively undermined by the WRU agreeing to this type of game

Marshes wrote:Such odd timing. The Pro 12 needs as much attention as can get from the clubs and that is massively undermined by the WRU agreeing to this type of game

It ain't the WRU! When it was Lewis, sure, it was the WRU then. But not now, not with Saint Gareth at the Helm. Now it's..... despicable Test Rugby!

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Jimpy wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:

LondonTiger wrote: England XV vs Welsh BaaBaas.

So how can they justify it? If the players invovled will not be the ones touring in the Summer?

I just can't stomach test rugby. It's killing the game.

Something of a sweeping generalisation isn't it....

No.

Unless you're going to take the time to explain that reply, I'd admit now that it is purely opinion if I were you.

SecretFly wrote:I thought now that the big bad man of Welsh rugby has been run out of town and burned at the stake after being hung, drawn and quartered just before being tarred and feathered..... I thought when Evil Lewis was deposed that all was going to be good now that the true rugby men of Wales had taken back the reins of control of WRU???

So... Lord Protector and Savior of Welsh Rugby, Gareth Davies, is the new man with the price on his head?  I did warn you all not to be hasty in welcoming him.

This is a bit different than playing a full blooded test game, which will determine our seeding for the RWC, against a top teir nation with all of their players available, in the middle of the Pro12 season and a week before the European games. But I have a feeling you know that.

Should a region make the Pro12 final, then you would Wales will do without the players from that region for this game, as England will be doing the same for their players in the Jeff final.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

SecretFly wrote:I thought now that the big bad man of Welsh rugby has been run out of town and burned at the stake after being hung, drawn and quartered just before being tarred and feathered..... I thought when Evil Lewis was deposed that all was going to be good now that the true rugby men of Wales had taken back the reins of control of WRU???

So... Lord Protector and Savior of Welsh Rugby, Gareth Davies, is the new man with the price on his head?  I did warn you all not to be hasty in welcoming him.

This is a bit different than playing a full blooded test game, which will determine our seeding for the RWC, against a top teir nation with all of their players available, in the middle of the Pro12 season and a week before the European games.  But I have a feeling you know that.

Should a region make the Pro12 final, then you would Wales will do without the players from that region for this game, as England will be doing the same for their players in the Jeff final.

? Nothing different in the slightest, just a different name overseeing the seasonal bugbear of Regional supporters. Had the name been Lewis again, it would be more proof of his continuing obstinate 'idiocy'. Needs must, business is business - Gareth is probably quickly finding that truth out.

Its just a straight up replacement for the Baa Baas game right?

Nothing new to having a second string game clash with the season end ... theyve even flown out on tour without people involved in finals previously

But Fly, the major issue was the timing of the 4th international (or winter international during RWC years), falling outside of the IRB windows, and during the main Pro12 season. Purely because it impacted upon the chances of the regions in the Pro12 (playing without players against full strength opposition), and hampered their chances in Europe due to not having players available for training early enough. But again, I suspect you know this all too well already.

Sounds a bit like a Saxons game, they dont get many games following the death of the Churchill cup do they?

I wouldnt mind seeing a team like thig play -
Mullan, LCD, Sinkler
Slater, Itoje
Clifford, Wallace, Beuamont,
Robson
F.Burns
Yarde
Sam Hill
M.Tuilagi
Wade
Pennell

Guys that could be involved too -
Simpson, Kvesic, Kitchener, inevitably Callum Clarke, Cipriani, Hartley?

All guys that could be hungry for a place in the senior squads or have previously dropped out of favour.
If England have a half decent WC then I expect a large proportion of that squad to remain unchanged for tours etc.
Minimal representation from any 1 club.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:But Fly, the major issue was the timing of the 4th international (or winter international during RWC years), falling outside of the IRB windows, and during the main Pro12 season.  Purely because it impacted upon the chances of the regions in the Pro12 (playing without players against full strength opposition), and hampered their chances in Europe due to not having players available for training early enough.  But again, I suspect you know this all too well already.

Is he still rambling on trying to be funny? Stick him on ignore. Worked a treat for me.

Don't fall to his level Notch.

Apologies. But some posters benefit from an amazing amount of tolerance and forbearance on here...

Notch wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Is he still rambling on trying to be funny? Stick him on ignore. Worked a treat for me.

It's better to try and be funny and fail that to try and be a c*nt and succeed.

Such class from a moderator, you really do let yourself down don't you.

True, and don't get me wrong I still laughed at the comment.

Unfortunately the truth hurts some more than others.

I'd have a week ban for that.

Frankly, as a moderator who lets a poster who consistently abuses people who support the team I support and people who are the nationality I am based on nothing more than the fact they support that certain team or they are that nationality I'm going to have to say I couldn't be fairer in what I say. If I'm going to uphold that level of freedom of speech as a moderator, I feel little remorse about using it myself.

Notch wrote:Frankly, as a moderator who lets a poster who consistently abuses people who support the team I support and people who are the nationality I am based on nothing more than the fact they support that certain team or they are that nationality I'm going to have to say I couldn't be fairer in what I say. If I'm going to uphold that level of freedom of speech as a moderator, I feel little remorse about using it myself.

Hell if it is acceptable then, I really wish I had said the same to you a lot earlier

I have no problems with what you posted if I'm honest. Just as long as people remember it, and your accusation of my "constant abuse".

Are you the same Chunky who posts on the BBC? Familiar writing styles.

Notch wrote:Frankly, as a moderator who lets a poster who consistently abuses people who support the team I support and people who are the nationality I am based on nothing more than the fact they support that certain team or they are that nationality I'm going to have to say I couldn't be fairer in what I say. If I'm going to uphold that level of freedom of speech as a moderator, I feel little remorse about using it myself.

I'm all for freedom of speech; but have you considered more punctuation?

Gooseberry wrote:I'm all for freedom of speech; but have you considered more punctuation?

No!!!!??!!

No 7&1/2 wrote:Are you the same Chunky who posts on the BBC? Familiar writing styles.

No.

All kicking off here!

I agree its a stupid time for a game, but given that we had very similar circumstances when going on tour to NZ last year, I don't think its a massive issue.

The players involved in the final will miss out, players in the semi final and teams who didn't make the playoffs would make up the bulk of the English side.

I appreciate that if say, Ospreys and Scarlets made it to the Pro12 final that would be a far larger proportion of Wales side out than if it was Saracens and Bath, but that can't be helped

Its also fairly unlikely isn't it? (No dig at Welsh regions, but just based on history)

BamBam wrote:All kicking off here!

I agree its a stupid time for a game, but given that we had very similar circumstances when going on tour to NZ last year, I don't think its a massive issue.

The players involved in the final will miss out, players in the semi final and teams who didn't make the playoffs would make up the bulk of the English side.

I appreciate that if say, Ospreys and Scarlets made it to the Pro12 final that would be a far larger proportion of Wales side out than if it was Saracens and Bath, but that can't be helped

Its also fairly unlikely isn't it? (No dig at Welsh regions, but just based on history)

Realistically we could see two regions scrape the play-offs (but never seen it yet). And Wales will also miss out on its exiles too (North, Roberts, Foxy, 1/2, Priest etc), so we could end up in a similar boat to when Wales toured Japan, and the Lions were on, where it is extreme fringe players and under 20s.

BamBam wrote:
The players involved in the final will miss out, players in the semi final and teams who didn't make the playoffs would make up the bulk of the English side.

Generall SL, assuming he is still with us tends not to select players from the losing semi-finalists for this fixture, especially if they are likely to be on the summer tour, as he deems they need the rest.

This convo is getting nasty...

Do Wales get access to their England and France based players at that date? A lot of them play for high profile teams that are likely to make their domestic league finals. Say Ospreys make the final in Pro12 as well, they currently have 10 Wales internationals in the squad and could have as many next year. We basically won't have a team so how can it be a warm-up?

I see your points, it will be similar for England if as LT says, the top 4 clubs are excluded

A side excluding last year's top 4 would look something like

Brown, Nowell, Daly, Slade, May, Cipriani, Care, Marler, LCD, Thomas, Launchbury, ?, Ewers, Clifford, Morgan

mikey_dragon wrote:This convo is getting nasty...

Do Wales get access to their England and France based players at that date? A lot of them play for high profile teams that are likely to make their domestic league finals. Say Ospreys make the final in Pro12 as well, they currently have 10 Wales internationals in the squad and could have as many next year. We basically won't have a team so how can it be a warm-up?

Assuming only the Ospreys make the play offs (which is the most likely scenario) we could still field

Li Williams, Cuthbert, Allen, Sc Williams, Walker, Anscomme, Davies;
Jenkins, Owens, Lee, Ball, Rawlings (or whoever puts their hand up), Warburton, J Davies, Navidi

SS, not a bad team then! I guess the other lock could be another ex-U20. Joe Davies at Dragons if he can get more game time this season. Or Lou Reed...

To be honest it's disappointing because we play Wales often enough as it is.

Would be better for both sides to send development sides to lower tier sides but I guess £££ talks.

Mikey, it was an off the top of my head team, as I totally missed out Amos, T Morgan etc (sorry Dragons). But we only need 23 men (well probably about 28 with travelling specialist reserves), so losing out on 10 Ospreys and a handful of exiles shouldn't be too bad.

'Shocked - I agree it would be better to be honest and say that it will be a development match, but sadly ticket sales wouldn't be as good if they did that.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Notch wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Is he still rambling on trying to be funny? Stick him on ignore. Worked a treat for me.

It's better to try and be funny and fail that to try and be a c*nt and succeed.

Such class from a moderator, you really do let yourself down don't you.

Old news now.....but by Christ that was funny from Notch.

LOL I think the kids say these days.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Mikey, it was an off the top of my head team, as I totally missed out Amos, T Morgan etc (sorry Dragons).  But we only need 23 men (well probably about 28 with travelling specialist reserves), so losing out on 10 Ospreys and a handful of exiles shouldn't be too bad.

'Shocked - I agree it would be better to be honest and say that it will be a development match, but sadly ticket sales wouldn't be as good if they did that.

England might have more quality options to choose from, meaning they could put out a decent bench where-as we would probably have Scott Andrews on the bench... Their guys would have had experience playing together as well, either for the Saxons or for England versus the Barbarians.

You also forgot Faletau by the way. I think it would be good idea to rest Warburton and go with a different 7; two of Navidi, Cudd and Davies.

BamBam wrote:Surely the date is wrong, that would be madness

Sums it up nicely.

May 29 is my birthday, so instead of spending money on anoither needless match, I suggest eveyrone forwards me the money they would have spent on the tix.

Notch wrote:Frankly, as a moderator who lets a poster who consistently abuses people who support the team I support and people who are the nationality I am based on nothing more than the fact they support that certain team or they are that nationality I'm going to have to say I couldn't be fairer in what I say. If I'm going to uphold that level of freedom of speech as a moderator, I feel little remorse about using it myself.

Notch wrote:Frankly, as a moderator who lets a poster who consistently abuses people who support the team I support and people who are the nationality I am based on nothing more than the fact they support that certain team or they are that nationality I'm going to have to say I couldn't be fairer in what I say. If I'm going to uphold that level of freedom of speech as a moderator, I feel little remorse about using it myself.

Oh what, whwere's the comment gone?

I demand freedom of speech.