Wales v England thread (6 Nations)

[mikey_dragon]

First topic message reminder :

Date: 23rd Feb 2019
Time: 9:45 am (Mountain Time)
Venue: MILLENIUM Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)


Teams:

Wales: Wales: Liam Williams (Saracens); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester); Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, captain), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Aled Davies (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Northampton), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).


England: Daly; Nowell, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Farrell, Youngs; Moon, George, Sinckler, Lawes, Kruis, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Williams, Launchbury, Shields, Robson, Ford, Cokanasiga.

ANY personal attacks will be a ban. No warnings.

[BamBam]

Ireland also played a centre at Fullback - his positioning was awful.  

They were ambushed and France clearly didn't do any homework or give a flying toss about the game apart from their Captain and replacement 9.

Yes, international rugby players didn't give a flying toss about the game they were playing in.

Glad you agree

hope you'll be here to post the same about Wales after Saturday

[munkian]

Ireland also played a centre at Fullback - his positioning was awful.  

They were ambushed and France clearly didn't do any homework or give a flying toss about the game apart from their Captain and replacement 9.

I think Henshaw's positioning was made to look worse because he was having to cover the whole width on his own.

Very possibly - Stockdale and Keet weren't up to much either.

Wales will have done their homework.

[munkian]

Ireland also played a centre at Fullback - his positioning was awful.  

They were ambushed and France clearly didn't do any homework or give a flying toss about the game apart from their Captain and replacement 9.

Yes, international rugby players didn't give a flying toss about the game they were playing in.

Glad you agree

hope you'll be here to post the same about Wales after Saturday

Yes, because Wales playing at home pre RWC against England will have the same mindset as France, away from Home, on a run of defeats with an awful coach and complete lack of ideas.

[BamBam]

I thought being defeated by a better team meant not giving a flying toss about the game? Or does that only apply when you don't want to give the winning team any credit

Funny how they suddenly started not giving a flying toss after losing to Wales, that must have been really demoralising for them

[LondonTiger]

A couple of people have just been given 24 hours on the naughty step.


No personal insults - warnings were given.

[lostinwales]

Liam Williams should be very familiar with Farrell at ten as they train together on a daily basis at Saracens. Hopefully his sense of positioning will be of. Higher standard than Huget or Henshaw

That does go both ways though

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I see England are travelling to Wales today after all. That Eddie Jones is a wag, isn't he?

[robbo277]

Youngs kicks more ball for England than Farrell, although I guess Youngs does more box kicking from inside our own half whereas Farrell is doing more of the kicking in the attacking half trying to catch the fullback out of position.

Most kicks for England:
Youngs - 31
Farrell - 24
Daly - 8
Ford - 6
Slade, May - 4
Nowell, Ashton - 1

No England forward has kicked. Does anyone want to hazard a guess at which forward has kicked the most this Six Nations?

[RiscaGame]

I see England are travelling to Wales today after all. That Eddie Jones is a wag, isn't he?

He sure is. I’m sure he was thankful of Mr Gatland giving him some handy advice though.

[robbo277]

I see England are travelling to Wales today after all. That Eddie Jones is a wag, isn't he?

I thought that's what Eddie had said? I think common practice is that you travel two days before, which is why this was an issue?

[lostinwales]

Youngs kicks more ball for England than Farrell, although I guess Youngs does more box kicking from inside our own half whereas Farrell is doing more of the kicking in the attacking half trying to catch the fullback out of position.

Most kicks for England:
Youngs - 31
Farrell - 24
Daly - 8
Ford - 6
Slade, May - 4
Nowell, Ashton - 1

No England forward has kicked. Does anyone want to hazard a guess at which forward has kicked the most this Six Nations?

Usually Paresi isn't it?

[Guest]

Very amusing...needs updating with the last 7 results though.
England won 6 Wales won 1.

Or, you know, the relevant one: England 3-0 Wales in the 6Ns in this RWC cycle.

[Guest]

Youngs kicks more ball for England than Farrell, although I guess Youngs does more box kicking from inside our own half whereas Farrell is doing more of the kicking in the attacking half trying to catch the fullback out of position.

Most kicks for England:
Youngs - 31
Farrell - 24
Daly - 8
Ford - 6
Slade, May - 4
Nowell, Ashton - 1

No England forward has kicked. Does anyone want to hazard a guess at which forward has kicked the most this Six Nations?

Sergioooooo?

[robbo277]

Not Sergio this time. I think he is still the last forward to attempt a drop goal in the Six Nations though.

[TightHEAD]

Makes me laugh people are still belittling the result we got against France, yet Wales coming back in the 2nd half vs France was a great achievement.

Roll on Saturday.

[No 7&1/2]

Tipuric?

[Guest]

Basteraud?

[robbo277]

Not Tipuric, but is a flanker.

[robbo277]

Basteraud?

Haha! Even if we accept him as a forward (and who does he think he's kidding?) he hasn't yet kicked this tournament.

[Ricardo74]

Didn't Wilson put boot to ball in the Ireland game? I'll try him.

[LondonTiger]

Youngs kicks more ball for England than Farrell, although I guess Youngs does more box kicking from inside our own half whereas Farrell is doing more of the kicking in the attacking half trying to catch the fullback out of position.

Most kicks for England:
Youngs - 31
Farrell - 24
Daly - 8
Ford - 6
Slade, May - 4
Nowell, Ashton - 1

No England forward has kicked. Does anyone want to hazard a guess at which forward has kicked the most this Six Nations?

 POM

[robbo277]

Didn't Wilson put boot to ball in the Ireland game? I'll try him.

Mark or Ryan? Neither is correct though.

[robbo277]

Youngs kicks more ball for England than Farrell, although I guess Youngs does more box kicking from inside our own half whereas Farrell is doing more of the kicking in the attacking half trying to catch the fullback out of position.

Most kicks for England:
Youngs - 31
Farrell - 24
Daly - 8
Ford - 6
Slade, May - 4
Nowell, Ashton - 1

No England forward has kicked. Does anyone want to hazard a guess at which forward has kicked the most this Six Nations?

 POM

O'Mahony - 2
Lauret - 1
Every other forward - so far suppressing their inner 10s

[TightHEAD]

Surely Sinkler has kicked someone?

[Collapse2005]

Haha. Id say Jack Nowell has kicked more than twice too.

[BamBam]

Haha. Id say Jack Nowell has kicked more than twice too.

He plays like a true flanker, kicking the ball would be blasphemy

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I see England are travelling to Wales today after all. That Eddie Jones is a wag, isn't he?

I thought that's what Eddie had said? I think common practice is that you travel two days before, which is why this was an issue?

I thought he said they would travel on the day?

[robbo277]

I see England are travelling to Wales today after all. That Eddie Jones is a wag, isn't he?

I thought that's what Eddie had said? I think common practice is that you travel two days before, which is why this was an issue?

I thought he said they would travel on the day?

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/england-making-significant-mistake-warren-15866901

This is what I'm going off. I guess if England get caught in traffic now it might mean hours on the coach and then everything is a bit rushed tonight.

Travelling on the day would most definitely be a mistake. I don't know what the penalty would be for delaying or missing kick-off, but I can imagine it would be quite substantial.

[LondonTiger]

I see England are travelling to Wales today after all. That Eddie Jones is a wag, isn't he?

I thought that's what Eddie had said? I think common practice is that you travel two days before, which is why this was an issue?

I thought he said they would travel on the day?

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12507/11643746/wales-boss-warren-gatland-questions-englands-travel-plans-for-six-nations-game

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Okay, in case I've got anything else wrong: this is a hockey match, right?

[BamBam]

No, netball

[LondonTiger]

Okay, in case I've got anything else wrong: this is a hockey match, right?

 Lacrosse.

[BamBam]

Although the Welsh may need a hockey stick or two to stop our forwards

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Okay, in case I've got anything else wrong: this is a hockey match, right?

 Lacrosse.

Come on, you're making that up. There's no such sport as lacrosse!

[majesticimperialman]

I have just been looking at last years game at twickers. And just how unlucky Wales was not to win that game. What with Anscome's disallowed try, the one with him and Antony Watson tussle on the floor.

And the fact that they had Patchel at 10 and no Halfpenny on the field. Patchel turned down 2 kicks at goal which if Halfpenny had been playing he would have gone for those. So it could quite easily been a different outcome.

The nerves are getting to me already. Lets just get this game over and done with.

Come on England.

[Guest]

Yep, fair assessment maj. Think England deserved the win because they did nullify Wales for the most part but, as has been the case for a while between the two in this game, it really could have gone either way.

[Collapse2005]

Ireland also played a centre at Fullback - his positioning was awful.  

They were ambushed and France clearly didn't do any homework or give a flying toss about the game apart from their Captain and replacement 9.

I think Henshaw's positioning was made to look worse because he was having to cover the whole width on his own.

Yes it was. Earls got a hip injury early in the game and tried but failed to run it off. Henshaw ended up covering for him.

[rodders]

Ireland also played a centre at Fullback - his positioning was awful.  

They were ambushed and France clearly didn't do any homework or give a flying toss about the game apart from their Captain and replacement 9.

I think Henshaw's positioning was made to look worse because he was having to cover the whole width on his own.

Yes it was. Earls got a hip injury early in the game and tried but failed to run it off. Henshaw ended up covering for him.

I saw something where Bernard Jackman highlighted the Daly try recently.

Stockdale was caught on his own, he comes up to defend the line as there is an overlap but Henshaw was supposed to be sweeping in behind defending the kick in behind.

As it is Stockdale gets caught chasing the kick back against 2 England attackers. That is not to blame Henshaw but if Kearney is there that try becomes a lot less likely, as even if Stockdale gets beaten with the bounce there is another defender to clean up.

[Guest]

Jiffy did the same here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/47284027

Also Squide Rugby made a good piece of analysis on Ireland and Henshaw's problems against England - but the style is obviously not to everyone's taste. Probably a bit tricky to enjoy for anyone over 40: https://youtu.be/gm9zeAJMVtc?t=273

[No 7&1/2]

There's been so much made of England's kicking that we're bound to turn into Exeter tomorrow.

[maestegmafia]

Well the days of ifs and buts are nearly over..

[mikey_dragon]

Well the days of ifs and buts are nearly over..

What if Webb and Shingler were available...

I think this year has highlighted the fact that they're another first two names on the teamsheet.

[maestegmafia]

Well the days of ifs and buts are nearly over..

What if Webb and Shingler were available...

I think this year has highlighted the fact that they're another first two names on the teamsheet.

Thought Ellis Jenkins was pretty tidy in the summer tour and autumn internationals too

Both teams are not selecting from a full compliment of best players

[mikey_dragon]

Shingler is another lineout caller isn't he? We've certainly missed that as well as his carrying, defence, maul and ruck smashing. I knew we'd be missing Webb all year when I watched that Australia game back in the autumn, those thoughts always resurface when Aled is near the team.

Best back-row for me is 6, Shingler. 7, Jenkins. 8, Navidi/Faletau

[maestegmafia]

Shingler is another lineout caller isn't he? We've certainly missed that as well as his carrying, defence, maul and ruck smashing. I knew we'd be missing Webb all year when I watched that Australia game back in the autumn, those thoughts always resurface when Aled is near the team.

Best back-row for me is 6, Shingler. 7, Jenkins. 8, Navidi/Faletau

I rate Faletau very highly, real shame he has such injury issues since 2017. He looked superb on his brief comeback for Bath RFC a few weeks back.

[majesticimperialman]

It would of been nice to see Faletau against Billy v.

Wonder who would of come out on top.

[lostinwales]

It would of been nice to see Faletau against Billy v.

Wonder who would of come out on top.

Such different players though, and each side will only score their player using their own criteria.

[mikey_dragon]

Haven't they faced off at least once before? I remember there was another time but Billy went off injured 20-30 minutes in - he sure had and will continue to cause our defence problems. Unlike Hughes he picks intelligent running angles and into space rather than the defender.

I remember a few English posters rating Faletau as better than Hughes, that was pre-Lions though, possibly 2016.

[RiscaGame]

Mr Gatland was right to tell Uncle Eddie about the traffic, I hear. Bloody Brynglas tunnels/Newport

[No 7&1/2]

Yeah the big turn of 2015 was when youngs and vunipola went off injured. Think it's why Healey has picked that out as an issue this game if they should go off. Personally I Think it's less of an issue as the back row balance is better and even though inexperienced at this level Robson is a class player.

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