Planet Rugby Forum

I thought Wales played well on Saturday, but I’m not reading too much into the result.

An intercept try and helpful ref’s decision at the scrum (after some good welsh play, granted) got us 14pts up very quickly. After that I’m afraid I thought that Scotland were just dreadful.

The game against England will be very different, to say the least.

I'm hoping if picked Teo is better for 60 mins against Italy and will be sharper and closer to full match fitness. I felt Italy got joy wide mostly down to this rather than defensive issues for England but Wales do have the outside backs and back row to cause trouble in this channel if something is amiss. I'd prefer Joseph to start tbh he tightened England up immediately although Italy's fitness dropping off could be a factor there as well.

I didn't see the Wales game on Saturday but the score was an eye-catcher although its always difficult to read much into form until the second round of games have been completed anyway. It could turn out to be an amazing result or Scotland could just be this years BBI (Bottom But Italy).

I hope England don't kick away too much good ball which I feel they do too much as a tactical choice and can be frustrating to watch. England simply cannot get away with giving Wales the same amount of possession they gifted Italy.

The England v Wales games are something else in terms of atmosphere and intensity and it is the one fixture I look forward to and dread in equal measure. I have a tiny amount of Welsh ancestry (so more than most of the Welsh team ) and like to see them do well but not at the weekend please. If you can lose to England and then beat Ireland that will be spiffing thanks.

England should start favourites if only down to home advantage but there is not much between the sides IMO and this has been borne out across recent results which have been decided by late scores either way.

blindcider wrote:I'm hoping if picked Teo is better for 60 mins against Italy and will be sharper and closer to full match fitness. I felt Italy got joy wide mostly down to this rather than defensive issues for England but Wales do have the outside backs and back row to cause trouble in this channel if something is amiss. I'd prefer Joseph to start tbh he tightened England up immediately although Italy's fitness dropping off could be a factor there as well.

I didn't see the Wales game on Saturday but the score was an eye-catcher although its always difficult to read much into form until the second round of games have been completed anyway. It could turn out to be an amazing result or Scotland could just be this years BBI (Bottom But Italy).

I hope England don't kick away too much good ball which I feel they do too much as a tactical choice and can be frustrating to watch. England simply cannot get away with giving Wales the same amount of possession they gifted Italy.

The England v Wales games are something else in terms of atmosphere and intensity and it is the one fixture I look forward to and dread in equal measure. I have a tiny amount of Welsh ancestry (so more than most of the Welsh team ) and like to see them do well but not at the weekend please. If you can lose to England and then beat Ireland that will be spiffing thanks.

England should start favourites if only down to home advantage but there is not much between the sides IMO and this has been borne out across recent results which have been decided by late scores either way.

I fear you may be disappointed re kicking the ball away. Without BV to make hard yards, against a well formed defence, Eddie's plan will be kick for territory and then smother them with our defence. He won't want England playing higher risk, ball in hand, rugby well inside our own half. Eddie seems quite happy for England to play with less possession than the opposition and let them tire themselves out running at a wall of English defenders. We often make more territory when they have the ball than when we have it.

Came a cropper against Ireland last year though - as we saw against France, Ireland can be very good at maintaining possession for long periods, patiently working their way up field.

Just got tickets to this!

Additionally, the Welsh back row is better at ball snaffling and they have a strong midfield defence, England are going to be even less interested in playing from deep.

MaccTaff wrote:I thought Wales played well on Saturday, but I’m not reading too much into the result.

An intercept try and helpful ref’s decision at the scrum (after some good welsh play, granted) got us 14pts up very quickly. After that I’m afraid I thought that Scotland were just dreadful.

The game against England will be very different, to say the least.

From the start, the Welsh defence smothered the Scots. This was the basis for everything else.

terryfinch wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:I thought Wales played well on Saturday, but I’m not reading too much into the result.

An intercept try and helpful ref’s decision at the scrum (after some good welsh play, granted) got us 14pts up very quickly. After that I’m afraid I thought that Scotland were just dreadful.

The game against England will be very different, to say the least.

From the start, the Welsh defence smothered the Scots. This was the basis for everything else.

Yes I agree with that, the Scots didn’t handle it very well at all. I think England have a bit more up their sleeve and bit more in their armoury though.

If this was in Cardiff, I’d really be fancying our chances, but I think this is one game where home advantage will be key. Actually I think it will be close for an hour, but the final score line showing a comfortable England win.

MaccTaff wrote:

terryfinch wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:I thought Wales played well on Saturday, but I’m not reading too much into the result.

An intercept try and helpful ref’s decision at the scrum (after some good welsh play, granted) got us 14pts up very quickly. After that I’m afraid I thought that Scotland were just dreadful.

The game against England will be very different, to say the least.

From the start, the Welsh defence smothered the Scots. This was the basis for everything else.

Yes I agree with that, the Scots didn’t handle it very well at all. I think England have a bit more up their sleeve and bit more in their armoury though.

If this was in Cardiff, I’d really be fancying our chances, but I think this is one game where home advantage will be key. Actually I think it will be close for an hour, but the final score line showing a comfortable England win.

Agreed. What amazed me with the Scots is Wales kicked deep and in play all day. Then they ran back without much idea of what they were doing but.......kept on doing it with no variation. Plan A didn't work therefore revert to Plan A.

England will put the ball back to us, vary the approach and keep us under pressure throughout the game. I expect for us to be overwhelmed in the last 20mins with England's bench being all important. To have the choice between Teo or JJ is a great place to be.

Frodder wrote:What amazed me with the Scots is Wales kicked deep and in play all day.

I have to admit that made me smile while watching the game. Gatland had clearly decided that Wales would just dare the Scots to run it from deep and right into a Welsh brick-wall. Other than a few early teething problems when Jonny Gray was allowed a canter unopposed it worked rather well. England have better tight carriers than Scotland and arguably a bit more pace. If the cleans are accurate we might be able to outflank Wales because we're looking very slick behind the ball but the Welsh backrow looked well up for it. After last weekend I imagine Eddie has a few more ideas up his sleeve with regards to San Simmonds who looks to be a point of difference for us. The key as always with Wales is can they play with confidence and throw it about a bit because when they do things get dicey for the opposition.

I was just looking at the U20 team England have put out and noticed there were quite a few sons of players there - Cameron Redpath, Sam Moore, then went to check if James Grayson was the son of Paul...and bloody hell, after looking at the picture of him there was no doubt...



From the Andy Robinson school of clone-like sons.

One other note - Oghre is a great name for a front row forward.

Where’s henry btw?

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

I think the weight of told you so's he expects, after his constant criticism of Shingler and Steff Evans, is keeping him at bay.

penguin wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

I think the weight of told you so's he expects, after his constant criticism of Shingler and Steff Evans, is keeping him at bay.

It didn’t stop him when he did the same regarding a young Liam Williams.

I just like to think he’s died, or something.

cubby boi wrote:

penguin wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

I think the weight of told you so's he expects, after his constant criticism of Shingler and Steff Evans, is keeping him at bay.

It didn’t stop him when he did the same regarding a young Liam Williams.

So what was your old log in?

cubby boi wrote:I just like to think he’s died, or something.

The thread takes a, hopefully temporary, turn towards darkness

Let's get C/Storm and Herb back. Also PT

I would love PT to come back.

This really is anyone's game!

It honestly could go either way!

Sissyfuss wrote:This really is anyone's game!

It honestly could go either way!

How are the splinters after the fence sitting?

MaccTaff wrote:

cubby boi wrote:

penguin wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

I think the weight of told you so's he expects, after his constant criticism of Shingler and Steff Evans, is keeping him at bay.

It didn’t stop him when he did the same regarding a young Liam Williams.

So what was your old log in?

2204

cubby boi wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:

cubby boi wrote:

penguin wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

I think the weight of told you so's he expects, after his constant criticism of Shingler and Steff Evans, is keeping him at bay.

It didn’t stop him when he did the same regarding a young Liam Williams.

So what was your old log in?

2204

Ah - Ok! Yes remember the log in well.

How come you’re not still 2204?

MaccTaff wrote:
Ah - Ok! Yes remember the log in well.

How come you’re not still 2204?

Some lunatic gave the swarm modding responsibilities.

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

Last we heard he was laying a pony on a table in a Carmarthen pub.

fatcat wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

Last we heard he was laying a pony on a table in a Carmarthen pub.

cubby boi wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:
Ah - Ok! Yes remember the log in well.

How come you’re not still 2204?

Some lunatic gave the swarm modding responsibilities.

Zappa and SASP. 2204 is back . Ban him immediately.

fatcat wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:Where’s henry btw?

Last we heard he was laying a pony on a table in a Carmarthen pub.

The dirty mochyn.

iarmhiman wrote:

cubby boi wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:
Ah - Ok! Yes remember the log in well.

How come you’re not still 2204?

Some lunatic gave the swarm modding responsibilities.

Zappa and SASP. 2204 is back . Ban him immediately.

I’m sure I won’t survive past the Ireland Wales spite week, so don’t worry petal

cubby boi wrote:

iarmhiman wrote:

cubby boi wrote:

MaccTaff wrote:
Ah - Ok! Yes remember the log in well.

How come you’re not still 2204?

Some lunatic gave the swarm modding responsibilities.

Zappa and SASP. 2204 is back . Ban him immediately.

I’m sure I won’t survive past the Ireland Wales spite week, so don’t worry petal

I won't

It's a game of chess apparently

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42973389

Frodder wrote:It's a game of chess apparently

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42973389

Yes, it's a game of chess where you line up your shot, get that royal flush and finally...bullseye.

So are England going to rest their best players for this one ?

Dork Lard wrote:So are England going to rest their best players for this one ?

They will and still beat us comfortably. Sad times indeed for us

Dork Lard wrote:So are England going to rest their best players for this one ?

Fṷcking hope so.

England team to face Wales:

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins 65 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby 29 caps)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby 36 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens 54 caps)
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers 30 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers 41 caps)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins 77 caps)

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens 45 caps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints 90 caps)
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers 78 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps 48 caps)
5 Maro Itoje (Saracens 15 caps)
6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints 62 caps)
7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins 60 caps)
8 Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs 4 caps).

Finishers
16 Jamie George (Saracens 21 caps), 17 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs 1 cap), 18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs 6 caps), 19 George Kruis (Saracens 22 caps), 20 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 4 caps), 21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens 27 caps), 22 Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors 9 caps), 23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs 24 caps).

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/englan ... x-nations/

So 62% think England are going to win. Still heavy favourites but I remember in 2015 when 90% thought England was going to win.

Two days to go and we’ve limped onto page 4, and that includes Dai’s bleatings.

For shame.

Dai another day wrote:So 62% think England are going to win. Still heavy favourites but I remember in 2015 when 90% thought England was going to win.

Which way did you vote ???

You'd certainly expect England to be favourites at home - but being favourites doesn't you get points on the board.

And Wales like nothing better than being underdogs - and have the advantage that most of their team play together week in, week out.

Wales by 10

MaccTaff wrote:Two days to go and we’ve limped onto page 4, and that includes Dai’s bleatings.

For shame.

Ireland/Italy is still on page 2

Wales by 10??

You were doing well until then.