[2015 RWC] Pool A: England vs. Wales (26/09/2015)

[Willodell100]

I think Farrell Snr has too much influence over SL. His defensive opinion seems to take priority and precedence when push comes to shove. I mean there is no other reason I can see for keeping Barritt in at 13 other than the fact that he is the backs 'defensive leader'.

Also why drop Ford when you are already making a two other changes in the back line? Who is going to play second receiver? Who plays 13 if Barritt gets injured?

Feeling utterly frustrated right now. I just hope this is all some nightmare and I am going to wake up any minute....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If these rumours are true then Roberts is going to have a field day on Saturday.

Eh, not really. He'll run straight and hard right at the best defenders we have in our squad.
It's our attack getting decimated that's the problem.

 

[Maverick1987]

Eh, not really. He'll run straight and hard right at the best defenders we have in our squad.
It's our attack getting decimated that's the problem.

I suppose we will just have to hope that Farrells attack has improved sufficiently (I think it has improved no end from the small amount of game time I've seen him have) hopefully the wings come inside looking for work

In all honesty though I think this is going to be the kind of game that will be won by the forwards and the bench . England have the jump on Wales in all the forwards other than maybe the flankers . I'm still feeling a 5-10 point win . Wales have unfortunately lost too many of the tight 5 (or they have been out long term) if you ask me

All that has happened is we have blocked up the midfield with our best defenders bought a stronger fly half in and a better kicker under pressure

Any1 know if Farrells range is longer than Fords ?

 

[kesh]

.

I'm a fan of England rugby but if this comes to pass I'll actually be glad to miss this one. My mum could provide cover at 10. It doesn't mean its a good idea.

Lancaster has folded before the cards have been played. He's seen Warrenball coming and bottled the challenge of trying to solve the puzzle. Instead he'll try and grind a depleted Wales into the dirt. I don't think it'll work. We tried to play like Fiji against Fiji and now he's picked a team to play like Wales against Wales.

Up and unders for 80 minutes anyone?

Seriously this is madness. Sam Burgess must be a seriously good salesman. Fine at 6 for Bath, pretty average elsewhere. This proposed line up is Tindallnoonesque! All the creativity and style of well Jamie Noon and Mike Tindall!

How old are you? I'm guessing 12.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

.

How old are you? I'm guessing 12.

Well if that's a sign of your general judgement rather than a quite pointless ad hominem (one deserves another) fair enough. You're miles out. Mid 40's I'm afraid.

Now do you have a point to make? Noon and Tindall in my view represent the nadir of post 2003 centre combinations. Both fine men and fine players at times but indicative of what was I believe all that was problematic under Andy Robinson. A desire for defensive solidity over creativity. I can see no reason at all that comparisons cannot be drawn between say Brad Barritt and say Mr Noon. Both wholehearted defenders who are limited in attack.

Or is it the term of reference that so offends? We could talk about the relative merits of say Stuart Barnes vs Rob Andrew or even Spencer vs Mehrtens for the all blacks if that would make you more comfortable?

Now did you have a point to make? Or do you just want to call names? If its the latter I'm quite happy to ignore you thanks.

 

[tompaton7]

I suppose we will just have to hope that Farrells attack has improved sufficiently (I think it has improved no end from the small amount of game time I've seen him have) hopefully the wings come inside looking for work

In all honesty though I think this is going to be the kind of game that will be won by the forwards and the bench . England have the jump on Wales in all the forwards other than maybe the flankers . I'm still feeling a 5-10 point win . Wales have unfortunately lost too many of the tight 5 (or they have been out long term) if you ask me
Any1 know if Farrells range is longer than Fords ?

We've lost no-one in our pack mate. All of our injuries have been backs - Webb, Halfpenny, Davies, Walker and Allen. We're at full strength in the pack.

Your front row has a slight edge possibly but it's pretty close on the basis of your warm up games and Fiji. Locks we have parity, AWJ is unreal and Charteris is a workhorse. The best of both would see AWJ and Launchbury together. And like you said, the back row has an edge. In backs its even stevens really, I reckon it will be dominated by defence in that regard.

It's all about who fronts on the day for this one, it is simply to close to call. The Twickenham factor may get England over the line. I think both coaches (well at least Gatland will) will have something new up their sleeve. Really hope he plumps for Tipuric and Warburton and tries to play at pace and dominate the breakdown, although I doubt it.

 

[austingtir]

Rather surprised they've selected Burgess at 12 in a match like this. I havent seen much of him in rugby yet but from league obviously all he seemed great at is carting it up and putting in big hits on defence (great leader for a rugby league team aswell).

They seem dead set on putting him up against SBW dont they? I think Burgess shaded SBW in league. But in union with SBW's experience.... they are putting Burgess infront of the end of a gun imo.


And I have to say it does smack a bit of England trying to copy NZ. SBW will be used as an impact player in the big matches. I expect this match is probably to give Burgess a good run in that position then use him as a sub/impact in the big matches. But man what 6 months in union and basically never played at 12...... You guys are either gluttons for punishment or this is a master stroke.

 

[TommiG88]

So ford and Slade on the bench to bring on the flair and dominate the last 20?

 

[Yoshimitsu]

....... I expect this match is probably to give Burgess a good run in that position then use him as a sub/impact in the big matches. .....

Big matches? Christ. Don't let a Welshman hear you saying that! Though to be honest I can't think of a bigger single match for a long while. It has always felt to me like this is the one that determines who escapes the group.

Additionally I thought SBW was a more balanced skill set in league. Obviously very powerful but brought a slick offloading game. I may have it wrong but my impression was that Sam majored in the former. Massive power and aggressive defence. He's a great league player and obviously quite a guy. A starting international 12, now? Not for me.

 

[TommiG88]

Look at it this way, we lose this weekend the coaching staff won't be here for long.

I'm fearing this game now. We will only score tries on the counter.

 

[austingtir]

Big matches? Christ. Don't let a Welshman hear you saying that! Though to be honest I can't think of a bigger single match for a long while. It has always felt to me like this is the one that determines who escapes the group.

Additionally I thought SBW was a more balanced skill set in league. Obviously very powerful but brought a slick offloading game. I may have it wrong but my impression was that Sam majored in the former. Massive power and aggressive defence. He's a great league player and obviously quite a guy. A starting international 12, now? Not for me.

Meant no disrespect to the welsh just worded that wrong. Under normal circumstances the pool matches would be a chance to play around with selections but in Englands pool its a bit of a wonder what they are up to really. You'd of thunk they'd of tried this with Fiji. Must be pretty confident.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So no centre kicking options and the attacking threat moves from a running 13 to a half breaking off loading 12.

SB's game is to look for support runners coming off his shoulder and we've already seen that his colleagues just aren't on that wavelength, unlike the ABs who excel in getting up with the carrier and giving him options. SB's instinct to keep the ball alive will mean that Warbs and Tips will think it's Christmas when he tries the riskier offload or presentation. Our lack of a ball tracking, linking 7 could be about to be horribly exposed.

 

[ncurd]

I'm hoping this is mainly speculation on the press' part they've been pretty wrong most of the world cup so far where section is concerned. Wholesale changes in the back on the eve of biggest game of the year just because one player might be injured? Everyone knows that's madness.

I'm also hoping this is a bit of mind games so people stop talking up England and giving the Welsh false hope.

Any idea when the team will be announced?

 

[TommiG88]

I'm hoping this is mainly speculation on the press' part they've been pretty wrong most of the world cup so far where section is concerned. Wholesale changes in the back on the eve of biggest game of the year just because one player might be injured? Everyone knows that's madness.

I'm also hoping this is a bit of mind games so people stop talking up England and giving the Welsh false hope.

Any idea when the team will be announced?

Thursday.

I was thinking this, or just grabbing on to the last bit of hope.

Joseph went from a maybe fit - to not playing in a matter of hours.

 

[Wendigo7]

When BBC name the team, it's almost never wrong and they only pick it up when it's basically confirmed.

 

[Atco]

Whatever one's views on Farrell over Ford (and I have views on that), it seems to me that Lancaster's timing is indefensible. If he was a reluctant Ford supporter, he should have had the courage to persevere with the Farrell strategy (apart from injury). To change at this point in the campaign causes knock-on selection implications, is bad management and sends a bad message to the team. The Manager and coaches vacillate and have no fixed plan. Let's hope that, despite this lamentable development, England will still triumph. Spare a thought for the Ford camp. Very tough for the young man, who has already had to cope with Lancaster warning him that Farrell was breathing down his neck. Great psychological support Mr Lancaster!

 

[RedCard]

It gets a lot easier after the 3rd or 4th injury is announced and you just shrug your shoulders instead of panic insanely over who the replacement is.

I have liked what SL has been doing with England although he hasn't got enough worked out for this RWC on player selection. If he does aim at a containment game for the Welsh backs though rather than attacking I would be peeved as an English supporter.

 

[Maverick1987]

We've lost no-one in our pack mate. All of our injuries have been backs - Webb, Halfpenny, Davies, Walker and Allen. We're at full strength in the pack.

Your front row has a slight edge possibly but it's pretty close on the basis of your warm up games and Fiji. Locks we have parity, AWJ is unreal and Charteris is a workhorse. The best of both would see AWJ and Launchbury together. And like you said, the back row has an edge. In backs its even stevens really, I reckon it will be dominated by defence in that regard.

It's all about who fronts on the day for this one, it is simply to close to call. The Twickenham factor may get England over the line. I think both coaches (well at least Gatland will) will have something new up their sleeve. Really hope he plumps for Tipuric and Warburton and tries to play at pace and dominate the breakdown, although I doubt it.

You have Sam Lee who hasn't played for 6 months ? And Paul James, Aaron Jarvis and Sam Lee went off again this recent weekend . James and Lee have thigh problems and Jarvis has hurt a rib . That's a few problems in the forwards if you ask me . Especially when imo Francis is a decent club player with the stamina of a fat kid with asthma

 

[TobesHodges]

I'm shocked Ford has been dropped, mainly because changing 3 midfield players for a big game is very risky, personally I would have just put Slade at 13.
Not to concerned that Farrell is 10 he's changed his game a lot since Ford has come in, takes the ball far more flat now, to accommodate the lack of flair and starting to develop his running game and of course is imperious off the boot..

Looking forward to seeing Burgess finally play against some proper centres the him and Roberts collisions will be fun.

My theory on Barritt is for the sake of Burgess, he's going to have Farrell one side and Barritt the other, two guys who are top defensive organisers and will really help Burgess defensively, my only conclusion to Barritt 13 selection..

Expect to see a lot of winger moves with Burgess and Barritt decoying and occasionally hitting Burgess, I imagine in attack they will switch, but stay as they are in defence..

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

When BBC name the team, it's almost never wrong and they only pick it up when it's basically confirmed.

Ditto the Telegraph.

I don't think SL really does mind games, but it really does make you wonder why he'd be giving the Welsh the chance to prepare and maybe revise their selection. Unless it initially leaked by accident?