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

[Bada-Bing!]

Surely Slade should come in for Joseph if the latter is injured.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

As impressive as Slade is, there's only one warm up game to base that off of on the int'l stage. JJ is a massive loss however you cut it: whether he scores or not, teams seem to put a lot of resources into dealing with him and allows the wings some room.

I'm not frightened yet, but that will change as soon as Gatland confirms Warbs and Tipuric to start. The breakdown is the biggest problem we have and the other teams know it. Hooper and Pocock are warming up for it tomorrow.

 

[TobesHodges]

Barritt 12, Burgess at 13, Burgess hits the dummy run ball behind to Barritt, jinks past scotty waves as he sprints past cuthbert, outragous side step around williams, runs backwards to the try line.. what are we worrying about?

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

As impressive as Slade is, there's only one warm up game to base that off of on the int'l stage. JJ is a massive loss however you cut it: whether he scores or not, teams seem to put a lot of resources into dealing with him and allows the wings some room.

One warm up game, two against the Barbarians, and another two for England Saxons against the Wolfhounds, if I remember correctly.
Agree with what you're saying though.

 

[ncurd]

Slade in for me it just make the amount of sense in playing structure and sticking to the plan.

Breaking several forum rules if it ends up Farrell/Barritt/Burgess

 

[Lé Ddanno]

One warm up game, two against the Barbarians, and another two for England Saxons against the Wolfhounds, if I remember correctly.
Agree with what you're saying though.

Ahh. Cheers. He does act way above his experience as well, which is reassuring.

And Ncurd has nailed it as far as I'm concerned, but I would send Barritt home in a heartbeat anyway, particularly after Fiji, so yeah. Shush Danno.

 

[Willodell100]

Slade in for me it just make the amount of sense in playing structure and sticking to the plan.

Breaking several forum rules if it ends up Farrell/Barritt/Burgess

Very good point. A lot of moving parts/juggling in the back line to take out Ford & Joseph and to bring in Farrell & Burgess and shift Barritt out one.

Also if we are talking about international experience being an issue Barritt has played only 3 matches at 13 in any type of rugby which must be a concern.

Slade has played there most of this season for Exeter (& some of the last) and has played at 13 twice at international level.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Think how limited JJ's intenrational experience was at the start of the last 6N and now in less than a year is considered nailed on 13. Imagine if we hadn't given him the chance and had instead gone for some crummy conservative selection. We would have missed a real talent yet again. Slade has taken every opportunity he has been given and has not put a foot wrong. He has shown some sublime skills that can't be taught and I don't think his lack of experience will be a problem. Having a new player at 13 is less of a risk in my eyes than having a midfield that is so pathetic in attack that Wales can completely ignore it and thus shut down our wings or our forwards.

 

[Willodell100]

Think how limited JJ's intenrational experience was at the start of the last 6N and now in less than a year is considered nailed on 13. Imagine if we hadn't given him the chance and had instead gone for some crummy conservative selection. We would have missed a real talent yet again. Slade has taken every opportunity he has been given and has not put a foot wrong. He has shown some sublime skills that can't be taught and I don't think his lack of experience will be a problem. Having a new player at 13 is less of a risk in my eyes than having a midfield that is so pathetic in attack that Wales can completely ignore it and thus shut down our wings or our forwards.

I couldn't have said it better myself and entirely agree.

My fear is that SL et al only picked JJ in the 6N after a number of injuries pushed them into picking him.

I feel this management are conservative by nature but during a World Cup this is enhanced even more where defence is king!

 

[Peat]

EDIT. The telegraph are reporting that a combination of Farrell, Burgess and Barritt was used in training today.

I think my face just went the same colour as an England shirt.

 

[TobesHodges]

EDIT. The telegraph are reporting that a combination of Farrell, Burgess and Barritt was used in training today.

I think my face just went the same colour as an England shirt.

 

[Mattybuck]

Has to be Slade at 13 for me otherwise why have him in the squad. Long term I see him as England's 12 with JJ at 13 as he has the full skill set.

Breakdown a key area as discussed and England forwards will have to play with a real intensity to nullify it.

Don't think it will be a close game, as I think one of the sides will turn up and do a job, as has happened on last three occasions.

- - - Updated - - -

I also find the Eng scrum situation quite frankly bizarre. It's gone from being one of our biggest threats to be a weakness. I'm hoping this is because they, being props are taking longer to recover from the training pre tournament, or am I just being unfair...

It just doesn't make sense!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I think my face just went the same colour as an England shirt.

The dude ain't lying. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...es-while-George-Ford-faces-World-Cup-axe.html

Barritt at 13? Why?

 

[Mattybuck]

I'm a massive Burgess fan, but I'd keep Brad at 12. He is there to do a job, which he usually does very effectively, so I'd stick with him. This Sam is still an impact player for me...

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Call me a bitter and twisted Bath fan, but I've always suspected that given the chance SL would drop Ford for Farrell. He had no choice but to pick Ford, who then did so well, but now an opportunity has arisen I'd expect to see wee George dropped.

Big mistake in my book, but what do I know....

 

[martinspoonboy1]

I'm come to the conclusion that JJ is the worst loss we could have had (arguably apart from Robshaw
as he's captain). In every other position there is a decent alternative. Massive loss.

 

[ZeroTwo]

I'm come to the conclusion that JJ is the worst loss we could have had (arguably apart from Robshaw
as he's captain). In every other position there is a decent alternative. Massive loss.

The worst loss would clearly be Dave Tennison, the England kit man. Unless you want them all to play in their pants?

 

[Peat]

I'm come to the conclusion that JJ is the worst loss we could have had (arguably apart from Robshaw
as he's captain). In every other position there is a decent alternative. Massive loss.

Pedantically would say Brown but elsewise, yeah.

Burgess-Barritt makes me feel happier than Barritt-Burgess mind. Burgess has been stronger at 12 than at 13, for England Barritt's been better at 13 than 12, and Burgess would be lost at sea defending 13.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Pedantically would say Brown but elsewise, yeah.

Burgess-Barritt makes me feel happier than Barritt-Burgess mind. Burgess has been stronger at 12 than at 13, for England Barritt's been better at 13 than 12, and Burgess would be lost at sea defending 13.

I think watson at FB would be a great alternative with Nowell moving to wing.

 

[Aristodemus]

I'd rather keep Brown too but there is no doubt losing JJ is a big blow. I will b eager to see how Burgess gets on though, if he has a big game he could slot in with JJ for the Australia game.

 

[g6mcg]

The dude ain't lying. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...es-while-George-Ford-faces-World-Cup-axe.html

Barritt at 13? Why?

Anyone else think Lancaster's folding under pressure?