[2015 RWC] Pool A: Wales vs. Uruguay (20/09/2015)

[AzaMatt]

Baker was a bit disappointing. He doesn't seem to have been half the player since his injury. Maybe what you say is good enough reason to start Moriarty at 8 to give flat out a rest. Either that or start warbs at 8 and tips at 7, that sounds a fun mix.

Would be a very interesting combo if that were to happen

 

[matydickydido]

 

[tompaton7]

These are the teams I'd pick for both games, starting with Uruguay:

1. Paul James, 2. Scott Baldwin, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Luke Charteris, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Ross Moriarty, 9. Gareth Davies, 10. Dan Biggar, 11. Hallam Amos, 12. Scott Williams (c), 13. Cory Allen, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 15. Liam Williams, BENCH: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Gethin Jenkins, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Bradley Davies, 20. James King, 21. Lloyd Williams, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Matthew Morgan

We need a mix here. Otherwise there will be disharmony in the squad, with players getting no minutes at all the entire tournament. My plan for the back row is to stun England with, Warburton to 6, Tipuric at 7 and Taulupe at 8. This combination should only be for this game. We should try run England off the park. Obviously the same thing won't work against Fiji and Aus so we'll change tact by bringing Lydiate in for those games. There are a few players I think will start all group games; Lee, Biggar, Scott Williams and Liam Williams. I reckon there'll be a rotation at 9 for the Fiji game, possibly bring in Phillips. I also reckon Amos and Cuthbert are battling for the right wing spot for the English game.

So depending on performances the team I would pick against England would be:

1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Scott Baldwin/Ken Owens, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Alun Wyn Jones, 5. Luke Charteris, 6. Sam Warburton (c), 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 9. Gareth Davies, 10. Dan Biggar, 11.George North, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Scott Williams, 14. Hallam Amos/Alex Cuthbert, 15. Liam Williams, BENCH: 16. Scott Baldwin/Ken Owens, 17. Paul James, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Bradley Davies, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Matthew Morgan.

I personally prefer Baldwin, but it could go either way. On the bench, Moriarty for me would be a better impact than Lydiate and Phillips' experience will count for a lot off the bench. I also really hope Amos does well v Uruguay, cause Cuthbert hasn't a clue.

 

[TobesHodges]

Just a shame theres nobody in our group called Holmes to go up against. The headlines write themselves

This!

 

[MojoPin]

These are the teams I'd pick for both games, starting with Uruguay:

1. Paul James, 2. Scott Baldwin, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Luke Charteris, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Ross Moriarty, 9. Gareth Davies, 10. Dan Biggar, 11. Hallam Amos, 12. Scott Williams (c), 13. Cory Allen, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 15. Liam Williams, BENCH: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Gethin Jenkins, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Bradley Davies, 20. James King, 21. Lloyd Williams, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Matthew Morgan

We need a mix here. Otherwise there will be disharmony in the squad, with players getting no minutes at all the entire tournament. My plan for the back row is to stun England with, Warburton to 6, Tipuric at 7 and Taulupe at 8. This combination should only be for this game. We should try run England off the park. Obviously the same thing won't work against Fiji and Aus so we'll change tact by bringing Lydiate in for those games. There are a few players I think will start all group games; Lee, Biggar, Scott Williams and Liam Williams. I reckon there'll be a rotation at 9 for the Fiji game, possibly bring in Phillips. I also reckon Amos and Cuthbert are battling for the right wing spot for the English game.

So depending on performances the team I would pick against England would be:

1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Scott Baldwin/Ken Owens, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Alun Wyn Jones, 5. Luke Charteris, 6. Sam Warburton (c), 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 9. Gareth Davies, 10. Dan Biggar, 11.George North, 12. Jamie Roberts, 13. Scott Williams, 14. Hallam Amos/Alex Cuthbert, 15. Liam Williams, BENCH: 16. Scott Baldwin/Ken Owens, 17. Paul James, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Bradley Davies, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Mike Phillips, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Matthew Morgan.

I personally prefer Baldwin, but it could go either way. On the bench, Moriarty for me would be a better impact than Lydiate and Phillips' experience will count for a lot off the bench. I also really hope Amos does well v Uruguay, cause Cuthbert hasn't a clue.

Yep, this all sounds good. I'd be tempted to put Warburton on for a spell in the first game though - as a replacement for Tips in place of James King perhaps. Agree with Baldwin vs England too - very solid in every area and Owens makes such a good impact sub, we want him fired up and trying to make a statement as the games open up!

 

[tompaton7]

Yep, this all sounds good. I'd be tempted to put Warburton on for a spell in the first game though - as a replacement for Tips in place of James King perhaps. Agree with Baldwin vs England too - very solid in every area and Owens makes such a good impact sub, we want him fired up and trying to make a statement as the games open up!

Reason I've put King in there is cause I doubt he'll get time against any of the other teams. That said you could say the same for Dominic Day, so it's tough to gauge. You could go with Day and Ball for 40 and then bring in Davies as well for attacking impact. Baldwin is definitely our best hooker in my opinion, his throwing is nothing short of outstanding and he's got immense work rate.

 

[MojoPin]

Anyone know when the squads are being announced for this one? Guess it's got to be tomorrow now as Wales have had their daily press conference already?

 

[AzaMatt]

Anyone know when the squads are being announced for this one? Guess it's got to be tomorrow now as Wales have had their daily press conference already?

I thought it was going to be today but I guess not. It'll have to be tomorrow as it cannot be less than 48 hours before kick off, at least I think that's the rule

 

[ncurd]

Trying to mess around with everyone's fantasy teams

 

[MojoPin]

Trying to mess around with everyone's fantasy teams

Haha exactly, in 3 leagues this year and I need to win at least one of them dammit!

 

[ABs2015]

Trying to mess around with everyone's fantasy teams

Haha, yeah, that's my problem right now. People are gonna wanna stack their team with the Welsh boys given their opposition. SO what time (UK time) are game day squads being announced over there? I'm gonna have to get up early and complete my squads before the Eng Fiji game kicks off!

 

[The Jones Boy]

This should be a cricket score

 

[dullonien]

Apparently it's going to be a mostly second string Wales team. No Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts or Gorge North.

My brother in law couldn't remember the whole side (he was talking to one of the players last night in a school awards thing).

I hope it's the right thing to do. Don't want to be undercooked going into the England game, especially with England having a tough opener against Fiji to get up to speed!

 

[AzaMatt]

Apparently it's going to be a mostly second string Wales team. No Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts or Gorge North.

My brother in law couldn't remember the whole side (he was talking to one of the players last night in a school awards thing).

I hope it's the right thing to do. Don't want to be undercooked going into the England game, especially with England having a tough opener against Fiji to get up to speed!

i can understand resting AWJ, but leaving biggar and north out would be crazy. biggar gets the backline moving (although priestland used to be awesome at it) and we definitly need North to rack up the points. Amos can of course get some tries in but by no means the finisher North is

 

[SelimNiai]

Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Paul James (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Sam Warburton (Captain, Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby)

 

[TommiG88]

Interesting team selection to say the least.

Some big hits come in on Priestland and he'll lose his bottle in my opinion. You'll still thrash them!

 

[AzaMatt]

Interesting team selection to say the least.

Some big hits come in on Priestland and he'll lose his bottle in my opinion. You'll still thrash them!

It's strange that Matthew morgan seems to be covering full back and number 10 for this game. Although I'm assuming Amos could switch to full back should williams and priestland come off

 

[TommiG88]

It's strange that Matthew morgan seems to be covering full back and number 10 for this game. Although I'm assuming Amos could switch to full back should williams and priestland come off

Gatland won't risk Williams for 80mins. So Morgan is going to replace him with Priestland playing the whole game.

I still can't get my head around selection, if Wales go on to beat England he'll be hailed a genius however if it comes down to points difference, England won't be resting players against Uruguay.

 

[AzaMatt]

Gatland won't risk Williams for 80mins. So Morgan is going to replace him with Priestland playing the whole game.

I still can't get my head around selection, if Wales go on to beat England he'll be hailed a genius however if it comes down to points difference, England won't be resting players against Uruguay.

I don't think we'll struggle to get points though, with Scott williams Amos and Liam williams we should pile them on. don't see why North was left out though, he'd have a field day against them, I'd even be tempted to switch him to inside centre for the 2nd half although now we don't have wing cover unless morgan has trained there as well

 

[TommiG88]

I don't think we'll struggle to get points though, with Scott williams Amos and Liam williams we should pile them on. don't see why North was left out though, he'd have a field day against them, I'd even be tempted to switch him to inside centre for the 2nd half although now we don't have wing cover unless morgan has trained there as well

Yes, I still think you'll punch through the 40 point difference mark with ease, however I can see England and Australia putting 70-80 on just for the fact that we won't be resting our best players unless they have a knock. North would have destroyed this team on the counter alone.