[2015 Six Nations] Wales vs England (Round 1)

[goodNumber10]

If I ever write forum bingo for this place, Eastmond's defence and stats are definitely going on the card.

LOL! indeed.

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also this gets a lol!:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Snookroy">@Snookroy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BathBytes">@BathBytes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/blocks2u">@blocks2u</a> <a href="http://t.co/5Glyg3Y7TL">pic.twitter.com/5Glyg3Y7TL</a></p>&mdash; Swingabitlower (@Swingabitlower) <a href="https://twitter.com/Swingabitlower/status/563247179104780288">February 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

why is twitter not embedding?

 

[HowieLO6]

pretty much... haven't read the book (read excerpts), keep meaning too... is it good?

Yes, its exceptionally good. You'll also realise that while sabremetrics can be applied readily to games like baseball (made up of a series of singular events) it doesn't work quite so well to dynamic sports, such as American Football and rugby.

 

[brumtom]

 

[TommiG88]

I'm bloody nervous for tonight, I hope for a good performance!

 

[Mumbles119]

Yes me too.

If it wasn't for the extra that Wales bring because it's England. And the fact of being in the millennium, on a Friday night, opening game with a partisan crowd. I think this could be a match on equal (ish) terms. Especially if you match up player by player, the talent equals itself out.

But, Wales also have the advantage of cohesiveness and supposedly a clearer game plan and strategy. Compared to England's newly formed partnerships (again).

In my heart, England can win, by 5.
In my head, Wales will force England to make too many errors and take the win, by 8.

 

[glawsfan]

I think Wales have the stronger team on paper and having home advantages means they are favourites. However if the English pack can get the upper hand I can see it turning into a close game. I still think the lack of a traditional 7 will cost us. I preferred the Saxons back row to the one we have tonight tbh much more balanced and effective.

 

[Willodell100]

I think Wales have the stronger team on paper and having home advantages means they are favourites. However if the English pack can get the upper hand I can see it turning into a close game. I still think the lack of a traditional 7 will cost us. I preferred the Saxons back row to the one we have tonight tbh much more balanced and effective.

I agree with you, I would still like to see a traditional 7 in the team but I have actually changed my mind a little on this with regards to the modern game.

Teams tend to target these players around the breakdown. I know in the past England would target McCaul and George Smith when attacking to make sure they were less effective.

The difference for opposition sides and specifically Wales tomorrow is who do they target? Not only do we have Robshaw but also Haskell and Cole who are both excellent over the ball. I would argue Haskell has improved so much in this area I would be more worried about him than Robshaw if I was Welsh. To add to this I've been watching Billy Vunipola at Sarries this season and he is extremely strong and very technical now over the ball.

And who so we need to target? It's Warbuton. They're is no other real threat in their side. Jenkins used to be very good but he has lost that speed around the park that made him excel in this part of the game.

So in hindsight I think what I perceived as a weaknesses is actually one of our major threats.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[SharksFan86]

Finally it is match day !

I think both sides are evenly matched and if we stay strong and don't make mistakes and give away too many penalties then I think we can sneak a win and our forward pack are always the strong point of our game.

Come on England.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'm hoping our centre pairing with ford rip it up but have a slight worry after watching jamie Roberts destroy burrell a few weeks ago

 

[Patchey]

As usual, I'll be drunk during the match so I'm going to take this opportunity to apologies for anything I say later...

Still think England by a margin of a penalty or two. Key will be keeping our starting tight five on for as long as possible and actually trying to create some space for JJ. Do both those things and we'll be fine.

 

[SharksFan86]

Ford should definitely utilise kicking game tonight, turn wales around a lot with a good chase and force errors plus don't get bored of doing it !

 

[bw245]

Being an Irish fan, it's not often I want England to do well. However, Wales are extremely cocky at the moment and most of it is all talk. I reckon, if England are focused, patient and disciplined, they can beat an excited Wales.

 

[wayevs]

Being an Irish fan, it's not often I want England to do well. However, Wales are extremely cocky at the moment and most of it is all talk. I reckon, if England are focused, patient and disciplined, they can beat an excited Wales.

Yo Paddy.
Don't confuse cockiness with confidence, we have every right to be confident our home patch as would england at HQ.

 

[jaffka]

Beers in the fridge, curry going to be ordererd.

Really looking forward to this and hope England come through. It's a difficult ask though.

 

[bw245]

Yo Paddy.
Don't confuse cockiness with confidence, we have every right to be confident our home patch as would england at HQ.

Yes, be confident. If you're not confident there's not a chance. However, there's a difference between cockiness and confidence. It's mainly the welsh media, to be fair, who are being cocky.

It's gonna be a great match. Reckon whoever wins this will be in contention for the championship.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Yo Paddy.
Don't confuse cockiness with confidence, we have every right to be confident our home patch as would england at HQ.

Well that's a great way to join the forum. When England do it, it's arrogance and cockiness, when Wales do it it is pride or just confidence. Heard this so many times now.

 

[profitius]

From an Ireland point of view I don't know who I want to win. lol Its usually Wales but they've probably an easier run of game than England. It'll be a good game either way. Plenty of sub plots too.

 

[wayevs]

Yes, be confident. If you're not confident there's not a chance. However, there's a difference between cockiness and confidence. It's mainly the welsh media, to be fair, who are being cocky.

It's gonna be a great match. Reckon whoever wins this will be in contention for the championship.

Well the Scrum V panel this week gave a fair and balanced assessment of the game imo the general consensus is that wales will win in a tight game even jerry guscott conceded that Wales would win by 5 so I'm not sure where this arrogance is coming from?

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I'm in the same boat with the Italy v Ireland game tomorrow part of me would like to see the azzuri get a home win , I do like an underdog

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Well that's a great way to join the forum. When England do it, it's arrogance and cockiness, when Wales do it it is pride or just confidence. Heard this so many times now.

Hey thanks rancher.
A England rugby and arrogance go hand in hand don't they

 

[MojoPin]

Well the Scrum V panel this week gave a fair and balanced assessment of the game imo the general consensus is that wales will win in a tight game even jerry guscott conceded that Wales would win by 5 so I'm not sure where this arrogance is coming from?

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I'm in the same boat with the Italy v Ireland game tomorrow part of me would like to see the azzuri get a home win , I do like an underdog

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Hey thanks rancher.
A England rugby and arrogance go hand in hand don't they

Scrum V is the exception but look at somewhere like WalesOnline/Western Mail - chock full of really irritating 'journalism'. Honestly if I was any other nationality looking at that website would make me hate the Welsh too.

As for the team itself, not cocky as a majority IMO. Most players when pressed have just said something along the lines of 'England are never weak and should not be underestimated. We've trained well, we're at home and we think we can do it if we get things right.' Gatland and the other coaches like to spark comments but that's their business - my focus is on the players and IMO this current team is one of the most down-to-earth, genuine and talented sides Wales have ever seen.

Really excited for tonight - going to be a tense game and I wouldn't ever rule England out but obviously my heart hopes for Wales. Watching with one of my best mates who is English, let a good time be had by all!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Well that's a great way to join the forum. When England do it, it's arrogance and cockiness, when Wales do it it is pride or just confidence. Heard this so many times now.

English Arrogance is the theme of TRF for the months of February and March, I would like to start it but I'm never quite quick enough, well done I like your style!

Anyway, this is one of the two international games, the other being vs South Africa depending on line ups, that I want England to win! I think they should win, whether they do or not is up to them and Lancaster. I also have a slight suspicion Wales will be under-cooked, over emotional and prone to choking.