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

[Maverick1987]

Question: How good is Samson Lee?

I haven't really watched him, but Scrum V seem to have him down as a once in a generation player.
Is he that good?

He looks a decent player to be fair . Props do tend to get better with age . I think scrum v as usual are jumping the gun a bit by saying he's a once in a generation player but he certainly has a lot of potential

 

[yaboyjj]

Scrum V was pretty cringe worthy, there's always a huge amount of self lauding going on in that program, and they seem to have pretty much written off England (not that I expected anything less)

One point of note was the second row dominance they expect to establish- that's hugely underestimating Atwood and Kruis/Kitchener, as it is, Jake Ball is not exactly a proven international operator yet, and as experienced/industrious AWJ is, his work in the tight is inferior to that of Attwood (in rolling maul/scrum).
The front 3 will be pretty even IMO (although a lot depends on Cole), but Hartley is a better line-out thrower than Hibbard.
The point of difference will probably be in the back row, the Hask needs a good game (I don't like the idea of Easter on the bench- he's not up to international rugby, much as I dislike him, Clarke is the better option with Hask covering no. 8).

 

[Maverick1987]

One point of note was the second row dominance they expect to establish- that's hugely underestimating Atwood and Kruis/Kitchener, as it is, Jake Ball is not exactly a proven international operator yet, and as experienced/industrious AWJ is, his work in the tight is inferior to that of Attwood (in rolling maul/scrum).
The front 3 will be pretty even IMO (although a lot depends on Cole), but Hartley is a better line-out thrower than Hibbard.

Honestly if be extremely disappointed if we didn't get the better of the front rows tbh . We will have 2 second rows playing with a lot of ballast and Attwood is one of the best scrummaging locks in England .

Let's look head to head:

Wilson vs Jenkins
Wilson got the better of Jenkins last year and can't see it being any difference this year . Jenkins has made a career of pulling scrums down imo great in the loose but scrummaging not for me

Hartley vs Hibbard
Pretty even imo Hartley better in the line out and marginally better in the scrum Hibbard better around the pitch

Corbisiero vs Lee
Corbs on form with a good second row ballast is equal to anyone in the world in his position . Can see him getting the better of Lee just though experience alone tbh. If Marler starts it will be even on this side of the scrum

I may be wide of the mark but until Saturday I'm sticking by this

Edit: just seen Wilson is injured but Cole isn't far behind in scrummaging terms and has looked good when playing for Leicester . Hopefully he can chip in with 1 or 2 or his trademark turnovers

 

[Patchey]

Wilson out and Cole almost certain to start, Brookes or Thomas on the bench.

 

[Every Time Ref]

I really hope Cole's back to his best in the loose, I reckon the back row will need all the help they can get.

 

[Patchey]

I really hope Cole's back to his best in the loose, I reckon the back row will need all the help they can get.

I find it hard to believe he will be. Long time out injured followed by a return period interrupted by another injury doesn't bode well. I know we've had Corbs walk back into the side and perform before but he's an exception IMO.

Still think we'll have the better right five mind.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

To be fair Cole looked excellent as soon as he came back from his very very long lay off - I'd back him to do the same after a comparatively short time on the sidelines.

 

[Patchey]

To be fair Cole looked excellent as soon as he came back from his very very long lay off - I'd back him to do the same after a comparatively short time on the sidelines.

Yeah he did. But I'd worry that that second knock, that quite literally took him off his feet for a few week, may have disrupted him. He'd had a very long time to get back into shape and be gradually introduced back into training and I'm not sure whether another enforced rest won't have ruined a lot of that good work.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Dan Cole needs his beard back.

 

[goodNumber10]

^this.

More people need beards.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Can a moderator/admin help me move the table to the middle off the page for me as I'm having problems doing it myself thanks.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Dan Cole needs his beard back.

It's a well known fact that more beard = more pushing power.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Helps to balance when squatting.

 

[Patchey]

My beard makes turnovers.

 

[Maverick1987]

I really can't make my mind up about wether we will be in the poop with all these injuries . On one hand I'm thinking it will be ok and give people who actually deserved to play a chance (Attwood and JJ) but on the other hand I'm a little worried about some players . I didn't think I'd ever say this but I'd feel much happier if Barritt could play inside centre

 

[ae15]

Which player on each team would you expect to win head to head?

I think: Jenkins = Cole, Hibbard = Hartley, Lee = Marler, Ball = Attwood, AW Jones > Kruis, Lydiate > Haskell, Warburton > Robshaw, Faletau = Vunipola, Webb > Youngs, Biggar > Ford, Roberts > Twelvetrees, Davies > Joseph, North > Watson, Cuthbert = May, Halfpenny > Brown

I know that it might be a bit controversial as a Wales fan that I think that no England players are better than the Welsh players. But Biggar's experience even though he might not have as much potential as Ford surely means he's the better fly half at this point. Also, I think Halfpenny's in slightly better form than Brown at the moment.

 

[ratsapprentice]

12. Burrell, 13. JJ according to The Express.

If that works, and both players play well, it could be pretty ****ing good TBH.

 

[goodNumber10]

12. Burrell, 13. JJ according to The Express.

If that works, and both players play well, it could be pretty ****ing good TBH.

I literally let out a moan of pleasure at the thought of that midfield tearing it up....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Which player on each team would you expect to win head to head?

I think: Jenkins = Cole, Hibbard = Hartley, Lee = Marler, Ball = Attwood, AW Jones > Kruis, Lydiate > Haskell, Warburton > Robshaw, Faletau = Vunipola, Webb > Youngs, Biggar > Ford, Roberts > Twelvetrees, Davies > Joseph, North > Watson, Cuthbert = May, Halfpenny > Brown

I know that it might be a bit controversial as a Wales fan that I think that no England players are better than the Welsh players.

Ballsack is equal to Attwood?!

Jesus wept.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I literally let out a moan of pleasure at the thought of that midfield tearing it up....

Wigglesworth's sudden leapfrogging of the up-until-now undroppable Care/Youngs combo makes a lot more sense.