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

[Peat]

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

The big issue for me is that there's a lot of players playing in brand new units. A Ford-Burrell-Joseph unit reads pretty good on paper if everyone's on top form, but none of them have played with the man directly outside and inside them and that's going to cause issues. Not big issues, but there's a lot of places in the team with this sort of problem, and it starts to add up.

I don't think we're in the poop, but the injuries means we're definitely not the favourites.

 

[j'nuh]

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 became his nation's first-choice tighthead at 21. Cole, Healy, Corbs were all 22 when that happened. The only other prop that I can find that managed such a feat was Owen Franks, I believe.

So yeah, I reckon our scrum will probably be munched a few times over the next decade thanks to him.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Spot on, Peat.

Lee/Sinckler combo on the next Lions tour is going to be insane.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

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.

This entire post is hilarious.

 

[Draggs]

He became his nation's first-choice tighthead at 21. Cole, Healy, Corbs were all 22 when that happened. The only other prop that I can find that managed such a feat was Owen Franks, I believe.

So yeah, I reckon our scrum will probably be munched a few times over the next decade thanks to him.

I'll be honest, I didn't think Lee would be anything more than a decent prop, someone who could handle himself and not fall over every scrum. I was worried considering Andrews, Jarvis, (Rhodri) Jones all were flops essentially, while Mitchell couldn't stay fit and Adam on his way out. Also keep an eye out for Nicky Thomas at the Ospreys next season.

 

[Maverick1987]

He became his nation's first-choice tighthead at 21. Cole, Healy, Corbs were all 22 when that happened. The only other prop that I can find that managed such a feat was Owen Franks, I believe.

So yeah, I reckon our scrum will probably be munched a few times over the next decade thanks to him.

The age that they break into the first team could be as much there isn't anyone else rather than they are phenomenal .

Not saying that Lee is this just an observation in general

 

[Maverick1987]

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.

Welcome to the forum Mr. Gatland

Anyone know when the England team gets announced ?

 

[SharksFan86]

Welcome to the forum Mr. Gatland

Anyone know when the England team gets announced ?

Sky Sports News mentioned earlier it will be Wednesday, don't think that will change ! I would hope Lancaster knows his team already though.

 

[goodNumber10]

Welcome to the forum Mr. Gatland

Anyone know when the England team gets announced ?

Wednesday

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

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.

Not controversial, just pure rubbish. Most of that Welsh team were there last year where you got pretty soundly beaten by England. It's becoming common for some Welsh to think you have the best players in all positions, you don't.

Cole>Jenkins
Attwood>Ball
Robshaw>Warburton
Joseph>Davies
Brown>Halfpenny

 

[j'nuh]

Not controversial, just pure rubbish. Most of that Welsh team were there last year where you got pretty soundly beaten by England. It's becoming common for some Welsh to think you have the best players in all positions, you don't.

Cole>Jenkins
Attwood>Ball
Robshaw>Warburton
Joseph>Davies
Brown>Halfpenny

To be fair, I reckon he'd have had more England players in front had there not been a few injuries. My comparison (gonna compare looseheads together and tightheads together instead):

Marler > Jenkins
Hartley < Hibbard
Cole > Lee
Kruis < AWJ (Launchbury = AWJ)
Attwood > Ball
Haskell < Lydiate
Robshaw = Warburton
Vunipola = Faletau (but Morgan > Faletau)
Wigglesworth < Webb
Ford < Biggar
May > North (come at me)
Twelvetrees < Roberts
Joseph = Davies (but Tuilagi > Davies)
Watson > Cuthbert
Brown = Halfpenny

Individually, the players are actually quite equal in my books. However, I think doing this understates the value of players compared as units. The Welsh advantage in the half-backs could be game-winning, and I also think that the Welsh backrow is much better balanced and that the physicality in defence through the backline will be much higher. Meanwhile, I don't think it encapsulates the advantage that England have in the set piece, the pressure put on by the pack and the (imo) stronger bench.

 

[Aristodemus]

I'd take North over May any day of the week. Ford over Biggar too. Other than that I pretty much agree, would call hookers even though and I haven't seen much of Lydiate recently but he would have had to have great form to get the nod over Haskell (I think he has been outstanding for a year or so now).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, I'd take Haskell over Lydiate, who's been mostly uninspiring since about the 2011 RWC.
I'd also say Hartley = Hibbard atm. Hibbard isn't at his best, and I feel that Hartley is quite underrated (probably due to his discipline issues).

 

[yaboyjj]

I think that Vunipola can be a more influential/destructive player than Faletau (who tends to go missing)
Lydiate is a one trick pony, and while the Hask is not a box of magic tricks, he does offer a better carrying/jackal threat
However I have to say that when on form, Warburton is probably a better player than Robshaw (at least at doing a 7 impression)

 

[big ginger 8]

Lee/Sinckler combo on the next Lions tour is going to be insane.

As part of Furlong's fan club?

 

[ratsapprentice]

As part of Furlong's fan club?

:lol:

Thnx but no thnx.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd say the same about Sinckler, tbf.
Brookes and Wilson are, and will be, better. Dan Cole is still a few years away from prop-peak-age, if he stays fit, too.

 

[j'nuh]

Hibbard's throwing can be somewhat weak (but not terrible), but he actually offers something in the loose. Hartley's fit enough to get around and make some tackles, but he doesn't actually do anything of note in most games he plays. Hibbard's crunching tackles win for me.

I think Haskell suffers from being lost in a sea of generalists; his skill set too broad and none of his traits are distinguished enough for international level especially when he is surrounded by players like him. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing how he goes, because his form might make things different for him this time. Lydiate is also apparently in good form too, but is much more of a specialist 6 for me. When Lydiate functions, our players get cut down behind the gain line. I think he's the biggest threat to our carrying game, and him being in form worries me.

 

[Maverick1987]

What time is the team announcement ?!? I've been watching sky sports news for an hour now lol

 

[goodNumber10]

What time is the team announcement ?!? I've been watching sky sports news for an hour now lol

Wednesday is Tomorrow mate.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31084351