But the Irish back row got dominated by the Welsh when they played yet people are happy that Stander and O'Brien got picked. There was only one win between 2-5th so there's no point going round saying one player played better than another in single game. I do however think that Watson should have got in in front of Moriarty.
Winning the possession battle 52-48 and gatting 6 turnovers v Wales' 6 doesn't sound like donination to me!
My opinion on the perceived bias towards Wales (and Waikato, I'm coming for you Payne) is that its there, no Welsh player who hasn't been cted has any right to be disappointed and there's instances where they've been picked ahead of better players.
Halfpenny v Kearney v
Neither
JD2 v Te'o v
Ringrose v Payne v Bennett (Pick 2)
Moriarty v Heaslip v Neither
Biggar v Ford v Russell v Jackson
I've bolded what I think is quite clearly the best option at best I might pick JD2 here, and Moriarty and Halfpenny are the worst options in both their brackets. Considering that not only are better players left at home to make way for the Welsh, there's two cases where they're surplus to requirements, Gatland couldn't convince me this is partial. (I doubt he would, he warned the Scots that they'd get harsh treatment.)
A quick tally of the number of players per position where players can be counted more than once; (Limited to if they've played there in the past 12 months so no SOB at 8 for example)
LH - 3
HK - 3
TH - 3
SR - 5
BFL - 8 (potentially 9, not sure about Lawes)
OPL - 3
8 - 4
SH - 3
OH - 4
IC - 3
OC - 5
Wing - 6
FB - 7...
This squad is carrying one too many 6, 13 and 15 if you ask me, could shave a wing too and not be hurt.
