[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 2: Wales vs England (11/02/2017)

[MojoPin]

I really feel for Cuthbert - he's a devastating runner in his prime, but he's suffered for form and shouldn't have been called up at all. Just wish he could be left alone at the Blues for a season so he can get going again, start from zero and earn his place. But he gets called up on past glories and that's what's holding him back, IMO. But the current Welsh management value experience over form, so if this happened I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.

As we head into this game I get more of a sense that we're just not going to be able to overcome this England team. Really hope I'm wrong, but I just can't see us getting enough momentum with Biggar at the helm, especially if he's less than 100% fitness-wise. However, I think if our back row of Warburton, Moriarty, Tipuric and Faletau can dominate their contests then our chances increase exponentially and that's where the heart of our victory will lie.

 

[smartcooky]

The law doesn't specify 1m..

When you see the word "near" in the Law book, it literally means "within 1m"

REFERENCE: World Rugby Laws 2016 - Page 7

Near: Within one metre.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Fair enough.

 

[anderton46]

Screw rob howley. How many times has Cuthbert underperformed now. His experience is in being below international standard. That isn't the experience we need.

He had possibly the worst game I've seen someone have a few months ago against Leinster. He's not in form. Give Steff Evans or Hewitt a run out. We are probably losing anyway.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Apparently Hewitt is out with concussion but Steff Evans should be starting if North isn't fit. Honestly getting bored of discussing Howley not giving people chances as it is literally every team selection he refuses to see past 'experience'. Wales rugby is going backwards at the moment and the joke is that it's not through lack of young talent but stale management at the top.

 

[Jakedood]

Apparently Hewitt is out with concussion but Steff Evans should be starting if North isn't fit. Honestly getting bored of discussing Howley not giving people chances as it is literally every team selection he refuses to see past 'experience'. Wales rugby is going backwards at the moment and the joke is that it's not through lack of young talent but stale management at the top.

This is making me really excited to see him showing the Lions new, innovative, creative attacking patterns this summer

 

[Thingimubob]

Guys, this is far too civilized for a Wales vs England thread...

On Cuthbert, yeah I feel bad for the guy, but he is simply not playing well enough at either club or international level to continue starting for Wales. His form for the Blues has been meh at best this season (and the season before), so he's not even the best winger at the Blues let alone in the whole of Wales!

It's utterly baffling that they'd keep Steff Evans in the squad then overlook him in favour of Cuthbert! Experience simply isn't an excuse when Cuthbert has time and time again failed to show the form he once had. I'd much rather us give an on form young player a chance to show if he can handle the pressure of a game like this rather than fall back to a guy who hasn't had a really good game for Wales since June 2014, and hasn't been on any sort of consistent form since 2013..

 

[Peat]

there is never any pressure on cuthbert, it doesnt matter how poor he is, he still gets into the wales camp and into the 23 regardless.

Funny because its true. Well. Funny if you're not Welsh.

 

[TommiG88]

I really question the selection of North and Biggar. Biggar was in a lot of pain last week, he will be even more tentative this week to protect his ribs. He gets caught in the first 5, you are left with a rookie fly half for the rest of the game.

Same goes for North, he limped over the line and was looking seriously uncomfortable. You could end the first half 2 injuries down in the backs.

 

[AzaMatt]

Funny because its true. Well. Funny if you're not Welsh.

well its either laugh or cry

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ford, Farrell and Daly are gonna have a field day kicking it into Cuthbert's corner.
I think he'll probably start well but one messup and his head drops and the rest of the game is awful. I'd feel for him if he weren't playing against us tomorrow

 

[AzaMatt]

McBryde did name drop Evans and Cuthbert in an interview just now

"We have got contingency plans in place, we have got Steff Evans and Alex Cuthbert in the squad as well."

although im sure this is just to please the masses.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Does Cuthbert actually like Rugby?

I swear all he does is sulk around. Maybe he got the idea back in 2012 - 2013 that all his job would consist of is crossing the try line. Then when it turned out he might have to do a bit more to pull his weight, I don't think he liked that.

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Also, who the crap is Cory Hill?

To be honest, I'm glad Thomas Young won't be involved. I know some people think I overrate him but for wasps I've lost count of the number of times we've needed a pick-up, someone to do something special, win a turnover or break the line, and he's gone and done it.

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I really hope Courtney Lawes can bulk up at some point and do something about his terrible carrying. Right now, Lawes trying to carry the ball against a defensive line is akin to throwing a rash of bacon at a front row forward and hoping it will make him fall over. I know he makes up for it in other areas but if he gets turned over because Wales get momentum counter-rucking, then its absolutely not worth it at all.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Now WOL is suggesting that decisions on North ans Biggar might not take place until an hour before the game. A bit of gamesmanship there?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Ugh. My advice to England would be to assume it's North and Davies, then be pleasantly surprised if it's not!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I really hope Courtney Lawes can bulk up at some point and do something about his terrible carrying. Right now, Lawes trying to carry the ball against a defensive line is akin to throwing a rash of bacon at a front row forward and hoping it will make him fall over. I know he makes up for it in other areas but if he gets turned over because Wales get momentum counter-rucking, then its absolutely not worth it at all.

I think its part bulk, but more bad technique.

Major pinch of salt time....according to today's Torygraph Lawes is 18 st 1lb, the same as Hughes & Launch. Only Cole is heavier at 18 8. Itoje is listed at 17 4 (didn't someone on here say they didn't want him in the back row as he'd been bulking up for lock?) with Clifford just a pound lighter. Marler's at 17 11 with the diminutive Hartley at 16 10.

Wales have Francis bang on 19 (yeah yeah and the rest), Ball at 19 3 and A-WJ at 19 10.

Sphericals springs to mind.

 

[dullonien]

This is rubbish. If they are that touch-and-go, then don't select them because they're clearly not right. Either that or risk them going off in the first 5 mins, leaving us short or cover, or having terrible games because they're tentative over their injuries, or they pick up a worse injury and are ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

If Cuthbert starts then I give up! I also feel sorry for him, but none of the criticism is undeserved, he's been absolutely shocking for far too long. Having a strop because things aren't going his way isn't what you want from a professional player. Send him back to Cardiff RFC etc. in the Premiership and let him work his way back up, because he's not regional standard atm.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I think its part bulk, but more bad technique.

Major pinch of salt time....according to today's Torygraph Lawes is 18 st 1lb, the same as Hughes & Launch. Only Cole is heavier at 18 8. Itoje is listed at 17 4 (didn't someone on here say they didn't want him in the back row as he'd been bulking up for lock?) with Clifford just a pound lighter. Marler's at 17 11 with the diminutive Hartley at 16 10.

Wales have Francis bang on 19 (yeah yeah and the rest), Ball at 19 3 and A-WJ at 19 10.

Sphericals springs to mind.

Don't know about the other stats but Hughes is at least 19 stone. As for Cole...well you wouldn't know it by the way he carries! I think its literally all his stomach.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I don't think it's lack of size concerning Lawes but poor technique. So Wales are still unsure if one of their players will make it. I don't see why they didn't name Steff Evans earlier then if fit have North of the bench.

 

[mkersyshull]

What would be great is if Lawes can learn a thing or 2 about carrying from Picamoles at Saints (as well as the likes of Harrison and Gibson).