[2019 Six Nations] Wales vs England (23/02/2019)

[MikeTheNative]

I''m expecting Wales to attack the breakdown which is something England have struggled with in the past and not something they have really faced so far. As for England's great defence, so far, I would expect Wales to kick quite a bit, high in the air at Daly. Then with ball in hand, surely the ball is going go wide, Parkes should be used as first receiver to get Ansocmbe in the wider channels where he can attack England's outside defence.

 

[spartan32]

I''m expecting Wales to attack the breakdown which is something England have struggled with in the past and not something they have really faced so far. As for England's great defence, so far, I would expect Wales to kick quite a bit, high in the air at Daly. Then with ball in hand, surely the ball is going go wide, Parkes should be used as first receiver to get Ansocmbe in the wider channels where he can attack England's outside defence.

We had our first game against arguably the best breakdown sides in the NH, and totally nullified that part of their game. So I'm not sure Wales will get any more ground out of that than Ireland did.

 

[TW27BA]

Happy with that England 23.
Glad to see Teo and Hughes missing as neither add much when they are on the pitch.

I hope Genge and Big Joe get more than a few minutes on the pitch too.
Games are running out to see what they can do before the RWC.

 

[spartan32]

For Wales to take this I think they will have to come out very hard in attack from the off and hope to catch England cold. Manage to get 10 points on the board early and England will be under pressure to respond. Brute force however is not going to get that job done and Wales will need real guile in attack otherwise they will find themselves walking into hard hits from the likes of Lawes, Manu, Curry and only going backwards. So far I've seen little from this Welsh team that would suggest they possess said Guile but maybe they've been saving it all for England.

 

[spartan32]

Also very happy with the England team. And great to see Big Joe on the bench over Teo.

 

[bushytop]

With the current injuries I feel that 23 is there or thereabouts the best selection. Interesting to see Hill selected considering that Beard has been AWJ's consistent partner since the autumn... expecting a decent performance from him as a statement to say that he should be a consistent starter.

Am worried about Anscombe as although he does create tries he also makes some stupid errors and decisions... and he isn't quite a test level kicker (though I would be just as concerned if Biggar was selected but for different reasons).

Gareth Davies and Hadleigh are both 'due' performances (basing that on the fact that they are both top players but have been pretty average for the majority of this season... so law of averages would suggest it's gotta happen at some point).

Ideally, I may have gone with Nicky Smith at starting LH due to his defensive work but if we can get Rob consistently carrying ball it may well work out more effectively.

... and no offence to Moriarty (nor Navidi depending on who would then be picked at 6) but a fit Faletau would add a helluva lot to that back row. I still rate each player highly though, so still hopefully of the unit performing well.

It doesn't get 'much' tougher than this Saturdays test match (an England team in 'this' kind of form) but we normally perform well when we know that we'll have to.

 

[Which Tyler]

Saw this on twitter just now, have those line ups been confirmed or just a guess atm? Either way, really interesting to see the players' first clubs:

Even though it's wrong; I love that.

As for the team - much as expected really.
Moon vs Genge is a bit of a coin toss; but I'd have to agree with Eddie - Genge just offers more impact than Moon from the bench - but I want him on the pitch for >30 minutes! Of course, there's also a good argument to be made for starting Genge to get as many minutes into him as possible ahead of the RWC.
Shields vs Hughes is the closest thing we have to a cripple fight at the moment - I'd far rather someone like Clifford, Mercer, or even Robshaw or t'other Curry. Both players seem to be picked based on reputations earned years ago - though I guess it's fewer years in Shields' case (though that could be countered that at least Hughes has shown international form whilst north of the equator - just not since he's been eligible for England).
Coka vs Te'o is an absolute no-brainer for me; also wants >30 minutes though. I'd have been tempted to start Coka - on the principal of having him play as many minutes of international rugby as possible before going to Japan; but I fully understand the reticence; and that it would be excessively harsh on Nowell to do so.

 

[oj121]

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (C), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Reps: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin.

No Tomos Williams in the squad at all, I think it was the right call to start G Davies but I don't think A Davies deserves his the place on the bench above Tomos. As expected really although I'm surprised to see Lewis on the bench over Lee. It's the decent team but they are going to have to play out of their skin to beat England continue their from so far.

Edit-

Have just seen that Tomos Williams and Lee are injured

My nan is a quicker more mobile 9 than Aled Davies and shes been gone 10 years! I hope to hell he doesnt get gametime!

 

[Scotty]

Im happier with anscombe than biggar. He's good in attack but is he experienced enough to handle the pressure and linespeed that england has been producing. If we can get ti him then i think we will have this one comfortable, if he steps up then it will be a contest. We have to be the favourites if we play and defend to the level we have been.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Wales' starting XV is pretty reasonable, but the bench does concern me.

 

[MarkyH]

The roof will be open. Weather looks nice for the weekend anyway, so no real need to shut it.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I cant wait to see the Manawatu derby at 12! Watkins unfortunately didn't really put his hand up last time out. I think the 9-10-12 is therefore probably the best available for Wales (which is a little worrying) and I like the back line and the back row selections. I dont think Gatland could have picked much better. I think he realises he needs tries to stand any chance here and he has gone with the most mobile players in various positions to try and achieve that. However:

England by 9

 

[japitts]

Whats the deal with the roof? Dont both sides need to agree to it? If our kicking game is on point same as vs france and ireland then take away the weather factor and then our kicking should be pin point all game, shoulf help us as much as them.

Not saying i want it shut but if it is or isnt im not fussed.

Others may have already said.. outwith the 6-Nations, home team decides. Within the 6N, both teams agree otherwise default is open.

 

[Pom in Exile]

It's times like this that I'm reminded to be thankful that this bloke is retired

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Aaand to the surprise of absolutely nobody, roofgate has kicked off again, because apparently wanting to keep the roof open on a mild day is proof of how scared England are and the 2 year shitstorm being kicked off across the Severn is apparently proof that the Welsh don't actually care about the roof.

It really is getting ridiculous, the Principality stadium hosts many games with the roof open but it's only when England come that they decide to make an issue of it.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Aaand to the surprise of absolutely nobody, roofgate has kicked off again, because apparently wanting to keep the roof open on a mild day is proof of how scared England are and the 2 year shitstorm being kicked off across the Severn is apparently proof that the Welsh don't actually care about the roof.

It really is getting ridiculous, the Principality stadium hosts many games with the roof open but it's only when England come that they decide to make an issue of it.

Scots got loads of attention last year when they wanted it open despite a rain forecast, the later decided to close it.

Its something that always gets attention in 6 nations games because the away side are more or less given the choice of having it open or closed.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Just take the damn thing off entirely and stick it on Snowden. Is there any other Rugby stadium with a roof?

 

[oj121]

But surely the home team should decide if they want it open or not. Its their stadium. I think the big issue is visiting teams get the final say which I think is BS. I dont care if its open or closed but if the home team decided I dont think there would be that big a clamour about it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Leave it open for all competitive games,
If they wanna play friendlies inside then whatever, but don't mess with the real shiz

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I reckon Wales should get to choose, it hardly makes a difference, they're generally far worse in Autumn when the choice is theirs.