[2025 Six Nations] Wales vs England - 15/3/25

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[MarkyH]

Rest some players for their clubs. Give game time to the kids. It's only Wales

 

[Mumbles119]

Rest some players for their clubs. Give game time to the kids. It's only Wales

Not a chance.

England have shown small progressions, but injury disruptions, unclear coaching and tactics make this game crucial for building success.

Wales currently have a redemption drive happening, with players more focussed and confident. Their drive will be massive to finish the tournament and complete the redemption with a home game win, and to do this against the hated enemy makes for a perfect fairytale.

I am more nervous about this game than any other so far.

 

[MarkyH]

Not a chance.

England have shown small progressions, but injury disruptions, unclear coaching and tactics make this game crucial for building success.

Wales currently have a redemption drive happening, with players more focussed and confident. Their drive will be massive to finish the tournament and complete the redemption with a home game win, and to do this against the hated enemy makes for a perfect fairytale.

I am more nervous about this game than any other so far.

I'll level with you. I wasn't being serious

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Stop the BP Wales, you know you want to.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

All the talk of the Welsh resurgence is overblown. They ran Ireland closer than expected, but took huge advantage of the card period (fair play to them for doing so but otherwise looked pretty ordinary).

Vs Sco they were woeful until Sco removed their half backs with the game and BP in the bag. Again, fair play for glossing the scoreboard, but they weren't competitive when it mattered.

And all this stuff on the Cardiff effect and being the only game that matters for the Welsh. Well, maybe a little bit, but this isn't the 1970s.

From an England perspective, I want to see nothing less than an authoritative performance. That does not necessarily mean a hammering on the scoreboard or chucking the ball about, but rather just doing the right things and playing smart, intelligent rugby. Failing to win though would be a real step backwards.

 

[Jakedood]

I'm genuinely surprised a team hasn't been leaked yet

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I'm genuinely surprised a team hasn't been leaked yet

Some of it has in the last hour! Roebuck in for Sleightholme

 

[Jakedood]

Some of it has in the last hour! Roebuck in for Sleightholme

I guess they're expecting an aerial bombardment, Sleightholme did struggle vs Scotland but I thought overall he looked impressive ball in hand on Sunday so a tough break for him

 

[Jakedood]

Telegraph are reporting that Freeman to centre, Roebuck to the wing but no mention of Sleightholme.

Curious how this pans out, with the outside chance Daly is kept on the wing and Smith at FB

 

[Welsh Exile]

All the talk of the Welsh resurgence is overblown. They ran Ireland closer than expected, but took huge advantage of the card period (fair play to them for doing so but otherwise looked pretty ordinary).

Vs Sco they were woeful until Sco removed their half backs with the game and BP in the bag. Again, fair play for glossing the scoreboard, but they weren't competitive when it mattered.

And all this stuff on the Cardiff effect and being the only game that matters for the Welsh. Well, maybe a little bit, but this isn't the 1970s.

From an England perspective, I want to see nothing less than an authoritative performance. That does not necessarily mean a hammering on the scoreboard or chucking the ball about, but rather just doing the right things and playing smart, intelligent rugby. Failing to win though would be a real step backwards.

Hey Scotland had a yellow card advantage against us you know and had 1 suspect try.

I don't think you're really wrong in what you say, though. However I would question your statement saying Welsh resurgence is overblown, I mean, it could be depending on who you speak to, Wales certainly aren't "back" but I think people forget how bad we really were under Gatland. We weren't even able to compete with Itay and you'd have your house on Georgia beating us and probably wouldn't feel confident going up against Portugal so to put in the performances we have (admittedly only 2nd half against Scotland) is undoubtedly a resurgence but I concede it's not anything to get excited about in terms of getting us back to where we should be, yet.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I guess they're expecting an aerial bombardment, Sleightholme did struggle vs Scotland but I thought overall he looked impressive ball in hand on Sunday so a tough break for him

He was still poor in defence and under the high ball, though

I really like Sleightholme but we're not playing a game suited to his strengths at all - usually I'd say only play one of Freeman/Roebuck on the wings, but it makes sense to put Roebuck in with our current gameplan

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Telegraph are reporting that Freeman to centre, Roebuck to the wing but no mention of Sleightholme.

Curious how this pans out, with the outside chance Daly is kept on the wing and Smith at FB

Unless I have gone completely mental, that article has changed. I'm sure it said Sleightholme out before...

Anyone able to check?

 

[Geordie]

Telegraph are reporting that Freeman to centre, Roebuck to the wing but no mention of Sleightholme.

Curious how this pans out, with the outside chance Daly is kept on the wing and Smith at FB

9 Mitchel
10 Fin Smith
11 Sleightholme
12 Dingwall
13 Freeman
14 Roebuck
15 Daly / Smith - One who doesnt start is on the bench

 

[Jakedood]

Unless I have gone completely mental, that article has changed. I'm sure it said Sleightholme out before...

Anyone able to check?

Yep it seems looking at the comments they updated the article after posting, you're not insane just yet

 

[Which Tyler]

Yep it seems looking at the comments they updated the article after posting, you're not insane just yet

Two things can both be true.
It's entirely possible for NMB'sS to be insane AND for the article to have been edited.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Ruck are reporting a Torygraph article. Not sure which version they're using, but saying:

Mitchell
F
Roebuck
Dingwall
Daly
Freeman
M

Guess we'll find out later.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I guess they're expecting an aerial bombardment

Freddie time!

 

[Half Pint]

At the Principality, with the roof closed, against England, and with one last 6N chance to prove themselves, and a 16-game losing streak to get off their back ... Wales are dangerous.
Home side will want an open running game, and England really need to be targetting a bonus point (even though a win isn't in the bag), so it'll likely be high-scoring.
I predict seven tries in the match, but whoever scores the first one will win. And Freeman will complete his record of scoring in each game of 6N.

 

[BPM]

All the talk of the Welsh resurgence is overblown. They ran Ireland closer than expected, but took huge advantage of the card period (fair play to them for doing so but otherwise looked pretty ordinary).

Vs Sco they were woeful until Sco removed their half backs with the game and BP in the bag. Again, fair play for glossing the scoreboard, but they weren't competitive when it mattered.

And all this stuff on the Cardiff effect and being the only game that matters for the Welsh. Well, maybe a little bit, but this isn't the 1970s.

From an England perspective, I want to see nothing less than an authoritative performance. That does not necessarily mean a hammering on the scoreboard or chucking the ball about, but rather just doing the right things and playing smart, intelligent rugby. Failing to win though would be a real step backwards.

I agree. However, I would not want to underestimate our ability to be awful.