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

[IT157]

Freak selection. Seriously wtf.

Why is Bcurry dropped for a child. Why is Willis benched. Why is Ford in 23. Why is Daly on the wing and Freeman at 13. Why have we got 1/5th of the locks we had 5 years ago.

Wales are bad, sure, but this is the level of disrespect that gets you a punishment beating.

Ben Curry is starting. I don't understand this comment. Because Pollock is on the bench?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Jeez.

3 10s, two of whom don't play any other position

4 7s

Both locks are excellent but hybrid 6s really. Chessum arguably our first choice 6.

A total, not especially tall, non lock covering from the bench

A wing at 13

Last week's starting 15 who played at 13 now at 11.

Mitchell is the only back who started the Ireland game in the same shirt.

Wal have just been given a sniff. And back on my hobby horse they wouldn't have seen this coming, so why announce so early?

It'll annoy @BPM, but I almost want us to lose this now.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Ben Curry is starting. I don't understand this comment. Because Pollock is on the bench?

Oh it's Bcurry? My bad, missed him

Four 7s, three 10s it is then

 

[Crash Hamster]

Oh it's Bcurry? My bad, missed him

Both Currys

 

[IT157]

Really excited that Roebuck gets a chance.

 

[Geordie]

I have a feeling Ford might be retiring.

I agree this is his farewell game.

So expect a barnstormer when he comes on

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Both Currys

Think I was too busy staring in amazement at the backs

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Oh and George was clearly given the starting shirt last time out so he could have a nice moment in the sun with his daughter. Not sure if I love that or it just makes me angry. Given what I think about this selection I think I'll play safe and go for the latter.

 

[OllyM97]

That Bench is just weird. We should have enough to beat Wales but if it's tight going into the last 20 minutes I think it swings in their favour. 3 back row options on the bench with none of them being established 2nd row cover is odd.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I agree this is his farewell game.

So expect a barnstormer when he comes on

I still want him in the squad, he's got the makings of a phenomenal coach and any experience he can gain or impart to the team is valuable

 

[Crash Hamster]

That Bench is just weird. We should have enough to beat Wales but if it's tight going into the last 20 minutes I think it swings in their favour. 3 back row options on the bench with none of them being established 2nd row cover is odd.

Based on the evidence of last week, our lock cover this week isn't even the first choice back rower who can cover lock.

If we're being polite (and I mean really, really polite) we could say that this team selection has generated a few talking points.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I still want him in the squad, he's got the makings of a phenomenal coach and any experience he can gain or impart to the team is valuable

Fine, but that doesn't justify spaffing £160K up the wall for a central contract.

 

[Crash Hamster]

One week later, 6 of our 7 try-scorers v. Italy aren't playing in the same position they started that game.

Edit: OK, technically the scorers of 6 of our 7 tries...

 

[Lé Ddanno]

One week later, 6 of our 7 try-scorers v. Italy aren't playing in the same position they started that game.

Edit: OK, technically the scorers of 6 of our 7 tries...

It makes less sense the more you look at it

 

[Crash Hamster]

It makes less sense the more you look at it

I have an actual recording of the team annoucement to the squad:

SB: Good game last week lads, scored some good tries, nice to see some combinations coming together, so for this week, I thought 'What can I do to upset that?'

 

[Duct Tape]

I have a feeling Ford might be retiring.

But needs two caps for 100. More likely target?

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

4 7's is wild

 

[Which Tyler]

But needs two caps for 100. More likely target?

Yeah, I suspect that at worst, he'd be moving to France in the Summer, so has this weekend, and Argentina to reach his century.
If he doesn't move to France, I can't see why he'd retire from international rugby, he's still 3rd choice, arguably would be first choice is playing a RWC final tomorrow; and could easily go to RWC27.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I wouldn't be massively surprised if he went abroad after clearly slipping pretty far down the international pecking order, but he's been pretty explicit about the next RWC being a big target for him so I'm not expecting him to call it a day until after that

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Fine, but that doesn't justify spaffing £160K up the wall for a central contract.

To be 100% clear I don't think he should be playing, or on a CC