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

[Zed]

I like the Rugby Pod with Andy Goode and Jim Hamiliton. Goode made an interesting comment this week re a mini coupe d'etat in the England came. Not sure how reliable or credible he is or his source is, but he said that apparently the England boys were upset by the booing in the Scotland game and told SB (diplomatically) they're not having it. And this was the reason for the more expansive game v Italy.

Makes sense. If SB thinks box kicking all day is going to win games, there is nothing that is ever going to sway him from that belief. That's in his DNA..

 

[Welsh Exile]

Dissapointed if that's true. Minimum for me would be Lake, Teddy, Wainwright and Jarrod to come in. Not fussed on wing, but you'd think the player who plays there regularly in Llewellyn would make more sense, although Roberts did OK there v Scotland.

I can certainly see the logic in not looking to change too much, after all, we only just last week started the same 15 in back to back games for the first time in 6 years and 60 odd tests, having said that, one change is enforced and I completely agree that Llewellyn on the wing makes much more sense. I'd be tempted to just play Hathaway personally.

Lake should start but I do like the idea of Wainwright coming on around 45/50min. Ideally I'd have Wainwright starting with a fit and firing Basham on the bench but that is harsh on Reffell who I like and rate a lot. Hes played well to be fair.

 

[Zed]

I just don't get the negativity. I'm starting to think its just because of a dislike of Borthwick.

There's Too much focus on number on the back of shirts. The SH teams don't care. They play players all over.

Yup and have done for years. Giteau was a half back who then went to 12, then back to 10, then 15. Steve larkham was a half back then 10, Beale played 15, 10, 12, same for Quade Cooper. Part of the reason is competitive touch is huge in NZ and Aus. Most rugby players play it in summer and that's where they build their skills. Remember Zinzan Brook throwing 30m spin passes and kick drop goals? Imagine Dean Richards doing that lol.

The issue isn't England playing players out of position, the issue is that those players can't play in other positions. A 10 should be able to play 15. A 15 should be able to play 13.

 

[Booboobang]

I just don't get the negativity. I'm starting to think its just because of a dislike of Borthwick.

There's Too much focus on number on the back of shirts. The SH teams don't care. They play players all over. Most teams do it now. Most players have alround abilities and means they can play many positions.

We also have positions where he just doesn't rate the players or thinks they have areas they need to improve. And I agree with him there. And that's something that will have to begin to be addressed on the summer tour.

He'll have a plan for this game and picked accordingly.

Nah, its more the fact that an opinion based on years of evidence at this point is going to take more than a couple of unconvincing wins with the same glaring issues in most, especially in a year where ireland are down yet still played us of the park with late trys flattering us and france were missing one of their integral pieces the week we played them.

The only differnce between the six nations and autumn is a couple of dice rolls, I am sorry but it will take more than a last minute eliot daly try and 1 point wins against scotland and france to change that, and it most certainly doesnt make me think steve suddenly has the wisdom where his decisions shouldnt be questioned. Would you have this same take if we were 1-3 now? Because the differnce in that and were we are isnt miles, its the same amount of points as a penalty.

 

[Booboobang]

Daly who is best at centre on the wing which has long been his worst position.

I have a feeling this might be aestetic tbh, like lawrence and slade switching numbers yet playing exactly in the same roles come game time. It otherwise makes little sense to move freeman from wing to 13 to bring daly in when you could just put daly at 13.