England V Wales - 29th May

[TRF_Olyy]

Goode's positioning was terrible when he started vs France pre-worldcup, and his lack of pace was exposed massively when he was out of position. France had a field day kicking behind our defensive line knowing Goode would get nowhere near.

 

[TobesHodges]

So what will the England team be this weekend? And will Wales play a full compliment consider none of there players have any finals..

 

[Maverick1987]

Unions are hypocrites but in the case of England in particular they need as much money as possible to keep themselves financially dominant and holding power over the clubs so they don't get a situation like there is in France. If they start selecting expat players they start to lose grip.

The thing is with England I highly doubt Chris Robshaw earned much less than someone like Steffon Armitage once all the England pay packets had been added on . There's no real need for English players to leave and play in France unless it's to do with the culture . If they are one of the best players in the country they will get the money irrespective . I'm not sure you are correct in saying they need the money to keep the clubs whipped it's more a case that whilst the RFU has plenty of cash they can keep a happy medium with the clubs . The next big thing for Nigel Melville to work on is the gap between the premiership and the championship imo (if that's in his job description) I'm guessing it is, that's the best way to drive up standards in the country .

 

[Jimbo87]

Is Nowell that much quicker than Goode certainly doesnt look it at times?

 

[Maverick1987]

Is Nowell that much quicker than Goode certainly doesnt look it at times?

Not THAT much I suppose but can do way more with half a yard of space

 

[Peat]

Is Nowell that much quicker than Goode certainly doesnt look it at times?

Probably not and plenty of people throw bricks at Nowell over it as well.

People's issues with Goode are a lot more than just pace.

 

[Patchey]

Team up. Thoughts?

 

[MrTea_32]

Would have liked to have seen daly get a run out at 13. Harrison at 7.

 

[ncurd]

Have we said goodbye to Robshaw or is he injured/out and I missed it?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

A 6 at 7 and a 7 at 6
#justenglandthings

 

[Thingimubob]

Ha so much for a super weakened England team :lol: Even without Sarries and Exeter players you can still put out a very good side. Damn you all and your annoyingly large player depth!

Wales team announced at 11am I think! Be interesting to see what Gatland goes for.

 

[Patchey]

It's a pretty dynamic back row, though would be more so if Kvesic was starting. I hope he gets some serious time for Haskell.

Quite interested to see how our second choice lock pairing goes. I feel faintly ridiculous saying that Lawes/Berry is our second choice but there you go...

Never been sold on Burrell at 12 internationally.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Yep pretty good England team. As others here have said bit strange that Harrison and Haskell are playing 6 and 7 and not the other way round.

 

[Raggs]

Clifford has mostly played 7 at quins I believe, Harrison played a lot of 8 (though is a 7 more than that), and Hask has played across the backrow, but only really excels when given a fixed role for a run of games, and has been running at 6.

So a 6 at 7, a 7 at 8 and a 7/8 at 6....

I still suspect that Eddie looks for straight line speed with regards to who wears the 7 shirt, and that's the part that determines who's 6 and who's 7. As odd as his running style is, Hask can still cover ground.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Kvesic is never going to get a proper go with England is he.

Unless he adds some physicality to his game I guess

 

[Thingimubob]

Wales Team to face England.

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Ross Moriarty, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau.


Reps: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Josh Turnbull, James King, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe.

More or less full strength first XV (bar injuries / French based players) with a couple of slightly more fringe squad guys on the bench than normal. No Bradley Davies is interesting! Anyone know if he has an injury?


However, seriously what is the point of having Priestland and Anscombe both on the bench?! We'll learn bugger all again about Anscombe's ability to play 10 at the international level. As a Blues fan it's getting incredibly frustrating to see Gatland / WRU insist the Blues play Anscombe at 10, to the point where one of our most talented local products (Patchell) has been forced to leave, and yet Wales always put him on the bench as 15 cover? Daft.

 

[Raggs]

Successive coaches haven't picked him now, and he's seemingly right down the pecking order here too.

 

[johnmac99]

I should imagine that Kvesic will play a part against Wales esp. as he is the only backrow replacement.

Barring injuries he'll get 15/20 minutes and that's when he needs to show Eddie what he's got.

 

[Raggs]

Bradley Davies played last week, and has played a lot recently, perhaps just giving him a break in favour of giving some of the guys who haven't played in a month?

 

[AzaMatt]

Wales Team to face England.

Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Ross Moriarty, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau.


Reps: Kristian Dacey, Gethin Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Josh Turnbull, James King, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe.

More or less full strength first XV (bar injuries / French based players) with a couple of slightly more fringe squad guys on the bench than normal. No Bradley Davies is interesting! Anyone know if he has an injury?


However, seriously what is the point of having Priestland and Anscombe both on the bench?! We'll learn bugger all again about Anscombe's ability to play 10 at the international level. As a Blues fan it's getting incredibly frustrating to see Gatland / WRU insist the Blues play Anscombe at 10, to the point where one of our most talented local products (Patchell) has been forced to leave, and yet Wales always put him on the bench as 15 cover? Daft.

totally agree, i cannot see the point of having both considering priestland is unlikely to be selected as a 'wild card' next year. im hoping that this time anscombe does come on in place of biggar for at least the last 30. priestland can cover full back. although it would have made more sense to have a winger on the bench, if liam williams gets injured, Amos can move to full back then put the winger in his place. only then need anscombe/priestland to cover 10. as anscombe has been getting a good run of games at 10 for the blues this should be an indication he will start to cover 10 for wales but as youve said it hasnt so far!

- - - Updated - - -

Bradley Davies played last week, and has played a lot recently, perhaps just giving him a break in favour of giving some of the guys who haven't played in a month?

i think we're giving him a rest as you've said. charteris/davies will be partnering AWJ for the test's where as Jake Ball will likely not so this gives him a good run out whilst not risking AWJ's partner. its risky playing AWJ but he needs the gametime so thats understandable