England vs Wales - 06/08/2011 - RWC Warm Up

[TRF_Olyy]

Investec International
Twickenham Stadium
August 6th 2011
14:30
Referee: Steve Walsh (AUS)

​

[TABLE="class: grid"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]England[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Wales[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Delon Armitage[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]Rhys Priestland[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Matt Banahan[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]George North[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Manu Tuilagi[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Jonathan Davies[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Riki Flutey[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Jamie Roberts[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mark Cueto[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Shane Williams[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jonny Wilkinson[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Stephen Jones[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Danny Care[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Mike Philips[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]James Haskell[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Toby Faletau[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lewis Moody (c)[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Sam Warburton (c)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tom Croft[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Dan Lydiate[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tom Palmer[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Alun Wyn-Jones[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Simon Shaw[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Bradley Davies[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Matt Stevens[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Craig Mitchell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dylan Hartley[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Huw Bennett[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alex Corbisiero[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Paul James[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lee Mears[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]Lloyd Burns[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]David Wilson[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]Ryan Bevington[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mouritz Botha[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]Luke Charteris[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tom Wood[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Ryan Jones[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Richard Wigglesworth[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Tavis Knoyle[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Charlie Hodgson[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Scott Williams[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Charlie Sharples[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]Morgan Stoddart[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

​

Only a week to go, I'm excited!​

 

[cyRil]

Steve Waaaaaalsh, whyyyyyyyyy??!!!

 

[SelimNiai]

Walsh is the WORST referee there is at the moment. Why does no-one in the IRB realise this

 

[big ginger 8]

Is the Welsh scrum back for this game?

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I hope anybody reading this thread isn't bored of Walsh-bashing yet: The man's an idiot and shall no doubt ruin the game. Nonetheless, let's hope Wales can emerge from the wreckage the better team. Although save something for the return game, as I'll be there with two English mates and the train home shall be unbearable otherwise.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm really interested to see what side England put out, I think one of the two matches will be quite experimental
I'd love to see this team at some point:

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Stevens
4. Lawes
5. Palmer
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Waldrom
9. Youngs
10. Hodgson
11. Cueto
12. Flutey
13. Tuilagi
14. Sharples
15. Foden

Thompson, Cole, Botha, Haskell, Simpson, Wilkinson, Simpson-Daniel

Won't happen though, I reckon the "experimental" side we'd see would be our 6N XV with maybe Botha on the bench, maybe a start for Wilko, and probably Banahan and Tuilagi in the centres at some point (probably not together though)




I hope Johnson names his team the day after Wales do, because if the Wales front row are back together then he should start:
1. Stevens, 2. Thompson, 3. Cole
17. Corbisiero

 

[dullonien]

Is the Welsh scrum back for this game?

Yeh, the Welsh scrum will be strong. Whether or not it includes Gethin Jenkins from the start, I'm not sure.


This should be a good game. It's now or never (well not before the WC) really for this Welsh team to start clicking.

There's gonna be some interesting selection calls from Gatland in this game. I'm sure he'll want to give gametime to a few returning players such as Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams, but I wonder if he'll also be looking to try a few combinations to help finalise his final 30. I personally think we'll see a very close to full-strength side, along with Henson at 12 to see if he can continue his comeback. Not sure who'll start at 10, possibly Hook to see if he can grow into the position before the WC. Stephen Jones will never let us down, and could easily step back in if things with Hook don't go too well. I'd like to see Knoyle or Williams at 9, but I think Gatland will give Phillips all the gametime he can afford to try and get him back on form. So something like:

Gethin Jenkins - Matthew Rees - Adam Jones
Bradley Davies - Alun-Wyn Jones
Dan Lydiate - Sam Warburton - Toby Faletau

Mike Phillips - James Hook
Gavin Henson - Jamie Roberts
Shane Williams - Lee Byrne - George North

This could be a cracking game...

Edit. Well I hope Gatland names his team the day after England, because if England selects Cole at 3, then Gatland should go for Paul James, as he's already got the better of Cole on a couple of occasions in the past.

 

[JW.]

Why play Hodgson? He's not worldclass flyhalf material as he has proven on many occasions. I'd like to try out Wilko and Youngs toghether and see how they play toghether? I'd also have Tuilagi coming on for Tindal in the second half, see how he goes.

If I was Gatland I'd field my best team and try and get some kind of connection toghether. If England field a second string team Wales could win this if they play there best or close too that I think England should win by 15 points.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Meh, Hodgsons recent performances for England have been good enough to warrant a start at 10 in the warmups
He's a better distributer than Flood or Wilkinson, was the best goal kicker in the prem, and his defence is no longer a problem at all (would say he's as good as Flood in defence)

Start him because what if Wilko gets crocked in one of the matches, and we send Hodgson along to the WC with very little experience recently?
There's three matches, we've got three flyhalves, start one in each

 

[dullonien]

Why play Hodgson? He's not worldclass flyhalf material as he has proven on many occasions. I'd like to try out Wilko and Youngs toghether and see how they play toghether? I'd also have Tuilagi coming on for Tindal in the second half, see how he goes.

If I was Gatland I'd field my best team and try and get some kind of connection toghether. If England field a second string team Wales could win this if they play there best or close too that I think England should win by 15 points.

If Wales play close to their best, then they will probably win this game, even against England's top side (well unless England also play close to their best, then it'd be one hell of a match!) I don't think England will win by 15 points, tbh I'm not sure the last time the points difference was that high, probably the same fixture 4 years ago! Since then all games have been very close, at either Twickenham or the MS, and I expect the same again this time. Alot depends on the teams both coaches pick, but if either selects a 'second strig' side, they will loose.

With both sides at full strength England should edge it at home, with Wales edging the return fixture, but Rugby is rarely as cut and dry as that, so we'll have to see..... Wales' ongoing improvements up front will guarantee that we're competative imo unlike when Jenkins sent a bunch of 3rd rate players out to get a pounding. Whether or not we can push for a win will come down to how the backs go, our weak link recently.

 

[j-dawg]

Would love Jonno to send out some creative combinations, not actually the world cup team but a team good enough to allow certain players to prove their worth. Thinking about the warm up only, mine would be...

1. Stevens - needs game time in the elite to show us some form of old
2. Hartley - Experienced enough to allow England to compete
3. Paul-Doran Jones - Really not sure about him but we'd find out as is the purpose of these matches
4. Lawes - Definatley needs some international game time
5. Palmer - The only real 5 lock England have
6. Robshaw - Would love to see what he can do
7. Moody (c) - Experienced and needs international game time
8. Haskell - Dying to see an explosive 8 with size in the pack
9. Youngs - Experienced enough to ensure England compete at the breakdown
10. Wilkinson - form has been outstanding for Toulon, if he can carry it over for England we should all be incredibly happy, but only one way to find out...
11. Strettle - Not seen alot of him at all, although starting this match would change that
12. Tindall - It would be considered treason to drop him, plus he may well be coming off a gigantic morale boost
13. Tuilagi - Want to see what he can do
14. Ashton - Hes going to get in anyway after all isn't he?
15. Foden - No other fullback for England is worthy enough to lace his boots. I would kill myself if Armitage got a starting role in even a warm up match.

This is just what I would like to see for a warm up match. It definatley isn't what the starting world cup squad will be. If anyone thinks Dan Cole and Tom Croft won't be starting maybe they should quit rugby.

 

[TVH11]

Gethin Jenkins - Matthew Rees - Adam Jones
Bradley Davies - Alun-Wyn Jones
Dan Lydiate - Sam Warburton - Toby Faletau

Mike Phillips - James Hook
Gavin Henson - Jamie Roberts
Shane Williams - Lee Byrne - George North

Gotta say thats a cracking team if they click, although i hope if Phillips plays, he'll actually remember how to pass. I think Gatland will play Henson in every game, he's itching for him to find form, and i hope that Henson will repay the faith with some solid performances. If our first XV is fit (arguably the above is our best 15 players), then to me thats a great side. Have been waiting for these WC Warm ups for ages, glad its less than a week away Looking forward to seeing our Back-row again, thought they functioned well in their last outing, and should be interesting to see the shade of Gav's tan too

 

[JW.]

Would be very happy if this was the England team! I might start Thompson instead of Hartley see how he goes, bring Wilson on in the second half so we can compare him with Doran-Jones. And Wilkinson with Youngs .

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, I'd be happy with that team too -though as JW. said, I'd start Thompson as well - I'd also start Sharples or JS-D over Strettle, they're both much much better

I don't think Moody is our best option at 7, however he'll be captain for the WC and he needs game time
I'd jizz my pants if Robshaw started

I also think we'll see Stevens feature in all three matches, either starting or off the bench:
a) To get him more game time
b) He's not lost a match since returning from his ban, so that'll help

 

[Teh Mite]

Depressing to think the backs will be that stale when some many good players have been ignored or ruined over the past few seasons. Wilkinson, Strettle, Tindall and Tuilagi wouldn't be anywhere near mention, let alone the other crap like HMS Banahan, Hape or Armitage

Aye, I'd be happy with that team too -though as JW. said, I'd start Thompson as well - I'd also start Sharples or JS-D over Strettle, they're both much much better

I don't think Moody is our best option at 7, however he'll be captain for the WC and he needs game time
I'd jizz my pants if Robshaw started

I also think we'll see Stevens feature in all three matches, either starting or off the bench:
a) To get him more game time
b) He's not lost a match since returning from his ban, so that'll help

6. Croft
7. Wood
8. Crane
20. Robshaw.

Seemples.

 

[JW.]

Who would be playing in there positions and why? Wilkinson is still a great player and Tuilagi is an exciting prospect?

 

[j-dawg]

Aye, I'd be happy with that team too -though as JW. said, I'd start Thompson as well - I'd also start Sharples or JS-D over Strettle, they're both much much better

I don't think Moody is our best option at 7, however he'll be captain for the WC and he needs game time
I'd jizz my pants if Robshaw started

I also think we'll see Stevens feature in all three matches, either starting or off the bench:



a) To get him more game time
b) He's not lost a match since returning from his ban, so that'll help

I totally forgot about Simpson-Daniel. I would start him for the next game with other experimental players. For the final game I would pretty much, more-or-less pick the team I would want to take to the world cup to see if they click.

 

[Teh Mite]

Who would be playing in there positions and why? Wilkinson is still a great player and Tuilagi is an exciting prospect?

If it were based on form Strettle wouldn't be in, Sharples and JSD would be elevated above him in the pecking order (and for that matter, maybe Cueto and Ashton).
If Tait, Allen, Hipkiss & Clarke were given the runs they should have been 4 years ago (instead of the continued perseverance of Noon and Tindall), England would have a tip top centre pairing with bag loads of experience by now. Instead of underpinning their hopes on foreign wonder-kids. Or over-rated mungoballers with crap knees.
Had Geraghty been given the chance at 10 when he was in the form of his life 2 years, instead of being shoehorned at 12 to accommodative golden ******** throughout the Autumn, England could have found themselves a magnificent playmaker by now. Instead, they reverted to type.

I'm astounded Foden hasn't been dropped yet to bring back Balshaw (fairly amazed he was given a chance in the first place). Or they haven't pulled Catt & Robinson out of retirement yet.

 

[dullonien]

Aren't you just full of joy Mite

 

[JW.]

JSD has been given chances at international level but his defence lets him down, as was shown again against the barbarians. Tait got injured after 2007 (when he was great) and lost his form, you can hardly blame the England management for that. As for Hipkiss he 2 got injured and lost his form, couldn't retain his 13 spot at clublevel. Allen has had some chances at international level but never seemed to handle that level very well. Gegarghty can't even hold his own spot for Northampton at the moment, and he was given chances for England, Flood played better.
Ashton easily deserves his spot in the starting 15. And Queto just gets it on experience and recent games for England.

I'm a big fan of not having 2 big centre's, but I don't think England have got a better option at the moment, (we haven't got a Catt or a Guscott.) They defend well and provide a solid platform for our back three to run off, as shown vs Australia.