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

[Peat]

Alun Wyn Jones doesn't speak Welsh?
Would've thought he would, he's certainly got the name for it


You mean Easter? He's the only 8 in the squad, I think?
I'd probably have Haskell over Easter anyway - Last time Haskell was at 8 he did pretty well, and if he can play as well at 8 as he did at 7 in the 6N, then he's definitely a step up from Easter

Bah, I wanted to point out that Haskell's about the nearest thing to an 8 in that squad save Easter - the only other guy who's really got anything there is Chris Robshaw, who played it a fair bit this season.

Also, you underrate Fatboy. And possibly overrate Haskell.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Jonathan Davies, George North, Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate - Wales are fielding almost as many foreigners as England

George North - moved to Angelsey from Hong Kong when he was 3 - educated at Llandovery College.
Dan Lydiate - moved at a similar age to Llandrindod Wells
Toby Faletau - been in Wales since the age of 7
Jonathan Davies - moved to Bancyfelin when young - I played against him at youth level.

... just saying

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thought North went from England to Hong Kong though?

Just pointing out that they all qualified under the same rules that the England players did (rightly or wrongly)

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Thought North went from England to Hong Kong though?

Just pointing out that they all qualified under the same rules that the England players did (rightly or wrongly)

North did ... just saying he went to Hong Kong.

 

[dullonien]

Yep about 10 seems right. England should dominate most of the game.

Why do you think England will dominate most of the game? I think the scrum will be pretty even as Stevens won't get puched around by Paul James, and Mitchell won't get pushed around by Corbisiero. I personally think Wales have the better second-row pairing, with Bradley better than Shaw (Shaw's been a top player, but he's nearing 40 now!), and Alun-Wyn and Palmer being about even. The backrow will be interesting, but I think this is shaping up to be one of the best backrows Wales have had for a long, long time. It is lacking experience, but that didn't stop them playing very well against an awesome BaaBaa's backrow.

Nether set of backs look hugely dangerous, but I know which back three I'd prefer! Afterall, the choice is between one with very little pace and a w***er at fullback, or one with tons of pace, flair and a genius in Shane. Priestland is untested, but has been in great form for the Scarlets, and had big roles in some of the best tries I've ever seen for them. I don't think there'll be much in it in the centres, I think Roberts will man mark Tuilagi out of the game, and probably vice versa. Both Flutey and Jon Davies are skillfull players capable of creating something, however we're yet to see the best of Davies on the international scene, but I think it's only a matter of time untill he translates his awesome Scarlets form. On to the halfbacks. I'm still not sure Wilkinson can cut it propperly on the international stage, but he'll be solid and steady, as will Jones. Scrum half could be where the big difference is if Phillips doesn't up his game considerably.

Overall, pretty evenly matched imo. Home advantage will probably mean a tight England win, but not guaranteed by any means.

 

[JW.]

Wilko showed in the 6nations he's still got it, when he only got 20mins at the end, he'll get better and better as he gets more match time. When are front row plays well they should outplay and outscrummage the welsh front row and if Shaw and Palmer play well they should be better than the welsh. Backrow I think we've got the edge but not 100% sure I'll see tommorow. Halfbacks well Care and Wilko they should easily outplay Jones and Phillips on recent form. This all depends alot on if England play well and that will al depend on if we can secure our breakdown well and get fast ball, and get ourselfs on the frontfoot. Really hoping Flutey and Tuilagi have a big game they're up against it, put if Flutey can regain his old form and J.Roberts doesn't we should win the midfield battle 2. Back3, Queto will be solid and hopefully have some nice runs. Banahan up against S.Williams expect high balls and crashballs and some nice offloads. And then Armitage hope he just has a solid game, doesn't deserve to be there.

But alot of people out there will be fighting for a spot on the plane, some for a starting spot should be enough motivating for a great game?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Why do you think England will dominate most of the game? I think the scrum will be pretty even as Stevens won't get puched around by Paul James, and Mitchell won't get pushed around by Corbisiero. I personally think Wales have the better second-row pairing, with Bradley better than Shaw (Shaw's been a top player, but he's nearing 40 now!), and Alun-Wyn and Palmer being about even. The backrow will be interesting, but I think this is shaping up to be one of the best backrows Wales have had for a long, long time. It is lacking experience, but that didn't stop them playing very well against an awesome BaaBaa's backrow.

Nether set of backs look hugely dangerous, but I know which back three I'd prefer! Afterall, the choice is between one with very little pace and a w***er at fullback, or one with tons of pace, flair and a genius in Shane. Priestland is untested, but has been in great form for the Scarlets, and had big roles in some of the best tries I've ever seen for them. I don't think there'll be much in it in the centres, I think Roberts will man mark Tuilagi out of the game, and probably vice versa. Both Flutey and Jon Davies are skillfull players capable of creating something, however we're yet to see the best of Davies on the international scene, but I think it's only a matter of time untill he translates his awesome Scarlets form. On to the halfbacks. I'm still not sure Wilkinson can cut it propperly on the international stage, but he'll be solid and steady, as will Jones. Scrum half could be where the big difference is if Phillips doesn't up his game considerably.

Overall, pretty evenly matched imo. Home advantage will probably mean a tight England win, but not guaranteed by any means.

Agree with most of that really. England won't dominate at all. I think we may have the edge in the scrum however because of stevens and shaw behind adding some extra grunt but not in a big way whatsoever. Wales probably edge it in the locks although personally I think palmer is as good as old bradley. Butshaw hasn't been great for a while so I'm worried about that. Backrow is the most interesyting contest imo and its fairly even but this could be where its won, especially if england can get quick ball to care who has played very well recently and gives much better service than philipps in the first place.

Problem for me is that our backline could be pretty innert with wilkinson at 10 and for me wales are way ahead with their back 3.

 

[TVH11]

No dissing Falatau! When i first heard him speak i had a hell of a shock, proper welsh twang on him =P

Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

 

[JW.]

If you remember the 6nat, Wilko was the one who put some go forward in our attack in the last 20mins, when flood was failing. I think he'll do great.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

JJ Williams unhappy at Sam Warburton's captaincy role

 

[Peat]

People seem confused about Delon Armitage's moral standing with his ability as a rugby player. On form, he is international class and would pose a genuine selection problem for Johnson. In one team training photograph, Foden's wearing 14...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The vests are just numbered rather than positions
I've seen one of Wilko with the No.8


As Dullonien said, I don't think England will dominate at all
Teams are fairly even when you look at them,
Corbisiero vs Mitchell - Probably even
Hartley vs Bennet - Hartley
Stevens vs James - No idea, Stevens is getting better each match, but James is a good scrummaging prop - I'll call that a draw
Shaw vs Davies - Davies
Palmer vs AWJ - Probably even, though if I were picking between the two I'd pick Palmer
Croft vs Lydiate - I'd say Croft
Moody vs Warburton - Warburton
Haskell vs Faletau - Hard to say, as Faletau is a relatively unknown quantity, he's certainly got the potential to be better than Haskell - I'll call it a draw
Care vs Philips - Care
Wilko vs Jones - Fairly even
Williams vs Banahan - Williams
Flutey vs Davies - Hard to say, as both have the potential to be very good, but have been pretty uninspiring recently - Draw?
Tuilagi vs Roberts - Same as with Faletau vs Haskell, Tuilagi has the potential to be better, but we don't know yet
Cueto vs North - Cueto
Armitage vs Priestland - Priestland

So for me it's:
England: 4
Wales: 4
Draw: 7

 

[JW.]

How can you call Wilko and Jones even? Wilko is twice the player Jones is, even now?

 

[m0rris]

Have we been watching the same Delon... he's one of the better English FBs but I would hesitate to call him international class. As for his place in the squad I'd much rather have Goode or Abendanon as FB2s rather than Delon.

As for the rest of the backs, I suspect that Banahan, Cueto and Flutey will all fail to achieve anything of note tomorrow. I'd much rather Jonno took a punt and took Allen, SinBad (I know he's "injured" ATM) and guarantee Sharples' place on the plane than take this rogues gallery.

The forwards aren't too bad but he's limited his options with regards to Mears, if he lakes Mears he has to have a short prop set to go with him otherwise there will be tears!

m0rris

 

[JW.]

You have to try and play Flutey and try and get his form back, he is by far the best 1st centre England have when inform. As for Banahan and Queto I agree.

 

[m0rris]

I suppose you are right, if you don't try him you don't get anything for the effort. I must admit self interest when it comes to Banahan since he might not cut the mustard at international level he's done us pretty well in the AP and could be key to getting a good start this year.

A Southern hemisphere centre partnership could be a good strategy ATM but I'd hope that the england management don't become fixated by it as there is plenty of young centres with international potential... who are english, in the AP.

m0rris

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How can you call Wilko and Jones even? Wilko is twice the player Jones is, even now?

Wilko at Toulon =/= Wilko in an England shirt



Also:
Cueto
Cueto
Cueto
Cueto
Cueto

No Q involved!

 

[Peat]

The vests are just numbered rather than positions
I've seen one of Wilko with the No.8

I look forwards to our world cup winning move in which Wilko breaks off of the back of the scrum and immediately slots a drop goal.

Have we been watching the same Delon... he's one of the better English FBs but I would hesitate to call him international class. As for his place in the squad I'd much rather have Goode or Abendanon as FB2s rather than Delon.

Go back and watch his England 2009 performances then when he was fit and in form - they were definitley international class.

 

[TVH11]

The back three (both forwards and back) battles are very interesting. I dont see the high ball situation being tht big of a problem, shane's rather springy (from his gymnastics background) so hell be enough of a nuinsance to cause a delay =P to be honest he'll probably leave banahan win the ball and just be a minor inconvenience untill tackling support arrives (thats usually the case).

Backrow battle is very interesting, both very athletic.

If Phillips continues to play as he has, the match will be a no contest - welsh backs will have to play on the backfoot =(

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[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe Shane'll get so annoyed at Philips he'll just take over at SH?