RBS 6 Nations - Wales vs Scotland (12-02-2012, 15:00)

[Robert Prosser]

Who ever we play instead of Gethin Jenkins will be unfairly compared to him becauae Gethin is probably the best prob in the world shortly followed by Adam Jones but only when both are fit.

 

[Saintjay]

Who ever we play instead of Gethin Jenkins will be unfairly compared to him becauae Gethin is probably the best prob in the world shortly followed by Adam Jones but only when both are fit.

There are a few good props in the world. If we are not being funny over tight or loose head, Jenkins is not in the world top five. Good but not that good.

 

[Me 1]

My team:
1. Gill
2. Bennett
3. Adam Jones
4. Ryan Jones
5. Evans
6. Lydiate/Shingler
7. Warburton/Tipuric
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Priestland
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. Owens
17. James
18. Shingler/Reed
19. Tipuric/Powell
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Hook
22. Beck

I'd like us to get continuity in the starting xv so have picked the same team v Scotland (barring injury/suspensions). Gill did well, no need to be dropped. I think Owens should get a chance off the bench at about 60 mins because he's deserved it, but Bennett is a bit more reliable at this point, If Owens does well we can have him on the bench v England when Rees gets back. We have to move a new guy into the second row, and I don't trust Reed yet so better go with the safe option. If Lydiate is fit he should be in, although I do trust Shingler more than Reed and won't be against giving him a rest if he needs it. Warburton should start where he left off, despite it being harsh on Tipuric but we need our captain if we are going to have true continuity. Cuthbert should have an easier job against the Scots (not trying to sound arrogant) and won't be caught out so badly in defence. I think our 3/4 can do some real damage this time, especially with peple all above 6'.

I'd rather Beck be given a bench place than Scott Williams as I have liked what I've seen of him so far, hopefully give him 15 mins if all's going well. It's best to blood him know.

 

[Feicarsinn]

There are a few good props in the world. If we are not being funny over tight or loose head, Jenkins is not in the world top five. Good but not that good.

He'd definitely be in my top 5.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

There are a few good props in the world. If we are not being funny over tight or loose head, Jenkins is not in the world top five. Good but not that good.

Say what .... No doubt Sheridan / Stevens will be in your top 5. I dunno why I am arguing the case ... for like the 100th time on the forum. Jenkins is an absolute monster, not a destructive scrummager, but does a good job up there his work in the loose / tight is like having another flanker on the field.

 

[Robert Prosser]

There are a few good props in the world. If we are not being funny over tight or loose head, Jenkins is not in the world top five. Good but not that good.

I will have to agree to diagree with you on this one, I have not seen a prop in world rubgy that covers the pitch like Jenkins or gets through as many tackles as him, so quick for a prop just wish he was ten years younger as since he hit 30 injuries have started to set In.

 

[Draggs]

There are a few good props in the world. If we are not being funny over tight or loose head, Jenkins is not in the world top five. Good but not that good.

Jenkins, Woodcock, Steenkamp, everybody else.

 

[Saintjay]

Say what .... No doubt Sheridan / Stevens will be in your top 5. I dunno why I am arguing the case ... for like the 100th time on the forum. Jenkins is an absolute monster, not a destructive scrummager, but does a good job up there his work in the loose / tight is like having another flanker on the field.

Erm no Sheridan and Stevens would not be. I don't have rose tinted glasses when it comes to the current lack of world class props in English rugby.

I just don't think he is the best prop in the world. As I said good but not that good.

It also depends what you want in a prop being a destructive scrummager would come before being good in the loose in my book. That is a matter for opinion different strokes for different folkes and all that.

 

[dullonien]

Why is Gill's position even being questioned? If Jenkins is not fit then Gill is the man to fill his boots. Did a job, more than held his own and was good in the loose.

It's not a reflection on Gill, who had a solid game, and had a couple of very good carries in the loose. I feel that Bevington has the potential to be something a little special and would also like to see him given opportunities. Whilst doing well in this 6 nations is important, I feel we also need to try to increase our strength in depth at the same time. Italy is often the game where changes can be made, but they are also one of the best scrummaging teams in the 6nations, so experimenting at prop against them is often a risk.

For similar reasons for wanting to see Bevington get some gametime, I'd like to see Craig Mitchell have a decent run-out, and in the backs I'd like to see Beck and Henson tried at centre, Hook at 10 at some stage (probably against Italy), and Byrne given another chance at fullback.

Strength in depth has often been our weakness. I feel it has improved massively, as demonstated by Sunday's game where we were able to deal quite well with losing Jenkins, Rees, Alun-Wyn, Charteris, Lydiate, Warburton and Shane. There's still alot of improvement to be made, and having 3 or 4 options is even better than having 2 (as is the case at looshead with Jenkins, Gill, James and Bevington).

 

[Toby Faletau-Jones]

We need to keep the same team, with the inclusion of first team players who have been injured coming in. Scotland will be an easy game, and i'll be shocked if we don't beat them by 35+.

This will be a game in which we must get Preistland, Roberts, and Lydiate match fit. It was evident that Priestland and Roberts were half fit on Sunday/Monday (Bloody time zones) - You could see in Priestlands face when he missed kicks, he looked tired.

We need to absolutely slaughter the Scots and play for the full 80 to show everyone we are the real deal, and to show that Scotland despite their one-eyed supporters views of them being on par with Wales are really not.

If Gatland was inclined to include some fringe players, I would look at the youngsters such as Harry Robinson, and Beck. There is no point in bringing in Henson, Byrne or those kind of players ( that is what I don't understand with Ireland). Realistically though both of these kind of players are not going to play in the first team against strong opposition. However i must reinforce that, it's sensible to bred a first 15 to continually play and gel, and know each others game making games such as Australia, and France easier to win. That's where we had previously been going wrong.

And for crying out load; they better beat the convicts this time in June. I need bragging rights (not that they care when Oz loose...hmm kind of reminds me of English supporters)

So my team would be:

1. Gill
2. Bennett
3. Jones
4. R. Jones
5. Ian Evans
6. Dan Lydiate/ Andy Powell
7. Warburton / Tipuric (throughly impressed with this guy)
8. Toby- Jones
9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys the Priest
11. Shane Williams...oh wait... he's gone, George North
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. 1/2p

 

[RedCard]

Originally Posted by RedCard
Wales seem to have carried on a bit from where they left off in the RWC so on that I am going to assume they will be ruthless to teams that they should comfortably beat...... a la Fiji. Scotland will struggle in the contact area and everywhere in the backs. Unfortunately for the Scots they still have very little try scoring ability and relying on kicks isn't going to get them a win. On current form for both teams and at home Wales should win by 20 plus points. Priestland and Roberts should have gained a bit of match fitness now so be a lot better next week. Wales usually start slow and improve as the tournie goes on and unless Scotland can solve some of their serious problems I don't see how they are going to turn things around. They actually have the basis of what could be a good side but struggling to step up the level. We'll have to see how injuries and suspensions fair out for both to see if there might be any surprise inclusions. Parks needs to be dropped out of the 22 for the Scots as they have 2 better options readily available."






"I don't think they should win by 20 plus points, as although Scotland aren't scoring tries and winning matches they aren't getting thrashed

you're getting Scotland's poor try scoring form and passing it onto their all round game, their defence is actually quite good, apart from the All Blacks, no team has beaten them by more than 20 points since Ireland in 2008

with an attitude like that Wales could be complacent "



Sorry for the copy from the closed thread but I'm sticking to 20 points unless there are some big changes in the teams. As for 20 points...... thought NZ gave them a stuffing a couple of years ago and we had an 18 point margin last year at Murrayfield and we are a far better team now. Wales didn't show complacency against teams in the RWC which is why I am more confident. The Welsh players have a stronger mental attitude than ever before which is what they lacked and they should be looking at putting inferior teams to the sword if they want to be up with the SH. I think they should aim high as I believe they are good enough to do so. The players will keep their feet on the floor I am sure so my confidence or "attitude like that" won't have much bearing on Wales' complacency.​

 

[Ozzay]

Will we see Cuthberr or will gats drop him to sort him out..

I don't see much change happening, if lyidates back, jones will play 4

 

[dullonien]

Lydiate and Jenkins look set to be fit for this match, but Warbs is a doubt:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16898180

Personally, I would give Jenkins another week to recover. He's the kind of player that can slot straight back in and play well against England. I feel it's important to give him sufficient recovery time, because in the past he's come back and been injured again after 20min. Gill, Bevington or James are all perfectly capable players. Lydiate will come back in which will be important if Warbs is out, because I really rate Scotlands backrow, so we need to be as strong as possible there to make sure we can come out on top.

 

[Toby Faletau-Jones]

My team:
1. Gill
2. Bennett
3. Adam Jones
4. Ryan Jones
5. Evans
6. Lydiate/Shingler
7. Warburton/Tipuric
8. Faletau
9. Phillips
10. Priestland
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Davies
14. Cuthbert
15. Halfpenny

16. Owens
17. James
18. Shingler/Reed
19. Tipuric/Powell
20. Lloyd Williams
21. Hook
22. Beck

I'd like us to get continuity in the starting xv so have picked the same team v Scotland (barring injury/suspensions). Gill did well, no need to be dropped. I think Owens should get a chance off the bench at about 60 mins because he's deserved it, but Bennett is a bit more reliable at this point, If Owens does well we can have him on the bench v England when Rees gets back. We have to move a new guy into the second row, and I don't trust Reed yet so better go with the safe option. If Lydiate is fit he should be in, although I do trust Shingler more than Reed and won't be against giving him a rest if he needs it. Warburton should start where he left off, despite it being harsh on Tipuric but we need our captain if we are going to have true continuity. Cuthbert should have an easier job against the Scots (not trying to sound arrogant) and won't be caught out so badly in defence. I think our 3/4 can do some real damage this time, especially with peple all above 6'.

I'd rather Beck be given a bench place than Scott Williams as I have liked what I've seen of him so far, hopefully give him 15 mins if all's going well. It's best to blood him know.

Fair play to Cuthbert, i think he's only been in the blues ranks for like 3/4 months. Other than that, it was playing against the likes of Llandovery for the Cardiff rfc, so therefore it may have been a big step up. I suppose it was the same for North, but then again Cuthbert will never be as good as North. Not even Lomu was or is.

 

[dullonien]

Fair play to Cuthbert, i think he's only been in the blues ranks for like 3/4 months. Other than that, it was playing against the likes of Llandovery for the Cardiff rfc. I suppose it was the same for North, but then again Cuthbert will never be as good as North. Not even Lomu was or is.

Ok, no need to overdo the North love. Give him a few years to see if he can be as good as Lomu, he's got the potential, but he's not there quite yet!

As for Cuthbert. It's not just that he's only been in the Blues squad for a few months, but I believe he's only been playing rugby for a few years full stop. He seems to be learning quickly, so he should improve futher. Things like defensive positioning can be taught, his power and pace can't. I'm not totally sold on Cuthbert, because I'm not sure if he's anything more than a very big and very fast player, time will tell. He's shown with the Blues that he's a natural finisher, so that's a good start. His first try for Wales could really boost his confidence and maybe then we'll start to see the best from him. Worth another shot against Scotland imo.

 

[Toby Faletau-Jones]

Ok, no need to overdo the North love. Give him a few years to see if he can be as good as Lomu, he's got the potential, but he's not there quite yet!

As for Cuthbert. It's not just that he's only been in the Blues squad for a few months, but I believe he's only been playing rugby for a few years full stop. He seems to be learning quickly, so he should improve futher. Things like defensive positioning can be taught, his power and pace can't. I'm not totally sold on Cuthbert, because I'm not sure if he's anything more than a very big and very fast player, time will tell. He's shown with the Blues that he's a natural finisher, so that's a good start. His first try for Wales could really boost his confidence and maybe then we'll start to see the best from him. Worth another shot against Scotland imo.

According to Frank Bunce (former all black centre who played with or around the time of Lomu) he is.

I know we shouldn't over hype him though, as previous occasions with hairspray Henson proved the case with him decreasing in form. But North has done things, whereas Henson kicked one penalty, and a good tackle against England.

 

[cyRil]

Gggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Mike Philips is thr best scrumhalf in the world.....George North is better than Lomu......are you Welsh by any chance?

 

[cyRil]

Dan Parks retired with immediate effect?

 

[Ayrshire Warrior]

Is Joe Ansbro avaliable for this ? I will post my team later in the week.