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Wales v England

Anyone think that Henson will be in the 22?
He will have to stand up for the Saracens over the next two weeks, no doubt.
 
If he is, then John Davies/Andrew Bishop should break his legs,
He doesn't deserve to even be considered on current form
 
Olyy said:
If he is, then John Davies/Andrew Bishop should break his legs,
He doesn't deserve to even be considered on current form
Click to expand...

make a hell of a youtube video and news story
idwatch it!
 
My wales backline would be:

9. Phillips (for want of someone playing much better, maybe Roberts)
10. Jones
11. Williams
12. Davies
13. Roberts
14. Stoddart
15. Halfpenny

I would have hook or Priestland on the bench to cover centres and full back and then maybe harries. I think the Davies Roberts combo would be pretty awesome with Roberts busting through to create space for Davies to run into. As much as I really rate Henson he is going to have to do some spectacuar things before the squad is announced.


I think our outide backs are good enough but they have been stymied by the halfbacks delivering slow ball and the forwards not making ball clean enough. I might start with Martin Roberts at the moment as he has been in pretty good form for the Scarlets and has a very good service. I think with a bit of space Jones will show that he is still the man at 10 and be able to put players into the gaps we so want them to be in.

I have a feeling Wales will sneak this but don't think I'll be putting money on it...
 
If Gatland goes for Davies and Roberts in midfield, it will almost certainly be 12 Roberts, 13 Davies. Davies has more pace, and that's needed more at outside centre than inside.

I wouldn't have Martin Roberts anywhere neer the squad, he's a gobby shite that doesn't know when to shut up. His service is quite good and he's nippy, but he's not the quality required. I've been more impressed with Knoyle, and I don't think it will be long untill he overtakes Phillips unless Phillips ups his game massively. Knoyle has a better all round skill set, with similar physicallity and agression. He's still a little way off though, but I can see him being Wales' third choice this 6 nations with Rees out. If Phillips doesn't start, I'd want to see Peel back in there. Posts WC I can see Knoyle and Lloyd Williams being our two scrum halves as both are shaping up very well.

I've never seen Priestland at centre, and he won't be considered there for Wales. Hook on the bench over Priestland if he doesn't start, with Byrne there aswell if he's not starting.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hook get's a decent amount of gametime at 10 in the 6 nations. Gatland has a tendancy to do things slightly differently than the regions, and he knows Hook will be playing 10 for whichever club he moves to in the run-up to the WC. We need a quality backup to Stephen Jones and Hook is still that player at this moment in time imo.
 
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I'd rather have Priestland as #15 cover than hook.. If anything both on the bench.. Hook for fly half and center cover, priestland for full back and flyhalf cover.. byrne still aint on form.. and will likely have a repeat of the AI's..
 
I would also prefer Priestland as fullback cover over Hook. Hook and Priestland on the bench is a little pointless imo. Byrne will likely start no matter what, but I'm hoping he doesn't. He needs to be shown that he isn't guaranteed his spot, and he needs to work and play well to regain it. But I'd still have him on the bench, as he's shown he's got the quality required in the past.

I hope Priestland makes the squad and is given an opportunity, as I really rate him (not his goal kicking though). I think he's got a better chance to feature at fullback for Wales than at 10, and is a good option for a bench spot if Hook is starting at centre.
 
Admittedly, I'm in the other hemisphere and don't have as in-depth knowledge of NH rugby as some of the posters here, but for my money I think England are a team on the rise, and it would not surprise me to see them walk away with the 6N this year.

Johnson seems to be slowly replacing the old heads in the team with capable, robust younger players.

Guys like Laws, Hartley (he's been around a while though) and Ashton have changed the face of English Rugby.

As much as i'd like to see Wales winning (thats where my lineage lies after all- even if I am a through and through Kiwi), I feel England are building slowly and heading to peak at the right time (ie: Oct/Nov).
In saying that though, I feel Wales might be headed the same way too (ie building for the tournament). Last year's effort against the ABs show they can rise to the big occasions.

As an aside- I'm not at all confident that the ABs will win the RWC- theres too many teams that look to be building nicely for the Tournament. England, SA, Wales and Australia look to be real contenders... plus NZers never discount France!
 
Personally I think this match will be won and lost in the back-row. People can talk as much as they want about Wales demolishing the English scrum and vice versa but that's obviously not going to happen, both teams are too strong in that department. I'm not necessarily a fan of Fourie but thinking about it there is a bit of potential balance there with moody and fourie and easter, and definitely hoping that the superior experience there could swing it for us. I have a feeling Easter will have a really big game.

On another note, I was pleasantly surprised looking on Chris Robshaw's wikipedia to find out he's only 24; I had sort of thought he'd been around a bit longer and would probably end his career having been permanently overlooked, but it sems he's got a while yet to play himself into the England team. If he keeps performing I don't think he will be overlooked for much longer.
 
HenryChinaski said:
Personally I think this match will be won and lost in the back-row. People can talk as much as they want about Wales demolishing the English scrum and vice versa but that's obviously not going to happen, both teams are too strong in that department. I'm not necessarily a fan of Fourie but thinking about it there is a bit of potential balance there with moody and fourie and easter, and definitely hoping that the superior experience there could swing it for us. I have a feeling Easter will have a really big game.

On another note, I was pleasantly surprised looking on Chris Robshaw's wikipedia to find out he's only 24; I had sort of thought he'd been around a bit longer and would probably end his career having been permanently overlooked, but it sems he's got a while yet to play himself into the England team. If he keeps performing I don't think he will be overlooked for much longer.
Click to expand...

Backrow should be a good battle. This is one area where I want to see massive improvements in for Wales. Lydiate and Warburton were superb during the AI's, with Warburton in particular really starting to hit his stride. He's the kinda backrow player that we've been praying for, an all rounder who really doesn't have many weaknesses, a superb fetcher to boot.

Just finished watching the 2007 Wales v England match, and what I would give to have Ryan Jones playing like that again. Forgot just how many yards he used to make over the gain-line!
 
dullonien said:
Backrow should be a good battle. This is one area where I want to see massive improvements in for Wales. Lydiate and Warburton were superb during the AI's, with Warburton in particular really starting to hit his stride. He's the kinda backrow player that we've been praying for, an all rounder who really doesn't have many weaknesses, a superb fetcher to boot.

Just finished watching the 2007 Wales v England match, and what I would give to have Ryan Jones playing like that again. Forgot just how many yards he used to make over the gain-line!
Click to expand...

Just out of interest where would I go if I wanted to watch various of Wales' games of recent times? Iv'e been trying to watch bits of welsh games and focus on your backrow.

Interestingly I was just looking at the Wales starting lineups of the six nations last year and was surprised to see powell generallly starting at 6 most games. did that not really work, because no welsh fans seem to be seeing that as a possibility.
 
I've got recordings of most recent Welsh games (2003 onwards). Unfortunately there's no legal way for me to give you them, so you'll have to find your own way of finding some.

We have no need to shoehorn Powell in at 6 imo. We've got loads of quality youngsters coming through in that position including Lydiate, Turnbull (plays 6 and 7), McCusker and Tipuric. They're the future, and need to be introduced into the squad and starting lineup over the coming year or so. Jonathan Thomas' best position is still probably 6 aswell. Powell didn't really work at 6, as he doesn't have the workrate for the position. He's an out and out 8, and is probably vying with Ryan Jones (though I now see him as more of a lock), Jonathan Thomas (though I think he's a 6), and Faletau.
 
Powell's a goon and if Wales can't find a better 8 its even more risible than the dominance Nick Easter has over the England 8 shirt.
 
Best news since slice bread that Gav's injured, although he had some moments today he looked sort of ok!
 
Yeah - When he left the pitch he did it brilliantly and he's clearly a master of sitting on his arse drinking lucazade! :lol:
 
Obviously cyRil is with him holding his hand and catering to his every need :lol:
 

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