Wales v England

[normanski]

Reports today suggest it’s minor.

Good to hear. While he's a bloody menace (and I really don't want his kick-and-chase up against Daly), I'd rather your lot weren't too injury deprived; we need to have a clear idea of where we are, and win on our own merits if we are to win.

Puja

Ashton is out, so we have no chance.

Ha! Ashton may be out but Nowell will be in, so we have no chance!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales: Liam Williams (Saracens); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester); Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, captain), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Aled Davies (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Northampton), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).

Tomos Williams and Samson Lee ruled out by injury.

No great surprises then, but Anscombe is slightly unexpected. I think it's the right call but with no Halfpenny it's risky.

Just hope they're well drilled to cover for those sneaky kicks. And a reliable line-out would also be appreciated.

England are favourites but that's only based on the last 2 games. If Wales raise themselves as we know they can (and don't let England get an early try or two) then we have a good chance.

[Digby]

Cory Hill over Beard is a sensible choice no matter the lineout. Anscombe and Moriarty need to start delivering on their potential

[Sandydragon]

Cory Hill over Beard is a sensible choice no matter the lineout. Anscombe and Moriarty need to start delivering on their potential

Hills work rate is much better and we get better possession as a result. Moriarty needs not to get sent off but keep the aggression of two years ago.

Anscombe could do with a big game to put this fly half debate to bed.

[Sandydragon]

The back row battle will be very interesting. If we can stop your big runners then the breakdown will be a real contest.

[Numbers]

Our bench looks like it could make a good impact, Dillon Lewis is our most mobile TH and Wainwright will offer some real energy, I think we could see Gareth Davies play a full 80 as I don't really see what Aled offers from the bench.

I'm looking forward to this one, it should be a brutal contest.

[Digby]

Cory Hill over Beard is a sensible choice no matter the lineout. Anscombe and Moriarty need to start delivering on their potential

Hills work rate is much better and we get better possession as a result. Moriarty needs not to get sent off but keep the aggression of two years ago.

Anscombe could do with a big game to put this fly half debate to bed.

I'd still want Patchell even if Anscombe plays well

[Son of Mathonwy]

Cory Hill over Beard is a sensible choice no matter the lineout. Anscombe and Moriarty need to start delivering on their potential

Hills work rate is much better and we get better possession as a result. Moriarty needs not to get sent off but keep the aggression of two years ago.

Anscombe could do with a big game to put this fly half debate to bed.

I'd still want Patchell even if Anscombe plays well

Definitely. His injuries this season have been very bad news for Wales. Let's hope he gets a chance to show what he can do in the last two matches.

[normanski]

[quote="Numbers

I'm looking forward to this one, it should be a brutal contest.[/quote]
This could be the most brutal game of the 6N.

England’s front five will be looking to dominate from the off and we will have to match them to stop them gaining momentum.

It’ll be interesting to see how England’s new look back row front up to the more experienced, and hopefully smarter and quicker, Wales flankers. An interesting battle there and important we come out on top to give us some control against what looks like a very well organised (so far) defence system.

Interesting too that we have the slightly heavier pack.

[Stom]

I'm looking forward to this one, it should be a brutal contest.

This could be the most brutal game of the 6N.

England’s front five will be looking to dominate from the off and we will have to match them to stop them gaining momentum.

It’ll be interesting to see how England’s new look back row front up to the more experienced, and hopefully smarter and quicker, Wales flankers. An interesting battle there and important we come out on top to give us some control against what looks like a very well organised (so far) defence system.

Interesting too that we have the slightly heavier pack.

[/quote]

Do you really? I somehow don't believe that, even without Mako...

I know Tomos Francis is fat as fook, but BillyV is also fat as fook. And Wilson is surely bigger than Navidi.

Either way, we're probably of similar sizes. So it comes down to who's better. I think our front row is better, and I think 2 of our backrow are definitely better. So much is going to come down to control. And I think we're going to have the edge there. I don't understand Anscombe over Biggar. I would have picked Biggar every day of the week and told him to bomb the fuck out of Daly and chase his own kicks.

[Mikey Brown]

[quote="Numbers

I'm looking forward to this one, it should be a brutal contest.

This could be the most brutal game of the 6N.

England’s front five will be looking to dominate from the off and we will have to match them to stop them gaining momentum.

It’ll be interesting to see how England’s new look back row front up to the more experienced, and hopefully smarter and quicker, Wales flankers. An interesting battle there and important we come out on top to give us some control against what looks like a very well organised (so far) defence system.

Interesting too that we have the slightly heavier pack.

Do you really? I somehow don't believe that, even without Mako...

I know Tomos Francis is fat as fook, but BillyV is also fat as fook. And Wilson is surely bigger than Navidi.

Either way, we're probably of similar sizes. So it comes down to who's better. I think our front row is better, and I think 2 of our backrow are definitely better. So much is going to come down to control. And I think we're going to have the edge there. I don't understand Anscombe over Biggar. I would have picked Biggar every day of the week and told him to bomb the fuck out of Daly and chase his own kicks.[/quote]

And we’re told Lawes has put on 8 stone this season despite him looking identical to how he always has.

[normanski]

I'm looking forward to this one, it should be a brutal contest.

This could be the most brutal game of the 6N.

England’s front five will be looking to dominate from the off and we will have to match them to stop them gaining momentum.

It’ll be interesting to see how England’s new look back row front up to the more experienced, and hopefully smarter and quicker, Wales flankers. An interesting battle there and important we come out on top to give us some control against what looks like a very well organised (so far) defence system.

Interesting too that we have the slightly heavier pack.

Do you really? I somehow don't believe that, even without Mako...

I know Tomos Francis is fat as fook, but BillyV is also fat as fook. And Wilson is surely bigger than Navidi.

Either way, we're probably of similar sizes. So it comes down to who's better. I think our front row is better, and I think 2 of our backrow are definitely better. So much is going to come down to control. And I think we're going to have the edge there. I don't understand Anscombe over Biggar. I would have picked Biggar every day of the week and told him to bomb the fuck out of Daly and chase his own kicks.[/quote]
I can’t remember where I read it, possibly the Guardian, but a reader had used the weights from both Unions’ websites to give a 20 kilo advantage to Wales. Perhaps Lawes extra stone has not been included on the website and that would bring the packs slightly nearer parity.

[Digby]

Clearly some people should be blocked from using the quote facility

Not surprised Wales are heavier looking at the respective tight fives

[Numbers]

I'm looking forward to this one, it should be a brutal contest.

This could be the most brutal game of the 6N.

England’s front five will be looking to dominate from the off and we will have to match them to stop them gaining momentum.

It’ll be interesting to see how England’s new look back row front up to the more experienced, and hopefully smarter and quicker, Wales flankers. An interesting battle there and important we come out on top to give us some control against what looks like a very well organised (so far) defence system.

Interesting too that we have the slightly heavier pack.

Do you really? I somehow don't believe that, even without Mako...

I know Tomos Francis is fat as fook, but BillyV is also fat as fook. And Wilson is surely bigger than Navidi.

Either way, we're probably of similar sizes. So it comes down to who's better. I think our front row is better, and I think 2 of our backrow are definitely better. So much is going to come down to control. And I think we're going to have the edge there. I don't understand Anscombe over Biggar. I would have picked Biggar every day of the week and told him to bomb the fuck out of Daly and chase his own kicks.[/quote]

Really, Billy V is better than Moriarty but I'd much rather Navidi to Wilson and Tipuric over Curry, I suppose it depends on how you want to play the game and what skill levels you want.

[Hooky]

Jesus, I’d give my right arm to win tomorrow. The smugness is just too much to bear. Never known anything like it.

[Sandydragon]

Jesus, I’d give my right arm to win tomorrow. The smugness is just too much to bear. Never known anything like it.

Stuart Barnes is in overdrive in the Times.

[Hooky]

Jesus, I’d give my right arm to win tomorrow. The smugness is just too much to bear. Never known anything like it.

Stuart Barnes is in overdrive in the Times.

Thankfully I don’t pay the subscription! Barnes is a twat

[normanski]

Stom posted the same post four times. They must be nervous, especially as our U20s just won against a classy England 11 - 10.

Come on Wales!

[normanski]

Stom posted the same post four times. They must be nervous, especially as our U20s just won against a classy England 11 - 10.

Come on Wales!

[normanski]

Oops!

[normanski]

Oops!

[WaspInWales]

Jesus, I’d give my right arm to win tomorrow. The smugness is just too much to bear. Never known anything like it.

Seriously?

It's the same every year...and believe it or not, the Welsh press do the same, but you may choose to ignore that

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah I’m confused. I thought both sets of press were just going on about how amazing Wales are?

[Sandydragon]

Jesus, I’d give my right arm to win tomorrow. The smugness is just too much to bear. Never known anything like it.

Seriously?

It's the same every year...and believe it or not, the Welsh press do the same, but you may choose to ignore that

Nothing quite so jingoistic as Barnes though. A piece earlier this week suggested England only needed to turn up! Even the Fail isn’t quite that bad.

I’ll also admit most rugby fans are better mannere, primarily it’s the fanboys on both sides who like this level of horseshit.

[francoisfou]

Can’t wait! Cwm Rhondda before kick off is magnificent and sets the tone for what will surely be the decider. Grand Slam hot the winner. Prediction? England by a gnat’s cock!!