Squad for Wales

[p/d]

I agree that Curry is highly capable over a range of things but I expect you will struggle to tell me what what his X factor actually is! (because I’m not sure he has one). Yes I have seen Dombrandt play a full game, the point being?

Curry is the X factor

Yep. Curry’s X factor is consistently being one of the best players on the pitch. He’s just f**king good at everything he’s asked to do.

Even when running off down the tunnel he did it with an outstanding gait and a sprinkle of stardust!!...............He is to rugby what his namesake was to Blue Peter

[padprop]

I guess we also have to dismiss Richard Hill and McCaw due to them not having obvious, single-factor x-factors

[Mellsblue]

6 out of 10 is probably fair enough. Dont think there was any danger of Wales winning but we made hard work of it for a time. Obviously the FH needlessly kicking when there are options to run isnt just because Farrell has been playing there. Ford guilty of this mind numbingly dull stuff too. Creativity in attack sorely missing but the real issue is a lack of intent to build attacks and put the ball through the hands, even when it is on.
Underhill and Launchbury excellent, though.
Wales a bit better than expected.

Yep, Ford standing incredibly deep all game was frustrating. Often looked in two minds about his kicking.

Ford’s kicking was pretty shit today. Out in the full, badly positioned, too long, too short. The rest of his game was mixed between good and ok but his boot was largely rubbish.

Agreed. He’s kicking was very bad. He showed the usual touches on the gain line but made far too many mistakes. I’ll put it down to him being rusty but it needs to improve. Despite all that, we showed so much more in attack than in the last three match. Might just be the gameplan, there was plenty said pre-match that Wales’ defence was susceptible if stressed wider, but I think Jones trusts Ford with a wider game when compared to Farrell.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I’d also say rustiness as it’s largely unlike Ford.

[Digby]

Curry is the X factor

Yep. Curry’s X factor is consistently being one of the best players on the pitch. He’s just f**king good at everything he’s asked to do.

Even when running off down the tunnel he did it with an outstanding gait and a sprinkle of stardust!!...............He is to rugby what his namesake was to Blue Peter

Was one of the dogs called Curry back in the day?

[Mellsblue]

Curry is the X factor

Yep. Curry’s X factor is consistently being one of the best players on the pitch. He’s just f**king good at everything he’s asked to do.

Even when running off down the tunnel he did it with an outstanding gait and a sprinkle of stardust!!...............He is to rugby what his namesake was to Blue Peter

Yep. England rugby’s answer to Todd Carty

[p/d]

Yep. Curry’s X factor is consistently being one of the best players on the pitch. He’s just f**king good at everything he’s asked to do.

Even when running off down the tunnel he did it with an outstanding gait and a sprinkle of stardust!!...............He is to rugby what his namesake was to Blue Peter

Yep. England rugby’s answer to Todd Carty

[p/d]

Yep. Curry’s X factor is consistently being one of the best players on the pitch. He’s just f**king good at everything he’s asked to do.

Even when running off down the tunnel he did it with an outstanding gait and a sprinkle of stardust!!...............He is to rugby what his namesake was to Blue Peter

Was one of the dogs called Curry back in the day?

Shep & Anthea if memory serves

[Puja]

Poite is giving some comedy decisions today. How was that a Welsh scrum? England in possession, ball coming very slowly out, if it's any decision at all, it's an England scrum. All's well that ends well though.

We've had worse halves, but not by a great distance. At least we stopped autokicking after the wondrous tactic gave away the Welsh try.

Puja

He called use it about 30 seconds before and then sinker fell on it blocking it.

Good spot - I missed that entirely.

Puja

[Puja]

My god. How have we allowed to let Wales score 13 points. Every single one of them a gift.

Six of them were achieved by Wales putting a high ball up on Daly and watching him singularly fail to deal with it. No idea why they stopped doing that.

Puja

[jngf]

I guess we also have to dismiss Richard Hill and McCaw due to them not having obvious, single-factor x-factors

Those two did have X factors though - for the former work on the floor and for the latter fetching skills beyond peer.

[Scrumhead]

Seriously ... did Curry do something to upset you? You seem to dislike him for no actual reason whatsoever.

[Oakboy]

I think Curry is the best flanker in the NH. What he has ahead of the rest, IMO, is all-round application. It means he punches above his weight metaphorically. He is quicker than he looks, and stronger than he looks. His recovery times from tackling are exceptional - and often reported. Above everything else, he is simply a player's player. In terms of early names on the teamsheet, he's not far behind Itoje.

[PoolerSaint]

From a Welsh perspective I have to say that Curry and Underhill were fantastic and certainly showed their inexperienced opposite numbers what test rugby is all about.
Launchbury too was superb, always seems to go under the radar but a really powerful presence at lock.
I was pleased the English offensive game didn't really click, I don't think Eddie will be overly happy. A more clinical side would've been 20+ points up by halftime with some of the holes appearing in that disjointed defence.

Sent from my SNE-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Mikey Brown]

I guess we also have to dismiss Richard Hill and McCaw due to them not having obvious, single-factor x-factors

Those two did have X factors though - for the former work on the floor and for the latter fetching skills beyond peer.

Which flankers in world rugby today are considerably better in those areas than Curry?

[Spiffy]

I'd agree and i'm no admirer. Youngs has been one of our better backs.

It's all relative. The best of a bad lot is faint praise.

[Banquo]

I suspect that injury not withstanding Willis and Underhill will be the first choice starting flank pairing before too long if only because they both have X factors of fetching and defence respectively, time will tell. Billy had a good game but imo he’s not as skilled as Falatau and doesn’t take quite so much stopping or make the metres in the tight that he did a few years back. Would really like to see Dombrandt introduced at 8 in next 6 Nations.

Well except Curry is fantastic.

Have you actually seen Dombrandt play btw? Like a full game?

That was partly my point

Dombrandt has played a full game? I mean he’s been on the pitch for 80 minutes sure, but actually played a full game?

[Banquo]

I suspect that injury not withstanding Willis and Underhill will be the first choice starting flank pairing before too long if only because they both have X factors of fetching and defence respectively, time will tell. Billy had a good game but imo he’s not as skilled as Falatau and doesn’t take quite so much stopping or make the metres in the tight that he did a few years back. Would really like to see Dombrandt introduced at 8 in next 6 Nations.

Well except Curry is fantastic.

Have you actually seen Dombrandt play btw? Like a full game?

I agree that Curry is highly capable over a range of things but I expect you will struggle to tell me what what his X factor actually is! (because I’m not sure he has one). Yes I have seen Dombrandt play a full game, the point being?

The points being- Curry’s decision making and all round skill set means he stands out to everyone bar you. You have to also admit he’s useful in the lineout now you’ve seen it ?
On Dombrandt you regularly say you watch little rugby outside internationals, and you’ve kind of proved it, as every time Dombrandt plays he’s either subbed after 50, or comes off the bench. You’ve seen some highlights and thought ‘he looks good’; and he can look good. But also a bit not very good- still learning his trade and not in good condition tbh

[padprop]

I guess we also have to dismiss Richard Hill and McCaw due to them not having obvious, single-factor x-factors

Those two did have X factors though - for the former work on the floor and for the latter fetching skills beyond peer.

Pocock would like a chat.

Don't know what work on the floor is meant to mean to be honest, seeing that you are out of the game when that happens.

[Mellsblue]

I guess we also have to dismiss Richard Hill and McCaw due to them not having obvious, single-factor x-factors

Those two did have X factors though - for the former work on the floor and for the latter fetching skills beyond peer.

Pocock would like a chat.

Don't know what work on the floor is meant to mean to be honest, seeing that you are out of the game when that happens.

I believe he lays a mean carpet.

[jngf]

Seriously ... did Curry do something to upset you? You seem to dislike him for no actual reason whatsoever.

Absolutely not - I think he’s a great player but I simply disagree that it is self evident that he’s the most talented back row in the squad or anything like as good a 6 as he is a 7.

[jngf]

I guess we also have to dismiss Richard Hill and McCaw due to them not having obvious, single-factor x-factors

Those two did have X factors though - for the former work on the floor and for the latter fetching skills beyond peer.

Which flankers in world rugby today are considerably better in those areas than Curry?

Well Willis for starters if we’re talking about fetching

[p/d]

Those two did have X factors though - for the former work on the floor and for the latter fetching skills beyond peer.

Pocock would like a chat.

Don't know what work on the floor is meant to mean to be honest, seeing that you are out of the game when that happens.

I believe he lays a mean carpet.

Is that like a tight rug?

[jngf]

Well except Curry is fantastic.

Have you actually seen Dombrandt play btw? Like a full game?

I agree that Curry is highly capable over a range of things but I expect you will struggle to tell me what what his X factor actually is! (because I’m not sure he has one). Yes I have seen Dombrandt play a full game, the point being?

The points being- Curry’s decision making and all round skill set means he stands out to everyone bar you. You have to also admit he’s useful in the lineout now you’ve seen it ?
On Dombrandt you regularly say you watch little rugby outside internationals, and you’ve kind of proved it, as every time Dombrandt plays he’s either subbed after 50, or comes off the bench. You’ve seen some highlights and thought ‘he looks good’; and he can look good. But also a bit not very good- still learning his trade and not in good condition tbh

I think I said this once (and somewhat tongue in cheek at the time) - and imo there’s always been a massive gulf between club and test rugby even though the sport been professional for a quarter of a century now.

[Stom]

Curry gets around the park pretty damn well, he’s everywhere, just like robshaw was. Except Curry is almost double the speed and is much more talented at stealing ball. And considering Robshaw got pretty good at that late career, that’s a very good level.

Underhill doesn’t bring that same almost manic energy. In fact none really do.