England vs Wales - Sat 5.30pm - A New Hope

[Puja]

Thought I'd start a new thread so it doesn't get bundled into the old depressing match that we can all agree was just a trial and didn't really count for anything.

Puja

[Puja]

Anyway, here's the wonder Welsh:

Wales side to face England: L Williams; Adams, Roberts, Tompkins, Rogers; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Francis, Beard, R Davies, Lydiate, Reffell, Plumtree.

Replacements: Parry, Mathias, Lewis, Tshiunza, Basham, Hardy, Biggar, K Williams.

[Oakboy]

I don't know much about some of those Welsh players. How many would get into their 1st XV? I'm just trying to assess the realistic level of expected performance by us against it. As you say, Puja, last week's match gave zero indication of anything.

[Banquo]

Thought I'd start a new thread so it doesn't get bundled into the old depressing match that we can all agree was just a trial and didn't really count for anything.

Puja

though it appears to have done for Slade, who got 10 minutes.

[Mikey Brown]

I’m hearing rumours we’ll be selecting some players, potentially from either inside or outside of the named squad. Stay tuned for more.

[FKAS]

The Welsh side looks more experienced than last weekend but I'm not sure it's necessarily better. Lydiate is well past his prime, Rogers should not be causing us problems on the wing and the midfield doesn't look as threatening.

The tight five all played together for Ospreys last season though I think it's the second choice loosehead as Nicky Smith was first choice. Ospreys had a decent set piece and rolling maul game so should be a challenge to areas Borthwick will want us to be strong in.

Reffell will be a pest at the breakdown, he'll have to go some to emulate the perfro of Morgan from last week though.

[Tom Moore]

Anyone know when the team announcement is scheduled to be?

[Mellsblue]

The tight five were meant to make the announcement at 11am but they’ve been pushed back…

[Mikey Brown]

My sources are telling me the announcement will be some time between today and before the game starts.

[pompey-zebra]

I don't know much about some of those Welsh players. How many would get into their 1st XV? I'm just trying to assess the realistic level of expected performance by us against it. As you say, Puja, last week's match gave zero indication of anything.

Gatland's said that he wants to give everyone a run out before the RWC squad is selected, so it's still probably a mix and match of youth and experience like last week. Some will be first XV, others would be squad players, and some are really there to show what they can do. Looking at it, perhaps 5-6 first xv players in this starting xv, with a couple of close calls to be made for others.

[FKAS]

Looks a much stronger team.

[p/d]

Looks like we get another chance to see if Steward can play at 15.

Was hoping we would see a Daly, Watson & Arundell back 3

[Numbers]

I don't know much about some of those Welsh players. How many would get into their 1st XV? I'm just trying to assess the realistic level of expected performance by us against it. As you say, Puja, last week's match gave zero indication of anything.

Wales side to face England: L Williams; Adams, Roberts, Tompkins, Rogers; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Francis, Beard, R Davies, Lydiate, Reffell, Plumtree.

Replacements: Parry, Mathias, Lewis, Tshiunza, Basham, Hardy, Biggar, K Williams.

The highlighted ones would normally make a match day 23.

[twitchy]

England score a try challenge (impossible).

[Mellsblue]

Can’t imagine that’s too far off the starting XV.

[pompey-zebra]

So what's the general expectation now that both teams have been announced?

[Mellsblue]

There will lots of box kicking.

[Mikey Brown]

Daly on the wing! Some pace in the backs! I actually really like that side. We should be winning half of our restarts back with Marchant and Daly chasing.

Martin gets a go alongside Itoje and Earl at least offers a bit of pace and mobility next to Lawes/Vunipola.

[fivepointer]

Actually like this team. Pleased that JVP gets a start, Martin, Stuart and Marchant are retained, Earl finally gets to start a game, Billy is fit, Daly is in his best position and Arundell gets a run out. All in all, pretty good i reckon.

[Gloskarlos]

A new hope? or the phantom menace.

It's a better team.

I just want to see how the players put down what the coaches have been 'coaching them' to play in terms of shape, pod work, deception, lines, process etc. We saw none of that last week, which cannot be blamed on personnel, given that Shiny Baldhead believes each and every one of these players is international quality or thereabouts and have all received the exact same coaching, structure and instruction over the last few weeks.

[Banquo]

Actually like this team. Pleased that JVP gets a start, Martin, Stuart and Marchant are retained, Earl finally gets to start a game, Billy is fit, Daly is in his best position and Arundell gets a run out. All in all, pretty good i reckon.

yep, dump faz for ford, happy days

[Banquo]

Can’t imagine that’s too far off the starting XV.

Genge, Chessum, Curry to come in, maybe Watson

[Mikey Brown]

Actually like this team. Pleased that JVP gets a start, Martin, Stuart and Marchant are retained, Earl finally gets to start a game, Billy is fit, Daly is in his best position and Arundell gets a run out. All in all, pretty good i reckon.

yep, dump faz for ford, happy days

It’s a bit early for whatever you’ve been taking.

[Mellsblue]

Can’t imagine that’s too far off the starting XV.

Genge, Chessum, Curry to come in, maybe Watson

I reckon so and I’d remove the maybe before Watson. Plus, probably, Youngs

[FKAS]

A new hope? or the phantom menace.

It's a better team.

I just want to see how the players put down what the coaches have been 'coaching them' to play in terms of shape, pod work, deception, lines, process etc. We saw none of that last week, which cannot be blamed on personnel, given that Shiny Baldhead believes each and every one of these players is international quality or thereabouts and have all received the exact same coaching, structure and instruction over the last few weeks.

We did, there was a different attacking shape to the one that finished the 6N and in the first half it worked ok. The biggest issue was not the shape it was the sheer number of handling errors. I'd like to see us start looking more cohesive. As we actually get through some phases we will start to see what we can do.