Team for England

[Numbers]

If the game is close after 60…

Will George, Haskell, Care, Te'o, and May - make more of a difference than - Faletau, Davies, Davies and Roberts

I wonder if the management were happy with his contribution off the bench? if the aim is to play a wider more attacking game after 60 minutes, where does Roberts fit into that plan?

The only thing I can think of is to negate Teo's attacking threat and increased physicality if he comes on, we need to be winning the game for that to be of any advantage tho.

[Renniks]

If the game is close after 60…

Will George, Haskell, Care, Te'o, and May - make more of a difference than - Faletau, Davies, Davies and Roberts

I wonder if the management were happy with his contribution off the bench? if the aim is to play a wider more attacking game after 60 minutes, where does Roberts fit into that plan?

Indeed, I had originally written the positive effects of Faletau, and S. Davies… The Negative effects of Roberts… and the potentially positive / potentially negative effects of G. Davies

But thought I'd be less biased and just pull out the key replacements for each team

[Numbers]

If the game is close after 60…

Will George, Haskell, Care, Te'o, and May - make more of a difference than - Faletau, Davies, Davies and Roberts

I wonder if the management were happy with his contribution off the bench? if the aim is to play a wider more attacking game after 60 minutes, where does Roberts fit into that plan?

Indeed, I had originally written the positive effects of Faletau, and S. Davies… The Negative effects of Roberts… and the potentially positive / potentially negative effects of G. Davies

But thought I'd be less biased and just pull out the key replacements for each team

Nicky Smith and Scott Baldwin offer good go forward from the bench.

[ALunpg]

We all remember when they wouldn't drop Priestland for what seemed like years of Biggar running rings around him. Biggar is now getting the benefit of that same bloody-minded attitude. It's hard to begrudge it to him, but it's fucking depressing to watch.

Yep .. it is ..and for me its crap that Biggar often gets maligned for being what he is...a fine player.

Interesting commentry from Howley...maybe they want to keep the changes quiet till Saturday
"George hasn't done too much this week and Dan has done a couple of sessions," said Howley.

"Those two players will be given every opportunity to be fit. They're two experienced players, they are important players for us - George in the wide channels and Dan through his experience and leadership

I guess that will be why Steff Evans has not been released

[Numbers]

We all remember when they wouldn't drop Priestland for what seemed like years of Biggar running rings around him. Biggar is now getting the benefit of that same bloody-minded attitude. It's hard to begrudge it to him, but it's fucking depressing to watch.

Yep .. it is ..and for me its crap that Biggar often gets maligned for being what he is...a fine player.

Interesting commentry from Howley...maybe they want to keep the changes quiet till Saturday
"George hasn't done too much this week and Dan has done a couple of sessions," said Howley.

"Those two players will be given every opportunity to be fit. They're two experienced players, they are important players for us - George in the wide channels and Dan through his experience and leadership

I guess that will be why Steff Evans has not been released

I have a horrible feeling that North won't be fit and Biggar will.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Obviously the props were the only reason for our improved second-half performance.

I just don't get it. I expected it but still don't get it. What was Howley watching on Sunday? You feel that there's a five year plan to phase Sam Davies in, and nothing is going to change that as long as Biggar is half fit.

I imagine that unless we're miles ahead or miles behind towards the end, Howley will be paralyzed and Davies will be lucky to get 10 minutes. How long would he have got if Biggar hadn't been injured on Sunday?

[Sandydragon]

Obviously the props were the only reason for our improved second-half performance.

I just don't get it. I expected it but still don't get it. What was Howley watching on Sunday? You feel that there's a five year plan to phase Sam Davies in, and nothing is going to change that as long as Bigger is half fit.

I imagine that unless we're miles ahead or miles behind towards the end, Howley will be paralyzed and Davies will be lucky to get 10 minutes. How long would he have got if Bigger hadn't been injured on Sunday?

It would have been 10 minutes. Assuming it wasn't too close.

[Son of Mathonwy]

We all remember when they wouldn't drop Priestland for what seemed like years of Biggar running rings around him. Biggar is now getting the benefit of that same bloody-minded attitude. It's hard to begrudge it to him, but it's fucking depressing to watch.

Yep .. it is ..and for me its crap that Biggar often gets maligned for being what he is...a fine player.

Interesting commentry from Howley...maybe they want to keep the changes quiet till Saturday
"George hasn't done too much this week and Dan has done a couple of sessions," said Howley.

"Those two players will be given every opportunity to be fit. They're two experienced players, they are important players for us - George in the wide channels and Dan through his experience and leadership

I guess that will be why Steff Evans has not been released

I have a horrible feeling that North won't be fit and Biggar will.

I can see them both being allowed to limp about for at least 60 minutes.

[Lord Lucan]

Howler is too conservative, he reminds me of David Moyes in football, playing it safe, not wanting to take risks. I can see this game following the usual pattern, we go well behind, then its throw in the kitchen sink time for the last 20 minutes.

[Numbers]

Obviously the props were the only reason for our improved second-half performance.

I just don't get it. I expected it but still don't get it. What was Howley watching on Sunday? You feel that there's a five year plan to phase Sam Davies in, and nothing is going to change that as long as Bigger is half fit.

I imagine that unless we're miles ahead or miles behind towards the end, Howley will be paralyzed and Davies will be lucky to get 10 minutes. How long would he have got if Bigger hadn't been injured on Sunday?

It would have been 10 minutes. Assuming it wasn't too close.

That's the thing tho isn't it, he wouldn't have been used at all as we were behind until he came on.

[ALunpg]

That's the thing tho isn't it, he wouldn't have been used at all as we were behind until he came on.

I agree ..it would just have been 5 minutes at the end ... if we were lucky.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Yep .. it is ..and for me its crap that Biggar often gets maligned for being what he is...a fine player.

Interesting commentry from Howley...maybe they want to keep the changes quiet till Saturday
"George hasn't done too much this week and Dan has done a couple of sessions," said Howley.

"Those two players will be given every opportunity to be fit. They're two experienced players, they are important players for us - George in the wide channels and Dan through his experience and leadership

I guess that will be why Steff Evans has not been released

I have a horrible feeling that North won't be fit and Biggar will.

I can see them both being allowed to limp about for at least 60 minutes.

Hmm... and if North can only last 40 minutes - which, given his injury wouldn't be a complete surprise - who replaces him on the wing.... Roberts? Nah too slow... of course, Sam Davies will be wasted at full back to allow 1/2p onto the wing. Ridiculous. Steff Evans should be on the bench (assuming Hewitt is still injured)... but that would be another gamble.

[Numbers]

I have a horrible feeling that North won't be fit and Biggar will.

I can see them both being allowed to limp about for at least 60 minutes.

Hmm... and if North can only last 40 minutes - which, given his injury wouldn't be a complete surprise - who replaces him on the wing.... Roberts? Nah too slow... of course, Sam Davies will be wasted at full back to allow 1/2p onto the wing. Ridiculous. Steff Evans should be on the bench (assuming Hewitt is still injured)... but that would be another gamble.

Agree re: Steff Evans, I would imagine Davies being played at first receiver in attack, even if he did come on at fullback, like they do at the Os.

[Numbers]

So Jerome Garces is the ref, it just gets better.

[ALunpg]

It could get worse..of they select Cuthbert if North is injured.

[Sandydragon]

I have a horrible feeling that North won't be fit and Biggar will.

I can see them both being allowed to limp about for at least 60 minutes.

Hmm... and if North can only last 40 minutes - which, given his injury wouldn't be a complete surprise - who replaces him on the wing.... Roberts? Nah too slow... of course, Sam Davies will be wasted at full back to allow 1/2p onto the wing. Ridiculous. Steff Evans should be on the bench (assuming Hewitt is still injured)... but that would be another gamble.

That's the nightmare I foresee. We lose north at halftime and Sam spends a half at full back, gets shown up out of position and Howley gets his excuse not to pick him.

[ALunpg]

My thought is if North starts and goes off they will bring on Roberts to centre and Scott to the wing. Sam will be kept in case Biggar gets his ribs tickled.

Interesting that Owain Williams was released... apparently non Welsh players must be released if they are not in the starting 23.

[Hwyl dda]

Well it's time of year again, freezing outside but always sweating buckets over this game!
Can't see England having another poor performance on Sat, which is probably what we need in order to be in with a chance. With Biggar starting, not hopeful for our attacking intent but happy for him to prove me wrong. Sam may well come on sooner than planned for or expected as Biggar's ribs will be tested along with North's leg early doors.
Wales by 3-5 if we win, England by a considerable amount more if we lose.

For me, the 9 10 axis is crucial, when has ever not been?! If we can put pressure on England there, this could stiffle their attack and not allow them to get momentum.

C'mon the boyos in RED!!

[Sandydragon]

Relative experience in the back row is crucial for me. If Sam and Tips have big games then the English backline might find themselves starved of decent possession.

[Sandydragon]

Oh fuck me. The fail is reporting that Cuthbert is likely to replace north due to the latter not recovering properly from his dead leg.

Howley apparently values Cuthbert experience.

Shame he isn't interested in form.

[Hooky]

Oh fuck me. The fail is reporting that Cuthbert is likely to replace north due to the latter not recovering properly from his dead leg.

Howley apparently values Cuthbert experience.

Shame he isn't interested in form.

Not interested in form, just the experience of playing shit over and over again for Wales. Valuable.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Oh fuck me. The fail is reporting that Cuthbert is likely to replace north due to the latter not recovering properly from his dead leg.

Howley apparently values Cuthbert experience.

Shame he isn't interested in form.

Not interested in form, just the experience of playing shit over and over again for Wales. Valuable.

Wow, I hope this isn't true but it's been staring us in the face: Cuthbert wasn't selected and retained in the squad this weekend for nothing. It just seemed too stupid to be true that he could be preferred to wingers who have actually played well after 2013.

Still, fingers crossed that it's all mind games and on Saturday we'll start Sam Davies and a secretly recovered Keelan Giles.

[ALunpg]

Oh fuck me. The fail is reporting that Cuthbert is likely to replace north due to the latter not recovering properly from his dead leg.

Howley apparently values Cuthbert experience.

Shame he isn't interested in form.

Not interested in form, just the experience of playing shit over and over again for Wales. Valuable.

Wow, I hope this isn't true but it's been staring us in the face: Cuthbert wasn't selected and retained in the squad this weekend for nothing. It just seemed too stupid to be true that he could be preferred to wingers who have actually played well after 2013.

Still, fingers crossed that it's all mind games and on Saturday we'll start Sam Davies and a secretly recovered Keelan Giles.

I will have a pint of whatever whacky juice you on ..ih fact I will have a pint of whatever Howler is on as well....

[Numbers]

The only ray of light is that Gareth Southgate has been involved in England's training camp.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Not interested in form, just the experience of playing shit over and over again for Wales. Valuable.

Wow, I hope this isn't true but it's been staring us in the face: Cuthbert wasn't selected and retained in the squad this weekend for nothing. It just seemed too stupid to be true that he could be preferred to wingers who have actually played well after 2013.

Still, fingers crossed that it's all mind games and on Saturday we'll start Sam Davies and a secretly recovered Keelan Giles.

I will have a pint of whatever whacky juice you on ..ih fact I will have a pint of whatever Howler is on as well....

Both will give you a complete reality by-pass . Let's hope we don't need it.

The interesting thing is that despite all this selection weirdness, we do still stand a chance of winning this. I think.

One thing I think deserves to be said (very belatedly) to Howley's credit: the 15-a-side "mock tests" he ran before the Italy match might have had some impact. I mean for once we weren't complaining that our players started the 6N looking like they hadn't seen a rugby ball for weeks.