Team for England

[Nightynight]

I think wales will win....

Need to close Ford down with a sharp defensive line and the Welsh half backs start winning turnovers and getting in behind England...... 2-3 tries by Wales, game over.

[ALunpg]

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.

I heard that...so were they called the Autumn Internationals ?

[Son of Mathonwy]

[/b]


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.

I heard that...so were they called the Autumn Internationals ?

I knew they were good for something

[Sandydragon]

Admittedly against a poor Italian side, we did look like we were there to play rugby. The attack was still poor for far too long, but defensively we looked good from the off. Better than in some years that's for sure.

[Numbers]

Admittedly against a poor Italian side, we did look like we were there to play rugby. The attack was still poor for far too long, but defensively we looked good from the off. Better than in some years that's for sure.

Our defence towards the end of the first half was excellent, as was our discipline not concede a penalty, as you say it is the attack which may be found wanting.

[Sourdust]

Admittedly against a poor Italian side, we did look like we were there to play rugby. The attack was still poor for far too long, but defensively we looked good from the off. Better than in some years that's for sure.

Our defence towards the end of the first half was excellent, as was our discipline not concede a penalty, as you say it is the attack which may be found wanting.

England are very strong and patient in the face of good defence, so long as they get to keep the ball.

Our back row are the key IMO. It's the only area of the field where we clearly outclass England. IF they can slow/steal some English ball while protecting ours, we might be in with a sniff. But only a sniff.

[normanski]

My head says England comfortably but my heart says Wales could sneak this. We need some English indiscretions at the breakdown in their own half and hope Halfpenny can punish them with early points. Dan Cole to keep diving in when he's been told to stay out!

It's key for our backrow to gain early dominance and disrupt their source of possession.

[Sourdust]

My head says England comfortably but my heart says Wales could sneak this.

My head says England comfortably.

I don't have a heart.

[wayneha50]

Bonus point for Ireland in 35mins is really giving me the fear for the England game now, really putting into perspective how bad we were

[normanski]

North out Cuthbert in.

[stud muffin]

Howley bottled blooding anyone in the Autumn and now we end up with Cuthbert!! I hope he has a good game, but I would expect Eddie Jones has had a word to say target him early on

[Hwyl dda]

North out Cuthbert in.

We are fuppin fupped. I predict a tonkin today

[Buggaluggs]

Doing 13 pts better than last week at the half.

[Sourdust]

Doing 13 pts better than last week at the half.

I'd rather be 13-8 up than 8-13 down. That's about all I can say.

I still think they're more dangerous than us. But that's the best half of rugby from Wales in some time.

Must, MUST do better on their ruck ball, though. Getting blown off it far too often. Toby..?

[Buggaluggs]

We look strong going forward. We could have had 6+ points more. Their bench might bring a bit more though.

[morepork]

Seems more continuity when Biggar is bypassed.

[Buggaluggs]

Seems more continuity when Biggar is bypassed.

Addition by subtraction. That's why he's world class.

[morepork]

Biggar kicks every single fucking ball away. jesus christ.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Biggar kicks every single fucking ball away. jesus christ.

He's a kicking fly half. A brilliant one at that.

[bruce]

Well there you go. It makes me so feckin mad that Cuthbert is still being picked. Arguably at fault for both England tries, and did the square root of feck all else.

[WaspInWales]

Hard luck. We were very lucky to win that.

Welsh defence and breakdown was ferocious. Lost count of the number of times you smashed the crap out of our players.

[Buggaluggs]

How the fuck did we lose that?

[Sourdust]

So; from playing turgid crap but winning, back to good ol' play-'em-off-the-park-then-lose.

Progress?

[stud muffin]

Absolutely gutted. Was a complete brainfart not to kick to touch and let us re-organise our defence.

That said there were more pluses than negatives.
- I was calling for Davies to start at 10, but I have to say Biggar was immense.
- Our defense looked very good, very aggressive knocking them back.
- Our back row was head and shoulders above England's.
- The backs strung together some nice passes and looked dangerous.
- Forwards carried very well, seemed to be taking the ball pace.

Cuthbert still should be no-where near the matchday 23.

[Buggaluggs]

Moriaty coming off was moronic by Stan. As was Williams, he was the only back regularly beating defenders. Leaving Cuthbert on. Knocks on. Fails to catch. And misses the try scoring tackle twice.