Wales team vs Barbarians

First topic message reminder :

15. Liam Williams
14. Harry Robinson
13. Andrew Bishop
12. James Hook
11. Aled Brew
10. Dan Biggar
9. Lloyd Williams
8. Ryan Jones
7. Justin Tipuric
6. Josh Turnbull
5. Ian Evans
4. Alun Wyn Jones
3. Rhodri Jones
2. Matthew Rees (c)
1. Rhys Gill.

Reps: R Hibbard, P James , A Shingler, M Williams, Webb, A Warren, W Harries

With the following 16 going to Australia tomorrow:
Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Ashley Beck, Alex Cuthbert, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau

Great to see Adam warren in the team. Very talented young lad. Very much in the jd2 / Scott Williams mould.

Can't help thinking that players like Lewis Evans and Hughes for the Dragons are handicapped by not playing for some of the more fashionable teams. I guess the Will Harries inclusion refutes that a bit but both of these are knocking on the door IMO

Adam Hughes, certainly - and in fairness, Lewis Evans was called up to the training squad for the autumn internationals last year. I'm actually surprised to see Will Harries involved on the weekend. My take on it is that in him and Harry Robinson, they're looking at a smaller, Shane-type winger so that we have the option / alternative to Alex Cuthbert (who still isn't the finished article himself).

I thought Hughes would deserve to be at least on the bench instead of Warren (who I really like but it's a little early for him) or even in the team instead of Bishop/Hook.

It's a shame that Clermont are playing as a backline of Byrne, L Williams and Brew would have been really good, with Robinson to come on later.

First off still think this is a game we could have done without but the money grabbers at the WRU think otehrwise.

That said it will be good to see how this side goes, I am worried about the backs mind.

Biggar - deserves another crack as he has had great season.

Hook - has never filled me with confidence at centre and that feeling has still not changed. I would have given Adam Hughes a shot there and certainly a bench spot at worst.

Not seen enough of Robinson to make mind up and repoerts are good about Williams but still nervous about the backs.

Forwards is a good mix, Gill played well in his 6 Nations outing whilst Rees if on form is still one of best about, as for Jones well good to see another T/Head getting a shot.

2nd row is most peoples first choice (Evans & Charterris for me) so not a weak link.

Back row is good as most reckon R Jones should be starting in the tests anyway and Tipuric is pushing Sam all the way. WOuld have started Shingler over Turnbull but again good to see him get run after few injuries.

bedfordwelsh wrote:First off still think this is a game we could have done without but the money grabbers at the WRU think otehrwise.

That said it will be good to see how this side goes, I am worried about the backs mind.

Biggar - deserves another crack as he has had great season.

Hook - has never filled me with confidence at centre and that feeling has still not changed. I would have given Adam Hughes a shot there and certainly a bench spot at worst.

Not seen enough of Robinson to make mind up and repoerts are good about Williams but still nervous about the backs.

Forwards is a good mix, Gill played well in his 6 Nations outing whilst Rees if on form is still one of best about, as for Jones well good to see another T/Head getting a shot.

2nd row is most peoples first choice (Evans & Charterris for me) so not a weak link.

Back row is good as most reckon R Jones should be starting in the tests anyway and Tipuric is pushing Sam all the way. WOuld have started Shingler over Turnbull but again good to see him get run after few injuries.

I think there are good things about this test Bedford (as well as some bad) - because we always seem to play the top SH sides it's meant we haven't really had a chance to test our 2nd XV and also a reason why Biggar hasn't had a shot for so long - so it will be good to decide which players can realistically challenge the 1st choice players.

I'm looking forward to see how Biggar, Liam Williams, Gill, Tupric and Turnbull do, and it's great having Ryan Jones playing so well as he offers so many options and can well challenge either Lydiate or Toby now.

I dont want to see us throwing the ball about too much. We need to build through the phases and use the forwards. Our defence is key and irrespective of the outcome one of our main aims would be to nil the Baa Baas try wise. That would be some achievement IMO - Hughes for Hook is a good call IMO

The picture at the top of this article.

Preistland got his first cap last summer and Biggar wasn't involved in the pre-WC warm-ups was he?

So when did this happen?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18270763

Also some Quality journalism from the BBC

"Biggar also missed out on Wales's 2012 Six Nations Grand Slam in which Priestland's form was questioned.
"Rhys has done superbly well over the last 12 months," said Priestland."

Preistland taking in 3rd person again...

wales606 wrote:The picture at the top of this article.

Preistland got his first cap last summer and Biggar wasn't involved in the pre-WC warm-ups was he?

So when did this happen?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18270763

Maybe it was a capped game, played behind closed doors against the Combined Welsh schools girls under 16's

I think that's a made up picture it seems false.

HERSH wrote:

wales606 wrote:The picture at the top of this article.

Preistland got his first cap last summer and Biggar wasn't involved in the pre-WC warm-ups was he?

So when did this happen?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18270763

Maybe it was a capped game, played behind closed doors against the Combined Welsh schools girls under 16's

If it was behind closed doors they did a lot of work to put all those blurred dummies in the background.

That’s a bit offensive to call them dummies

HERSH wrote:That’s a bit offensive to call them dummies

Isn't that what you think all Welsh supporters are Hersh?

wales606 wrote:

HERSH wrote:That’s a bit offensive to call them dummies

Isn't that what you think all Welsh supporters are Hersh?

Hersh thinks?!? Since when?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

wales606 wrote:

HERSH wrote:That’s a bit offensive to call them dummies

Isn't that what you think all Welsh supporters are Hersh?

Hersh thinks?!? Since when?

Biltong you are going to have your work cut out next month when the summer internationals start.

You can say that again my friend.

But most rugby fans don't agree with it.

A cap to me means that a player has won the right to represent their country in a Test match.

Some of you are far too sensitive.

It’s a sensible discussion to have.

wales606 wrote:

HERSH wrote:That’s a bit offensive to call them dummies

Isn't that what you think all Welsh supporters are Hersh?

I didn't and have never said that!

biltongbek wrote:Hersh, I just removed your thread on devalued caps, don't bring it up here, it is the perogative of Welsh Rugby Union to award international caps as they see fit.

Even if you don't agree with it.

You can report WUMs...I never knew.....

HERSH wrote:

wales606 wrote:

HERSH wrote:That’s a bit offensive to call them dummies

Isn't that what you think all Welsh supporters are Hersh?

I didn't and have never said that!

wales606 wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Hersh, I just removed your thread on devalued caps, don't bring it up here, it is the perogative of Welsh Rugby Union to award international caps as they see fit.

Even if you don't agree with it.

You can report WUMs...I never knew.....

FOUND IT

some of you have lost your sense of humour today and the will to have a good debate.

wales606 wrote:The picture at the top of this article.

Preistland got his first cap last summer and Biggar wasn't involved in the pre-WC warm-ups was he?

So when did this happen?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18270763

That picture was from the game against Australia in December.

HERSH wrote:

some of you have lost your sense of humour today and the will to have a good debate.

I agree about this today. At least they don't attack your punctuation and calling you an astute colloquial. I think the gloomful weather making the fight. All should be happy because is coming the celebrate of queen. And there is at least mean long days off.

mpc28 wrote:

wales606 wrote:The picture at the top of this article.

Preistland got his first cap last summer and Biggar wasn't involved in the pre-WC warm-ups was he?

So when did this happen?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18270763

That picture was from the game against Australia in December.

Ahhh, I forgot Biggar played because Hook was unavailable and Jones retired.

Cheers

anotherworldofpain wrote:

HERSH wrote:

some of you have lost your sense of humour today and the will to have a good debate.

I agree about this today. At least they don't attack your punctuation and calling you an astute colloquial. I think the gloomful weather making the fight. All should be happy because is coming the celebrate of queen. And there is at least mean long days off.

Hersh we were having a good debate with out your brand of 'sensible debate'.

I think this game should be good, with a great chance for players to show their skills and potential, while allowing others a great chance to prove they should be 1st choice (Biggar, R Jones and the locks in particular)

anotherworldofpain wrote:

HERSH wrote:

some of you have lost your sense of humour today and the will to have a good debate.

I agree about this today. At least they don't attack your punctuation and calling you an astute colloquial. I think the gloomful weather making the fight. All should be happy because is coming the celebrate of queen. And there is at least mean long days off.

Why does a rugby fan support England, Romania, Kenya, Spain and Japan?

anotherworldofpain wrote:

HERSH wrote:

some of you have lost your sense of humour today and the will to have a good debate.

I agree about this today. At least they don't attack your punctuation and calling you an astute colloquial . I think the gloomful weather making the fight. All should be happy because is coming the celebrate of queen. And there is at least mean long days off.

That must be the most cutting insult ever!!!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:

HERSH wrote:

some of you have lost your sense of humour today and the will to have a good debate.

I agree about this today. At least they don't attack your punctuation and calling you an astute colloquial . I think the gloomful weather making the fight. All should be happy because is coming the celebrate of queen. And there is at least mean long days off.

That must be the most cutting insult ever!!!

Sometimes I wonder if any of you have ever played the great game at all.

If things didn't go your way in a game did you stamp your feet and storm off the pitch?

They get bait by the opponent half back and swinging the punch first and go to the red card in my mind. Or skin so thin the legs fall out.

At the end of the day I hope Martyn is very happy with his 100th cap agaisnt the Baa baas, as I'm sure many of you will be.

HERSH wrote:Sometimes I wonder if any of you have ever played the great game at all.

If things didn't go your way in a game did you stamp your feet and storm off the pitch?

That's for fans, on the pitch in SA we would start a real fight.

bedfordwelsh wrote:First off still think this is a game we could have done without but the money grabbers at the WRU think otehrwise.

At least it's not just us this time: the RFU and the IRFU are at it as well.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Or skin so thin the legs fall out.

LP,

One wrong not a right make lol.

biltongbek wrote:

HERSH wrote:Sometimes I wonder if any of you have ever played the great game at all.

If things didn't go your way in a game did you stamp your feet and storm off the pitch?

That's for fans, on the pitch in SA we would start a real fight.

not right?

Yep.

We also do some more frowned upon antics, but seeing that this is a family show, it can only be discussed after midnight.

Guess who is refereeing this match....

I'll give you a clue - the players will be being very careful when tackling.

wales606 wrote:Guess who is refereeing this match....

I'll give you a clue - the players will be being very careful when tackling.

Brian May, guitarist from Queen?

slartibartfast wrote:

wales606 wrote:Guess who is refereeing this match....

I'll give you a clue - the players will be being very careful when tackling.

Brian May, guitarist from Queen?

Nope

Try again.

Clue no 2

Spoiler:

Clue no 3

Spoiler:

Clue no 4

Spoiler:

Clue no 5

Spoiler:

Clue no 6

Spoiler:

Seriously, it's Colm Pierre?

He'll get boo'd. It's a bit tiresome now, but the MS crowd haven't had the chance to do it yet, so it's inevitable really.

rugbydreamer wrote:

Seriously, it's Colm Pierre?

He'll get boo'd. It's a bit tiresome now, but the MS crowd haven't had the chance to do it yet, so it's inevitable really.

Its just lucky Warburton isn't playing. Still I expect Tipuric will be red carded and miss the tour down under as a result . Or maybe Martyn will top off his career with a red.

My problem with Alain Rolland is that, these days, he seems to start every match in a bit of a bad mood. He seems annoyed before kick-off. I'm not sure that's particularly helpful to anyone.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:My problem with Alain Rolland is that, these days, he seems to start every match in a bit of a bad mood. He seems annoyed before kick-off. I'm not sure that's particularly helpful to anyone.

Maybe he doesn't appreciate the way Nigel Davies looks at him from the touchline...