Wales v England Official Match Thread

[RubyGuby]

First topic message reminder :

It's 5th v 4th in the World Rankings on Sat. and a real opportunity for 1 of these sides to put another marker down in their development - These games now have even greater significance given that we share the same RWC Pool in 2015 - The fact that Wales have won the last 2 meetings between these old foes will count for nothing - It should be Awesome .

Good luck to both teams and both sets of fans

[doctornickolas]

I'm going for Jamie Roberts to have an absolute stormer on saturday.

he has finished his Medical Finals Exams earlier this week and he must be a totally relieved guy that it is all over.

Now to release some of that pent up tension against England. he owes us Welsh fans a big game.

Wales 23 v 15 England is my call.

[maestegmafia]

Here is a good laugh...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2013/03/14/seven-points-here-are-70-reasons-why-wales-will-beat-england-91466-32987974/

[maestegmafia]

WALES:

15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Jamie Roberts
11. George North
10. Dan Biggar
9. Mike Phillips
1. Gethin Jenkins (Capt)
2. Richard Hibbard,
3. Adam Jones
4. Alun Wyn Jones
5. Ian Evans
6. Sam Warburton
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Paul James, Scott Andrews, Andrew Coombs, Aaron Shingler, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.

[doctornickolas]

Here it is

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins (Capt), Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau.
REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Paul James, Scott Andrews, Andrew Coombs, Aaron Shingler, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.

[wales606]

Still no Craig Mitchell

Otherwise as expected

[wales606]

Forwards on the bench look considerable less formidable when we are missing Mitchell, Charteris, BD and Ryan Jones :/

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'd have preferred to see Paul James at loosehead, but otherwise I'm happy enough.

No genuine back three cover again.

[fa0019]

Think its a mistake Gethin is played over James.

There is a leadership and experience gulf with Jones injured so perhaps thats why he was chosen. Sort of understand why they did it... you want your big time players in the big matches.... sort of the reason why JW was chosen in the RWC11... not to England's benefit.

James has played very well.

[maestegmafia]

Gethin back in the loosehead spot and Captain...

Plenty of leaders on the field, this is a good team. Warbs, Tips and Toby have been our best backrow, but having not started together the concept worried me.

They have certainly earned the opportunity to play together. It could be magnificent.

[Casartelli]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

[doctornickolas]

I'd have preferred to see Paul James at tighthead, but otherwise I'm happy enough.

No genuine back three cover again.

I hope you mean loosehead Luckless.

[maestegmafia]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

WHY...? Its pretty much the same bench we have been playing for the last three games we have won. It works well for us.

When you make statements like that you just sound like you are trolling.

[offload]

Should have been James at 1 and Coombs 6. Gethin and Justin could have made a big impact off the bench. I think we just threw away a possible advantage in the scrum.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'd have preferred to see Paul James at tighthead, but otherwise I'm happy enough.

No genuine back three cover again.

I hope you mean loosehead Luckless.

It's virtual Friday for me, my mind's not on the job!

[flyhalffactory]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

Thats a good side and a capt call in Gethin

Cas
That bench is more or less the same as you have had all through the 6Ns!!!................ are you just winding up?

[Jimpy]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

Wouldn't say it was dodgy, but it doesn't have as much game changing potential as the English bench though.

[maestegmafia]

And the visitors team

England team: A Goode (Saracens); C Ashton (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester), B Barritt (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins); O Farrell (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester); J Marler (Harlequins), T Youngs (Leicester), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), G Parling (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), T Wood (Northampton).

Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), D Wilson (Bath), M Vunipola (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), D Care (Harlequins), T Flood (Leicester), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester).

Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Tom Croft and Joe Marler have been recalled to England's starting XV for Saturday's Six Nations decider against Wales.

Leicester scrum-half Youngs, 23, is in for Danny Care while fly-half Farrell, who missed the win over Italy with a thigh injury, replaces Toby Flood.
Flanker Croft, who has made only six appearances since returning from a broken neck, replaces James Haskell.

Harlequins' loose-head prop Joe Marler reclaims his place from Mako Vunipola.
Meanwhile, second row Joe Launchbury retains his place in the starting line-up after shaking off an elbow injury.

Title permutations

An England victory by any margin would secure a first GRAND SLAM triumph in a decade.

An England defeat by six points or fewer would be enough for ENGLAND TO WIN THE TITLE.

If England lose by seven points but outscore Wales by three tries or more, ENGLAND WIN THE TITLE.

A Wales victory by seven points or more, providing they stay ahead of England on tournament tries (7 to 5 so far), would see WALES RETAIN THE TITLE.

If Wales win by seven points but England score two more tries then the TITLE WOULD BE SHARED.


"Tom Croft's extra line-out presence will hopefully give us an advantage," said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

"He is clearly a quality player and he has had a great impact since he has come back into the team. James Haskell's impact coming off the bench will serve us better.

"Both props will have a big contribution. Joe will give us the solidity in the scrum and then as the game wears on Mako will come on and do his thing."

Wasps lock Launchbury, 21, was given until Thursday morning to prove his fitness after hyper-extending his elbow against the Azzurri, meaning Courtney Lawes was on standby. But perhaps Lancaster's biggest decision for the most important team announcement of his tenure was in the back row.

Croft's last start for England was 12 months ago against Ireland. In April 2012 he suffered a triple break to a vertebra and a burst disc when tackling Harlequins number eight Nick Easter.

The Leicester flanker was told later that he had come as close to being paralysed as it was possible to be but made his comeback for the Tigers on 4 January.

After being given medical clearance to play every week, Croft, 27, was immediately recalled by England and he came off the bench against Italy.

He will bring a more mobile, athletic dimension to the England back row than the more physical Haskell, who is primed to win his 50th cap off the bench.

Victory for England would give them their first Grand Slam since 2003, the year they also won the World Cup.

But Lancaster's team could still win their second Championship in three years if they are beaten by fewer than eight points.

Defending champions Wales would also take the title with a seven-point win as long as England did not score three more tries than them in Cardiff.

[maestegmafia]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

Wouldn't say it was dodgy, but it doesn't have as much game changing potential as the English bench though.

You are correct, if England lost Dan Cole your game plan would have to change dramatically.

[munkian]

We've had alot worse benches, pretty good considering injuries.

[Casartelli]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

WHY...? Its pretty much the same bench we have been playing for the last three games we have won. It works well for us.

When you make statements like that you just sound like you are trolling.

Sorry Maes - for the benefit of the clay class;

England are a much stronger team than Italy, Scotland and (on their current form) France. Thus, given that we play such a limited gameplan, one may have liked to see an impact player or two on the bench, to come on towards the end if the game opens up. e.g. it would have made sense to start with James, the in-form scrummager, with Jenkins, the more mobile prop, saving his legs for later.

They are all good players - but no gamechangers, except Hook, who isn't going to get on unless Biggar loses a limb or gets shot by a sniper.

Hence, selecting a bench just to cover injuries, rather than as a tactical weapon, against a team as powerful as England, is 'dodgy'.

[maestegmafia]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

WHY...? Its pretty much the same bench we have been playing for the last three games we have won. It works well for us.

When you make statements like that you just sound like you are trolling.

Sorry Maes - for the benefit of the clay class;

England are a much stronger team than Italy, Scotland and (on their current form) France. Thus, given that we play such a limited gameplan, one may have liked to see an impact player or two on the bench, to come on towards the end if the game opens up. e.g. it would have made sense to start with James, the in-form scrummager, with Jenkins, the more mobile prop, saving his legs for later.

They are all good players - but no gamechangers, except Hook, who isn't going to get on unless Biggar loses a limb or gets shot by a sniper.

Hence, selecting a bench just to cover injuries, rather than as a tactical weapon, against a team as powerful as England, is 'dodgy'.

Maybe the Welsh guards finest can target Biggar and Dan Cole?

[lostinwales]

Here is a good laugh...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2013/03/14/seven-points-here-are-70-reasons-why-wales-will-beat-england-91466-32987974/

Wow - and I thought one or two of the Welsh posters on here were bad. So many 'classics'. I liked the one about Clint choosing a Welshman to advise him on rugby for Invictus. Is that why they ended up with Matt Damon playing Francois Pienaar?

[maestegmafia]

Here is a good laugh...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2013/03/14/seven-points-here-are-70-reasons-why-wales-will-beat-england-91466-32987974/

Wow - and I thought one or two of the Welsh posters on here were bad. So many 'classics'. I liked the one about Clint choosing a Welshman to advise him on rugby for Invictus. Is that why they ended up with Matt Damon playing Francois Pienaar?

It was a choice between Damon or Affleck...!

Sir Anthony felt too old to doing the rugby scenes.

[Looseheaded]

That England backrow is suspect. i understand including Croft for his speed but against two quality 7s I'd imagine you need somebody with at least a tiny bit of groundwork.

[maestegmafia]

That England backrow is suspect. i understand including Croft for his speed but against two quality 7s I'd imagine you need somebody with at least a tiny bit of groundwork.

Wood and Robshaw are good on the ground... It should be a titanic match up.

[maestegmafia]

I think it is going to be a brilliant occasion. I don't know if Wales have enough to beat England or win the championship. England are on a roll, but most importantly they are in fine fettle.

Last weeks blip vs Italy might be the wake up call they needed to repair holes in their game that were barely apparent before.

Wales have beaten some mediocre England teams over the years, we have also been well and truly thrashed by some excellent ones.

There has rarely been a year when the two teams have been in good form at the same time.

This year England look the best they have for a decade and Wales are re-finding their winning ways of twelve months ago.

This could be a spectacular encounter, hopefully the flagship game of this tournament.

[gavstar]

i never say told you so but..... geth as captain !!! now whos going to get a yellow. ?

[gregortree]

I think it is going to be a brilliant occasion. I don't know if Wales have enough to beat England or win the championship. England are on a roll, but most importantly they are in fine fettle.

Last weeks blip vs Italy might be the wake up call they needed to repair holes in their game that were barely apparent before.

Wales have beaten some mediocre England teams over the years, we have also been well and truly thrashed by some excellent ones.

There has rarely been a year when the two teams have been in good form at the same time.

This year England look the best they have for a decade and Wales are re-finding their winning ways of twelve months ago.

This could be a spectacular encounter, hopefully the flagship game of this tournament.

Fair comment Maes, and I hope so too.

[offload]

I think it is going to be a brilliant occasion. I don't know if Wales have enough to beat England or win the championship. England are on a roll, but most importantly they are in fine fettle.

Last weeks blip vs Italy might be the wake up call they needed to repair holes in their game that were barely apparent before.

Wales have beaten some mediocre England teams over the years, we have also been well and truly thrashed by some excellent ones.

There has rarely been a year when the two teams have been in good form at the same time.

This year England look the best they have for a decade and Wales are re-finding their winning ways of twelve months ago.

This could be a spectacular encounter, hopefully the flagship game of this tournament.

Fair comment Maes, and I hope so too.

I hope I'm wrong but often these big expectation games don't live up to the hype. I'd rather Wales win a turgid affair than loose a fantastic spectacle. Sod the great game for the neutral - I just want to win.

[maestegmafia]

I think it is going to be a brilliant occasion. I don't know if Wales have enough to beat England or win the championship. England are on a roll, but most importantly they are in fine fettle.

Last weeks blip vs Italy might be the wake up call they needed to repair holes in their game that were barely apparent before.

Wales have beaten some mediocre England teams over the years, we have also been well and truly thrashed by some excellent ones.

There has rarely been a year when the two teams have been in good form at the same time.

This year England look the best they have for a decade and Wales are re-finding their winning ways of twelve months ago.

This could be a spectacular encounter, hopefully the flagship game of this tournament.

Fair comment Maes, and I hope so too.

It started with a bang, lets hope it can finish on a high too.

[Looseheaded]

Here is a good laugh...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2013/03/14/seven-points-here-are-70-reasons-why-wales-will-beat-england-91466-32987974/

"Wales have lost 5 home games on the bounce. 6 would just be silly"

i can;t find a flaw in that logic truth be told

[Jimpy]

I think it is going to be a brilliant occasion. I don't know if Wales have enough to beat England or win the championship. England are on a roll, but most importantly they are in fine fettle.

Last weeks blip vs Italy might be the wake up call they needed to repair holes in their game that were barely apparent before.

Wales have beaten some mediocre England teams over the years, we have also been well and truly thrashed by some excellent ones.

There has rarely been a year when the two teams have been in good form at the same time.

This year England look the best they have for a decade and Wales are re-finding their winning ways of twelve months ago.

This could be a spectacular encounter, hopefully the flagship game of this tournament.

Fair comment Maes, and I hope so too.

It started with a bang, lets hope it can finish on a high too.

Said the drug dealer to the prostitute.

[maestegmafia]

I hope I'm wrong but often these big expectation games don't live up to the hype. I'd rather Wales win a turgid affair than loose a fantastic spectacle. Sod the great game for the neutral - I just want to win.

I must admit there is a lot to be said for Wales achieving a back to back championship win in the Six Nations. This squad have had a lot of final hurdles that they haven't vaulted it would be a huge psychological boost for the squad to leap that final hurdle.

together they have worked their way to the RWC semis and fallen to France, failed to beat the Aussies to 3rd place, failed to win a tour down under and whitewashed in the Autumn when they needed to secure that 4th place IRB Rankings spot.

These lads have played in some very big matches, they have won a Grand Slam, they have made it to the Semis at the RWC. But it is the next treacherous step that has been beyond them.

That said, their opposition are in a similar boat, a young and growing team.

[maestegmafia]

Here is a good laugh...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2013/03/14/seven-points-here-are-70-reasons-why-wales-will-beat-england-91466-32987974/

"Wales have lost 5 home games on the bounce. 6 would just be silly"

i can;t find a flaw in that logic truth be told

Good fun read eh..!

[maestegmafia]

Said the drug dealer to the prostitute.

cheers Jimpy, the quality of your contributions is always consistent if little else.

[RubyGuby]

Very exciting welsh team

[gregortree]

...... although I would take a boring win on this occasion, even with all the attendant 'boring' flak which would come with it.
Boring GS ? Yes that sound nice, I could live with that.

[maestegmafia]

From the ospreys Website...

Justin Tipuric has been named in the Wales starting XV to play England in Cardiff on Saturday, one of two personnel changes to the side that beat Scotland last weekend with Gethin Jenkins returning from injury to lead the team.

The Ospreys again enjoy the largest recognition in the starting line-up with six players included in the XV - two more than any other region.
Jenkins has recovered from a calf injury that ruled him out of the victory at Murrayfield and will win his 98th cap when he captains Wales at the Millennium Stadium. He comes back into the front row and will line up once again alongside Richard Hibbard and Adam Jones (both Ospreys).

Ospreys duo Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans continue their partnership in the second row with the latter featuring in his 10thconsecutive Six Nations match.

In the absence of captain Ryan Jones in the back-row, Sam Warburton (Blues) switches to blindside flanker with Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) coming in to wear the number seven shirt alongside Toby Faletau (Dragons) at number eight.

Wales' 28-18 victory in Edinburgh set a new Welsh record for consecutive away victories in the tournament and the consistency continues in the selection with interim head coach Rob Howley naming the same back line that has started each RBS 6 Nations game this season.

Mike Phillips (Bayonne) will become Wales' most capped scrum half when he wins his 77thcap, surpassing Dwayne Peel's previous record of 76. Phillips will partner Dan Biggar (Ospreys) at half back.

Jamie Roberts (Blues) and Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) line up in the centre with Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Blues) and George North (Scarlets) making up the back three.

Wales' experienced side features 12 players who started the Grand Slam decider against France last season.

"The players have worked very hard to put themselves in this position for Saturday, with three hard fought victories on the road,"said Howley.

"Gethin comes back in and will captain the side and his leadership will be invaluable.

"Saturday is a big finale for the tournament but we have a very experienced squad, who have been in this position before, that have played in big games and that will be important come kick-off."

Bath prop Paul James takes his place amongst the replacements and the only other change sees Aaron Shingler come in to replace Tipuric.

[Jimpy]

Said the drug dealer to the prostitute.

cheers Jimpy, the quality of your contributions is always consistent if little else.

Thats funny, I was just thinking the same about yours...

Don't blub boyo, it was supposed to be a little joke, a quip if you will. An attempt at light humour.

[glamorganalun]

Yep, seriously dodgy looking Welsh bench.

Wouldn't say it was dodgy, but it doesn't have as much game changing potential as the English bench though.

Lawes did that last year!

[maestegmafia]

Said the drug dealer to the prostitute.

cheers Jimpy, the quality of your contributions is always consistent if little else.

Thats funny, I was just thinking the same about yours...

Don't blub boyo, it was supposed to be a little joke, a quip if you will. An attempt at light humour.

Keep trying you'll get there eventually.

[Casartelli]

I think it is going to be a brilliant occasion. I don't know if Wales have enough to beat England or win the championship. England are on a roll, but most importantly they are in fine fettle.

Last weeks blip vs Italy might be the wake up call they needed to repair holes in their game that were barely apparent before.

Wales have beaten some mediocre England teams over the years, we have also been well and truly thrashed by some excellent ones.

There has rarely been a year when the two teams have been in good form at the same time.

This year England look the best they have for a decade and Wales are re-finding their winning ways of twelve months ago.

This could be a spectacular encounter, hopefully the flagship game of this tournament.

Fair comment Maes, and I hope so too.

I hope I'm wrong but often these big expectation games don't live up to the hype. I'd rather Wales win a turgid affair than loose a fantastic spectacle. Sod the great game for the neutral - I just want to win.

+1

Like most Welsh fans I'd take a 3-0 win over a 'classic' that we lose. I just don't think we can win this one playing 'ugly'. England too powerful (even with Croft) and they are always a better team than the mere sum of their parts would suggest.

If we had North, Cuthbert, H/p and JD2 running at the spaces in the 'wide channels' I'd back us to win this fixture 8 times out of 10.

I just don't think Howley is prepared to try it.

[gregortree]

Mostly it has been surpisingly well mannered this week.
Even the bickering thread has lost most of its bite.
It feels like the 2 sets of opponents are warily circling but paying due respect and keeping a distance ahead of the actual battle.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Cas, we went wide (and from deep) a few times against the Wallabies in the autumn - we just didn't finish off the breaks. We can play attacking rugby in the backs, it's just that we don't do it often. I'm hoping we will on Saturday.

[AlastairW]

Mostly it has been surpisingly well mannered this week.
Even the bickering thread has lost most of its bite.
It feels like the 2 sets of opponents are warily circling but paying due respect and keeping a distance ahead of the actual battle.

Hardly. The good English/Welsh posters are forced to try and have genuine discussion around the trolls that have, yet again, gone into a feeding frenzy .. and been allowed to get away with it.

[maestegmafia]

Cas, we went wide (and from deep) a few times against the Wallabies in the autumn - we just didn't finish off the breaks. We can play attacking rugby in the backs, it's just that we don't do it often. I'm hoping we will on Saturday.

LP the way the game has been referee'd this championship any team is lucky to get enough phases of play to open up wide spaces without a ref calling a penalty.

[glamorganalun]

Like others, I prefer James at LH and I am nervous about the balance of the back row having two 7's, I watched Warburton when Scotland were driving the line out and he stood off rather than do the donkey work of a 6. Wales could be found out in the back row in the line out and in defence but could cut loose if they win a lot of ball. I still take Wales to win as I think England are weak on both wings and FB.

[A World Cup and 3 Finals]

England absolutely should and must win this game. Our victory against the ABs and dominance, albeit in defeat over SA and Aus, means England have kicked on and deserve their place at the top table.
Although I'll admit it was a stuttering performance against Italy - hopefully just one of "those" games we needed to get out of the works, this England team is a class apart from the Welsh team. I'd probably only have Halfpenny in the England XV and if Foden were truly fit not even him.
If England really are to push on and fulfill their potential we must put Wales away comprehensively and if we don't I shall be very disappointed.

[gregortree]

A lot of the trolls have vanished, waiting to see if they can show their face on Saturday evening, or alternatively just bin their troll uids after the final whistle.

[wales606]

I agree with the team.

Gethin scrummaged well against Italy and will be a vital leader around the pitch - and his loose play is invaluable.

Warbs and Tips was the only option for the backrow considering the form of both of them

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