Wales Vs Scotland - SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY - KO 15:00 Gonna be a classic..!

by maestegmafia Mon 06 Feb 2012, 7:50 am

First topic message reminder :

Wales Vs Scotland

Date: Sunday, February 12
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Millennium Stadium

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, BBC Radio Wales & online, S4C and Radio Cymru, plus live text and score updates on the BBC Sport website

Date: Sunday, February 12
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15:00 (15:00 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy with a few showers likely. High of 5°C, low of 3°C
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)

Scotland will encounter a Wales side oozing confidence when round two of the Six Nations concludes at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

The opening round of the Championship was a weekend of contrasting fortunes for the two sides.
Wales underlined their status as potential Six Nations champions with a rousing 23-21 victory over Ireland in Dublin. It was a wonderful advert for Six Nations rugby with two teams going at it hammer and tongs for a game won in the last 20 seconds.
That win came less than 24 hours after Scotland had started their challenge with a 13-6 loss to England at Murrayfield. The Scots created enough chances to have beaten their visitors last week, however simple errors coupled with a lack of tries led to another disappointing defeat for Andy Robinson's men, who have now lost three on the trot.
Just once in 13 attempts have Scotland won on the opening weekend of the tournament since Italy joined the Five Nations in 2000.
Scotland must now attempt to bounce back and beat the Welsh in their own back yard - something they have failed to achieve in a decade.
They came mighty close though in their last Cardiff contest after leading by ten points with seven minutes remaining, only for the now retired Shane Williams to score a last-gasp try to secure a dramatic 31-24 come-from-behind victory.
Winning away from home has been a wee bit of a problem for the Scots in the Six Nations, where they have won just once on the road since 2006 (23-20 against Ireland at Croke Park in 2010).
But despite Scotland's poor showing last weekend and dismal away record, Wales will do well not to underestimate Sunday's visitors who are expected to come out all guns blazing after asking for the Millennium Stadium roof to be closed.
With wet weather being forecast, Scotland - notwithstanding the apparent lack of abilities to score tries (at least in the past four games) - have backed themselves to take on Wales at their own expansive game.
"We cannot afford to underestimate Scotland, the amount of possession and territory they had against England last weekend meant that they should have won the game and they will come to the Millennium Stadium buoyed by that knowledge," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
Wales have won the opening two games of a Six Nations campaign on just two previous occasions - in 2005 and 2008 - and each time they went on to win the title and Grand Slam. Three of the World Cup semi-finalists' remaining four games are in Cardiff, starting on Sunday when try-shy Scotland arrive at the Millennium Stadium.
But following Wales' heroics in Dublin, the build-up to Sunday's Test has been blighted by the suspension of Bradley Davies, who will miss the rest of this season's tournament after collecting a seven-week ban for a reckless tip-tackle on Ireland replacement Donnacha Ryan last weekend.
Davies is the second Wales player suspended for that offence this season following Sam Warburton's dismissal and three-week punishment for an incident in the World Cup semi-final against France last October.
Davies now joins his fellow World Cup locks Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones on the international sidelines. But in a triple boost for Gatland, flanker Dan Lydiate has recovered from an ankle injury to reclaim the number six shirt, prop Gethin Jenkins has recovered from knee trouble to start and skipper Warburton also features after being in doubt with a leg injury.
However, Warburton has been wrapped in cotton wool this whole week and took a very limited part in training while staying clear of any contact work. Whether he actually leads the team out hangs in the balance and probably won't be known until the morning of the match.
In a game where the back-row battle will be absolutely crucial, everyone in the Welsh camp - and in Wales as a whole - will be keeping their fingers crossed that the inspirational skipper can defy the injury odds and help guide his team to back-to-back wins.
Wales are favourites, but nobody should have any illusions how tough this match will be...
Ones to watch:

For Wales: Former Wales captain Ryan Jones will, as expected, fill the second-row void against Scotland caused by Bradley Davies' seven-week suspension. Jones was exceptional at blindside flanker against Ireland in Dublin and his versatility is proving of immeasurable value to Gatland.
For Scotland: With Dan Parks calling it quits from Test rugby this week, Greig Laidlaw inherits the number 10 jersey for Scotland. The Edinburgh skipper won the first two of his three caps as a replacement scrum-half, before coming on at fly-half for Parks in the Calcutta Cup defeat to England. Yet an impressive display during the small amount of time he was on the pitch has been rewarded with his first Test start.
Head to head: Toby Faletau v David Denton. Scotland's Zimbabwean-born number eight Denton was deservedly named man-of-the-match following his Herculean ball-carrying against England last Saturday, and much of the same will be required against the tough as nails Faletau, who will always be found where the battle is at its most ferocious.

Recent results:
2011: Wales won 24-6, Edinburgh
2010: Wales won 31-24, Cardiff
2009: Wales won 26-13, Edinburgh
2008: Wales won 30-15, Cardiff
2007: Scotland won 21-9, Edinburgh
2006: Wales won 28-18, Cardiff
2005: Wales won 46-22, Edinburgh
2004: Wales won 23-10, Cardiff
2003: Wales won 23-9, Cardiff
2003: Scotland won 30-22, Edinburgh
Prediction: Neither history or form is with Scotland heading into this match, and while we're sure they'll give it a good crack - we just can't see Wales letting this one slip. Wales to win by nine points!
Rugby Union betting odds

The teams:

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Lou Reed, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Sean Lamont, 11 Max Evans, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 David Denton, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford (c), 1 Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 John Barclay, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Stuart Hogg.

by eirebilly Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:42 am

No fierce deabte maest, he is wrong and i am right Wink

Just love talking rugby, no matter who is playing Very Happy

by **Biltong** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:49 am

maestegmafia wrote:I adore the international interest this thread causes where an Irishman is engaged in fierce debate with a South African over a match between Wales and Scotland.

Well I did say I am going to get more involved in the Six Nations this year. Wink

by **Biltong** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:50 am

eirebilly wrote:No fierce deabte maest, he is wrong and i am right

Just love talking rugby, no matter who is playing

PK

by **George Carlin** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:54 am

biltongbek wrote:Billy, I want to give you a comparison.

Before the world Cup started with the warmups in europe, I picked Ireland to win ther matches, during the world cup I picked them to beat Wales, last weekend I picked them to beat Wales, and yet they have dropped me on almost every occassion. The question is this. How long will they keep losing?

The modern game is a game of margins.

On the last weekend, even though outplayed for much of the match, Ireland lost because of a brain fart in the 80th minute.

Scotland played their hearts out and only a charge down by England got them the win.

ONE MISTAKE mate, it is all it takes.

I am fighting for scotland , because everyone is writing them off and says they can't score tries. Well it is not for the lack of trying. True in all likelyhood they will lose on the weekend, but pretty soon they are going to shock someone.

Biltong, I appreciate the support and agree with both the sense and the sentiment.

There's something that's quite important to understand about where Scotland's backline is this particular season and most Scottish posters on these boards will confirm that this has got more 'air time' than anything else on their threads recently.

Although a particularly lazy statement, in previous seasons the "Scotland can't score tries" moniker was deserved. More importantly, the correct tag was even more damning and correct - "Scotland don't seem likely to score tries based on the form of their club players". This was true. Awful options at 10 (Phil "Good" God'man's nickname was well earned, as was 'Desperate'), nobody at 12 could link or step, nobody at 15 was a strike runner (apart from Lamont who spend months on the treatment table), no winger had any real gas or sparkle and the centre combinations looked staid and uninspiring. This meant that we had no option but to pick Parks and let a useful set of forwards earn the penalty opportunities.

If you know anything about the Scottish game, this is NOT where we are this season and it is the manner in which Robinson seems to be sticking to the same game plan despite there genuinely being a brave new world on the horizon that is killing Scotland fans. There are real alternatives to this style of gameplan now and Robinson seems unwilling to make the changes to let this cut loose.

Let me give the "Scotland can't score tries" folks some stats: Edinburgh's backline consists of almost entire Scottish players - the notable exception being Tim Visser, who will be Scotland qualified in June. In Edinburgh's two Heineken Cup matches against Racing Metro, the Scottish side scored nine tries - scorers including Laidlaw, Rennie and Denton. In their last match against London Irish, they scored another four with Lee Jones getting the bonus point try that means they topped Pool 2. In Greig Laidlaw, they have a genuinely intelligent and well rounded footballer who is currently second highest points scorer in the Robocop this season, whose worst crime is that he is lacking international experience.

The entire point of this rant is that Scottish players have shown this playing season that they are absolutely capable of scoring tries at the highest club level. The problem is that the current coach refuses to play those players. This is why people are starting to make noises about Robinson's job - he has options now amongst his backs and his refusal to take some of them is worthy of comment.

by eirebilly Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:58 am

biltongbek wrote:
eirebilly wrote:No fierce deabte maest, he is wrong and i am right

Just love talking rugby, no matter who is playing

PK

Learn your place PK Laugh

by **Biltong** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:08 am

George Carlin wrote:Although a particularly lazy statement, in previous seasons the "Scotland can't score tries" moniker was deserved. More importantly, the correct tag was even more damning and correct - "Scotland don't seem likely to score tries based on the form of their club players". This was true. Awful options at 10 (Phil "Good" God'man's nickname was well earned, as was 'Desperate'), nobody at 12 could link or step, nobody at 15 was a strike runner (apart from Lamont who spend months on the treatment table), no winger had any real gas or sparkle and the centre combinations looked staid and uninspiring. This meant that we had no option but to pick Parks and let a useful set of forwards earn the penalty opportunities.

If you know anything about the Scottish game, this is NOT where we are this season and it is the manner in which Robinson seems to be sticking to the same game plan despite there genuinely being a brave new world on the horizon that is killing Scotland fans. There are real alternatives to this style of gameplan now and Robinson seems unwilling to make the changes to let this cut loose.

Let me give the "Scotland can't score tries" folks some stats: Edinburgh's backline consists of almost entire Scottish players - the notable exception being Tim Visser, who will be Scotland qualified in June. In Edinburgh's two Heineken Cup matches against Racing Metro, the Scottish side scored nine tries - scorers including Laidlaw, Rennie and Denton. In their last match against London Irish, they scored another four with Lee Jones getting the bonus point try that means they topped Pool 2. In Greig Laidlaw, they have a genuinely intelligent and well rounded footballer who is currently second highest points scorer in the Robocop this season, whose worst crime is that he is lacking international experience.

The entire point of this rant is that Scottish players have shown this playing season that they are absolutely capable of scoring tries at the highest club level. The problem is that the current coach refuses to play those players. This is why people are starting to make noises about Robinson's job - he has options now amongst his backs and his refusal to take some of them is worthy of comment.

George, unfortunately as far as selections I have no idea as I do not know your club players at all. thumbsup

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:21 am

biltongbek wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:I adore the international interest this thread causes where an Irishman is engaged in fierce debate with a South African over a match between Wales and Scotland.

Well I did say I am going to get more involved in the Six Nations this year.

You'll probably get a cap for England if your keen...!

by **George Carlin** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:35 am

biltongbek wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Although a particularly lazy statement, in previous seasons the "Scotland can't score tries" moniker was deserved. More importantly, the correct tag was even more damning and correct - "Scotland don't seem likely to score tries based on the form of their club players". This was true. Awful options at 10 (Phil "Good" God'man's nickname was well earned, as was 'Desperate'), nobody at 12 could link or step, nobody at 15 was a strike runner (apart from Lamont who spend months on the treatment table), no winger had any real gas or sparkle and the centre combinations looked staid and uninspiring. This meant that we had no option but to pick Parks and let a useful set of forwards earn the penalty opportunities.

If you know anything about the Scottish game, this is NOT where we are this season and it is the manner in which Robinson seems to be sticking to the same game plan despite there genuinely being a brave new world on the horizon that is killing Scotland fans. There are real alternatives to this style of gameplan now and Robinson seems unwilling to make the changes to let this cut loose.

Let me give the "Scotland can't score tries" folks some stats: Edinburgh's backline consists of almost entire Scottish players - the notable exception being Tim Visser, who will be Scotland qualified in June. In Edinburgh's two Heineken Cup matches against Racing Metro, the Scottish side scored nine tries - scorers including Laidlaw, Rennie and Denton. In their last match against London Irish, they scored another four with Lee Jones getting the bonus point try that means they topped Pool 2. In Greig Laidlaw, they have a genuinely intelligent and well rounded footballer who is currently second highest points scorer in the Robocop this season, whose worst crime is that he is lacking international experience.

The entire point of this rant is that Scottish players have shown this playing season that they are absolutely capable of scoring tries at the highest club level. The problem is that the current coach refuses to play those players. This is why people are starting to make noises about Robinson's job - he has options now amongst his backs and his refusal to take some of them is worthy of comment.

George, unfortunately as far as selections I have no idea as I do not know your club players at all.

Biltong, apparently neither does Mr Richard Andrew Robinson, OBE.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:36 am

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:48 am

I thought the line was to blame Gregor Townsend not AR ???

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:53 am

Ach no, maes, we'll blame everyone - the scatter gun approach, bound to hit somebody that really is to blame!

by eirebilly Tue 07 Feb 2012, 9:56 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Ach no, maes, we'll blame everyone - the scatter gun approach, bound to hit somebody that really is to blame!

You have been chatting to Irish fans for too long

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 10:07 am

Ha ha ha...! It's a popular way to deal with any management situation.

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 10:11 am

Jamie Roberts wary of Scotland...!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16907699

It looks like the players think on similar lines to the fans.

by dogtooth Tue 07 Feb 2012, 12:12 pm

if wales dont take scotland seriously they could slip up. as a fan, and usually a pessimistic one, i cant see anything other than a win for wales.

does anyone really think scotland can come to cardiff and win? really? by how much?

scotland are still unable to score trys. wales can score against a well organised defence while being a man down.

i am very happy to see edinburgh riding so high in the pro12, but that success is not being translated to the international stage.

wales by 10

by munkian Tue 07 Feb 2012, 12:27 pm

Ian Gough stuck up for Scotland on Scrum V and said if we underestimate them then Wales will lose.

by funnyExiledScot Tue 07 Feb 2012, 12:29 pm

I think it could be more than 10. Much will depend on the team selection from Scotland, but if the masterminds of Robinson and Townsend are plotting ways in which to contain Wales rather than attack Wales, then it'll be more like Wales by 20. If on the other hand Blair and Laidlaw are selected and the team decides to attack with ball in hand and vary the game, and stop being so predictable, then it's far harder to call the outcome. The Welsh injuries in the pack certainly help.

by ChequeredJersey Tue 07 Feb 2012, 12:30 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
biltongbek wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:I adore the international interest this thread causes where an Irishman is engaged in fierce debate with a South African over a match between Wales and Scotland.

Well I did say I am going to get more involved in the Six Nations this year.

You'll probably get a cap for England if your keen...!

I think he plays prop though, and we already have a South African and American there, sorry

by **Biltong** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 12:59 pm

dogtooth wrote:if wales dont take scotland seriously they could slip up. as a fan, and usually a pessimistic one, i cant see anything other than a win for wales.

does anyone really think scotland can come to cardiff and win? really? by how much?

scotland are still unable to score trys. wales can score against a well organised defence while being a man down.

i am very happy to see edinburgh riding so high in the pro12, but that success is not being translated to the international stage.

wales by 10

It isn't likely but it could change this weekend, and they only need to win by 1. Erm

by RubyGuby Tue 07 Feb 2012, 1:13 pm

Scotland are more than capable of winning in Cardiff. We have to keep as strong a side as possible and take the game to them as we did Ireland early on which IMO put Ireland on the backfoot. If we scare Scotland early on, score and keep our structure and defensive then we'll be ok. If we start falling off tackles then Denton and Hamilton can create holes in our defence. With that said I believe this is ours to lose as opposed to Scotlands to win. C'mon Walessssssssssssss, similar performance again with a better lineout would do me - the belief is there in spades but we have to temper that with organisation thumbsup

by BlueNote Tue 07 Feb 2012, 1:24 pm

Any team that has a pack as competitive as Scotland's is going to be in with a chance.

by Knowsit17 Tue 07 Feb 2012, 1:35 pm

Wales need to work on discipline. Last four games we've seen 3 yellow/red cards. Better not to let this trend mutate further.

Hope Warburton and Lydiate can make it in time. The Scottish back row looks very similar to that of the Irish in NZ, big carriers but yet to prove their worth against an intelligent opposition combo. Nullify this area and as usual it should heap the pressure on the remainder of the Scottish side.

They'll have watched and rewatched the tapes of the Irish game and taken their notes on the backline manoeuvres. I effectively expect them to target this area in defence so as to discourage us by disabling our 'plan A' so to speak. Whether we have a plan B or not may be revealed but whether this defensive tactic will work is also questionable, so far there's been little countering our current backline by any team. I'm not being arrogant, we just haven't seen anyone able to entirely contain the likes of North, Roberts, Priestland and Davies playing together.

I'd be surprised if Scotland don't retain Sean Lamont, here's something for the squad and everyone to think about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSyPqDmL3mk

I'm quietly confident. I think the team will be riding high on confidence after Dublin but I'm also reassured that the boys know to keep their feet on the ground and look at what's in front of them and if not then Gats and co will give them a hand Wink

Wales by between 10-20 points for now Wales

by **NeilyBroon** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 1:49 pm

oh come now, its clearly going to be 50 points at least on the board for Scotland, especially if Dan Parks is picked. He'll wind and weave, throw a loopy pass from one wing to the other to Max Evans and then just before Evans reaches the tryline he'll pass it back to Dan for the glory who will be on his shoulder having caught up with him because he's a top gun flyhalf. Will North score any tries? Not if Parks is on the field. I heard that when he lived in Australia, he tackled a kangaroo and beat it to death with his sideburns.

Wales 0 - 175 Scotland (yes it'll be a record breaker)

by **Biltong** Tue 07 Feb 2012, 1:58 pm

I really do hope that if Parks plays, you guys will suck on those words.

The guy may not be the best in scotland, I don't know, but he ain't that bad either.

by Knowsit17 Tue 07 Feb 2012, 3:31 pm

The only reason Parks doesn't run with ball in hand more often is because when he does he doesn't move an inch, the ground and stadium around him goes in the opposite direction from where he's heading, somewhat akin to an enormous treadmill/conveyer belt. For that matter the entirety of time and space shifts with each of Parks' movements. This would be quite unfair on the opposition therefore, being the lovely bloke he is, Parks declines to take even a single step and rather insists on kicking duties to cancel out the enormity of the task facing the opposition.

by munkian Tue 07 Feb 2012, 3:43 pm

biltongbek wrote:I really do hope that if Parks plays, you guys will suck on those words.

The guy may not be the best in scotland, I don't know, but he ain't that bad either.

He's gash. Another cr*p signing at 10 for the Blues - bring back Sam Norton Knight !!!

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 3:50 pm

biltongbek wrote:I really do hope that if Parks plays, you guys will suck on those words.

The guy may not be the best in scotland, I don't know, but he ain't that bad either.

Bil mate we have told you before not to make statements about things you are basing on bloody statistics. Though I would be frankly amazed if they actually prove dan parks to be of use to anything rugby orientated.

66 Caps no tries and no tackles...!

by wales606 Tue 07 Feb 2012, 5:13 pm

munkian wrote:
biltongbek wrote:I really do hope that if Parks plays, you guys will suck on those words.

The guy may not be the best in scotland, I don't know, but he ain't that bad either.

He's gash. Another cr*p signing at 10 for the Blues - bring back ~~Sam Norton Knight~~ Nicky Robinson !!!

by KickAndChase Tue 07 Feb 2012, 6:18 pm

biltongbek wrote:I am not so sure scotland should be under estimated for this match. sure it is not played at Murrayfield, but when you look closer at their results, there are much to learn from it.
Their last match at Millenium stadium was within a score. Parks on that particular day contributed with 2 drop goals and two conversion. Scotland scored two tries on that occasion.

Now one thing is for certain, Scotland has been trying to play running rugby, yes their execution has let them down for some time now.

Even though they lost by 13 points to France in 2011 Six Nations, they scored 3 tries, ran 359 meters and had 7/20/10 clean breaks/defenders beaten/offloads. Dan Parks played in that match.

Their last meeting against Wales was a loss by 18 points, but they ran an almighty 567 meters, had twice as many runs and passes as Wales.

Their 3 points loss to Ireland once again saw them run 418 meters with the ball, had more runs and passes than Ireland.

This continued against England during their six Nations match and also the world cup.

Again against Argentina and england last weekend.

They have dominated posession in almost everyone of those matches as well as territory.

Only one thing have eluded them, execution and patience at the finishing line.

It only requires one match to click and suddenly we will all think they are a threat.

As much as everyone is criticising Parks, he played in most of those matches. AR will not select him if he didn't believe in him.

You've articulated what I've wanted to say about Scotland for a while now, but couldn't find the words. What's more, you backed it up with stats [that's the lynchpin in my argument that I was missing]. clap

Scotland's possession, territory, set piece & organised defence is usually immense and, yes, Wales were the last team to see their ATTACK (not any of the above a la Argentina away, SA & Aus at home) click, back in 2010. Ireland in the same tournament saw glimpses of that but not the same (in their loss to Scotland on the last day).

Scotland have NEVER had composure, though. It's the worst in world rugby, so much so that they're not even part of the top 10 anymore.

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 6:18 pm

Flanker Lydiate (ankle) and loose-head prop Jenkins (knee) have returned to full training after missing Sunday's Six Nations opening win in Ireland.

Wing Alex Cuthbert will be available for Wales and it is hoped captain Sam Warburton will recover from a dead leg.

Wales have delayed naming their team 24 hours until Thursday after Bradley Davies' Wednesday disciplinary hearing.

WALES' TREATMENT ROOM

OUT

Hooker Matthew Rees (calf)
Lock Alun Wyn Jones (toe)
Lock Luke Charteris (wrist)

DOUBTS

Prop Gethin Jenkins (knee)
Flanker Dan Lydiate (ankle)
Flanker Sam Warburton (dead leg)
Wing Alex Cuthbert (head)

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 6:21 pm

KickAndChase wrote:
biltongbek wrote:
As much as everyone is criticising Parks, he played in most of those matches. AR will not select him if he didn't believe in him.
Scotland's possession, territory, set piece & organised defence is usually immense and, yes, Wales were the last team to see their ATTACK (not any of the above a la Argentina away, SA & Aus at home) click, back in 2010. Ireland in the same tournament saw glimpses of that but not the same (in their loss to Scotland on the last day).

Scotland have NEVER had composure, though. It's the worst in world rugby, so much so that they're not even part of the top 10 anymore.

A great deal of what you address as composure was having such a weak tactician at Flyhalf. Now you have two new maverick options... Things are loking up, I predict Scotland to be less erratic and much more of a handful.

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 7:27 pm

Asked if he anticipated being a target for the rest of the tournament, George North replied: “I suppose you have to expect that, but there are threats right across the back-line and if the opposition are focusing on one player then that means there is going to be more space for the others.

“We have got some big men in that back-line who can get over the gain-line, but we also showed we are not just about trucking it up.

“There was plenty of skill and finesse in there as well, as we showed for all the tries.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/02/07/wales-hero-george-north-expects-to-be-marked-man-after-demolishing-ireland-in-six-nations-opener-91466-30278236/#ixzz1lj4EOvDZ

by Guest Tue 07 Feb 2012, 7:33 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
KickAndChase wrote:
biltongbek wrote:
As much as everyone is criticising Parks, he played in most of those matches. AR will not select him if he didn't believe in him.
Scotland's possession, territory, set piece & organised defence is usually immense and, yes, Wales were the last team to see their ATTACK (not any of the above a la Argentina away, SA & Aus at home) click, back in 2010. Ireland in the same tournament saw glimpses of that but not the same (in their loss to Scotland on the last day).

Scotland have NEVER had composure, though. It's the worst in world rugby, so much so that they're not even part of the top 10 anymore.

A great deal of what you address as composure was having such a weak tactician at Flyhalf. Now you have two new maverick options... Things are loking up, I predict Scotland to be less erratic and much more of a handful.

Surely with maverick options they are likely to be more erratic. Perhaps this is a good thing though rather than so-called "safe options".

by maestegmafia Tue 07 Feb 2012, 7:38 pm

All reports now saying that Gethin, Lydiate, Warburton and Cuthbert will be available.

Likely Starting XV

Gethin
Bennett
Adam
Evans
Jones
Lydiate
Warburton Capt
Faletau
Phillips
Priestland
Cuthbert
Roberts
Davies
North
Halfpenny

by bedfordwelsh Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:26 pm

Yeah that would do for me Maes, prop cover on bench be interesting. I know how views differ on this but I thought Gill had very good game on Sunday.

Does he go for James as loose and tight cover or pick Gill and then use Jenkins as tight cover if need be.

Or can Gill play both sides?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue 07 Feb 2012, 8:39 pm

Just finished rewatching the Ireland-Wales game again, and I think that the worst thing that Scotland can do is repeat the kicking game that Ireland tried against Wales for the majority of the first half - Wales thrived on the possession and taking the ball forward. The other key area (as in most games these days) will be the breakdown - we simply cannot afford to let Wales dominate that area and get quick possession on their own ball

by maestegmafia Wed 08 Feb 2012, 12:22 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Just finished rewatching the Ireland-Wales game again, and I think that the worst thing that Scotland can do is repeat the kicking game that Ireland tried against Wales for the majority of the first half - Wales thrived on the possession and taking the ball forward. The other key area (as in most games these days) will be the breakdown - we simply cannot afford to let Wales dominate that area and get quick possession on their own ball

well a good kicking game is an asset to any side, look at the decent flyhalfs this weekend gone, like Priestland, Trinh-Duc and Sexton and they put the ball in tough areas for the defending team. they didnt just give ball away as Parks, Burton and Hodgson did.

by BlueNote Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:25 am

Just read on icwales that Hookie is going to be started at FB. I hope that's wrong.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:32 am

Surely not, BlueNote?

by bedfordwelsh Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:39 am

BlueNote wrote:Just read on icwales that Hookie is going to be started at FB. I hope that's wrong.

FFS lets hope its wrong why on earth would Gatland want to do that. If he feels Cuthbert not fit or enough or still a bit raw then put Halfpenny of Liam Williams on the wing and use Byrne at XV at least he is an out n out fullback and in some decent form rather than a jack of all master of none which Hook is.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:42 am

I've heard Gatland say that Hook's played well at full back for Wales in the past. I've never seen him play well at full back, and that's mainly because HE ISN'T A FULL BACK!

by bedfordwelsh Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:48 am

This has to be a joke right, why would he even consider Hook to start at XV, Halfpenny has proved he can do the job there and should be our 1st choice.

If Cuthbert injured then Byrne has been on decent form for Clermont to stick him there.

If he not think that an option then have a back 3 of North Halfpenny and Liam Williams.

If he thinks none of those option are viable then and only then should he even think about putting Hook there.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:52 am

bedfordwelsh wrote:Halfpenny has proved he can do the job there and should be our 1st choice.

It's as simple as that for me.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 08 Feb 2012, 8:53 am

Delighted to hear that, Hook to FB - he didn't look that comfortable against Ireland on Sunday, I thought?

by bedfordwelsh Wed 08 Feb 2012, 9:02 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Delighted to hear that, Hook to FB - he didn't look that comfortable against Ireland on Sunday, I thought?

Aslongas,

Now come on play fair, I will make a deal with you. You can have Hook at XV for us if you bring Parks out of retirement - Deal? Hug

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 08 Feb 2012, 9:07 am

by bedfordwelsh Wed 08 Feb 2012, 9:10 am

Take that as a no then Whistle

by **George Carlin** Wed 08 Feb 2012, 9:16 am

wales606 wrote:Im starting to get worried, if BD is cited and Warburton doesn't recover then we will be without 6 of our forwards (and thats assuming Lydiate recovers)

1. Gill
2. Bennett
3. Jones
4. Evan
5. Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

One more injury in training and we could be in big trouble in the pack :/

Early BBC reports suggest that Warbuton should be fine, don't they?

It's shaping up to be a cracker. In addition to Parks ruling himself out, Scottish rugby media have leaked reports that Stuart Hogg will at least be on the bench for the Scots which means we run the real risk of accidentally scoring a try. Not to worry though, I'm sure that Robinson will stop that at all costs.

Don't understand Hook at full back at all, if that's true. Why not just keep Halfpenny there?

by BridgendBoyo Wed 08 Feb 2012, 9:29 am

I always worry when we play Scotland. They are normally written off by the time they play Wales, then they have a storming game against us.

by bedfordwelsh Wed 08 Feb 2012, 9:32 am

For me this game is more important than the Irish game. On Sunday we were away from home, were not favourites IMO yet we got the win.

This weekend we will go in as favourites and how we handle that will be the telling factor, we now need to hopefully build on last week otherwise the win in Dublin won't be worth diddly squat.

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