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

Doesn't alain Rolland end te match in a worse mood than what he starts it with?

Maybe the guy doesn't like rugby.

I think the problem might be deeper rooted, perhaps he doesn't like himself

IronMike wrote:I think the problem might be deeper rooted, perhaps he doesn't like himself

Maybe he's in a bad mood because he had to look in the mirror in the refs changing room before the game and then knows he's going to see the same reflection after the game as well!

Nah, I still think he doesn't like rugby.

Cracking Baa Baabaa's side.

This game could be brilliant

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18282928

I hope so as I'm going down to the stadium fingers crossed it can involve lots of good attacking rugby (but with Wales going through the phases 1st and drawing in the defenders).

I must say I'm more optimistic about this Welsh team than the second string sides we put out against Fiji in 2010 and other 2nd tier sides before that

Smirnoffpriest wrote:I hope so as I'm going down to the stadium fingers crossed it can involve lots of good attacking rugby (but with Wales going through the phases 1st and drawing in the defenders).

I must say I'm more optimistic about this Welsh team than the second string sides we put out against Fiji in 2010 and other 2nd tier sides before that

Since 2010 there has emerged a good grounding of young talent. Wales squad is a very different place to 2010. We have a great deal more depth now.

That welsh 1/2 back pairing is weak - why didn't he play Webb and Biggar together first - No logic

RubyGuby wrote:That welsh 1/2 back pairing is weak - why didn't he play Webb and Biggar together first - No logic

I'm sure Webb will get on at some point. But Lloyd has been number two for the last six months and that is why he is there.

maestegmafia wrote:But Lloyd has been number two for the last six months and that is why he is there.

Except that Rob Howley's said that they've picked the side on form.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:But Lloyd has been number two for the last six months and that is why he is there.

Except that Rob Howley's said that they've picked the side on form.

I'd agree with you that Webbs been in better form recently.

Though I'm sure we would both agree that Howley knows a shed load more about scrumhalfing than we do. Especially at international level, he was a brilliant player not so long ago himself.

Yeah, he was decent enough.

maestegmafia wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:But Lloyd has been number two for the last six months and that is why he is there.

Except that Rob Howley's said that they've picked the side on form.

I'd agree with you that Webbs been in better form recently.

Though I'm sure we would both agree that Howley knows a shed load more about scrumhalfing than we do. Especially at international level, he was a brilliant player not so long ago himself.

Weren't we playing Gareth Cooper when Howley was backs coach?

I can see Lloyd Williams taking on the back row and getting turned over - he goes sniping too often when its not on and for me remains a liability. His performance may handicap Biggar which would be a shame as even he deserves a decent crack with a good platform as he has had at the O's - Let's wait and see I guess.

A good SH or player doesn't necessarily equate to a good selector or coach - ask Martin Johnson

RubyGuby wrote:I can see Lloyd Williams taking on the back row and getting turned over - he goes sniping too often when its not on and for me remains a liability. His performance may handicap Biggar which would be a shame as even he deserves a decent crack with a good platform as he has had at the O's - Let's wait and see I guess.

A good SH or player doesn't necessarily equate to a good selector or coach - ask Martin Johnson

Lloyd Williams had a dip in form after/during the 6Ns, but he improved towards the end of the season.

Rhys Webb is no doubt hindered by the fact that he isn't a clear first choice at his region and rarely players 80minutes at the moment - why Fotuali is rated as high as him, I don't know.

I think Webb is number 1 SH at the O's as the Leinster match suggested. Irespective of form Lloyd Williams doesn't convince me and I would have the 2 Scarlets 9's ahead of him. Just my opinion - I hope he does something to change that tomorrow

I understand that the Ospreys are playing Webb and Fortuali'i on rota which explains the recent selections. I thought Fortuali’I was superb against Munster and the Ospreys obviously played well when he came on at Leinster. In my opinion he looks a better player than Webb.

Williams is too lightweight for test rugby, he constantly gets scragged and turned over. I think there are better scrum halfs than both of these in Wales.

I cannot see how Howley says this side is picked of form. One wing cannot get into his regional side, James, Checkai (sp), Mustoe and even Gavin Evans are selected ahead of him. A 20 year old up and coming loos head prop is starting………….on the tight head! And on the bench we have a flanker who has retired from the game!

I have no problem with these young (and not so young) players have a bit of fun on Saturday afternoon but with Wales best 15 players having already gone out to Australia this should not be a capped game.

Any way of watching this online?

Scoped - where are you? If you're in the UK you can watch it live on the BBC Sport website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16836106

Is this going to be the match thread or waaa?

I think it may as well be Cari

There we are then Dreamer

Looking forward to seeing how some the newbies do today. I hope Biggar has a good game.

Cari you are a god send. I was trying through the Scrum V iPlayer link and it was giving me some tosh about legal reasons why it wasn't playing.

Me too Cari, he needs to put that nightmare game against Fiji to bed.

Hope Turnbull plays well too, he's not had much game time this season. And i'm nervous for Rhodri at TH. he's an amazing talent at LH, but on the tight...he just hasn't played there much.

You're welcome Scoped. Enjoy the game

Yeah Dreamer, if Biggar has a poo game everyone will start moaning about why he's going to Oz...blah blah blah...Nice to see Hook back. I've missed him.

Ha! Shane Williams...more comebacks than Frank Sinatra. If he scores today, he won't be allowed to retire.

sure, isn't he going to be playing for Ammanford RFC next season anyways?


Magic moments from him though, fair dos.

Yeah, he provides great clips. I'm sure there's hundreds of tribute videos on You Tube for him.

Aled Brew?

Gussett sounded like a bit of a tool then. He said for him to say Wales were very good at the moment, they must be. Why is Gussett's opinion so important then?

Anyway, here come the lads....

Alain Rolland, doesn't get a pleasant reception from the locals Think it's time they got over the world cup.

Ouch at that first scrum, hope Rhods finds his feet soon.

Nice start though

Oh dear Matthew Rhys has dislocated his finger, popped back in, strapped up and on he goes...

what channel??

bbc 2 wales, or live on the bbc website Mystir.

mystiroakey wrote:what channel??

BBC 2 Wales.

Cari wrote:Oh dear Matthew Rhys has dislocated his finger, popped back in, strapped up and on he goes...

that was horrible to watch!

ta

Richie Rees is wearing a Cardiff Blues sock and an Edinburgh sock.

ooh Hook is kicking for a penalty. 3 - 0.

Bugger. I just turned on the tv to find it is not televised here. The usual links I have are not showing it. Anyone with a link?

rugbydreamer wrote:

Cari wrote:Oh dear Matthew Rhys has dislocated his finger, popped back in, strapped up and on he goes...

that was horrible to watch!

I know I hate it when they show it.

991 on sky- went through every channel lol

doctor_grey wrote:Bugger. I just turned on the tv to find it is not televised here. The usual links I have are not showing it. Anyone with a link?

Am I right in assuming you're not in the UK? I'll PM you potential links...

Dr Grey - you have PM.

Great turnover by Tippy there, but Nacewa wanted revenge for the final...

wales are 3-0 up.. should teams kick for goal in these games- naughty wales

Bloody hell!!!! What a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gooo Harry Robinson. Proud moment for him and his folks

Wales score. nice one. Come on baabaas give em a game ffs

ROBINSON!!!

Brilliant start to an international career.

Rhodri Jones did very well in that Scrum vs Duncan

And Tipuric is everywhere

What a try! And from a Shane turnover


Great conversion.

Good kick from Hook.