What the Geech thinks about Wales v England

Wales v England: Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan's guide to Six Nations decider
Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan runs the rule over the Wales and England players involved in Saturday's Six Nations decider in Cardiff.

By Sir Ian McGeechan
6:00AM GMT 15 Mar 2013

WALES

15 Leigh Halfpenny
Fantastic under high ball. An outstanding goal-kicker who offers genuine pace from the back. He has a wing’s instinct so is very happy to go towards open spaces rather than stay tight. 8

14 Alex Cuthbert
A wing who is strong on the ball and who looks for work. A threat because of his size and pace. Anything close to line and he is difficult to stop. Can sometimes be caught out in his positioning. 7

13 Jonathan Davies
Not his best Six Nations but still a good outside centre who runs clever lines and can beat players one-on-one which brings his wings into play. Might be trying too hard in this tournament. 6

12 Jamie Roberts
One of my favourite centres, the genuine article. He was terrific for the Lions in South Africa but he needs to be set up well. Wales’ inexperience at fly-half has affected the centres. 8

11 George North
Big, strong, powerful, North is good to work off and you do get balls back from him which means the centres are kept in play. Another threat in his own right. Pops up well. He works in tandem with the back-row and that pays dividends. 8

10 Dan Biggar
Still finding his way. Will need a balance in his game against England. Biggar can look to kick too quickly. There is a line to be found between getting the pack on front foot and enabling him to get the back three functioning. 6

9 Mike Phillips
Another of my favourites. World-class. He is powerful, a threat, gets the ball away and works well with his back-row. He does needs to be focused, though. Can get distracted in a game. He has the ability, though, to dominate. 8

1 Gethin Jenkins
His huge experience for the Lions as well as Wales in big games has obviously counted for a lot. His scrummaging has not been as proactive as it might be but there is no doubt his dynamism and involvement in the loose will have a significant bearing. 8

2 Richard Hibbard
Good at the close-quarter stuff. His lineout throwing , though, can wobble under pressure. Tom Croft could make it difficult for him. Hibbard proved a strong ball-carrier with his try against Scotland. 8

3 Adam Jones
Another favourite, someone who has got fitter and fitter. Had injuries and physically was not at 100 per cent. What he does is anchor the set-piece which allows the backs to play. Jones has huge experience of big games. 8

4 Alun Wyn Jones
Wales need his experience. That is where they have been struggling. He will have to bring out all his knowledge of the big occasion but he can make errors with ball-carrying. 7

5 Ian Evans
Wales need a good shift from him. Evans’ lineout work can be a bit loose and has to prove his value round the field. The best second-rows work as a partnership and Evans looks to have a good relationship with Alun Wyn. 6

6 Sam Warburton
An outstanding back-row player. Warburton excels at the breakdown. After a couple of setbacks, Warburton is back to his best. Seems to have got rid of injuries and has the potential to be a huge influence. 8

7 Justin Tipuric
A high-quality player and Wales have missed him. He is physical and fast. I don’t worry about whether you play them 6 or 7. You have got two terrific players and you need to get them on the field. 8

8 Toby Faletau
Been more involved in tight than last year which is no bad thing. Faletau has not caught the eye as he did last year but he is productive in other ways. A good support combination with centres. 8

ENGLAND
15 Alex Goode
The most underrated player in England team. I really like what he does and how he does it. He sees the potential for attack very early. Goode is also a good option for first receiver on the short side with Farrell. 8

14 Chris Ashton
Flattering to deceive at the moment. He could be working harder off the ball. There is no doubt he can finish moves but he is getting a bit flat on the outside which is taking momentum away. He seems to be a bit laboured in his repositioning. 6

13 Manu Tuilagi
He is a handful. He needs a fly-half who can play him in. He has the ability to offload but not seen that much of it. He will have a major impact away from home when you need a physical threat. 8

12 Brad Barritt
Very solid and consistent. Barritt is a really intelligent defender. He has good hands even though some may not notice it. That’s down to the speed of ball to him. I think he’ll work Jonathan Davies really hard. 8

11 Mike Brown
I have been impressed with him on the wing. It’s not an easy switch for a full-back. If there are any poor kicks he can beat first man and return with interest. In defence, he can get brushed off in tackles due to poor positioning. 8

10 Owen Farrell
This is a Test match animal and there are not many of those. Even though a young man he is the heartbeat of the team. He puts England in the right places at key times. 9

9 Ben Youngs
He has better game management than Danny Care and his kicking game has been key. He is a threat from the base. Wales’ back-row will have to watch him which means that there might be space for England on the outside. 8

1 Joe Marler
Wales will look to target loosehead which is probably why England have opted for Marler. They are going to have to be technically spot on. Marler has got a good attitude and is a battler. He showed that in South Africa last summer. 7

2 Tom Youngs
Very dynamic round the field and has a huge work-rate. A downside might be his tight physicality. But he’s in more places, making more tackles, getting over the ball. His throwing has been OK. 7

3 Dan Cole
He is absolutely crucial to England at the set-piece and a very important figure in making tackles, acting as an extra flanker at breakdown winning turnovers His technique and awareness there are as good as flanker. 9

4 Joe Launchbury
I have been very impressed with him for such a young lad. He is very skilful, very mobile, carries well and has a high work-rate. The work he does in conjunction with the back-row has a real impact. 8

5 Geoff Parling
The organiser. He keeps the forwards’ heads in the right places, focused on the detail of the job. He has a key role at the lineout where his decision-making and calling will make a difference. 8

6 Tom Croft
He is back fit and that is great news for England. Croft is a huge threat in the lineout so he will be a real problem to Wales in one of their weaker areas. He has a great engine and has to be used intelligently. 8

7 Chris Robshaw
A huge competitor. Everyone would say that Robshaw has been very important to the way England have developed over last year. He keeps his energy levels high and is always close to the action. Leads by example. 9

8 Tom Wood
A player’s player and reminds me of Richard Hill. He gets on with the job and works the tight channels really well. It is often Wood who makes the critical tackle. His control at the base is not always spot on. 8

TOTAL

Wales 112
England 119

Toohey wrote:Wales v England: Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan's guide to Six Nations decider
Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan runs the rule over the Wales and England players involved in Saturday's Six Nations decider in Cardiff.

By Sir Ian McGeechan
6:00AM GMT 15 Mar 2013

WALES

15 Leigh Halfpenny
Fantastic under high ball. An outstanding goal-kicker who offers genuine pace from the back. He has a wing’s instinct so is very happy to go towards open spaces rather than stay tight. 8

14 Alex Cuthbert
A wing who is strong on the ball and who looks for work. A threat because of his size and pace. Anything close to line and he is difficult to stop. Can sometimes be caught out in his positioning. 7

13 Jonathan Davies
Not his best Six Nations but still a good outside centre who runs clever lines and can beat players one-on-one which brings his wings into play. Might be trying too hard in this tournament. 6

12 Jamie Roberts
One of my favourite centres, the genuine article. He was terrific for the Lions in South Africa but he needs to be set up well. Wales’ inexperience at fly-half has affected the centres. 8

11 George North
Big, strong, powerful, North is good to work off and you do get balls back from him which means the centres are kept in play. Another threat in his own right. Pops up well. He works in tandem with the back-row and that pays dividends. 8

10 Dan Biggar
Still finding his way. Will need a balance in his game against England. Biggar can look to kick too quickly. There is a line to be found between getting the pack on front foot and enabling him to get the back three functioning. 6

9 Mike Phillips
Another of my favourites. World-class. He is powerful, a threat, gets the ball away and works well with his back-row. He does needs to be focused, though. Can get distracted in a game. He has the ability, though, to dominate. 8

1 Gethin Jenkins
His huge experience for the Lions as well as Wales in big games has obviously counted for a lot. His scrummaging has not been as proactive as it might be but there is no doubt his dynamism and involvement in the loose will have a significant bearing. 8

2 Richard Hibbard
Good at the close-quarter stuff. His lineout throwing , though, can wobble under pressure. Tom Croft could make it difficult for him. Hibbard proved a strong ball-carrier with his try against Scotland. 8

3 Adam Jones
Another favourite, someone who has got fitter and fitter. Had injuries and physically was not at 100 per cent. What he does is anchor the set-piece which allows the backs to play. Jones has huge experience of big games. 8

4 Alun Wyn Jones
Wales need his experience. That is where they have been struggling. He will have to bring out all his knowledge of the big occasion but he can make errors with ball-carrying. 7

5 Ian Evans
Wales need a good shift from him. Evans’ lineout work can be a bit loose and has to prove his value round the field. The best second-rows work as a partnership and Evans looks to have a good relationship with Alun Wyn. 6

6 Sam Warburton
An outstanding back-row player. Warburton excels at the breakdown. After a couple of setbacks, Warburton is back to his best. Seems to have got rid of injuries and has the potential to be a huge influence. 8

7 Justin Tipuric
A high-quality player and Wales have missed him. He is physical and fast. I don’t worry about whether you play them 6 or 7. You have got two terrific players and you need to get them on the field. 8

8 Toby Faletau
Been more involved in tight than last year which is no bad thing. Faletau has not caught the eye as he did last year but he is productive in other ways. A good support combination with centres. 8

ENGLAND
15 Alex Goode
The most underrated player in England team. I really like what he does and how he does it. He sees the potential for attack very early. Goode is also a good option for first receiver on the short side with Farrell. 8

14 Chris Ashton
Flattering to deceive at the moment. He could be working harder off the ball. There is no doubt he can finish moves but he is getting a bit flat on the outside which is taking momentum away. He seems to be a bit laboured in his repositioning. 6

13 Manu Tuilagi
He is a handful. He needs a fly-half who can play him in. He has the ability to offload but not seen that much of it. He will have a major impact away from home when you need a physical threat. 8

12 Brad Barritt
Very solid and consistent. Barritt is a really intelligent defender. He has good hands even though some may not notice it. That’s down to the speed of ball to him. I think he’ll work Jonathan Davies really hard. 8

11 Mike Brown
I have been impressed with him on the wing. It’s not an easy switch for a full-back. If there are any poor kicks he can beat first man and return with interest. In defence, he can get brushed off in tackles due to poor positioning. 8

10 Owen Farrell
This is a Test match animal and there are not many of those. Even though a young man he is the heartbeat of the team. He puts England in the right places at key times. 9

9 Ben Youngs
He has better game management than Danny Care and his kicking game has been key. He is a threat from the base. Wales’ back-row will have to watch him which means that there might be space for England on the outside. 8

1 Joe Marler
Wales will look to target loosehead which is probably why England have opted for Marler. They are going to have to be technically spot on. Marler has got a good attitude and is a battler. He showed that in South Africa last summer. 7

2 Tom Youngs
Very dynamic round the field and has a huge work-rate. A downside might be his tight physicality. But he’s in more places, making more tackles, getting over the ball. His throwing has been OK. 7

3 Dan Cole
He is absolutely crucial to England at the set-piece and a very important figure in making tackles, acting as an extra flanker at breakdown winning turnovers His technique and awareness there are as good as flanker. 9

4 Joe Launchbury
I have been very impressed with him for such a young lad. He is very skilful, very mobile, carries well and has a high work-rate. The work he does in conjunction with the back-row has a real impact. 8

5 Geoff Parling
The organiser. He keeps the forwards’ heads in the right places, focused on the detail of the job. He has a key role at the lineout where his decision-making and calling will make a difference. 8

6 Tom Croft
He is back fit and that is great news for England. Croft is a huge threat in the lineout so he will be a real problem to Wales in one of their weaker areas. He has a great engine and has to be used intelligently. 8

7 Chris Robshaw
A huge competitor. Everyone would say that Robshaw has been very important to the way England have developed over last year. He keeps his energy levels high and is always close to the action. Leads by example. 9

8 Tom Wood
A player’s player and reminds me of Richard Hill. He gets on with the job and works the tight channels really well. It is often Wood who makes the critical tackle. His control at the base is not always spot on. 8

TOTAL

Wales 112
England 119

Wow! What a score line - I'll take it. Can't see Wales scoring 112 points though.

Is that Tries: Tuilagi 3
Conversion: Farrell
Penalties: Farrell 34

Oh no hang on - Andre Joubert isn't the referee...

They going to play Basketball or Cricket?

Old Geech's has some canny points in his synopsis...

He has a great point about fullback Goode, though Goode hasn't been working that first receiver role enough recently and that has taken a great deal of threat out of the England attack. He has a great eye for an attack.

Goode I guess has been pinned back too much this six nations, as sides have started to learn to exploit the England wingers defensive positioning with chips and singling out bad defenders.

Toohey wrote:Wales v England: Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan's guide to Six Nations decider
Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan runs the rule over the Wales and England players involved in Saturday's Six Nations decider in Cardiff.

By Sir Ian McGeechan
6:00AM GMT 15 Mar 2013

WALES

15 Leigh Halfpenny
Fantastic under high ball. An outstanding goal-kicker who offers genuine pace from the back. He has a wing’s instinct so is very happy to go towards open spaces rather than stay tight. 8

14 Alex Cuthbert
A wing who is strong on the ball and who looks for work. A threat because of his size and pace. Anything close to line and he is difficult to stop. Can sometimes be caught out in his positioning. 7

13 Jonathan Davies
Not his best Six Nations but still a good outside centre who runs clever lines and can beat players one-on-one which brings his wings into play. Might be trying too hard in this tournament. 6

12 Jamie Roberts
One of my favourite centres, the genuine article. He was terrific for the Lions in South Africa but he needs to be set up well. Wales’ inexperience at fly-half has affected the centres. 8

11 George North
Big, strong, powerful, North is good to work off and you do get balls back from him which means the centres are kept in play. Another threat in his own right. Pops up well. He works in tandem with the back-row and that pays dividends. 8

10 Dan Biggar
Still finding his way. Will need a balance in his game against England. Biggar can look to kick too quickly. There is a line to be found between getting the pack on front foot and enabling him to get the back three functioning. 6

9 Mike Phillips
Another of my favourites. World-class. He is powerful, a threat, gets the ball away and works well with his back-row. He does needs to be focused, though. Can get distracted in a game. He has the ability, though, to dominate. 8

1 Gethin Jenkins
His huge experience for the Lions as well as Wales in big games has obviously counted for a lot. His scrummaging has not been as proactive as it might be but there is no doubt his dynamism and involvement in the loose will have a significant bearing. 8

2 Richard Hibbard
Good at the close-quarter stuff. His lineout throwing , though, can wobble under pressure. Tom Croft could make it difficult for him. Hibbard proved a strong ball-carrier with his try against Scotland. 8

3 Adam Jones
Another favourite, someone who has got fitter and fitter. Had injuries and physically was not at 100 per cent. What he does is anchor the set-piece which allows the backs to play. Jones has huge experience of big games. 8

4 Alun Wyn Jones
Wales need his experience. That is where they have been struggling. He will have to bring out all his knowledge of the big occasion but he can make errors with ball-carrying. 7

5 Ian Evans
Wales need a good shift from him. Evans’ lineout work can be a bit loose and has to prove his value round the field. The best second-rows work as a partnership and Evans looks to have a good relationship with Alun Wyn. 6

6 Sam Warburton
An outstanding back-row player. Warburton excels at the breakdown. After a couple of setbacks, Warburton is back to his best. Seems to have got rid of injuries and has the potential to be a huge influence. 8

7 Justin Tipuric
A high-quality player and Wales have missed him. He is physical and fast. I don’t worry about whether you play them 6 or 7. You have got two terrific players and you need to get them on the field. 8

8 Toby Faletau
Been more involved in tight than last year which is no bad thing. Faletau has not caught the eye as he did last year but he is productive in other ways. A good support combination with centres. 8

ENGLAND
15 Alex Goode
The most underrated player in England team. I really like what he does and how he does it. He sees the potential for attack very early. Goode is also a good option for first receiver on the short side with Farrell. 8

14 Chris Ashton
Flattering to deceive at the moment. He could be working harder off the ball. There is no doubt he can finish moves but he is getting a bit flat on the outside which is taking momentum away. He seems to be a bit laboured in his repositioning. 6

13 Manu Tuilagi
He is a handful. He needs a fly-half who can play him in. He has the ability to offload but not seen that much of it. He will have a major impact away from home when you need a physical threat. 8

12 Brad Barritt
Very solid and consistent. Barritt is a really intelligent defender. He has good hands even though some may not notice it. That’s down to the speed of ball to him. I think he’ll work Jonathan Davies really hard. 8

11 Mike Brown
I have been impressed with him on the wing. It’s not an easy switch for a full-back. If there are any poor kicks he can beat first man and return with interest. In defence, he can get brushed off in tackles due to poor positioning. 8

10 Owen Farrell
This is a Test match animal and there are not many of those. Even though a young man he is the heartbeat of the team. He puts England in the right places at key times. 9

9 Ben Youngs
He has better game management than Danny Care and his kicking game has been key. He is a threat from the base. Wales’ back-row will have to watch him which means that there might be space for England on the outside. 8

1 Joe Marler
Wales will look to target loosehead which is probably why England have opted for Marler. They are going to have to be technically spot on. Marler has got a good attitude and is a battler. He showed that in South Africa last summer. 7

2 Tom Youngs
Very dynamic round the field and has a huge work-rate. A downside might be his tight physicality. But he’s in more places, making more tackles, getting over the ball. His throwing has been OK. 7

3 Dan Cole
He is absolutely crucial to England at the set-piece and a very important figure in making tackles, acting as an extra flanker at breakdown winning turnovers His technique and awareness there are as good as flanker. 9

4 Joe Launchbury
I have been very impressed with him for such a young lad. He is very skilful, very mobile, carries well and has a high work-rate. The work he does in conjunction with the back-row has a real impact. 8

5 Geoff Parling
The organiser. He keeps the forwards’ heads in the right places, focused on the detail of the job. He has a key role at the lineout where his decision-making and calling will make a difference. 8

6 Tom Croft
He is back fit and that is great news for England. Croft is a huge threat in the lineout so he will be a real problem to Wales in one of their weaker areas. He has a great engine and has to be used intelligently. 8

7 Chris Robshaw
A huge competitor. Everyone would say that Robshaw has been very important to the way England have developed over last year. He keeps his energy levels high and is always close to the action. Leads by example. 9

8 Tom Wood
A player’s player and reminds me of Richard Hill. He gets on with the job and works the tight channels really well. It is often Wood who makes the critical tackle. His control at the base is not always spot on. 8

TOTAL

Wales 112
England 119

Some pretty surprising scores there. Frankly there isn't a player worthy of a 9 in either side, and some of the players he has awarded an 8 to, makes me worry if he is all right. Goode a FB who refuses to tackle 8, so if he makes a couple does that make him a 10, bizzare. If Farrell is a 9 how on earth in that context do you score Dan Carter. Lots of 8s in the Welsh team that are fanciful. A man for whom I have a lot of respect but guilty of playing to the English media on this occasion

Mr Bounce wrote:Is that Tries: Tuilagi 3
Conversion: Farrell
Penalties: Farrell 34

Oh no hang on - Andre Joubert isn't the referee...

Has Andre Joubert become a ref?? Great fullback in his day, but didn't realise he was now an elite ref.