England vs Wales Match day thread

[maestegmafia]

First topic message reminder :

SIX NATIONS: ENGLAND V WALES
Venue: Twickenham Date: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC One HD, listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

England

15-Mike Brown, 14-Jack Nowell, 13-Luther Burrell, 12-Billy Twelvetrees, 11-Jonny May, 10-Owen Farrell, 9-Danny Care

1-Joe Marler, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-David Wilson, 4-Joe Launchbury, 5-Courtney Lawes, 6-Tom Wood, 7-Chris Robshaw (captain), 8-Ben Morgan

Replacements: 16-Tom Youngs, 17-Mako Vunipola, 18-Henry Thomas, 19-Dave Attwood, 20-Tom Johnson, 21-Lee Dickson, 22-George Ford, 23-Alex Goode


Wales

15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-George North, 10-Rhys Priestland, 9-Rhys Webb

1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Richard Hibbard, 3-Adam Jones, 4-Jake Ball, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton (capt), 8-Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Andrew Coombs, Justin Tipuric, Mike Phillips, Dan Biggar, Liam Williams
MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee : Romain Poite (Fra)

Touch judges : Steve Walsh (Aus) & Lourens van der Merwe (RSA)
TV Official : Simon McDowell (Ire)


Next up for Wales is a trip to London and after all the banter coming out of the England camp it is time to finish the hype this match has been building and play some rugby. Have England improved on last year? Will home advantage be enough? Has Wales over come a trough and reached another high?

With plenty of injuries to key players, in fact some of England's very best players are out of this game, a convincing win for England over Wales will give the nation huge confidence going forward, maybe even a shot at the championship next weekend.

The build up seems to have been all about England, Wales are a known entity, twice champions in recent years with pretty much the same team they field tomorrow, little change to their game plan or style gives very little to discuss.

On the many various threads the situation is similar, all about England, with very little admiration of this perceivably over-rated Welsh team that have failed to beat a Southern Hemisphere top three team since 2008, the mark of all great sides.

In all honesty a tough and challenging end to the Six Nations will do this Welsh set up some good, possibly more good than the confidence a third consecutive championship would give them. Wales have little to lose and less to prove, a defeat in the manner of last years game would be vastly more detrimental to their hosts.

I hope all the fans enjoy the game, I am sure it will be the usual roller coaster of emotion for both Nations.

[Cowshot]

post self deleted.

[Sgt_Pooly]

That's hilarious, utterly clueless.

Why delete, that was brilliant!

[Heaf]

damn I missed it ...

[Sgt_Pooly]

It was a showreel of a certain posters comments before the England v Wales game.

[LondonTiger]

Thing is though, most of us English fans were rather annoyed by some posters after Wales thumped us last year. i am hoping we can behave better than that.

[nathan]

Thing is though, most of us English fans were rather annoyed by some posters after Wales thumped us last year. i am hoping we can behave better than that.

But i don't believe we were going around before the game shouting we were going thrash you either, or just posting the score line of a previous game.

[Casartelli]

Bottom line - on neutral turf, first choices all available, there wouldn't be a silver Rizla between Wales and England. (assuming Priestland is left back at Rehab).

This is Ireland's year. Stuffed us out of sight. Hugely unlucky to get robbed at HQ.

Welsh and English fans are now just bald men arguing over a comb.

[Sgt_Pooly]

As I said earlier, the majority of Welsh posters are spot on.

You can't expect to spout rubbish continually (before & after the game) and not get a bit if stick when you get proven to be completely wrong.

If you wish to dish it out you should expect to get some back.

[nathan]

Bottom line - on neutral turf, first choices all available, there wouldn't be a silver Rizla between Wales and England. (assuming Priestland is left back at Rehab).

This is Ireland's year. Stuffed us out of sight.  Hugely unlucky to get robbed at HQ.

Welsh and English fans are now just bald men arguing over a comb.

Robbed?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Was that not a full strength Welsh side?

[Poorfour]

A quick search of the laws suggests that a player may not jump into or over a ruck or maul, but that there's nothing forbidding a player from jumping at any other point. I suspect that the "jump into the tackle" tactic isn't used because it's less effective than being on the ground and able to use your leg drive, and you will only gain from it if referee spots and awards the penalty (which isn't a given - on the replay, North's lauded tackle on Nowell happened when Nowell's feet were clearly still in the air. I suspect he got away with it because the difference in height is so great that Nowell's head was still lower than North's).

If someone then tackles that player while they're in the air, it's a penalty. Poite was correct to award it (not surprising as he is a very strong technical ref). However, I think it very unlikely he would have even considerd awarding a yellow for it as a) Hartley didn't deliberately try to tackle the player in the air - he set himself to tackle a player who then jumped; b) although this was a 3rd offence, it was different from the other two and both this and the previous one (catching a ball in an offside position) were instinctive, not inherently illegal actions that were only penalties because of things the player had not had time to react to.

Law 10 allows for suspending a player (yellow card) for unfair play, repeated infringements or dangerous play. It wasn't any of these things. Law 10.3 (a) states: "A player must not repeatedly infringe any Law" i.e. repeated infringement means repeatedly breaking the same law. 10.3 (b) makes it even clearer "When different players of the same team repeatedly commit the same offence."

[Chjw131]

As I said earlier, the majority of Welsh posters are spot on.

You can't expect to spout rubbish continually (before & after the game) and not get a bit if stick when you get proven to be completely wrong.

If you wish to dish it out you should expect to get some back.

Agreed, lots of proper fans from all nations on here. A minority of complete   if you ask me.

[Poorfour]

Chefs? What have chefs ever done to offend you, Chjw131?

[Casartelli]

Was that not a full strength Welsh side?

Unfortunately not. An administration error back at the State of the Art Training Facility at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort meant that Priestland and Webb were inadvertently pencilled in to the starting XV.

We still would have (probably) lost, England are a fearsome team at Twickers, but it would have been a much more competitive match with Phillips and Biggar on from the start.

[LondonTiger]

Complete chefs?

[nathan]

Was that not a full strength Welsh side?

Unfortunately not. An administration error back at the State of the Art Training Facility at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort meant that Priestland and Webb were inadvertently pencilled in to the starting XV.

We still would have (probably) lost, England are a fearsome team at Twickers, but it would have been a much more competitive match with Phillips and Biggar on from the start.

I doubt so with Phillips, but most certainly it would of with Biggar. Also i don't think the forwards were allowing it to be presented easily to the scrum half..

[Sgt_Pooly]

Was that not a full strength Welsh side?

Unfortunately not. An administration error back at the State of the Art Training Facility at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort meant that Priestland and Webb were inadvertently pencilled in to the starting XV.

We still would have (probably) lost, England are a fearsome team at Twickers, but it would have been a much more competitive match with Phillips and Biggar on from the start.

Those players were available though Casartelli.....it's hardly a weakened line up if Gatland refuses to select them, after all you destroyed France a few weeks back with those 2 at halfback.

[Casartelli]

France at home is a very different proposition to England away.

[Sgt_Pooly]

But they were in there on merit.

Phillips & Bigger were not injured so it's not a weakened line up.

[Exiledinborders]

Was that not a full strength Welsh side?

Unfortunately not. An administration error back at the State of the Art Training Facility at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort meant that Priestland and Webb were inadvertently pencilled in to the starting XV.

We still would have (probably) lost, England are a fearsome team at Twickers, but it would have been a much more competitive match with Phillips and Biggar on from the start.

When Phillips came on he was constantly caught by the English back row. He is OK behind a very dominant scrum but because he us so ponderous is easily dealt with if not.

[englandglory4ever]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

[ChequeredJersey]

Jumping into the tackle is both against the spirit of the game and dangerous

Law 10 : DEFINITIONS
Foul play is anything a player does within the playing enclosure that is against
the letter and spirit of the Laws of the Game. It includes obstruction, unfair play, repeated infringements, dangerous play and misconduct which is prejudicial to the Game.

Law 10.4 (m) :
Acts contrary to good sportsmanship. A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure.

[ChequeredJersey]

So any ref who wanted to can penalise any player jumping into the tackle but they do not need to

[GloriousEmpire]

Such as burrell's shepherding of JD?

[HammerofThunor]

Such as burrell's shepherding of JD?

Yep foul play. But I'm pretty sure that cheating and getting away with a key part of rugby. That's what I've read anyway.

[Taffineastbourne]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

[Scrumpy]

At the end of the day it was a victory for rugby, wales are just so boring to watch, gatlands gameplan = bish bash bosh, then kick..... Repeat for 80mins.

Dull dull dull.

[Sgt_Pooly]

But when they play they're fantastic to watch, they just seem to want to.

12-15 Wales are fantastic.

[Scrumpy]

But when they play they're fantastic to watch, they just seem to want to.

12-15 Wales are fantastic.

When they play?

Or when they meet a team that has torn themselves apart before the game?

[quinsforever]

Such as burrell's shepherding of JD?

wasnt an out and out block. JD was nowhere near the ball carrier. And Burrell does not have to move out of the way.

however, i was shocked when the red shirt turned round and i saw it said 13 on his back. he was so ponderous as may whipped past him that i was sure it was a front rower

[quinsforever]

if wales hadn't kept box kicking and 1/2P kicking so deep, then burrell wouldnt have been able to get away with that as the welsh chasers would have been challenging the catcher.

bad execution of their kicking game. in fact i dont think i've seen worse all 6Ns.

couldnt believe they kept kicking it deep to brown may and nowell.

[Scrumpy]

Such as burrell's shepherding of JD?

wasnt an out and out block. JD was nowhere near the ball carrier. And Burrell does not have to move out of the way.

however, i was shocked when the red shirt turned round and i saw it said 13 on his back. he was so ponderous as may whipped past him that i was sure it was a front rower

 

He was never fit, Gatland was keeping his fingers crossed on that selection.

[englandglory4ever]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

[Chjw131]

Chefs? What have chefs ever done to offend you, Chjw131?

The bain of my life! It was the only symbol which reminded me of a friend of mine Richard Head.

[Guest]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

You can yeah. You'd just be as bad as them then though. Each to their own. For all the criticism certain Welsh fans deserve on here, there's a few English fans who are just as bad. There's plenty of evidence on this thread. Probably why there's genuine people who won't engage with you and give you this "banter" some of you crave. Personally, I'm glad England won as it may do us a favour in the long run, it'll give some of you some better "banter" than coat tailing Australian or Irish wins and it'll give some of you a chance to post on Facebook (etc) that awful picture of the thing in an England shirt crushing a daff, or even that awful selfie after the game. Everyone's a winner

[TJ]

Tehre was some dispute IIRC on this thread about Jenkins boring in.  this is from the first scrum.  It ended up a penalty to Wales as they got the shove on but after it Poite told Warburton he was unhappy about jenkins angles.  You can see quite clearly he is pushing at an angle and his opposite number is trying to stay square

[englandglory4ever]

"... even that awful selfie after the game." Sour grapes is just another form of being "as bad as them". You ain't no saint yourself. What's wrong with a bunch of lads taking a photo when they've just had a good win? You need to lighten up a bit.

[Taffineastbourne]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

And that will achieve?????   

[Guest]

Nothing sour about it. I've congratulated people on here and not particularly bothered by Wales losing yesterday. Glad you agreed with the rest of my post though.

[englandglory4ever]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

And that will achieve?????   

Winding some of you welsh up just like you have wound me up. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[englandglory4ever]

Nothing sour about it. I've congratulated people on here and not particularly bothered by Wales losing yesterday. Glad you agreed with the rest of my post though.

You are far too quick to jump to false conclusions my friend. But like you am I bovvered ... .

[Taffineastbourne]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

And that will achieve?????   

Winding some of you welsh up just like you have wound me up. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

AH.The old two wrongs make a right philosophy.Sound  

[Guest]

Like I said on another thread, it's a shame that some English supporters take more pleasure out of responding to wums than enjoying their country's win. Pity really.

All aboard the "banter bus" I guess. What a hoot.

[quinsforever]

fact is, Wales are going to struggle unless their front 5 shapes up. set piece was not strong, and open play they looked off the pace and out of puff after 20 minutes.

great 15 minute period in the second half where Wales were relentless in attack and pressurising englands ruck and line, but that needs to be 60minutes of the match.

maybe it's players coming back from injury who arent match fit, maybe it's no summer holiday (is it a coincidence that Care and Brown are englands best players so far this 6N), maybe it's age.

Wales 11-15 are genuinely a threat. they just need front foot ball and to attack a disorgnaised, retreating defense. Which happened for about 15 minutes only vs ireland and england.

9/10 bit of an issue too, but front 5 looks the big area of relative weakness presently to me.

fingers crossed it's just a rest and time to recover from injuries that is needed as RWC2015 is Sept so the summer should sort everyone out.

[englandglory4ever]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

And that will achieve?????   

Winding some of you welsh up just like you have wound me up. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

AH.The old two wrongs make a right philosophy.Sound  

Yep. Suck it up Taff. Suck it up. You lot were bossed on Sunday and I was there. Brilliant just brilliant. England played exciting attacking rugby verses wales' boring one dimensional turd fest.

Oh yeah Taff. When the "bad" welsh supporters were banging their drums did you come on here complaining about their "wrongs"?

[Taffineastbourne]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

And that will achieve?????   

Winding some of you welsh up just like you have wound me up. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

AH.The old two wrongs make a right philosophy.Sound  

Yep. Suck it up Taff. Suck it up. You lot were bossed on Sunday and I was there. Brilliant just brilliant. England played exciting attacking rugby verses wales' boring one dimensional turd fest.

If you thought that was exciting Rugby you are easily pleased.I was there too.England deserved their win.Wales were poor.Exciting?Hardly.

[englandglory4ever]

That was the all conquering Lions team (Men) much heralded from Wales that got their backsides kicked by England (Boys) for the majority of the 80 mins. Don't let anyone tell you different.

You are clearly out of practice on how to behave in victory over Wales which is understandable.  

I've been coached very well by the welsh supporters over the last year thank you very much. We've only got to keep you try-less next year and we can start saying things like "you haven't scored a try against us ..." and stuff like that.

And that will achieve?????   

Winding some of you welsh up just like you have wound me up. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

AH.The old two wrongs make a right philosophy.Sound  

Yep. Suck it up Taff. Suck it up. You lot were bossed on Sunday and I was there. Brilliant just brilliant. England played exciting attacking rugby verses wales' boring one dimensional turd fest.

If you thought that was exciting Rugby you are easily pleased.I was there too.England deserved their win.Wales were poor.Exciting?Hardly.

Of course its not exciting when your team is getting humped for 80 mins. I can understand that.

[Biltong]

Why don't you all just stick to rugby and leave the petty squabbles out of it?

[Guest]

fact is, Wales are going to struggle unless their front 5 shapes up. set piece was not strong, and open play they looked off the pace and out of puff after 20 minutes.

great 15 minute period in the second half where Wales were relentless in attack and pressurising englands ruck and line, but that needs to be 60minutes of the match.

maybe it's players coming back from injury who arent match fit, maybe it's no summer holiday (is it a coincidence that Care and Brown are englands best players so far this 6N), maybe it's age.

Wales 11-15 are genuinely a threat. they just need front foot ball and to attack a disorgnaised, retreating defense. Which happened for about 15 minutes only vs ireland and england.

9/10 bit of an issue too, but front 5 looks the big area of relative weakness presently to me.

fingers crossed it's just a rest and time to recover from injuries that is needed as RWC2015 is Sept so the summer should sort everyone out.

A lot of it is down to Gatland. Our best loosehead was on the bench and our best tighthead (on form) wasn't even in the 23. Think Charteris was a big loss for us too. I've seen people say Lee isn't fit, but I don't think Jones is either (neither is Wilson particularly either). He won't get any fitter though (Lee), unless he starts getting games. Should've got more exposure in the AIs.

[Taffineastbourne]

fact is, Wales are going to struggle unless their front 5 shapes up. set piece was not strong, and open play they looked off the pace and out of puff after 20 minutes.

great 15 minute period in the second half where Wales were relentless in attack and pressurising englands ruck and line, but that needs to be 60minutes of the match.

maybe it's players coming back from injury who arent match fit, maybe it's no summer holiday (is it a coincidence that Care and Brown are englands best players so far this 6N), maybe it's age.

Wales 11-15 are genuinely a threat. they just need front foot ball and to attack a disorgnaised, retreating defense. Which happened for about 15 minutes only vs ireland and england.

9/10 bit of an issue too, but front 5 looks the big area of relative weakness presently to me.

fingers crossed it's just a rest and time to recover from injuries that is needed as RWC2015 is Sept so the summer should sort everyone out.

A lot of it is down to Gatland. Our best loosehead was on the bench and our best tighthead (on form) wasn't even in the 23. Think Charteris was a big loss for us too. I've seen people say Lee isn't fit, but I don't think Jones is either, neither is Wilson particularly either. He won't get any fitter though (Lee), unless he starts getting games. Should've got more exposure in the AIs.

Totally agree.Cannot think that Gethin will start again.Charteris must come back when fit(injured too often for my liking).Blood some youngsters in the dead rubber next week.

[Sponsored content]