am i fooling myself?

I am excited about Saturdays game. I am looking forward to seeing new combinations and seeing Henson back in the Wales shirt. I'm interested to see how Faletau plays and how Warburton does as captain. I will be interested to see how Scott Williams performs when he comes on and I'll be interested to see if (a) Huw Bennett can finally do something to warrent being selected and (b) if Mike Phillips can get back to somewhere near the level he was playing in 08.

The question is am I leaving myself open for massive disappointment again or am I right to be hopeful?

Right to be interested and I would be looking for those and how well a scrum does with the height differential between Charteris and Jones given our front row. Hopeful? I'm always hopeful before we play. This time I hope they can hold it together and get some momentum going into the world cup. After the World Cup I'll be hoping for a change of coaching staff.

mckay - that's a risk all fans take I think, getting your hopes up too high will always leave a chance of us being bitterly disappointed. I am going for cautiously optimistic for the weekend, I'm not even too worried whether we win or lose all that much to be honest. I just really, really want our players to actually go out there and show what they can do, please no more of the rubbish rugby we had to endure in the 6N's.

I think Wales have a good chance if they treat it properly and don't get drawn into the exhibition nature of it. I think the backrows and centres are very good selections by the welsh and I'm backing Phillips to have a good game.

Very excited by the backrows. I think JD2 and Henson should be the other way round but lets assume that Gatland knows more than me about rugby...

I think you are fooling yourself if you think that this game will be a good indication of how these players would fare in the world cup or in proper internationals. The Magners playoffs and HC games are closer.

But you are right to be interested in Henson. Any rugby he plays now is of value for judging where hes at mentaly and physicaly.

Why not be excited, mate? It is some new combinations, some new faces with old hands and an alternative glimpse at the Wales team. Even the Henson factor will be, at least, interesting. The Barbarians are a good team. I think this should be fun. Don't worry about the result as much as seeing how certain players get on. If Wales win, its a bonus.

It would be interesting to see how this one pans out. Why Bennett is any where near the Welsh squad is beyond me, as is phillips. I would have prefered to see Rhys Webb given a chance. Really looking forward to Faletau play in Welsh shirt, hes had a great season and deserves his spot.
Of course im hoping for a Welsh win, but i dont see this game as a great indicator, just a chance to look at some partnerships

BridgendBoyo wrote:It would be interesting to see how this one pans out. Why Bennett is any where near the Welsh squad is beyond me, as is phillips. I would have prefered to see Rhys Webb given a chance. Really looking forward to Faletau play in Welsh shirt, hes had a great season and deserves his spot.
Of course im hoping for a Welsh win, but i dont see this game as a great indicator, just a chance to look at some partnerships

Rhys Webb just had shoulder surgery last week didn't he?

ML wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:It would be interesting to see how this one pans out. Why Bennett is any where near the Welsh squad is beyond me, as is phillips. I would have prefered to see Rhys Webb given a chance. Really looking forward to Faletau play in Welsh shirt, hes had a great season and deserves his spot.
Of course im hoping for a Welsh win, but i dont see this game as a great indicator, just a chance to look at some partnerships

Rhys Webb just had shoulder surgery last week didn't he?

Damn, i missed that

That's one strong back line the Baa Baas have and the forwards look pretty brutal. 2 scratch sides, one with nothing to lose. I would like to see a clear game plan from Wales and some wise play from the backs. I have a nagging feeling however that Wales will look for contact here as they did against Fiji and if they do this they are going to come off 2nd best. I am anticipating some yellow cards from the Baa Baas so that might help!!!!