Wales thread continued - 2017/18 season

[mikey_dragon]

First topic message reminder :

2017/2018 season results (full fixture list posted below).

Wales 21 - 29 Australia
Wales 13 - 6 Georgia
Wales 18 - 33 New Zealand
Wales 24 - 22 South Africa

Wales 2018 6N Squad:
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), James Davies (Scarlets), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Backs: Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Steff Evans (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).

Faletau, Biggar expected to be available later on in the tournament. Amos, L Williams perhaps a little sooner.

Call-ups to cover injuries, etc.
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I thought we'd start with the Autumn series. Gatland the Great is set to return and shake things up after another disappointing season underneath the Howler and his pal McBryde. The fixtures for this series are as follows:

November 2017
Sat 11th Nov 17 17:15
Wales   v   Australia  
Sat 18th Nov 17 14:30
Wales   v   Georgia
Sat 25th Nov 17 17:15
Wales   v   New Zealand
December 2017
Sat 2nd Dec 17 14:30
Wales   v   South Africa

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well there's no time like now so why not. Last year was a bit disappointing, topped off with an unsuccessful tour to NZ (as expected). Whilst I'm hoping for better this season my expectations are low as we have Howler and some other amateurs in charge who got the job because they were mates with Gatland and others in the WRU.

AI's
Wales V Australia 05/11/2016
8 - 32
Wales V Argentina 12/11/2016
24 - 20
Wales V Japan 19/11/2016
33 - 30
Wales V South Africa 26/11/2016
27 - 13

6 Nations
Italy V Wales 05/02/2017
7 - 33
Wales V England 11/02/2017
16 - 21
Scotland V Wales 25/02/2017
29 - 13
Wales V Ireland 10/03/2017
22 - 9
France V Wales 18/03/2017
20 -18

Very tough AI series but a kind start in the 6N. So far this season Blues and Ospreys look good, but how many of their players will be starters for Wales? Cuthbert is starting to look like his old self and if this continues he could come back into the team. Tomos Williams looks like a good player and if he also continues in this vein then might he take advantage of Gareth Davies' supposed rustiness? It's still early days but going by what I've seen and the reports I've read I would like to see a new centre partnership and also perhaps see our old back 3 of North, Cuthbert and Halfpenny reinstated - although a lot could happen between now and November. With Faletau out I think we can all guess who the wildcards will be, but who does that leave to play at No.8 - possibly Warburton with Ellis Jenkins at 7? What changes (if any) would you like to see? Keep it sensible please.

WALES 2016 UNDER ARMOUR SERIES SQUAD
Prop Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps) Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps) Rhys Gill (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps) Samson Lee (Scarlets) (28 Caps) Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Hooker Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps) Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Second Row Jake Ball (Scarlets) (20 Caps) Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps) Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps) Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (102 Caps) Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Back Row Dan Baker (Ospreys) (3 Caps) Taulupe Faletau* (Bath Rugby) (61 Caps) James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps) Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps) Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps) Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps) Sam Warburton (CAPT) (Cardiff Blues) (67 Caps)
Scrum Half Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps) Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps) Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
Fly Half Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (8 Caps) Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps) Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)
Centre Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps) Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps) Jamie Roberts* (Harlequins) (83 Caps) Scott Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps)
Wing/Full Back Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps) Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps) Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps) George North* (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps) Liam Williams (Scarlets) (35 Caps) * Denotes Senior Player Selection Policy wildcard selection.
Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, Cardiff Blues full-back Rhun Williams and Dragons pair Leon Brown and Harrison Keddie will train with the Wales squad.  

June summer tour
Tonga 6 - 24 Wales
Samoa 17 - 19 Wales

[BamBam]

Tier 1 Test matches are the highest level of rugby outside of the RWC, and should all be treated as such imo

6 Nations is. An AI against Samoa or Georgia isn't.

Tier 1 !

[ScarletSpiderman]

A wee question for the welsh on this thread:

Why were Wales so much better on Saturday than anything they produced in the Autumn or in the last Six Nations?

Without trying to offend anyone, the Welsh were clinical and looked comfortable chucking the ball around in some well executed moves on Saturday - by comparison Wales in the autumn were disjointed and could hardly be called fluid

If it's a change in personnel i.e. picking the on form Scarlets en-mass, then does that suggest Gatlands team selection was forced upon him by injuries (Biggar, Roberts, Webb, North, Warbuton et al) and he may not have picked the Scarlets at all if the mentioned players had been injured?

Saturday hurt a lot and most of us in the Scotland thread have gone "what an incredible amount of egg on our faces". In retrospect it should have been obvious what the Scarlets players can do as they have been doing it all season but I don't think many of us thought Gatland/Howley would back a totally different style of play and player!

Always takes time to adopt a new style of play, there were glimpses over the AIs but the opposition were much quicker and physical than Scotland. We also had different players.

I guess it was the perfect storm of us finally clicking and Scotland pooping the bed.

I know I am probably more negaive about the welsh setup than most. But I think part of the reason Wales openned up as they did on Saturday was down the Cawdor getting the intercept try early.

Before that (yes I know it was only 7 mins or so) Patchell was kicking the ball away, we were putting in box kicks etc. Then we gethte try and we start running from inside our 22. And in the second half we came out and looked like we may have closed up shop, taking two pens. It seems like we still have the need to get a buffer before being allowed to cut loose. So maybe the only difference betweent hat game and the AIs is we got an early score, from against the game plan. Giving us that security.

[LordDowlais]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could not effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

[Scottrf]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

We are playing them this year, and the rankings were used for the World Cup in March 2017.

But good point...

[lostinwales]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could not effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

Technically it seems to be because the AB's want too much money to come and play us. But for whatever reason it is happening this year, and we are (currently) far enough ahead of everybody else except the AB's for it to make any difference whatever the results are.

[BamBam]

Great bluster as ever

[TightHEAD]

What have the English 606ers ever done to you Lord?

Get off their backs and enjoy the build up for Saturday.

[lostinwales]

A wee question for the welsh on this thread:

Why were Wales so much better on Saturday than anything they produced in the Autumn or in the last Six Nations?

Without trying to offend anyone, the Welsh were clinical and looked comfortable chucking the ball around in some well executed moves on Saturday - by comparison Wales in the autumn were disjointed and could hardly be called fluid

If it's a change in personnel i.e. picking the on form Scarlets en-mass, then does that suggest Gatlands team selection was forced upon him by injuries (Biggar, Roberts, Webb, North, Warbuton et al) and he may not have picked the Scarlets at all if the mentioned players had been injured?

Saturday hurt a lot and most of us in the Scotland thread have gone "what an incredible amount of egg on our faces". In retrospect it should have been obvious what the Scarlets players can do as they have been doing it all season but I don't think many of us thought Gatland/Howley would back a totally different style of play and player!

Always takes time to adopt a new style of play, there were glimpses over the AIs but the opposition were much quicker and physical than Scotland. We also had different players.

I guess it was the perfect storm of us finally clicking and Scotland pooping the bed.

I know I am probably more negaive about the welsh setup than most.  But I think part of the reason Wales openned up as they did on Saturday was down the Cawdor getting the intercept try early.

Before that (yes I know it was only 7 mins or so) Patchell was kicking the ball away, we were putting in box kicks etc.  Then we gethte try and we start running from inside our 22.  And in the second half we came out and looked like we may have closed up shop, taking two pens.  It seems like we still have the need to get a buffer before being allowed to cut loose.  So maybe the only difference betweent hat game and the AIs is we got an early score, from against the game plan.  Giving us that security.

I got the feeling that both Scotland and Wales are confidence teams - and as you said the early score and subsequent Scottish collapse made things a lot easier for Wales. This will change with time, and there are plenty of old heads around the Welsh team who should be able to lift things if they are not going well, but it will be interesting to see how you react if/ when you do go behind

[LordDowlais]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

We are playing them this year, and the rankings were used for the World Cup in March 2017.

But good point...

What does that even mean ?

All you have done is prove my point.

[lostinwales]

What have the English 606ers ever done to you Lord?

Get off their backs and enjoy the build up for Saturday.

Technically speaking Lord tends to have a problem with anyone who doesn't think the same way as he does, but he is not representative of the Welsh posters here.

[Scottrf]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

We are playing them this year, and the rankings were used for the World Cup in March 2017.

But good point...

What does that even mean ?

All you have done is prove my point.

No, you said we play them when the ranking system could effect (you meant affect) the world cup draw. This game can't, the rankings from March 2017 were used for the world cup.

[LordDowlais]

What have the English 606ers ever done to you Lord?

Get off their backs and enjoy the build up for Saturday.

There are a lot of English trolls on this forum.

Not all of them, for the most part they are very informative and you can have a decent debate with the English on here. But there are about 4 or 5 English members who let the rest of you down.

[LordDowlais]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

We are playing them this year, and the rankings were used for the World Cup in March 2017.

But good point...

What does that even mean ?

All you have done is prove my point.

No, you said we play them when the ranking system could effect (you meant affect) the world cup draw. This game can't, the rankings from March 2017 were used for the world cup.

OMG.

Read my post again and come back with another go.

Edit. you have even doctored my quote to leave out the crucial word I typed.

[Scottrf]

Can anybody tell me on here why some English members are trying to tell us how important the AI's are ?

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. Four years since you last played them in an AI.

You will play them this year, then probably will wait till after next world cup to play them.

We are playing them this year, and the rankings were used for the World Cup in March 2017.

But good point...

What does that even mean ?

All you have done is prove my point.

No, you said we play them when the ranking system could effect (you meant affect) the world cup draw. This game can't, the rankings from March 2017 were used for the world cup.

OMG.

Read my post again and come back with another go.

"Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. "

We are playing them this year. It can't affect the world cup draw. How can I make it easier for you?

[LordDowlais]

"Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. "

Read it again.

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could not effect the world cup draw.

Notice the bit in BOLD.

[Scottrf]

"Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could effect the world cup draw. "

Read it again.

Also, it probably explains why England will only play the All Blacks when the ranking system could not effect the world cup draw.

Notice the bit in BOLD.

Okay, you edited it.

In which case your point is still invalid because we played them right before the draw in 2012. So the rankings did matter.

[LordDowlais]

Nope I did not edit it.

If I did it would say so at the bottom of my original post.

England have done a cracking job avoiding New Zealand, fair play to them.

[Scottrf]

You're a liar. You just edited it quickly.

And obviously just trolling after complaining about English trolls because you won't acknowledge your point is invalid as we played them before the rankings last time.

Stick to sharing WOL articles. Your own points are a waste of digital ink.

[No 7&1/2]

Ais are important as are the rest
There seems to be a growing trend of discounting game after game
Ais don't matter. 6ns after a world cup don't matter. 6ns after a lions tournament don't matter. Only he wc matters. Every game matters at this level they're there to be enjoyed and seen as the pinacle.

[SecretFly]

Ais are important as are the rest
There seems to be  a growing trend of discounting game after game
Ais don't matter. 6ns after a world cup don't matter. 6ns after a lions tournament don't matter. Only he wc matters. Every game matters at this level they're there to be enjoyed and seen as the pinacle.

Good man, 7....you tell the basterdes!

If you love the game...even as a player....I don't for the life of me know why you'd be less interested in putting your heart and soul into it for the AIs than for the Six Nations.

[BamBam]

Nope I did not edit it.

If I did it would say so at the bottom of my original post.

England have done a cracking job avoiding New Zealand, fair play to them.

Whereas Wales have done a cracking job having their ar$es handed to them by New Zealand/South Africa/Australia. No wonder the AIs don't matter to dear old Lord Bluster

[LordDowlais]

AI's do matter to me.

I just do not know why the swathe of English trolls find the need to come on here and tell me how important they are.

PS, I did not edit my post. One of the resident English wums must have doctored it to suit his agenda.

Also, well done on avoiding the best team in the world for the last half a decade, I take my hat off to you.

[No 7&1/2]

People respond to another post on a discussion forum shock. Wouldn't it be easier to just agree with posts on hat point rather than try to try it into a thing about nationality.presumably you also think your own view on AI s is a wum?

[BamBam]

I've done this before, but here goes again

Since 2011 RWC (Enough of a barometer for you Lord Bluster?)

Eng v NZ - Played 6, Won 1, Lost 5
Eng v SA - P6, W1, L5
Eng v Aus - P9, W7, L2

Total - played 21, won 9, lost 12

Wales v NZ - P6, Won 0, Lost 6
Wales v SA - P7, W2, L5
Wales v Aus - P10, W0, L10

Total - Played 23, Won 2, Lost 21

Many many congrats on your superb record Lord Bluster, I can only admire what a fine rugby nation you support

[lostinwales]

I've done this before, but here goes again

Since 2011 RWC (Enough of a barometer for you Lord Bluster?)

Eng v NZ - Played 6, Won 1, Lost 5
Eng v SA - P6, W1, L5
Eng v Aus - P9, W7, L2

Total - played 21, won 9, lost 12

Wales v NZ - P6, Won 0, Lost 6
Wales v SA - P7, W2, L5
Wales v Aus - P10, W0, L10  

Total - Played 23, Won 2, Lost 21

Many many congrats on your superb record Lord Bluster, I can only admire what a fine rugby nation you support

It's not that bad. I am sure that when Wales starts playing against Australia in a new experimental 75 minute format they will finally get some wins.

Seriously though all this is a bit rock paper scissors, and the one thing that Wales under Gatland have never really worked out is how to win vs the SH. At times it has been more mental than anything else. But they have had their spells at the top in Europe.

[Poorfour]

Lord Dowlais, whether you include the "not" in the original post or not, the post itself is a bad bit of WUMming. It's well documented that the All Blacks have asked for a ton of cash to play England in the AIs, and England told them that if they wanted more money they could go and build a bigger stadium of their own.

Nothing to do with rugby, all to do with money. There were whole threads on whether the RFU should get to keep the revenues it generates from the stadium that it built and paid for by itself, or whether it should have to share them (which nobody else is forced to) just because it's successful.

You are either being disingenuous, or you have a memory issuer hat you should ask your doctor about. Either way, please can you drop it before this thread descends in to yet another stupid England v Wales slanging match?

[LordDowlais]

I've done this before, but here goes again

Since 2011 RWC (Enough of a barometer for you Lord Bluster?)

Eng v NZ - Played 6, Won 1, Lost 5
Eng v SA - P6, W1, L5
Eng v Aus - P9, W7, L2

Total - played 21, won 9, lost 12

Wales v NZ - P6, Won 0, Lost 6
Wales v SA - P7, W2, L5
Wales v Aus - P10, W0, L10  

Total - Played 23, Won 2, Lost 21

Many many congrats on your superb record Lord Bluster, I can only admire what a fine rugby nation you support

Why don't you post England's last fixture against New Zealand instead of trying to be clever and epic failing again. I think you will find it was in 2014. England lost 21-24. No use in playing them if they are going to effect your ranking though I suppose.

[LordDowlais]

Lord Dowlais, whether you include the "not" in the original post or not, the post itself is a bad bit of WUMming. It's well documented that the All Blacks have asked for a ton of cash to play England in the AIs, and England told them that if they wanted more money they could go and build a bigger stadium of their own.

Everyone else has played them, and no one else had to give them half the money. So I do not buy that.

You are either being disingenuous, or you have a memory issuer hat you should ask your doctor about. Either way, please can you drop it before this thread descends in to yet another stupid England v Wales slanging match?

This is a Wales thread, not a Wales V anybody thread, it only turned that way when the English wums/trolls came on here to stick the knife in and twist it. Why certain factions on this forum get such a free ride is beyond me. Only last week we had members accusing the Welsh of spoiling this forum, yet we do not invade
anybody else threads and cause havoc.

The very same members were on the Wales match thread doing the exact same thing, yet the mods only ban Gwlad. You know the one's. Why don't you have a go at them. There are about 4 or 5 of them, who will always take a swipe.

[No 7&1/2]

You agree with the point that AI s matter. You disagree with the poster saying wales ignore them as friendlies. You are creating an argument for no reason against people you agree with.

[SecretFly]

This is a Wales thread,  not a Wales V anybody thread, it only turned that way when the English wums/trolls came on here to stick the knife in and twist it. Why certain factions on this forum get such a free ride is beyond me. Only last week we had members accusing the Welsh of spoiling this forum, yet we do not invade
anybody else threads and cause havoc.

The very same members were on the Wales match thread doing the exact same thing,  yet the mods only ban Gwlad. You know the one's. Why don't you have a go at them. There are about 4 or 5 of them, who will always take a swipe.

Is it all not purely 'banter' though, Lord.  How come banter - which in sporting terms to me means people tickling each others sensitive bones but in a sporting way - is so often now thought of as offensive anti-Welshism or anti-Englishism or anti-Irishism or whatever?

Like if banter is allowed on sites - especially during a vibrant National competition the size of the 6N - then why is it so little tolerated?  And if banter is not allowed then what's the point of a rugby forum?  

I mean come on people, are endless threads about which players you'd choose for which position really going to excite and entertain all 606 posters all the time?  Are we all so dull all the time that repetitive teamsheet news and discussions are going to satisfy all our needs all the time. No.  You have to allow a balance.  The grey team speak about which players fit each position has to be mellowed by some good 'banter'.

Christ, I hate the word 'banter' but I'm using it here instead of another word I hate even more...Wumming

[Guest]

And don't forget the darker side of Wumming and banter, Fly: Trolling!

[Poorfour]

Everyone else has played them, and no one else had to give them half the money. So I do  not buy that.

Here it is in Wales Online, so it must be true WOL. Note the bit where Steve Tew talks about wanting individual deals; I.e. he wants more from the RFU because they’ve got more money.

To be fair, I don’t often post on Wales threads, but from what I can see most of the posting on here from English fans has been at worst a little bit cheeky. It’s considerably more polite and genuine than the sort nonsense that certain Welsh fans regularly spam England threads with.

[Guest]

Anyway, anyone think Owen Watkin is a little unlucky to be bumped off the bench by North? Or is North an upgrade? I'm undecided.

[SecretFly]

And don't forget the darker side of Wumming and banter, Fly: Trolling!

To tell the truth................ I've never been able to work out the fine details of trolling, Oracle. I assume one might call an old 606 friend who always talks about the evils of Pro14 (won't mention his name because this is not a dig at him but merely using a person many of us will know) I assume some people might call him a Troll? But I wouldn't. He's entitled to his opinions. They're always ultra critical of a certain Nation but so what. I don't share probably a single one of his opinions - on anything - and argue the hell out of him...but never would I drop a report about him or ask a mod to ban him. I could ignore him if I wanted to. That power is with me, not him.

[Guest]

And don't forget the darker side of Wumming and banter, Fly: Trolling!

To tell the truth................ I've never been able to work out the fine details of trolling, Oracle.  I assume one might call an old 606 friend who always talks about the evils of Pro14 (won't mention his name because this is not a dig at him but merely using a person many of us will know) I assume some people might call him a Troll?  But I wouldn't.  He's entitled to his opinions.  They're always ultra critical of a certain Nation but so what.  I don't share probably a single one of his opinions - on anything - and argue the hell out of him...but never would I drop a report about him or ask a mod to ban him.  I could ignore him if I wanted to.  That power is with me, not him.

Yeah, I was just highlighting the various nomenclature for behaviour that some posters don’t like. Not sure of the difference between them all. I think it goes from fun to light banter to heavy banter to wumming to trolling, in a sliding scale of seriousness. I think.

Ph*lBB, if that’s who you’re referring to: I agree. He’s accused of being a troll and a wum but I’m certain he’s not deliberately trying to wind anyone up. He just happens to have a polar opposite opinion and he sticks to it. And people hate that they can’t change his view so just resort to name calling. Good on him for sticking to his guns I suppose. But Gwlad, on the other hand! Tighthead. And previous folk like nottins, Cyril of old, HERSH. They were straight up Wums, but it was fun! It was so obvious that you had to take it as a joke or you’d drive yourself mad trying to reason with it. Agree that we need some ‘banter’ to balance the serious stuff. Maybe we need a banter thread

[doctor_grey]

 That power is with me, not him.

You! You are Yoda!

You are also right, but that is another story.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Everyone else has played them, and no one else had to give them half the money. So I do  not buy that.

Here it is in Wales Online, so it must be true WOL. Note the bit where Steve Tew talks about wanting individual deals; I.e. he wants more from the RFU because they’ve got more money.

To be fair, I don’t often post on Wales threads, but from what I can see most of the posting on here from English fans has been at worst a little bit cheeky. It’s considerably more polite and genuine than the sort nonsense that certain Welsh fans regularly spam England threads with.

And we're playing each other on the weekend FFS, of course there's going to be some back and forth!

[LordDowlais]

Well why can't the match thread be used for any "back and forth" ?

[Luckless Pedestrian]

That's really splitting hairs, Dowlais.

[Guest]

Why not set up a 'back n forth' thread, LD? Keeps the cr*p off the Wales season thread and the match thread then. Cool!

[TightHEAD]

Roof open for Saturdays game.

[Poorfour]

Roof open for Saturdays game.

Weather forecast is cold but dry, stadium atmosphere forecast is polite clapping with occasional outbursts of Cwm Rhondda and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau offset by Swing Low, Sweet Caroline and Jerusalem. So closing the roof won't make a difference.

[TightHEAD]

Roof open for Saturdays game.

Weather forecast is cold but dry, stadium atmosphere forecast is polite clapping with occasional outbursts of Cwm Rhondda and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau offset by Swing Low, Sweet Caroline and Jerusalem. So closing the roof won't make a difference.

The bus/train journey back to Cardiff will be a grime place though! 

[BamBam]

Roof open for Saturdays game.

Weather forecast is cold but dry, stadium atmosphere forecast is polite clapping with occasional outbursts of Cwm Rhondda and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau offset by Swing Low, Sweet Caroline and Jerusalem. So closing the roof won't make a difference.

The bus/train journey back to Cardiff will be a grime place though! 

That's the case regardless of the rugby

[TightHEAD]

Roof open for Saturdays game.

Weather forecast is cold but dry, stadium atmosphere forecast is polite clapping with occasional outbursts of Cwm Rhondda and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau offset by Swing Low, Sweet Caroline and Jerusalem. So closing the roof won't make a difference.

The bus/train journey back to Cardiff will be a grime place though! 

That's the case regardless of the rugby

The M4 has beautiful scenery.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Don't you think Usk is picturesque, TightHEAD?

[Guest]

Don't you think Usk is picturesque, TightHEAD?  

I’ve asked him about Usk on a previous thread but he missed have missed it. Or is avoiding the question...

One of my current stomping grounds. Recently(ish) Usk has become home to a very famous Wales and Lion player. Larger than life and a good chap to boot.

[SecretFly]

Don't you think Usk is picturesque, TightHEAD?  

I’ve asked him about Usk on a previous thread but he missed have missed it. Or is avoiding the question...

One of my current stomping grounds. Recently(ish) Usk has become home to a very famous Wales and Lion player. Larger than life and a good chap to boot.

Does Golf bugger come close?

[Guest]

Don't you think Usk is picturesque, TightHEAD?  

I’ve asked him about Usk on a previous thread but he missed have missed it. Or is avoiding the question...

One of my current stomping grounds. Recently(ish) Usk has become home to a very famous Wales and Lion player. Larger than life and a good chap to boot.

Does Golf bugger come close?

No, no. He lives in Brecon I believe. Remember bumping into him in the toilets of a pub in Brecon once. Absolutely steaming (him) with beer all down his shirt. At the height I’d career too I think!

No, I’m talking about SQ. Lovely guy in real life. Very loud though.

[TightHEAD]

Don't you think Usk is picturesque, TightHEAD?  

It will do for now. Nice pubs and not too far of the beaten track (M4), but far enough.

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