6 NATIONS 2018 - England v Wales build up/Match/Autopsy Thread - 12-6

[TightHEAD]

First topic message reminder :

England v Wales (The Big One) ITV 16:45pm


So much rests on this game. Wales look strong, England did enough in Rome to look comfortable.

Really hard to see how this wil play out.

Discuss.

Ref - Jérôme Garcès (France)

Head to head - Played - 130 Eng 61 - Wales 57 - Drawn 12




England Team

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins 65 caps) 14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby 29 caps) 13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby 36 caps) 12 Owen Farrell (Saracens 54 caps) 11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers 30 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers 41 caps) 9 Danny Care (Harlequins 77 caps)

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens 45 caps) 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints 90 caps) 3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers 78 caps)
4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps 48 caps) 5 Maro Itoje (Saracens 15 caps) 6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints 62 caps) 7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins 60 caps) 8 Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs 4 caps)

Replacements
16 Jamie George (Saracens 21 caps) 17 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs 1 cap) 18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs 6 caps) 19 George Kruis (Saracens 22 caps)  20 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 4 caps) 21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens 27 caps) 22 Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors 9 caps) 23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs 24 caps)




Wales team
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); Josh Adams (Worcester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Steff Evans (Scarlets); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys capt), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton).


NO TRY - https://mobile.twitter.com/mattyjwills/status/962615635321737217/video/1

[lostinwales]

Walesonline has finally come up trumps with the combined team.

Let's just say we all have subjective views, but I did find it funny.

[Poorfour]

Walesonline has finally come up trumps with the combined team.

Let's just say we all have subjective views, but I did find it funny.

I thought it was quite fair until it got to the back row, and then I thought it was an excellent team talk for Lawes, Robshaw and Simmonds. I think Robshaw might, in his undemonstrative way, have a bit of a point to prove after the Lions tour.

[mikey_dragon]

England must be low on motivation if they need to use the WOL for a team talk.

[lostinwales]

England must be low on motivation if they need to use the WOL for a team talk.

Facing the might of Wales we need all the help we can get

[mid_gen]

You'd think with a coach that's a professional WUM themselves Welsh fans wouldn't fall for it from EJ every, single, time.

[yappysnap]

Gotta get upset about something!

[No 7&1/2]

I think matt Dawson is right; jones wants to put pressure on Robshaw simmonds care as much as place a focus on patchell. Go out there prove you're as experienced as you because you're good. Put the kid off his game and we go a long way to getting a win.

[BamBam]

Has anyone checked on Dowlais? I'm somewhat concerned that he hasn't already posted the article

[LordDowlais]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

[No 7&1/2]

Because it's about spoiling a fly half's rhythm and have him.looking for the hit rather than the pass. Look at betsen targeting Wilkinson.

[BamBam]

No, but Patchell is big and athletic, that's all that matters *drool*

[TightHEAD]

So to win we need to take Patchell out of the game.

Target him and make him want his mummy by the end of the 1st half.

[Sgt_Pooly]

The Patchell comments seem like a distraction.

Looking at that Welsh line up, it's the worst I've seen in years. I'm really struggling to pick a Welsh player to get into the English side (poss Halfpenny because of his boot).

What they do have though is cohesion which can be priceless at Int level.

[LondonTiger]

The Patchell comments seem like a distraction.

Looking at that Welsh line up, it's the worst I've seen in years. I'm really struggling to pick a Welsh player to get into the English side (poss Halfpenny because of his boot).

What they do have though is cohesion which can be priceless at Int level.

There are few Welsh players in the teams selected that I would take to improve the England side - perhaps Davies at 9 with Care reverting to his finisher role, and 1/2p ahead of Brown.

However not too sure how many Wales would look to take from us. We can all be guilty of over-egging (and then over criticising) our own guys. Plus to replace a player in your own team the opponent has to be markedly superior to balance the familiarity measure.

[TightHEAD]

Wales are favorites in my book, nothing to lose, a free shot at the 2nd best team in the world. Scarlet's are flying high. Coached by the greatest Lions coach ever.

England are weighed down with expectation, struggling with the back row balance and prop shortage and defense out wide.

[Sgt_Pooly]

I just think on paper this is a poor Welsh side....games are not played on paper though obviously.

I'm more scared of how Wales will play rather than individual players.

[yappysnap]

Wales always step up when they start to get written off, just look at last week.

Fact is they're a good team, with a very switched on coaching team, and they know how to win.

England are slight favourites as they're at home, but it'll be close.

[cascough]

The Jones thing seems like a pop at the media to me. There's been a lot written about Wales and Patchell this week, about how good they are and this new way of playing, yet they haven't really achieved much. He called Scotland out in the same way last week (although not as in depth, but then we weren't playing Scotland). Conversely England have won nearly everytime we've played and yet the byline is usually, England never get out of second gear, sloppy England etc.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Of course Wales aren't favourites....there's no evidence to suggest that. I'm not saying they can't win but England go into this one with at least a 7pt margin imo.

[TightHEAD]

Of course Wales aren't favourites....there's no evidence to suggest that.

They smashed the Scots last week!

[Geordie]

I think its funny everyone is getting up in arms about him naming the FH as the target area.

Makes me wonder though which areas he actually IS targeting and using the FH as a diversion...

[Sgt_Pooly]

Of course Wales aren't favourites....there's no evidence to suggest that.

They smashed the Scots last week!

They did and they looked impressive. England are a big step up on Scotland though and we're at home. We're not No 2 in the rankings for nothing.

[Scottrf]

Wales are favorites in my book, nothing to lose, a free shot at the 2nd best team in the world. Scarlet's are flying high. Coached by the greatest Lions coach ever.

England are weighed down with expectation, struggling with the back row balance and prop shortage and defense out wide.

England also have a prop who can't scrummage, a liability of a hooker, another prop who is a penalty machine. Good locks, but one playing out of position, who knocks on multiple times a game, another who is a penalty machine. A domestic standard 6 at 7 and an 8 who is too small to play international rugby there. A liability of a 9, solid club man on the bench. A fly half who can't defend and kick and a flyhalf without creativity at centre, with a guy out of form outside him. A liability at wing and a full back who can't pass.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

You'd think with a coach that's a professional WUM themselves Welsh fans wouldn't fall for it from EJ every, single, time.

Walesonline going to town over his comments is not the same thing as 'Welsh fans falling for it'. They have papers to sell / clicks to generate, plus it's a rag.

[TightHEAD]

Wales are favorites in my book, nothing to lose, a free shot at the 2nd best team in the world. Scarlet's are flying high. Coached by the greatest Lions coach ever.

England are weighed down with expectation, struggling with the back row balance and prop shortage and defense out wide.

England also have a prop who can't scrummage, a liability of a hooker, another prop who is a penalty machine. Good locks, but one playing out of position, who knocks on multiple times a game, another who is a penalty machine. A domestic standard 6 at 7 and an 8 who is too small to play international rugby there. A liability of a 9, solid club man on the bench. A fly half who can't defend and kick and a flyhalf without creativity at centre, with a guy out of form outside him. A liability at wing and a full back who can't pass.

Mike Brown can pass but he doesn't, he doesn't like players shouting at him calling for the ball.

[munkian]

I like it when he misses a tackle and gets angry with the ground and punches it.

'STUPID GROUND !'

[formerly known as Sam]

I think its funny everyone is getting up in arms about him naming the FH as the target area.

Makes me wonder though which areas he actually IS targeting and using the FH as a diversion...

Could be a double bluff. Bit of a throw away question from the media and Jones has come up with the obvious answer given Patchell hasn't got much international experience and flyhalfs are nearly always targeted.

What I like about Jones is that it's difficult to predict what adjustments he'll make to his tactics before each game. He's a clever coach.

[munkian]

I think its funny everyone is getting up in arms about him naming the FH as the target area.

Makes me wonder though which areas he actually IS targeting and using the FH as a diversion...

Could be a double bluff. Bit of a throw away question from the media and Jones has come up with the obvious answer given Patchell hasn't got much international experience and flyhalfs are nearly always targeted.

What I like about Jones is that it's difficult to predict what adjustments he'll make to his tactics before each game. He's a clever coach.

Is he though ? What variations in tactics has he used so far apart from remembering that England has the largest strength in depth in the world ?

[Scottrf]

Strength in depth is nice for winning Saxon games. We will be putting out our first team at the weekend, unfortunately for Wales.

[No 7&1/2]

The 3 tests in Australia are a good example of changing tactics.

[cascough]

Wales are favorites in my book, nothing to lose, a free shot at the 2nd best team in the world. Scarlet's are flying high. Coached by the greatest Lions coach ever.

England are weighed down with expectation, struggling with the back row balance and prop shortage and defense out wide.

England also have a prop who can't scrummage, a liability of a hooker, another prop who is a penalty machine. Good locks, but one playing out of position, who knocks on multiple times a game, another who is a penalty machine. A domestic standard 6 at 7 and an 8 who is too small to play international rugby there. A liability of a 9, solid club man on the bench. A fly half who can't defend and kick and a flyhalf without creativity at centre, with a guy out of form outside him. A liability at wing and a full back who can't pass.

Mike Brown can pass but he doesn't, he doesn't like players shouting at him calling for the ball.

Think you might have taken this too seriously.

[munkian]

Strength in depth is nice for winning Saxon games. We will be putting out our first team at the weekend, unfortunately for Wales.

No, its also good for bringing on a bench full of equally skilled/experienced players which is how a lot of matches have been won.

[lostinwales]

Wales are favorites in my book, nothing to lose, a free shot at the 2nd best team in the world. Scarlet's are flying high. Coached by the greatest Lions coach ever.

England are weighed down with expectation, struggling with the back row balance and prop shortage and defense out wide.

England also have a prop who can't scrummage, a liability of a hooker, another prop who is a penalty machine. Good locks, but one playing out of position, who knocks on multiple times a game, another who is a penalty machine. A domestic standard 6 at 7 and an 8 who is too small to play international rugby there. A liability of a 9, solid club man on the bench. A fly half who can't defend and kick and a flyhalf without creativity at centre, with a guy out of form outside him. A liability at wing and a full back who can't pass.

At least we have Watson. The rest of the team must be such a disappointment to him

The subs bench isn't much better, what with the Prop newbies, the hooker who has spent so long sitting on the bench his legs are permanently bent, the ancient and recently injured Kiwi import, the sicknote welsh reject flanker, and the winger who is too slow and spends more time on his tattoos than his rugby skills

[TightHEAD]

Watson's eyes have been turned by the NFL, only a matter of time before he goes to it.

[ChequeredJersey]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

[lostinwales]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

They should show a video of Lawes' 'greatest hits' while the teams are warming up.

[munkian]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

Was the rapid tackling machine malfunctioning when Patchell faced it last time ?

Hope its got a software update..

[TightHEAD]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

They should show a video of Lawes' 'greatest hits' while the teams are warming up.

Is that the legal ones or slightly late ones?

[munkian]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

They should show a video of Lawes' 'greatest hits' while the teams are warming up.

You can mix in Moriarty absolutely smashing Farrell into it.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

.

[ChequeredJersey]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

Was the rapid tackling machine malfunctioning when Patchell faced it last time ?

Hope its got a software update..

When did Patchell last face Simmonds or in fact England in general at an international level match playing 10?!

[Scottrf]

I heard they were trying to make a Vine of Moriarty's best carrying, but couldn't find 6 seconds worth.

[munkian]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

Was the rapid tackling machine malfunctioning when Patchell faced it last time ?

Hope its got a software update..

When did Patchell last face Simmonds or in fact England in general at an international level match playing 10?!

Ah, sorry, I mixed up which player you were massively overhyping, easily done in my defence

[ChequeredJersey]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

They should show a video of Lawes' 'greatest hits' while the teams are warming up.

You can mix in Moriarty absolutely smashing Farrell into it.

It’s ok, Farrell has got the mental fortitude

[BamBam]

Patchell must have been bullied his entire life for being an ugly ginger, I'm sure he'll be fine mentally

[ChequeredJersey]

Simmonds to 7 and Robshaw to 8 on defence scrums in the Wales half to send Simmonds hurtling at Patchell?

You do realise how big Patchell is don't you ? He is probably the most athletic 10 in Wales right now.

I think the only answer to this comment is “so?”

Sending a rapid tackling machine at a man isn’t a test of their size or strength. It’s a test of their experience, coolness under pressure, mental fortitude etc

Was the rapid tackling machine malfunctioning when Patchell faced it last time ?

Hope its got a software update..

When did Patchell last face Simmonds or in fact England in general at an international level match playing 10?!

Ah, sorry, I mixed up which player you were massively overhyping, easily done in my defence

The clue was “rapid” which pretty much ruled out the rest of our backrow

[Scottrf]

Patchell must have been bullied his entire life for being an ugly ginger, I'm sure he'll be fine mentally

That's racist and I'm triggered.

[BamBam]

He's not ugly because he's ginger, there's some very good looking gingers around

[ChequeredJersey]

He's not ugly because he's ginger, there's some very good looking gingers around

Are any of them male though?

[TightHEAD]

Its great to see this thread being used for decent rugby discussion (for a change!) about a firecracker of a game on Saturday.

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