Wales and Ireland Two warm up test series Match Thread

by maestegmafia Thu 29 Aug 2019, 1:46 pm

First topic message reminder :

7th SEPTEMBER 2019
KO: 14:00
IRELAND VS WALES
Aviva Stadium

Ireland

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 91 caps
14. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 15 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 19 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 77 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster) 83 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 73 caps

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 90 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 119 caps CAPTAIN
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 35 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 18 caps
5. Jean Kleyn (Munster) 2 caps
6. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 32 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 18 caps
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 15 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 69 caps
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 30 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 17 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster) 47 caps
20. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 22
21. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 13 caps
22. Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht) 6 caps
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 23 caps

Wales

Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues); Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (capt, Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Owen Watkin (Ospreys)

by maestegmafia Wed 04 Sep 2019, 8:59 am

On current form I’d start Wainwright over Shingler, I have a little more confidence in Moriarty but Navidi makes a great case for 8 too. I would definitely keep a fit Tipuric at 7. I think he is probably our best player and certainly has been one of the best 7s in the game for a long time now.

by LordDowlais Wed 04 Sep 2019, 10:01 am

maestegmafia wrote:On current form I’d start Wainwright over Shingler, I have a little more confidence in Moriarty but Navidi makes a great case for 8 too. I would definitely keep a fit Tipuric at 7. I think he is probably our best player and certainly has been one of the best 7s in the game for a long time now.

Shingler had a shocker on Saturday, although not on his own there. Rolling Eyes

The back row for me would have top be:-

6. Moriarty
7. Tuperic
8. Navidi

Although you could swap Navidi and Moriarty around, both as good as each other in both positions.

by maestegmafia Wed 04 Sep 2019, 10:10 am

LordDowlais wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:On current form I’d start Wainwright over Shingler, I have a little more confidence in Moriarty but Navidi makes a great case for 8 too. I would definitely keep a fit Tipuric at 7. I think he is probably our best player and certainly has been one of the best 7s in the game for a long time now.

Shingler had a shocker on Saturday, although not on his own there.

The back row for me would have top be:-

6. Moriarty
7. Tuperic
8. Navidi

Although you could swap Navidi and Moriarty around, both as good as each other in both positions.

I wouldn’t agree Shingler had a shocker. Silly pass lead to the interception instead of a possible welsh try yes but a very tidy bit of line out play put him back in the good. Likewise around the field he was very handy.

The reason I put Wainwright in pole is just that he is absolutely on fire at the moment. And this summer has developed as a line out option too. He has played plenty of rugby this summer so may well get rested for this match.

by LordDowlais Wed 04 Sep 2019, 10:15 am

maestegmafia wrote:I wouldn’t agree Shingler had a shocker. Silly pass lead to the interception instead of a possible welsh try yes but a very tidy bit of line out play put him back in the good. Likewise around the field he was very handy.

His lose passing happened more than once, he did not learn after his debacle that led to the try, a pass he should have never attempted. He was on the floor at a ruck at one point and he scooped the ball out causing us to lose possession, and he missed far too many tackles for a player in his position. TBH I thought he played himself out of contention last weekend.

But hey ho, it was his first game in ages, so I guess the coaches used that in his favour.

by maestegmafia Wed 04 Sep 2019, 10:19 am

LordDowlais wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:I wouldn’t agree Shingler had a shocker. Silly pass lead to the interception instead of a possible welsh try yes but a very tidy bit of line out play put him back in the good. Likewise around the field he was very handy.

His lose passing happened more than once, he did not learn after his debacle that led to the try, a pass he should have never attempted. He was on the floor at a ruck at one point and he scooped the ball out causing us to lose possession, and he missed far too many tackles for a player in his position. TBH I thought he played himself out of contention last weekend.

But hey ho, it was his first game in ages, so I guess the coaches used that in his favour.

Maybe I’m giving him leeway because he is still playing himself back to form I guess.

by **RiscaGame** Wed 04 Sep 2019, 10:50 am

Shingler hasn't been great all summer for me. I wonder if he would've made the squad, if Hill was fully fit (and Shingler wasn't lock cover). People are highlighting James Davies as lucky to make the squad, but Davies has shown more thus far. Shingler has carried pretty poorly against England and then made mistakes v Ireland.

by LordDowlais Wed 04 Sep 2019, 11:20 am

RiscaGame wrote:Shingler hasn't been great all summer for me. I wonder if he would've made the squad, if Hill was fully fit (and Shingler wasn't lock cover). People are highlighting James Davies as lucky to make the squad, but Davies has shown more thus far. Shingler has carried pretty poorly against England and then made mistakes v Ireland.

I agree, if Cory Hill was fit, then Shingler wouldn't be going.

by maestegmafia Wed 04 Sep 2019, 11:24 am

Yes that certainly seems to be the situation. Great line out steal by Shingler though, those moments can be a real game turner. We certainly haven’t seen many lineouts go our way in the warm ups, even on our own throw.

by mikey_dragon Wed 04 Sep 2019, 4:16 pm

It hasn't been the best time for Shingler, just returning from a long-term injury and Wales play crap in most of the time he's involved. I am still hopeful he can return to that form he was showing before the injury though.

by Pie Wed 04 Sep 2019, 8:57 pm

id like to see Hill and Shingler at lock with Wainwright, Moriarty and Navidi on the park.

by maestegmafia Thu 05 Sep 2019, 8:49 am

I am very excited to see Tomos Williams get more game time this week. As much as we rightfully lauded praise on Patchell performance last weekend, maybe not enough of that was attributed to the scrumhalf who quickened the heart beat of the team immeasurably. So much so that I felt desperately sorry for Jarrod Evans who despite being a superb player wasn’t used to playing with Aled Davies.

Wales work well with fast ball and quick thinking halfbacks.

by **RiscaGame** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 8:59 am

Patchell will also benefit from having the first choice centres outside of him, this week (by the looks).

by maestegmafia Thu 05 Sep 2019, 9:19 am

Team to be announced at 11. Ireland after lunch.

by **LondonTiger** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 10:36 am

maestegmafia wrote:
Wales work well with fast ball and quick thinking halfbacks.

To be fair that applies to most teams. It amuses me how often individual Outside Halves get slated for being unable to play on slow and/or back foot ball - yet no 10 can shine in those conditions.

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 10:58 am

maestegmafia wrote:Team to be announced at 11. Ireland after lunch.

Do all analogies these days have to refer to Blimmin' Cricket!!!!!!!!!

This IS RUGBY! We do not resume nothing after Lunch! We only resume things after a round of Beers!

Let's be more respectful to our code's traditions.

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:01 am

LondonTiger wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
Wales work well with fast ball and quick thinking halfbacks.

To be fair that applies to most teams. It amuses me how often individual Outside Halves get slated for being unable to play on slow and/or back foot ball - yet no 10 can shine in those conditions.

That's way too much sense for me on Thursday morning! Where's the damn Alka-Seltzer, my stomach is acting up now.

by LordDowlais Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:18 am

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues); Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (capt, Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).

by LordDowlais Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:19 am

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49590345

Rugby World Cup warm-up: Rhys Patchell starts for Wales against Ireland

Rhys Patchell will start at fly-half in Wales' final World Cup warm-up game, against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Captain and lock Alun Wyn Jones is among those who return.

Tomos Williams partners Patchell at half-back with Leigh Halfpenny at full-back and George North and Josh Adams on the wings.

There are no uncapped players in an experienced Wales matchday squad as they prepare for the tournament in Japan.

British and Irish Lions Ken Owens, Dan Biggar and Liam Williams are on the bench as Wales coach Warren Gatland assesses his options for their World Cup opener against Georgia on Monday, 23 September.

Gatland said: "This is our final preparation match so it is important we get enough rugby into us, get rugby ready ahead of our RWC opener against Georgia which is just over two weeks away.

"It is important we hit the ground running in Japan and we give the players enough time on the field.

"Saturday is the first time these players would have taken to the field as members of the RWC squad, it has been a big week and it is a big opportunity for players to put their hand up and secure spots for the starting XV in Japan."

Wales have suffered two defeats in their warm-ups.

The first came against England at Twickenham on 17 August, followed by victory against Eddie Jones' side a week later in Cardiff.

Gatland then saw a much-changed side lose to Ireland last weekend in the Welsh capital.

In the wake of that defeat, Gatland left out experienced Scarlets props Samson Lee and Rob Evans along with Ospreys centre Scott Williams from his 31-man tournament squad.

He cited suspect durability for the decision to leave Lee and Evans behind.

A leg fracture did not prevent Dragons lock Cory Hill from being included with Gatland saying his selection was "worth the gamble".

Hill's absence meant there were only three squad locks to select from for the trip to Dublin in captain Jones, Ball and Adam Beard.

Scarlets' Ball starts alongside Ospreys' Jones in Wales' second-row.

by **RiscaGame** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:27 am

Good team and bench. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wainwright and Ball start in the pack against Georgia. It's also a big opportunity for the halfbacks and Halfpenny really, as I don't think Gatland fully trusts Liam Williams still.

I wonder who will kick. I assume Halfpenny, but it would be good for Patchell to be the man and test him from the off.

by LordDowlais Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:32 am

Thats a very tasty bench as well. If anything, arguably the bench is stronger than most of the starters, Ken Owens, Dan Biggar, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies could all be starters.

This is probably the strongest Welsh side ever, from 1 to 23. There is no drop in quality anymore when a starter needs to be replaced.

by **rodders** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:43 am

LordDowlais wrote:Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues); Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (capt, Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).

Looks like someone is coming to win anyway!

by Pete330v2 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 11:47 am

LordDowlais wrote:Thats a very tasty bench as well. If anything, arguably the bench is stronger than most of the starters, Ken Owens, Dan Biggar, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies could all be starters.

This is probably the strongest Welsh side ever, from 1 to 23. There is no drop in quality anymore when a starter needs to be replaced.

It's most definitely a tasty lineup LD, I would bet good money on a Wales win and a pretty healthy one unless our lads can up their game considerably.

by Guest Thu 05 Sep 2019, 12:03 pm

There's still plenty of experimentation in the Wales team, or some non-first choice players to be more accurate.

New half backs who are not first choice.
1/2p in at FB - Liam W seems to have that position nailed down lately. Although 1/2p isn't exactly a rookie but has missed a lot of rugby though injury.
Wyn Jones & Elliott Dee - not first choice front rowers.
Jake Ball - back from injury and not (currently) considered first choice.
Aaron Wainwright at flanker - he was in the Cardiff City football academy 4 years ago, so only about 3 years rugby under his belt. Ever!

So plenty for Ireland to target there. But a strong bench from Wales too if things start going south.

by **RiscaGame** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 1:28 pm

I suspect Ireland will start as favourites.

by Pete330v2 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 2:05 pm

Ireland Team & Replacements (v Wales, Guinness Series 2019, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, September 7, 2pm)

Player/Club/Province/Caps

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 91 caps
14. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 15 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 19 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 77 caps
10. Jonathan Sexton (St Marys College/Leinster) 83 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 73 caps

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 90 caps
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 119 caps CAPTAIN
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 35 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 18 caps
5. Jean Kleyn (Munster) 2 caps
6. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 32 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 18 caps
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 15 caps

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 69 caps
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 30 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 17 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster) 47 caps
20. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 22
21. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 13 caps
22. Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht) 6 caps
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 23 caps

by Collapse2005 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 2:07 pm

No room at the inn for O'Mahony. Very interesting. I wonder is he being primed as captain of the B side?

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 2:09 pm

RiscaGame wrote:I suspect Ireland will start as favourites.

Only with bookies that love a joke.

Just accept that your Prime team is better than ours on this year's evidence. Stop chasing hiding places. Chests out.

Looks to me like Wales want to do all their pomp and blitzgrieg in the first half and solidify and hold out in the second if need be.

So it appears Irish boys' endurance and defensive shape is going to be tested again when they least like it being tested - right from the off. People don't focus so much on that basic truth when they talk of what the English and Welsh did to us in 6N. Yes Ireland were well off the pace but a big part of throwing us off our game is hitting us ruthlessly in those first 10 to 15 minutes.

From an Irish perspective, things really do seem too rusty for any explosive start to be expected from us They'll probably try to stay in the contest in the early minutes as best they can (better than form presumes we can through this year) and then hopefully start grinding harder and harder into the second half.

So yes, a real chance for Wales to do us again in pretty much the same way we were done in 6N.

But I do think Ireland will be in a gritty, grinding, belligerent mood. I mean I think Ireland aren't shocked anymore by being behind and up against it. It's been 'practiced' now for a full year to our consternation Wink

. I don't see implosions if Wales get the early upper hand again. Still, Wales certainly have the players, coaches and savvy to take this one.

by **rodders** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:03 pm

Strong Irish team.

I take from this selection that Stockdale and Ringrose aren't nailed on starters.

The fact that Earls is on the left wing to me suggests Conway is pushing for a start. Aki looks like 1st choice 12 now.

by Collapse2005 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:22 pm

rodders wrote:Strong Irish team.

I take from this selection that Stockdale and Ringrose aren't nailed on starters.

The fact that Earls is on the left wing to me suggests Conway is pushing for a start. Aki looks like 1st choice 12 now.

Earls is the only winger in the squad who has experience playing on the left wing other than Stockdale. Id say they are just trying to give him some time here.

by maestegmafia Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:23 pm

Looks like two very handy teams this should be a cracking match.

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:35 pm

rodders wrote:Strong Irish team.

I take from this selection that Stockdale and Ringrose aren't nailed on starters.

The fact that Earls is on the left wing to me suggests Conway is pushing for a start. Aki looks like 1st choice 12 now.

Come on. Quit the jokes. Let's get serious here.

by Collapse2005 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:41 pm

Id say Stockdale is a guarenteed starter. Ringrose may not be but I would pick him.

by Guest Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:44 pm

2nd in the world (Ireland) vs 4th in the world (Wales).

World rankings, confidence and bragging rights to play for! Should be a cracker thumbsup

by Collapse2005 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:47 pm

The Oracle wrote:2nd in the world (Ireland) vs 4th in the world (Wales).

World rankings, confidence and bragging rights to play for! Should be a cracker

Oh come on we all know Wales are number 1.

by **RiscaGame** Thu 05 Sep 2019, 3:50 pm

Okay then Fly, no more negativity.

Wales by 30 Wink

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 4:04 pm

Collapse2005 wrote:Id say Stockdale is a guarenteed starter. Ringrose may not be but I would pick him.

Ringrose is the coolest customer in the entirety of Irish rugby. I found myself just looking at him when he was pictured a few times, not in play. He just has something about him even when not playing.

I don't want to jinx him so....no more from me on him....until....

by Collapse2005 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 4:08 pm

Man crush alert!

To be fair he is a serious operator and cool as a cucumber. He must be taking his multi vitamins.

by Collapse2005 Thu 05 Sep 2019, 4:50 pm

Was just looking at Stockdales try scoring record. 16 tries in 21 games. Tries against all big sides except France and Australia. Pretty amazing record.

Four of his tries have been scored v Wales.

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 5:38 pm

He's our very own Lomu in a manner of speaking.... bang, crash, outpace, hand off... bang, crash, outpace, dive. Repeat as desired.

Only a 3rd string player though.

by maestegmafia Thu 05 Sep 2019, 5:50 pm

SecretFly wrote:He's our very own Lomu in a manner of speaking.... bang, crash, outpace, hand off... bang, crash, outpace, dive. Repeat as desired.

Only a 3rd string player though.

He has a deft chip and chase game too. Always a real threat.

by mikey_dragon Thu 05 Sep 2019, 9:05 pm

I think it's almost our best team. Gats has left some of the better ones on the bench, probably so he could get a stronger bench. The Ireland team looks good so I can only hope guys like Sexton are super rusty. Hopefully the ref doesn't ruin anything this weekend - anyone know who it is?

by SecretFly Thu 05 Sep 2019, 10:24 pm

Nobody seems to know who the ref will be so I assume it's going to be Agustin Pichot filling in. He's getting involved in everything else in recent weeks so I expect a good performance from him.

by carpet baboon Thu 05 Sep 2019, 10:48 pm

Raynal is the ref

by SecretFly Fri 06 Sep 2019, 8:05 am

So many French refs all of a sudden!

If I were France I'd be complaining to World Rugby that their chances of winning the World Cup are being sneered at right now.

France for the final again so.....

by maestegmafia Fri 06 Sep 2019, 9:59 am

This week seems to be dragging on. Really looking forward to this match. Guess there are a few games to watch tonight in preparation the SA vs Japan could certainly be interesting.

Hopefully tomorrow’s game goes well and neither supine get any injuries.

The similar penaltimate warm up fixture vs Italy last RWC saw wales lose Halfpenny and Rhys Webb. As soon as Webb went off the game was pointless, neither side put in much effort.

I hear Keith Earls has been training well, apparently currently quickest in the squad?

by **LondonTiger** Fri 06 Sep 2019, 10:02 am

mikey_dragon wrote:I think it's almost our best team. Gats has left some of the better ones on the bench, probably so he could get a stronger bench. The Ireland team looks good so I can only hope guys like Sexton are super rusty. Hopefully the ref doesn't ruin anything this weekend - anyone know who it is?

Sorry could not resist Very Happy

by SecretFly Fri 06 Sep 2019, 10:11 am

Quickest is fine. Most of Earl's work though doesn't involve beating players in a sprint. When he's most effective he does what I feel all wings are simply there for - turning a collision point into an evasion point and away. So stepping and wrong footing and slinking away from tackles, that's where I think wings earn their living or should. Now of course you need speed then to capitalise on space found but for me, the more important factor then is the level of instant support provided to the right and to the left on the journey in.

I think Guns alluded to Dave Kearney tearing up the training field at one point (good reports coming out about his efforts). He's gone from the reckoning already.

Training is training. Earls has to hit the ground..... em, running Whistle

by **rodders** Fri 06 Sep 2019, 10:16 am

maestegmafia wrote:
I hear Keith Earls has been training well, apparently currently quickest in the squad?

Stockdale recently suggested he was the fastest but admitted Earls and Larmour were a bit quicker over the first 20-30 meters.

I think once Stockdale hits his stride he is deceptively fast as we saw for that second try against Wales, he very rarely loses ground in a foot race.

by maestegmafia Fri 06 Sep 2019, 10:18 am

SecretFly wrote:Quickest is fine. Most of Earl's work though doesn't involve beating players in a sprint. When he's most effective he does what I feel all wings are simply there for - turning a collision point into an evasion point and away. So stepping and wrong footing and slinking away from tackles, that's where I think wings earn their living or should. Now of course you need speed then to capitalise on space found but for me, the more important factor then is the level of instant support provided to the right and to the left on the journey in.

I think Guns alluded to Dave Kearney tearing up the training field at one point (good reports coming out about his efforts). He's gone from the reckoning already.

Training is training. Earls has to hit the ground..... em, running

There are a fair number of players out there tomorrow that haven’t had gametime in a good while so I don’t expect them to be at their best. Considering Ireland’s next match is the potential pool topping decider vs Scotland you can see why it’s so important to get the team out in full tomorrow

by SecretFly Fri 06 Sep 2019, 10:45 am

rodders wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:
I hear Keith Earls has been training well, apparently currently quickest in the squad?

Stockdale recently suggested he was the fastest but admitted Earls and Larmour were a bit quicker over the first 20-30 meters.

I think once Stockdale hits his stride he is deceptively fast as we saw for that second try against Wales, he very rarely loses ground in a foot race.

He's sensighsional! 'At's wot he is. Sensighsional.

Seriously, I do agree with you. It's there in camera evidence anyway. Add his physique and that ability to increase speed (to add a gear) to an already steaming pace, just when defenders think they have calculated the right contact point..... at top speed, our most dangerous player.

George North would probably be the Welsh equivalent.

Warning sign is that over the years teams have worked on North and a few of them have learned how to contain him/keep him quiet. Still a fantastic athlete/beast and still highly dangerous. But Stockdale will find himself with less room and more attention too.

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