The Rugby Thread

[E17yid]

Since they've named Slade in the final 31 you'd have to assume he's going to be all right, unless injury changes are allowed before the tournament starts ...

I saw Curry was still named.

Have you actually got anyone ruled out through injury yet?

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I saw Curry was still named.

Have you actually got anyone ruled out through injury yet?

Well, yes, there's me. But to be honest I didn't think I was going to make it anyway, having not been picked for any of the previous world cups.

Oh, and Dylan Hartley.

 

[E17yid]

Well, yes, there's me. But to be honest I didn't think I was going to make it anyway, having not been picked for any of the previous world cups.

Oh, and Dylan Hartley.

You’re alright then. It’s not like you’ve just had Billy V and Farrell ruled out. If anything you could do with the minutes.

I think Gatland could do a lot worse than pick me to play the next 3 games. Im sure my brother (who was a lot better than me tbf) would fly over 2.

 

[E17yid]

Wales team announced at 11 England’s at 1.

Surely Biggar isn’t going to play, I’d not play him for a single minute in any of the remaining 3 games. Same for AWJ, Owens, Tipuric, Moriarty, J. Davies and Liam Williams. Seeing as Gatland has implied he’s only taking 2 10s the pick everybody will keep their eye on is whether he goes for Rhys Patchell or Jarrod Evans. Evans is the most similar player we have to Anscombe and he is the most talented youngster 10 we have in Wales but he’s inexperienced. I say play him Saturday and 1 of the Ireland games and Patchell (who’s in terrible form and recovering from a nasty concussion injury)a shot in the other Ireland game. My team would be

1. Carre
2. Dee
3. Lewis
4. Ball
5. Hill
6. Shingler
7. James Davies
8. Navidi
9. Aled Davies
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Steff Evans
12. Watkin
13. Scott Williams
14. Owen Lane
15. Halfpenny

 

[E17yid]

FFS Gatland. What you playing at?

1. Smith
2. Owens
3. Francis
4. Ball
5. AWJ
6. Wainwright
7. Davies
8. Moriarty
9. Davies
10. Biggar
11. Adams
12. Parkes
13. Davies
14. North
15. Williams

Bench: Dee, Wyn Jones, Lewis, Shingler, Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Watkin.

 

[E17yid]

There is absolutely no reason to play AWJ. Zero. Surely now is the time to give Evans and Patchell some minutes seeing as one of them is definitely going to Japan, we know what Biggar brings FFS. It’s a lose lose situation now. If we beat England with that team it means absolutely nothing, we learn nothing, all it does is expose our key players to injuries. Stupid if you ask me.

 

[Japhet]

FFS Gatland. What you playing at?

1. Smith
2. Owens
3. Francis
4. Ball
5. AWJ
6. Wainwright
7. Davies
8. Moriarty
9. Davies
10. Biggar
11. Adams
12. Parkes
13. Davies
14. North
15. Williams

Bench: Dee, Wyn Jones, Lewis, Shingler, Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Watkin.

This must be the end for AWJ. About fucking time!!

 

[E17yid]

This must be the end for AWJ. About fucking time!!

You wish

 

[E17yid]

I even would’ve just about settled for Williams, J Davies and Moriarty playing as long as AWJ and Biggar were rested but no, he’s gone all out.

It’s a B team back row (I’ll always consider Moriarty a B team player as long as we have Faletau) and B team options in Nicky Smith and Jake Ball (more C than B) but those aren’t the one that matters. Basically picking our first choice back line is madness especially, Biggar, obviously

 

[Japhet]

I even would’ve just about settled for Williams, J Davies and Moriarty playing as long as AWJ and Biggar were rested but no, he’s gone all out.

It’s a B team back row (I’ll always consider Moriarty a B team player as long as we have Faletau) and B team options in Nicky Smith and Jake Ball (more C than B) but those aren’t the one that matters. Basically picking our first choice back line is madness especially, Biggar, obviously

Biggar needs to be wrapped in cotton wool. Much more important stuff ahead for him this year than all this Welsh shit.

 

[E17yid]

I bet Eddie plays a fringe team now.

Will probably tell them to target our key players while keeping his wrapped up.

 

[E17yid]

Biggar needs to be wrapped in cotton wool. Much more important stuff ahead for him this year than all this Welsh shit.

Look I’m having a mini meltdown here. I don’t need you introducing humour into the situation. It isn’t helping.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I bet Eddie plays a fringe team now.

Will probably tell them to target our key players while keeping his wrapped up.

I would if I was him.

Play a fringe team, that is.

(And maybe target your key players. )

 

[E17yid]

I would if I was him.

Play a fringe team, that is.

(And maybe target your key players. )

I wonder if that’s why he pushed back your team announcement till 1. Wanted to see what team we’d pick.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I wonder if that’s why he pushed back your team announcement till 1. Wanted to see what team we’d pick.

Wouldn't be at all surprised. Seems sensible, too.

England need to get the best XV playing together, but Ireland and Italy are enough for that if you ask me.

 

[E17yid]

Wouldn't be at all surprised. Seems sensible, too.

England need to get the best XV playing together, but Ireland and Italy are enough for that if you ask me.

Yep. You’ve, already got a win and a half decent performance against us under your belt, too. Might as well just play a simular-ish team as last week and see how they do. Then, like you say, give your first team (whatever that is) 2 run outs against Ireland and Italy.

You’re also in the enviable situation of having no major injury concerns.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

England: Daly; McConnochie, Joseph, Francis, Cokanasiga; Ford, Heinz; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, Ludlam, B Vunipola.

Replacements: George, Marler, Sinckler, Kruis, Singleton, Youngs, Farrell, Tuilagi

Not the strongest. Good bench though!

 

[E17yid]

Eddies done what we should of done and gone with a mix

England: Daly; McConnochie, Joseph, Francis, Cokanasiga; Ford, Heinz; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, Ludlam, B Vunipola.
Replacements: George, Marler, Sinckler, Kruis, Singleton, Youngs, Farrell, Tuilagi

 

[E17yid]

I suppose, technically, we’ve got a mix too but not the ones that matters.

 

[teok]

I think they should have played these games behind closed doors and just had them as properly reffed training games.