International Rugby

[peter w]

Well i said we'd win.

[dave shelley]

Indeed you did Peter, indeed you did.  Now, go and get yourself an ice cream then can you please give me tonight's winning lottery numbers?

[PaulWinch again]

Watson at full back was very good.

[paul_e]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

[tomd2103]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

Far better performance and result today.  The team is shaping up now and I would expect something like below for next Saturday and the first test:

Halfpenny, North, Te'o, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, Vunipola, Owens, Furlong, AWJ, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Faletau

Subs - McGrath, George, Cole, Itoje, O'Brien, Webb, Biggar, Watson

Gatland loves Halfpenny and has played him consistently at full-back when there have been many calls in Wales for him to switch to the wing and Liam Williams play there.  I think it is his defensive game that Gatland rates and of course there is his goal kicking.   

[peter w]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

Bollocks off you're not claiming any part of this. I, and I alone.

[nigel]

Thought Watson did really well, but, Halfpenny will get the nod as he's a Gatland boy.
Though it was odd moving Farrell to 13 when Sexton came on for Davis. I'd have thought Farrell 12 and T'eo 13. That said, it seemed to work ok.

Settling down for Argentina v England 

 

[peter w]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

Far better performance and result today.  The team is shaping up now and I would expect something like below for next Saturday and the first test:

Halfpenny, North, Te'o, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, Vunipola, Owens, Furlong, AWJ, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Faletau

Subs - McGrath, George, Cole, Itoje, O'Brien, Webb, Biggar, Watson

Gatland loves Halfpenny and has played him consistently at full-back when there have been many calls in Wales for him to switch to the wing and Liam Williams play there.  I think it is his defensive game that Gatland rates and of course there is his goal kicking.   

I know it's unlikely to happen but I'd definitely have Itoje in over AWJ. Above anyone in fact. I'd also have Marler in the squad as I think his scrummaging will be key off the bench.

[nigel]

Indeed Peter, to be fair I said we had to change the way we played and that very clearly happened, that was a much better balance.  To beat teams with that level of quality in you need to control things and to do that you need the right type of players at 8-10.  Today he picked the best 3 in the squad and let them play a more natural game and we looked a far better side for it.  A good performance in the front row and centres helped a lot as well.

I agree with PWA that Watson gave us an extra dimension as well. I missed the first match so no idea how that went but in the week Halfpenny showed just how shit he is so seeing a proper full back performance was good.  Hogg is a funny one, he has some quality but I think there's a lot wrong with his game as well.

Far better performance and result today.  The team is shaping up now and I would expect something like below for next Saturday and the first test:

Halfpenny, North, Te'o, Farrell, Daly, Sexton, Murray, Vunipola, Owens, Furlong, AWJ, Kruis, Stander, Warburton, Faletau

Subs - McGrath, George, Cole, Itoje, O'Brien, Webb, Biggar, Watson

Gatland loves Halfpenny and has played him consistently at full-back when there have been many calls in Wales for him to switch to the wing and Liam Williams play there.  I think it is his defensive game that Gatland rates and of course there is his goal kicking.

From that team I'd swap Owens for George & AJW for Itoje
With Farrell, Sexton and Daly for kicking  it sort of makes a case for not playing Halfpenny.

[peter w]

As it is I'd also drop Sexton. Biggar at 10 Farrell at 12. But thinking about it Farrell at 12 works better because of his understanding with ford. So, Farrell at 10 and Joseph at 12.

[nigel]

As it is I'd also drop Sexton. Biggar at 10 Farrell at 12. But thinking about it Farrell at 12 works better because of his understanding with ford. So, Farrell at 10 and Joseph at 12.

Blimey, I'd forgotten about JJ

[peter w]

easily done. not being Welsh Gatland will have forgotten about him, too. He's our most skillful centre but not a 6ft 6 brick shithouse so clearly not good enough.

[nigel]

Tom Curry, 18, starting for England

[paul_e]

Really tough game this with so many missing.

Looking forward to seeing how some of the kids olay, the bench is very exciting.

[peter w]