Team for Wales

[Banquo]

I think any inexperienced fly-half has a weakness to an early crunch from a big nasty forward. He's a talented player, but lets see how his temperament is at the top level.



I suspect he's talking about JJ going for the intercept - not quite sure how our defence would line up to have Joseph marking Patchell?!

Good to see he's got an eye on it. Some more choice quotes in the bbc copy of the article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42989860



I like the bolded bit - that's the kind of disdain that we need to treat Wales with!

Puja

You said he was the weak link, I don't think he is. You could use your target the 10 piece against any side; Betsen did it to the highly experienced Wilko once, memorably. I prefer the JJ option of muddling his decision making, preferably both methods in any case, as go smash the 10 is de facto these days

Maybe I misspoke - I think he's the place to attack Wales's backline. He's good, but inexperienced and his 12 and 9 aren't exactly veterans. Plus so much of Wales's play goes through him that, if we can rattle him, we're a step closer to victory.

Puja

I'd think rattling him through closing down his options is the smart play. But I guess there is space for both, and it does fit our defensive strategy to create collisions rather than compete on the ground.

[Timbo]

As an England fan the most worrisome aspect to this game is I feel like we’re stepping into the unknown. I have no proper idea how good this Welsh team really is, or how good some of their new players are at this level. In many respects last week’s game against Scotland muddied the waters further. Also, for all the plaudits, even Scarlets can be pretty inconsistent.

It’s asking a lot for them to come to Twickenham and win, will the biggest game half a dozen of their starting XV have ever played in. On the other hand, they seem to be one of those teams that if they get some joy early and everything starts to click they will be bloody hard to stop.

[Numbers]

I think any inexperienced fly-half has a weakness to an early crunch from a big nasty forward. He's a talented player, but lets see how his temperament is at the top level.



I suspect he's talking about JJ going for the intercept - not quite sure how our defence would line up to have Joseph marking Patchell?!

Good to see he's got an eye on it. Some more choice quotes in the bbc copy of the article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42989860



I like the bolded bit - that's the kind of disdain that we need to treat Wales with!

Puja

You said he was the weak link, I don't think he is. You could use your target the 10 piece against any side; Betsen did it to the highly experienced Wilko once, memorably. I prefer the JJ option of muddling his decision making, preferably both methods in any case, as go smash the 10 is de facto these days

Maybe I misspoke - I think he's the place to attack Wales's backline. He's good, but inexperienced and his 12 and 9 aren't exactly veterans. Plus so much of Wales's play goes through him that, if we can rattle him, we're a step closer to victory.

Puja

I don't think Patchell will be too worried by Robshaw, he could have a cup of tea by the time he gets there, Care would be sweeping if Wales are in possession to cover chip kicks I would imagine, so not sure what Eddie is on about there unless Ford does that for you lot, I rather suspect the opposite to happen and that this is just Eddie on a wind up, Parkes and Patchell will try and run down the 10 channel if the opportunity arises which will keep the defensive line narrow for Wales to use the out the back pass. Don't forget Patchell is 6'3" and 141/2 Stone.

Of course this is much of a muchness if Wales can't compete physically up front, so that's my area of concern from a Wales perspective.

[francoisfou]

I've a sneaky suspicion it could all go tits up for England unless they come out of the blocks more fired up than Wales.
The penalty count against must be kept to a minimum -are you reading this Messrs Cole and Itoje?, or Halfpenny will punish your team!
Wales have a pretty good record at HQ over the last few years so confidence will not be in short supply.
Beware England!!

[Insouciant]

I've a sneaky suspicion it could all go tits up for England unless they come out of the blocks more fired up than Wales.
The penalty count against must be kept to a minimum -are you reading this Messrs Cole and Itoje?, or Halfpenny will punish your team!
Wales have a pretty good record at HQ over the last few years so confidence will not be in short supply.
Beware England!!

As much as I think Wales are going to be tough opposition, I don't get the bleating about Wales's record @ Twickenham (see the BBC).

Wales have won 3 in 10 @ Twickenham.
To put that into context, England have won 3 in 5 @ the Millennium Stadium.

It's not that impressive really.

[loudnconfident]

I've a sneaky suspicion it could all go tits up for England unless they come out of the blocks more fired up than Wales.
The penalty count against must be kept to a minimum -are you reading this Messrs Cole and Itoje?, or Halfpenny will punish your team!
Wales have a pretty good record at HQ over the last few years so confidence will not be in short supply.
Beware England!!

As much as I think Wales are going to be tough opposition, I don't get the bleating about Wales's record @ Twickenham (see the BBC).
Wales have won 3 in 10 @ Twickenham.
To put that into context, England have won 3 in 5 @ the Millennium Stadium.
It's not that impressive really.

Well I'm worried
Wales have a better record at HQ than any of the other 6N teams (any team bar NZ?) Eddies jibe at Patchell seems strange, as targeting the OH is a reasonable tactic - if you have an openside flanker... But I hug my EddieTeddy in hope and belief he knows what he is doing.

If I were a Wales fan I'd have some money on them. Almost 5 to 1 on Betfair.

[fivepointer]

Unusually i'm not that concerned about tomorrow. I reckon we have better players in most positions and are a better team, we're playing at home, are ranked 2 in the world and have lost just once in 2 years.
Surely we should be reasonably confident about taking on a Welsh side who are minus some key personnel?

[p/d]

Unusually i'm not that concerned about tomorrow. I reckon we have better players in most positions and are a better team, we're playing at home, are ranked 2 in the world and have lost just once in 2 years.
Surely we should be reasonably confident about taking on a Welsh side who are minus some key personnel?

Bang on 5p.....
.
.
.
Wales by 7

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, I think Garland got a bit of a lift from the Lions and a lot of the players from the Scarlets doing well. Also it suited them to somehow now be underdogs at home v Scotland. They planned very well for Scotland repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot.

I’d be disappointed if England don’t win this.

I saw a snapshot of an article stating HP was the best in the world again after his two try haul. It really is fucking nonsense.

[francoisfou]

Yeah, I think Garland got a bit of a lift from the Lions and a lot of the players from the Scarlets doing well.

Judy?

[francoisfou]

Unusually i'm not that concerned about tomorrow. I reckon we have better players in most positions and are a better team, we're playing at home, are ranked 2 in the world and have lost just once in 2 years.
Surely we should be reasonably confident about taking on a Welsh side who are minus some key personnel?

Bang on 5p.....
.
.
.
Wales by 7

Bang on, p/d!

[welshsaint]

I expect England to win tomorrow. Hope I'm wrong. I respect Eddie as a coach. I've heard him speak and chatted with him. His public persona shows a lack of class however. Well I'll be there again travelling (not too far), more in hope than expectation. Here's to a good game.

[kk67]

You said he was the weak link, I don't think he is. You could use your target the 10 piece against any side; Betsen did it to the highly experienced Wilko once, memorably. I prefer the JJ option of muddling his decision making, preferably both methods in any case, as go smash the 10 is de facto these days

Maybe I misspoke - I think he's the place to attack Wales's backline. He's good, but inexperienced and his 12 and 9 aren't exactly veterans. Plus so much of Wales's play goes through him that, if we can rattle him, we're a step closer to victory.

Puja

I don't think Patchell will be too worried by Robshaw, he could have a cup of tea by the time he gets there, Care would be sweeping if Wales are in possession to cover chip kicks I would imagine, so not sure what Eddie is on about there unless Ford does that for you lot, I rather suspect the opposite to happen and that this is just Eddie on a wind up, Parkes and Patchell will try and run down the 10 channel if the opportunity arises which will keep the defensive line narrow for Wales to use the out the back pass. Don't forget Patchell is 6'3" and 141/2 Stone.

Of course this is much of a muchness if Wales can't compete physically up front, so that's my area of concern from a Wales perspective.

Agreed. Patch' put down Barclay and Gray, both on the charge, in the first 5 mins. It's a pretty big compliment from Eddie.
The cramp does seem to be a problem but he is doing a lot of shuttle sprints to defend. And once he's dropped deep to defend, Leigh is ready to counter attack.

[Puja]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

[Banquo]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

avoids answering more awkward questions

[kk67]

3 years ago I was sure he was going with the Lions. Then he got knocked out at a maul,.....(possibly by Aaron Shingler..?), and then he fecked an ankle.

[MrK]

Yeah, I think Garland got a bit of a lift from the Lions and a lot of the players from the Scarlets doing well. Also it suited them to somehow now be underdogs at home v Scotland. They planned very well for Scotland repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot.

I’d be disappointed if England don’t win this.

I saw a snapshot of an article stating HP was the best in the world again after his two try haul. It really is fucking nonsense.

Best in the world for defensivle positioning, not all round 15 - I would argue he is correct, in his assessment.

[kk67]

You can't conflate Gatland and the Scarlets. At least,...nah.

[Scrumhead]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of needlessly riling the opposition ... it is, as you say, ‘classless’. However, I don’t actually think Eddie’s said anything that contentious.

Patchell is Wales third choice behind Biggar and Priestland and Eddie is pretty much saying what we all thought when he suggested that we will look to target him due to his inexperience in a game of this magnitude.

[kk67]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of needlessly riling the opposition ... it is, as you say, ‘classless’. However, I don’t actually think Eddie’s said anything that contentious.

Patchell is Wales third choice behind Biggar and Priestland and Eddie is pretty much saying what we all thought when he suggested that we will look to target him due to his inexperience in a game of this magnitude.

Meh,...feck off.

[Puja]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of needlessly riling the opposition ... it is, as you say, ‘classless’. However, I don’t actually think Eddie’s said anything that contentious.

Patchell is Wales third choice behind Biggar and Priestland and Eddie is pretty much saying what we all thought when he suggested that we will look to target him due to his inexperience in a game of this magnitude.

It just didn't need to be done as a public conversation. We keep schtum and send CGS on a seek-and-destroy mission early on and he's distracted and bruised from unexpected pressure. Talking about how we're going to target him and how we think he's weak gives him the huild up to psych himself up to prove those arrogant English wrong.

It just seems like a poor move - the best disruption tactics are a surprise, not back page headlines in Wales.

Puja

[Puja]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of needlessly riling the opposition ... it is, as you say, ‘classless’. However, I don’t actually think Eddie’s said anything that contentious.

Patchell is Wales third choice behind Biggar and Priestland and Eddie is pretty much saying what we all thought when he suggested that we will look to target him due to his inexperience in a game of this magnitude.

He's just a Kid.

He's just a poor boy from a poor family. Spare him his life from Joseph monstering!

Puja

[Banquo]

I know I was the first one to say that we should target Patchell, but I was thinking on the pitch, in play, rather than this classless chirping. It's reminiscent of the times that Gatland's had a chirp about the likes of Robshaw or Hartley pre-game, only for them then to go on to deliver great performances. Does this kind of thing ever work?

Puja

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of needlessly riling the opposition ... it is, as you say, ‘classless’. However, I don’t actually think Eddie’s said anything that contentious.

Patchell is Wales third choice behind Biggar and Priestland and Eddie is pretty much saying what we all thought when he suggested that we will look to target him due to his inexperience in a game of this magnitude.

It just didn't need to be done as a public conversation. We keep schtum and send CGS on a seek-and-destroy mission early on and he's distracted and bruised from unexpected pressure. Talking about how we're going to target him and how we think he's weak gives him the huild up to psych himself up to prove those arrogant English wrong.

It just seems like a poor move - the best disruption tactics are a surprise, not back page headlines in Wales.

Puja

Seriously? Like any 10 is surprised when targeted? In any case, if he is in the slightest bit looking for it, job done, especially if we intend to leave him alone

[kk67]

You're sending CGS on a mission to target Patch....?.
...as others have mentioned,....you'll have to catch him.

[Banquo]

You're sending CGS on a mission to target Patch....?.
...as others have mentioned,....you'll have to catch him.

Its Puja's own secret plan. Shhhh