England vs Wales match thread - RWC warmup, Raeburn Shield challenge, and chance to take down the #1 ranked team

[Puja]

We shouldnt really be in a position where we are fielding so many inexperienced players this close a WC. You could forgive the odd one or two coming through late, but half the squad we're putting out tomorrow is very green in international terms.
In addition to the 5 making their first appearance, we are fielding a hooker who hasnt started a test (LCD 11 tests, all as a replacement), a centre who has started 1 test, a prop who has 4 starts, a lock with 4 starts, 2 flankers who between them have 15 starts and a winger on the bench who has started 3 games.
Experience isnt everything, but there's a very good chance that the squad we send to the WC will be uniquely short of that commodity.

You can't imagine any other top tier nation doing it can you. Oh well.

Errrr....except for Ireland....today....with a lot less caps than this England team....and players making their debuts.

Maybe Scmidt doesn’t know what he’s doing either

Schmidt hasn't put himself in a position where his RWC starting XXIII is guaranteed to have huge inexperience in the 17 and 21 shirts.

Plus, Schmidt's away on compassionate leave. This weekend, Farrell's in charge.

Puja

[Timbo]

You can't imagine any other top tier nation doing it can you. Oh well.

Errrr....except for Ireland....today....with a lot less caps than this England team....and players making their debuts.

Maybe Scmidt doesn’t know what he’s doing either

Schmidt hasn't put himself in a position where his RWC starting XXIII is guaranteed to have huge inexperience in the 17 and 21 shirts.

Plus, Schmidt's away on compassionate leave. This weekend, Farrell's in charge.

Puja

Control freak Scmidt picked the team, surely we can agree on that?

The 9 situation is a mess, granted. There’s definitely a debate to be had there. Although, in context and relative to other top nations, we aren’t the only ones in flux. For eg, SA recalling Reinach after 4 years and giving out test debuts recently and Oz recalling Nic White etc.

At hooker our situation is no different to Ireland or most other countries, with the exception that our most experienced guy got injured. If Ireland lost Rory Best they would have Scannell or Herring on the bench, one of NZ’s went down they’d have Liam Coltman at 17 etc. Hartley got injured, that’s rugby, and we could be doing a lot worse than taking George and LCD as our top two hookers.

Scrumhalf aside we are no less settled or inexperienced than anyone else I don’t think.

[Which Tyler]

Well, tomorrow got a lot less interesting. Was really looking forwards to both the back row and the back 3 (still am for the latter, but...)
Pity Dombrand didn't get the call up, he's o my been out of the squad for a few days after all.
At least having Coka there gives Ford his get-out-of-jail option... some of the time.

[Puja]

Errrr....except for Ireland....today....with a lot less caps than this England team....and players making their debuts.

Maybe Scmidt doesn’t know what he’s doing either

Schmidt hasn't put himself in a position where his RWC starting XXIII is guaranteed to have huge inexperience in the 17 and 21 shirts.

Plus, Schmidt's away on compassionate leave. This weekend, Farrell's in charge.

Puja

Control freak Scmidt picked the team, surely we can agree on that?

The 9 situation is a mess, granted. There’s definitely a debate to be had there. Although, in context and relative to other top nations, we aren’t the only ones in flux. For eg, SA recalling Reinach after 4 years and giving out test debuts recently and Oz recalling Nic White etc.

At hooker our situation is no different to Ireland or most other countries, with the exception that our most experienced guy got injured. If Ireland lost Rory Best they would have Scannell or Herring on the bench, one of NZ’s went down they’d have Liam Coltman at 17 etc. Hartley got injured, that’s rugby, and we could be doing a lot worse than taking George and LCD as our top two hookers.

Scrumhalf aside we are no less settled or inexperienced than anyone else I don’t think.

The bit about Farrell being in charge was meant to be a quip about "not knowing what he's doing."

Not sure you can compare SA recalling Reinach, who is in terrific form, and Janjties, who is hugely talented with us picking Heinz out of the blue. I'd kill to have either of those as our first choice, let alone third! I'd've given you Oz recalling Nic White before today, but that's turned out to be quite a good call on this morning's evidence. Hopefully Heinz will turn out to be the same.

Puja

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Pretty sure we didn't have as many debutants as 5. I do wonder at Jones suddenly junking players he seemed wedded to with barely 18 months to go, though I am not at all sure about the conventional wisdom that you need X number of caps in order to be competitive at the RWC.

[Which Tyler]

http://watch.crichd.to/sky-sports-action-live-streaming

[Mr Mwenda]

Watching the build up and a terrible thought struck me: itv aren't going to borrow stuart and miles again for their world cup coverage are they?

[Mellsblue]

Fark me. Even the anthem singer is called Farrell!!!!

[Peej]

Well, let's see if there's a method to Eddie's madness

[Which Tyler]

http://watch.crichd.to/sky-sports-action-live-streaming

Horrible stream, no sound (not sure that's a negative on sky).
Anyone got better?

[Peej]

Heinz just cruising in front of the ball there...

[Stom]

Try vipleague. Lc

[Stom]

But it's choppy as hell for me and I can't see anything. Except Heinz bring useless so far.

[Peej]

Was sceptical about Ludlam but he's started well

[Mr Mwenda]

I've missed Joseph's classy running style.

[Stom]

If Farrell is nailed on 10, why does Jones tease us with Ford's conparitive excellence.

[Peej]

The crowd all want Joe C to bosh people but I'd rather he didn't just die with the ball and went to ground earlier

[Mr Mwenda]

The crowd all want Joe C to bosh people but I'd rather he didn't just die with the ball and went to ground earlier

Yeah, he attracted the defenders and a pass would've been sweet.

[Puja]

Heinz just cruising in front of the ball there...

In fairness, on the replay he was level and calling for the kick, which would have seen him in.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

If Farrell is nailed on 10, why does Jones tease us with Ford's conparitive excellence.

Eddie's wummery

[Freddo]

Good start from England. JJ looks in good nick today.

[Banquo]

Decent start, back row and half backs going well.

[Mellsblue]

Heinz just cruising in front of the ball there...

In fairness, on the replay he was level and calling for the kick, which would have seen him in.

Puja

Butchered that overlap, though. Cokanasiga getting him out of trouble. Otherwise, he’s looked decent so far.

[Epaminondas Pules]

But it's choppy as hell for me and I can't see anything. Except Heinz bring useless so far.

Heinz is playing well to be fair.

[Peej]

I dunno, if Heinz passes that then JJ walks in