Likely Team for England?

[Numbers]

I think they may pick something like this:


Rob Evans
Scott Baldwin
Samson Lee
Jake Ball
AWJ
Lydiate
King
Faletau
Webb
Biggar
Amos
JR
Scott Williams
North
Liam Williams

Subs: Gethin, Owens, James, Moriarty, G Davies, Priestland/Anscombe, Walker.


Not sure they prefer between the two backup 10s, I can't see a 5/2 subs split due to lack of players tho they may do that and add Turnbull to the bench and remove Walker.

[Stom]

Will Roberts play?

If he does, do Quins get fined?

[Numbers]

Will Roberts play?

If he does, do Quins get fined?

I haven't seen anything to suggest he won't play, I'd be happy to see Scott and Tyler Morgan if he can't.

[Sandydragon]

I think English based players have been released for the game, so Quins shouldn't be fined.

Im hoping for a strong team. Most of our players need some game time.

[Billyfish]

Thought the team would have been announced by now. Feel a bit apathetic about this one. Likely to be low on quality I'd have thought. A confidence builder before the Kiwis praps.

[Tre]

I keep forgetting we have this game

[Mikey Brown]

Here's our team, if it makes any difference.

England match-day 23 for the Old Mutual Wealth Cup game against Wales:

15. Mike Brown (vice captain, Harlequins, 48 caps)

14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)

13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)

12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)

11. Marland Yarde (Harlequins, 7 caps)

10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)

9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps)

1. Matt Mullan (Wasps 9 caps)

2. Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints, 71 caps)

3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 61 caps)

4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 32 caps)

5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 45 caps)

6. Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

7. James Haskell (Wasps, 67 caps)

8. Jack Clifford (Harlequins, 5 caps)

Replacements:

16. Tommy Taylor (Sales Sharks, uncapped)

17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)

18. Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

19. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)

20. Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)

21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 58 caps)

22. Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

23. Elliot Daly (Wasps, 3 caps)

[Tre]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

[Mikey Brown]

LOL. Lydiate as 7? Two number 4s? Only Gatland. Weirdly we've gone with 3 flankers of varying opensideyness, with the least opensidey guy at 7.

A sensible tactic would be to blast Ford on one of the 35 occasions that Ben Young's lobs it 2 feet above his head, leaving us with an uncapped centre at fly-half.

[Sandydragon]

With injuries and club commitments, that's a strong Welsh side. Its a real shame that there isn't a dedicated 7 in the team, with Sam injured. To be fair, its one area of depth in the Welsh game at the moment, and arguably either Cubby or Ellis Jenkins should be getting an opportunity here. We all know Sam will be back for the All Blacks, but with Tipuric injured, perhaps a chance for an understudy to shine?

Moriarty did well there against Italy. We certainly aren't without physicality and ball carrying ability in that pack and if Moriarty carries on like he has been, I can see him making some decent yardage. England don't have a specialist 7 either, but I feel we are missing a trick here.

Im still not convinced that the inclusion of Priestland and Anscombe on the bench is an experiment worth keeping. Admittedly with JD2 unavailable and thus Scott Williams starting, bench options become more limited, but Tyler Morgan could have been worth a go. I hope that with Roberts, JD2 and Scott Williams all available in the future, this experiment is dropped.

Otherwise, happy enough with that team.

[Sandydragon]

LOL. Lydiate as 7? Two number 4s? Only Gatland. Weirdly we've gone with 3 flankers of varying opensideyness, with the least opensidey guy at 7.

A sensible tactic would be to blast Ford on one of the 35 occasions that Ben Young's lobs it 2 feet above his head, leaving us with an uncapped centre at fly-half.

With Charteris unavailable, the second row options do make sense. Im hoping that Lydiate and Faletau can bring enough nouse to the breakdown to compensate for the loss of a genuine openside.

[Numbers]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

I'm suprised James King isn't in the squad, also Gareth Davies who would offer great impact.

[Son of Mathonwy]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, [James King,] Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

James King is actually on the bench too, which makes a lot more sense given his form with the Ospreys. A bit surprised he's not starting at 7, but well let's see how this open-side Lydiate throw of the dice turns out...

Again, Priestland AND Anscombe on the bench is strange. Since Priestland is clearly preferred to Anscombe as a backup 10, why have Anscombe too? Better to have someone with more pace, a centre or a winger - Tyler Morgan or Walker/James. Shame Nipper just played midweek, I'd have had him in the 23 shirt if available (but I guess Gatland wouldn't have).

Is Ken Owens injured or something? He should be our first choice hooker IMO, and he's not even in the 23.

I don't understand how Lloyd Williams gets ahead of Gareth Davies in the pecking order. Makes no sense to me.

It's going to be great to have AWJ back. And let's hope Scott can have a good game (and last the whole 80 without a season-destroying injury).

[Numbers]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, [James King,] Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

James King is actually on the bench too, which makes a lot more sense given his form with the Ospreys. A bit surprised he's not starting at 7, but well let's see how this open-side Lydiate throw of the dice turns out...

Again, Priestland AND Anscombe on the bench is strange. Since Priestland is clearly preferred to Anscombe as a backup 10, why have Anscombe too? Better to have someone with more pace, a centre or a winger - Tyler Morgan or Walker/James. Shame Nipper just played midweek, I'd have had him in the 23 shirt if available (but I guess Gatland wouldn't have).

Is Ken Owens injured or something? He should be our first choice hooker IMO, and he's not even in the 23.

I don't understand how Lloyd Williams gets ahead of Gareth Davies in the pecking order. Makes no sense to me.

It's going to be great to have AWJ back. And let's hope Scott can have a good game (and last the whole 80 without a season-destroying injury).

I agree with all that, I don't think Dacey is even our fourth best Hooker, Eliot Dee will be disappointed he didn't make the squad.

I can only think Gatland is giving some of the fringe players a run out.

[Son of Mathonwy]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, [James King,] Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

James King is actually on the bench too, which makes a lot more sense given his form with the Ospreys. A bit surprised he's not starting at 7, but well let's see how this open-side Lydiate throw of the dice turns out...

Again, Priestland AND Anscombe on the bench is strange. Since Priestland is clearly preferred to Anscombe as a backup 10, why have Anscombe too? Better to have someone with more pace, a centre or a winger - Tyler Morgan or Walker/James. Shame Nipper just played midweek, I'd have had him in the 23 shirt if available (but I guess Gatland wouldn't have).

Is Ken Owens injured or something? He should be our first choice hooker IMO, and he's not even in the 23.

I don't understand how Lloyd Williams gets ahead of Gareth Davies in the pecking order. Makes no sense to me.

It's going to be great to have AWJ back. And let's hope Scott can have a good game (and last the whole 80 without a season-destroying injury).

I agree with all that, I don't think Dacey is even our fourth best Hooker, Eliot Dee will be disappointed he didn't make the squad.

I can only think Gatland is giving some of the fringe players a run out.

Yes, hopefully there's a little experimentation going on here. It'll be interesting to see how Moriarty goes.

[Mellsblue]

I think English based players have been released for the game, so Quins shouldn't be fined.

Im hoping for a strong team. Most of our players need some game time.

That's not how it works. Eng pay PRL for extra access to the players outside of official test windows. Therefore, PRL's argument is that any and all Unions should pay for players for matches outside IRB 9. If this game is outside a test window it'll be interesting to see what happens.

[Tre]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, [James King,] Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

James King is actually on the bench too, which makes a lot more sense given his form with the Ospreys. A bit surprised he's not starting at 7, but well let's see how this open-side Lydiate throw of the dice turns out...

Again, Priestland AND Anscombe on the bench is strange. Since Priestland is clearly preferred to Anscombe as a backup 10, why have Anscombe too? Better to have someone with more pace, a centre or a winger - Tyler Morgan or Walker/James. Shame Nipper just played midweek, I'd have had him in the 23 shirt if available (but I guess Gatland wouldn't have).

Is Ken Owens injured or something? He should be our first choice hooker IMO, and he's not even in the 23.

I don't understand how Lloyd Williams gets ahead of Gareth Davies in the pecking order. Makes no sense to me.

It's going to be great to have AWJ back. And let's hope Scott can have a good game (and last the whole 80 without a season-destroying injury).

Mate did you see nipper's "tackling" in the play off?

[Sandydragon]

I think English based players have been released for the game, so Quins shouldn't be fined.

Im hoping for a strong team. Most of our players need some game time.

That's not how it works. Eng pay PRL for extra access to the players outside of official test windows. Therefore, PRL's argument is that any and all Unions should pay for players for matches outside IRB 9. If this game is outside a test window it'll be interesting to see what happens.

I'm aware that normally that is the case, but there was a newspaper article that suggested an exception as this was an England home game that was going to generate some money for the clubs.

Edit. At the risk of accepting Fail journalism at face value:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... t-11372112

[Son of Mathonwy]

15 Liam Williams
14 North
13 Scott Williams
12 Roberts
11 Amos
10 Biggar
9 Webb
1 Evans
2 Baldwin
3 Lee
4 Ball
5 Jones
6 Moriarty
7 Lydiate (c)
8 Faletau

Reps: Dacey, Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Turnbull, [James King,] Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe

James King is actually on the bench too, which makes a lot more sense given his form with the Ospreys. A bit surprised he's not starting at 7, but well let's see how this open-side Lydiate throw of the dice turns out...

Again, Priestland AND Anscombe on the bench is strange. Since Priestland is clearly preferred to Anscombe as a backup 10, why have Anscombe too? Better to have someone with more pace, a centre or a winger - Tyler Morgan or Walker/James. Shame Nipper just played midweek, I'd have had him in the 23 shirt if available (but I guess Gatland wouldn't have).

Is Ken Owens injured or something? He should be our first choice hooker IMO, and he's not even in the 23.

I don't understand how Lloyd Williams gets ahead of Gareth Davies in the pecking order. Makes no sense to me.

It's going to be great to have AWJ back. And let's hope Scott can have a good game (and last the whole 80 without a season-destroying injury).

Mate did you see nipper's "tackling" in the play off?

I only saw highlights... Nipper's tackles didn't make it to the highlights... hmm??

[Mikeyv]

That's two matches on the trot with no Cardiff players starting, isn't it?