Team news for Wales

[Oakboy]

Assuming all back rowers are fit, I still like Wilson at 6, Billy at 8 and one of Willis, Curry or Underhill at 7 but I'd not be surprised if Jones does not go that way. I'm not even sure he will go back to Billy at 8 and, based on his last half dozen or so performances, that might be reasonable. How will Billy prove he is back in form from the lower tier?

Billy was very good against both Oz and NZ.

Fair point but even allowing for those two games I don't think he was performing at his best level overall, not compared with a few years back anyway. At his best, he is our best, IMO, but the frequency of injuries, his running-average form and the Saracens relegation have to introduce question marks, I'd have thought.

[Banquo]

Assuming all back rowers are fit, I still like Wilson at 6, Billy at 8 and one of Willis, Curry or Underhill at 7 but I'd not be surprised if Jones does not go that way. I'm not even sure he will go back to Billy at 8 and, based on his last half dozen or so performances, that might be reasonable. How will Billy prove he is back in form from the lower tier?

Billy was very good against both Oz and NZ.

Fair point but even allowing for those two games I don't think he was performing at his best level overall, not compared with a few years back anyway. At his best, he is our best, IMO, but the frequency of injuries, his running-average form and the Saracens relegation have to introduce question marks, I'd have thought.

On his last half dozen performances or so, he still remains our best number 8, even if below his own best. What shape he comes back in is the key question- and as you know, Eddie pays more attention to what he sees in training camps than in 'club' matches.

[Oakboy]

Billy was very good against both Oz and NZ.

Fair point but even allowing for those two games I don't think he was performing at his best level overall, not compared with a few years back anyway. At his best, he is our best, IMO, but the frequency of injuries, his running-average form and the Saracens relegation have to introduce question marks, I'd have thought.

On his last half dozen performances or so, he still remains our best number 8, even if below his own best. What shape he comes back in is the key question- and as you know, Eddie pays more attention to what he sees in training camps than in 'club' matches.

Maybe, his first meaningful match will be against NZ, then !

[Banquo]

Fair point but even allowing for those two games I don't think he was performing at his best level overall, not compared with a few years back anyway. At his best, he is our best, IMO, but the frequency of injuries, his running-average form and the Saracens relegation have to introduce question marks, I'd have thought.

On his last half dozen performances or so, he still remains our best number 8, even if below his own best. What shape he comes back in is the key question- and as you know, Eddie pays more attention to what he sees in training camps than in 'club' matches.

Maybe, his first meaningful match will be against NZ, then !

Italy, probably.

[Mellsblue]

On his last half dozen performances or so, he still remains our best number 8, even if below his own best. What shape he comes back in is the key question- and as you know, Eddie pays more attention to what he sees in training camps than in 'club' matches.

Maybe, his first meaningful match will be against NZ, then !

Italy, probably.

I think you both mean Bedford

Being serious. If anyone will benefit from a 12 month sabbatical in the Champ it’s Billy.

[Sandydragon]

Marler and Lawes both cited. Marler for his 'grope' and Lawes for a dangerous tackle on AWJ.

[Digby]

Marler and Lawes both cited. Marler for his 'grope' and Lawes for a dangerous tackle on AWJ.

Fair enough on both. Though there should be more than just this.

I was amused Andy Goode weighed in (pun intended) on the bollock front saying people might find it amusing but the game's values are under threat, 'cause I remember Goode as a diving footballer who did plenty to undermine the game at times, poacher turned gamekeeper!

[Timbo]

Marler and Lawes both cited. Marler for his 'grope' and Lawes for a dangerous tackle on AWJ.

Fair enough on both. Though there should be more than just this.

I was amused Andy Goode weighed in (pun intended) on the bollock front saying people might find it amusing but the game's values are under threat, 'cause I remember Goode as a diving footballer who did plenty to undermine the game at times, poacher turned gamekeeper!

All Goode does on his podcast is talk about the size of various players cocks.

[Mellsblue]

Marler and Lawes both cited. Marler for his 'grope' and Lawes for a dangerous tackle on AWJ.

Fair enough on both. Though there should be more than just this.

I was amused Andy Goode weighed in (pun intended) on the bollock front saying people might find it amusing but the game's values are under threat, 'cause I remember Goode as a diving footballer who did plenty to undermine the game at times, poacher turned gamekeeper!

All Goode does on his podcast is talk about the size of various players cocks.

This is both true and made me lol.
His podcast, and it’s two presenter, do more to undermine the values of rugby than Marler’s ‘grope’.

[Timbo]

Billy was very good against both Oz and NZ.

Fair point but even allowing for those two games I don't think he was performing at his best level overall, not compared with a few years back anyway. At his best, he is our best, IMO, but the frequency of injuries, his running-average form and the Saracens relegation have to introduce question marks, I'd have thought.

On his last half dozen performances or so, he still remains our best number 8, even if below his own best. What shape he comes back in is the key question- and as you know, Eddie pays more attention to what he sees in training camps than in 'club' matches.

Agreed. His so-called average form during the World Cup was massively exaggerated. And prior to that he was class in the Champions Cup semi, final and Prem final.

Id be very surprised if he’s not a big part of Eddie’s plans when fit (same for any other coach too).