Team v Wales

[Oakboy]

...I've not seen Daly at 13 in international rugby, so tricky to make that call. I have seen Joseph internationally, and he's a class act, and likewise should go well with Manu. However, I'm sure Daly needs to be looked at, probably at 13, but I wpuldn't rush to drop Joseph, especially as his defence is currently so good in our system.

You've seen Daly at 12 the week before last, though. Wasn't that enough?

[Peat]

A better team than the last game. Will be interesting to see how they go.

Would rather put Joseph on the wing than Daly.

[Which Tyler]

Scenario: Brown goes down injured after 30 minutes.
Option 1: Daly on at FB - a position he hasn't played for 2 years?
Option 2: Daly on at OC, JJ out to wing, Watson to FB - 3 changes for 1 injury?
Option 3: Daly/Manu on at wing, Watson to FB - 2 changes, and the replacement on at their tertiary position?

[Mikey Brown]

Why? I would have thought Daly just has the edge out wide and a bit more pace, Joseph is a fantastic defender at 13.

That wasn't towards you WT. But I don't think Daly/Watson covering 15 is really a massive risk or would be that disruptive. Daly played 15 for a long time until quite recently didn't he?

[Puja]

Scenario: Brown goes down injured after 30 minutes.
Option 1: Daly on at FB - a position he hasn't played for 2 years?
Option 2: Daly on at OC, JJ out to wing, Watson to FB - 3 changes for 1 injury?
Option 3: Daly/Manu on at wing, Watson to FB - 2 changes, and the replacement on at their tertiary position?

It's got to be 2 or 3 - Watson plays full-back regularly for Bath, so he's the obvious cover for Brown over someone who hasn't played there for 2 years.

If Daly's coming on, I'd have 3. It's less disruption, wing is an easier position to cover for an outside centre, and Daly's perfectly capable. If Manu's coming on, then option 2 - I don't think he's a wing.

Puja

[Renniks]

Scenario: Brown goes down injured after 30 minutes.
Option 1: Daly on at FB - a position he hasn't played for 2 years?
Option 2: Daly on at OC, JJ out to wing, Watson to FB - 3 changes for 1 injury?
Option 3: Daly/Manu on at wing, Watson to FB - 2 changes, and the replacement on at their tertiary position?

Option 3 for me… can't see the rationale of pushing JJ out one over Daly - and imagine Watson has been kept in the loop with FB

With 8 replacements, there will pretty much always be an issue in at least 1 spot… It seems like FB is our “issue” (though I think we could be much worse off!)

[Which Tyler]

Option 3 for me… can't see the rationale of pushing JJ out one over Daly - and imagine Watson has been kept in the loop with FB

With 8 replacements, there will pretty much always be an issue in at least 1 spot… It seems like FB is our “issue” (though I think we could be much worse off!)

See - I don't think that FB IS an "issue" for us - were starting 2 FBs with another 2 (1 starter, 1 benched) who are comfortable enough there. I think all 3 options I listed are viable and fine; just varying degrees of compromise, and I personally find the compromise in all 3 to be pretty equal.

[Banquo]

...I've not seen Daly at 13 in international rugby, so tricky to make that call. I have seen Joseph internationally, and he's a class act, and likewise should go well with Manu. However, I'm sure Daly needs to be looked at, probably at 13, but I wpuldn't rush to drop Joseph, especially as his defence is currently so good in our system.

You've seen Daly at 12 the week before last, though. Wasn't that enough?

Lol. His highlights reel wasn't that impressive!

[Banquo]

A better team than the last game. Will be interesting to see how they go.

Would rather put Joseph on the wing than Daly.

why, out of interest?

[Peat]

A better team than the last game. Will be interesting to see how they go.

Would rather put Joseph on the wing than Daly.

why, out of interest?

I believe Joseph has played in the position more, including at international level, and would probably be more comfortable than Daly.

That post did not take into account how more comfortable I might be with Joseph at 13 in defence than Daly, because I've yet to see Daly play 13 at international level.

[p/d]

Joseph just keeping the shirt warm for Daly. Push him out one and drop Watson back to fb

As for the team. Looking forward to the game when either Ford or Farrell start from the bench, and we have a 9 starting back to back games

[Oakboy]

If the alternative is having Goode on the bench who gives a flying frick about a bit of shuffling?

[Banquo]

If the alternative is having Goode on the bench who gives a flying frick about a bit of shuffling?

Interesting that most if not everyone wanted Goode off the bench, but there are consequences if you don't replace with back three cover. I suspect Eddie is hoping not to have the problem! I'm not massively worried by it, despite my criticism of Burt when he did a similar thing....albeit there are more options in this squad.

[twitchy]

I'm thinking devoto will take over as the utility back cover. Hopefully he can have a run of games and avoid injury and tour in the summer.

[skidger]

If the alternative is having Goode on the bench who gives a flying frick about a bit of shuffling?

Yep. We have wanted him off the bench for yonks and it has finally happened. You cannot cover every position with a specialist and if something happens to Brown then Watson or Daly will play 15.

[Which Tyler]

If the alternative is having Goode on the bench who gives a flying frick about a bit of shuffling?

Yep. We have wanted him off the bench for yonks and it has finally happened. You cannot cover every position with a specialist and if something happens to Brown then Watson or Daly will play 15.

You guys make it sound like someone's criticising the decision; we're really not.

[bitts]

It makes me happy that we're arguing about how best to use Daly of the bench, not what the hell is Wrigglesworth doing there.

For me, I would love a big game from Ford. Both because at his best he's still the most talented fly half we have by a long way, and because I don't want players of his size to be considered to small for test rugby. So if he could dance around Roberts a few times that would be great.

Personally I'd have Watson covering FB, Daly covering the wings and outside center. I reckon he could be great to have as a number 23 going forward, partly as he's rapid and partly becasue he can kick penalties from stupid distances.

[skidger]

A great number 23 yes but it would be nice to get him somewhere 11-15. This competition is good though as unless we have it at most positions we will carry on being crap. There were some excellent players not starting in 2003 and its been a long time since that was the case.

[skidger]

And what we would give for a Bracken these days.

[Banquo]

And what we would give for a Bracken these days.

what with having no Fearns?

[Banquo]

If the alternative is having Goode on the bench who gives a flying frick about a bit of shuffling?

Yep. We have wanted him off the bench for yonks and it has finally happened. You cannot cover every position with a specialist and if something happens to Brown then Watson or Daly will play 15.

You guys make it sound like someone's criticising the decision; we're really not.

Think it was your post which laid out the options should Brown get crocked which struck a chord...so I blame you

[Rich]

We have the better front 5

The Welsh have the better back row (all three positions they have a better player IMO)

The Welsh have better half backs and i/c

In fact the Welsh have better players 6 - 12

We have the better back four (Watson, Joseph and Brown V North for the Welsh)

If it's a fluid, open game then Wales by about 5

If we keep it tight and are level or ahead with 20 mins to go, I think we'll win by 5-10

Gut feeling is a Welsh victory though - Jones and his new regime haven't made any significant changes or improvements to Lancaster's team a year ago.

[Renniks]

We have the better front 5

The Welsh have the better back row (all three positions they have a better player IMO)

The Welsh have better half backs and i/c

In fact the Welsh have better players 6 - 12

We have the better back four (Watson, Joseph and Brown V North for the Welsh)

If it's a fluid, open game then Wales by about 5

If we keep it tight and are level or ahead with 20 mins to go, I think we'll win by 5-10

Gut feeling is a Welsh victory though - Jones and his new regime haven't made any significant changes or improvements to Lancaster's team a year ago.

Pretty much agree, our bench looks a lot better on paper. If we haven't given away so many penalties that chasing the game is impossible, I think we'll score more in the last half hour than them (even though they seem to improve over the course of the game)

[Spiffy]

We have the better front 5

The Welsh have the better back row (all three positions they have a better player IMO)

The Welsh have better half backs and i/c

In fact the Welsh have better players 6 - 12

We have the better back four (Watson, Joseph and Brown V North for the Welsh)

If it's a fluid, open game then Wales by about 5

If we keep it tight and are level or ahead with 20 mins to go, I think we'll win by 5-10

Gut feeling is a Welsh victory though - Jones and his new regime haven't made any significant changes or improvements to Lancaster's team a year ago.

The Welsh props did well last time out and Wyn Jones is the best lock in Europe. It will be very close up front.
Re. the back three - Liam Williams is a very good FB and probably offers more than Brown in attack. I think he uses the ball better.
The game may hinge around Billy v. cousin Faletau. Billy is powerful, but Faletau is a very clever player and probably has more to his all round game.

[twitchy]

Well today's the big day. I think it will be more fun for the neutral than any thing else and wales will win through being more experienced and physical around the pitch.

The most frustrating thing for me is if we throw it away with cheap penalties. Nothing drives me crazier than when england do that. I also hope all this shit around the scrum doesn't become a complete circus.