Team news for Wales

[Digby]

Eddie does like a powerful tackling 7 who's difficult to move once over the ball

[Stom]

If he’s trying to ape Exeter, he could at least pick Simmonds

[Bonzo]

Lawes, Wilson, T Curry vs Moriarty, Tipuric, Navidi. I think Wales has the stronger back-row this weekend.

[Beasties]

At least it seems Eddie does actually rate Wilson to a degree which is a pleasant surprise, along with the er surprises. Just not enough to have a sane back row. So close though....

Every back row selection edges us closer to the jngf dream

[jngf]

At least it seems Eddie does actually rate Wilson to a degree which is a pleasant surprise, along with the er surprises. Just not enough to have a sane back row. So close though....

Every back row selection edges us closer to the jngf dream

That’ll only happen once Eddie’s been given his (now overdue) P45 - looking forward to Charlie Ewel’s cameo stint at openside on Saturday

[Banquo]

Backrow strange. Bench strange. Backline still not the best we can put out. Ah well.

[Banquo]

At least it seems Eddie does actually rate Wilson to a degree which is a pleasant surprise, along with the er surprises. Just not enough to have a sane back row. So close though....

Every back row selection edges us closer to the jngf dream

Eddie thinks Wilson is world class, has said so. Been interesting had Underhill been fit.

[TheDasher]

I think he was always going to pick Faz at 12 so with that in mind, from 10 outwards it's pretty strong.

Youngs is painful but was always going to be picked.

I rate Wilson highly, how can you not, but we'll miss Underhill who has frankly been an absolute machine, arguably the hardest tackling flanker in world rugby. For the love of god Eddie just switch Curry and Wilson!!!

If Underhill is injured, I wish he would've brought Willis in somehow. But hey ho.

[fivepointer]

I think this is quite mild. I was half expecting Ewels to start at 8, Slade at FB and only 1 back on the bench. We've got off lightly.....

[jngf]

At least it seems Eddie does actually rate Wilson to a degree which is a pleasant surprise, along with the er surprises. Just not enough to have a sane back row. So close though....

Every back row selection edges us closer to the jngf dream

Eddie thinks Wilson is world class, has said so. Been interesting had Underhill been fit.

So world class he hardly got a look in during RWC 2019

[Oakboy]

Daly at 15. Curry at 8. You have to give Jones credit for persistence in his stubborn quest for being in a rugby minority of one. He must be unique as the head coach whose team could be improved just by positional changes within the XV on almost every announcement.

[Banquo]

At least it seems Eddie does actually rate Wilson to a degree which is a pleasant surprise, along with the er surprises. Just not enough to have a sane back row. So close though....

Every back row selection edges us closer to the jngf dream

Eddie thinks Wilson is world class, has said so. Been interesting had Underhill been fit.

So world class he hardly got a look in during RWC 2019

Bench for semi and final- wasn't he injured for the quarter? Eddie also considers the kamikaze twins and Billy world class, so I'm sure you get that drift.

[TheDasher]

I think this is quite mild. I was half expecting Ewels to start at 8, Slade at FB and only 1 back on the bench. We've got off lightly.....

That was my feeling too.

Have to say, I have always been a 6:2 forwards on the bench man.

[Banquo]

Daly at 15. Curry at 8. You have to give Jones credit for persistence in his stubborn quest for being in a rugby minority of one. He must be unique as the head coach whose team could be improved just by positional changes within the XV on almost every announcement.

Daly was very good against Ireland in fairness. I'd hope Wilson packs down at 8.

[Gloskarlos]

Welsh team is here,

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt, obviously...)
6. Ross Moriarty
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Josh Navidi
9. Tomos Williams
10. Dan Biggar
11. Liam Williams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Nick Tompkins
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:
16. Ryan Elias
17. Rhys Carre
18. Leon Brown
19. Aaron Shingler
20. Taulupe Faletau
21. Rhys Webb
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Johnny McNicholl

[Banquo]

Welsh team is here,

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt, obviously...)
6. Ross Moriarty
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Josh Navidi
9. Tomos Williams
10. Dan Biggar
11. Liam Williams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Nick Tompkins
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:
16. Ryan Elias
17. Rhys Carre
18. Leon Brown
19. Aaron Shingler
20. Taulupe Faletau
21. Rhys Webb
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Johnny McNicholl

Hope Williams L is less than sharp . Playing North borders on irresponsible. Faletau has looked a bit off the pace.

[ad_tigger]

Playing North borders on irresponsible.

Not even close to responsible.

[Oakboy]

It will be fascinating to see how Tompkins gets on against us. Might he just be relishing putting Farrell on his backside?

[Banquo]

It will be fascinating to see how Tompkins gets on against us. Might he just be relishing putting Farrell on his backside?

I'll be hoping he gives away a couple of interceptions and defends poorly, he's been boom or bust so far. Like him as a player, but less so now he's gone to the dark side.

[Puja]

Welsh team is here,

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt, obviously...)
6. Ross Moriarty
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Josh Navidi
9. Tomos Williams
10. Dan Biggar
11. Liam Williams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Nick Tompkins
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:
16. Ryan Elias
17. Rhys Carre
18. Leon Brown
19. Aaron Shingler
20. Taulupe Faletau
21. Rhys Webb
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Johnny McNicholl

Even with our interesting approach to team selection, I'm pretty confident. That Welsh team isn't especially strong - Williams just back from injury, North off form and only likely to play 13 minutes anyway, Adams missing, Tompkins looking dubious as an international player - and we should really be expecting to win this kind of game at home.

Lawes, Wilson, T Curry vs Moriarty, Tipuric, Navidi. I think Wales has the stronger back-row this weekend.

This is my major area of concern though. I can see Lawes getting embarrassed at 6.

Puja

[Gloskarlos]

Got to be a reasonable question mark over Biggar too, bad knee injury last week, so many HIAs he nearly comes under the same banner as North....

Does anyone have the numbers of victories to losses with Lawes at 6? Was trying to make a point to a mate, whose memory only seems to last one game.

[Banquo]

Got to be a reasonable question mark over Biggar too, bad knee injury last week, so many HIAs he nearly comes under the same banner as North....

Does anyone have the numbers of victories to losses with Lawes at 6? Was trying to make a point to a mate, whose memory only seems to last one game.

Looks like lost 4, won 4 (inc Japan) that he's started there. His overall 'win record' is 70%.

[Banquo]

Italy game (s) postponed

[Banquo]

I think this is quite mild. I was half expecting Ewels to start at 8, Slade at FB and only 1 back on the bench. We've got off lightly.....

That was my feeling too.

Have to say, I have always been a 6:2 forwards on the bench man.

Forwards usually are there's a good reason why its not standard though.

[Digby]

Got to be a reasonable question mark over Biggar too, bad knee injury last week, so many HIAs he nearly comes under the same banner as North....

Does anyone have the numbers of victories to losses with Lawes at 6? Was trying to make a point to a mate, whose memory only seems to last one game.

It's around 50/50 with Lawes at 6, probably a bit worse for us than that actually, but Lawes at 6 at HQ probably swings it the other way. And I don't know if anyone is collating those figures, save maybe Juggler