Team for Wales

[Puja]

Mako's due to have a scan and Maro's still rehabbing, but otherwise a clean bill of health. Assuming the former is fit and the latter isn't, I'd pick:

Mako
George
Sinckler
Kruis
Lawes
Wilson
Curry
BillyV

Youngs
Farrell
May
Manu
Slade
Cokanasiga
Daly

Genge, LCD, Cole, Launch, Shields, Robson, Te'o, Nowell

Ireland were expecting crash ball and got wide attacks. France were expecting the wide attacks and got kicks behind. I think Wales will be expecting the kicking and pressure game and so I think it's time to shift again and pick another power runner in Cokanasiga.

On the bench, I'd have Genge over Moon because I think he's a better player, but if Mako isn't fit I'd start Moon, as I think Wales will be on the wind-up and niggly and Moon is a calmer influence to start with. Hughes has had two games with which to underwhelm off the bench, so give Shields a go (especially since Wilson is clearly our second best 8). Te'o over Ford hurts, but we're clearly not interested in changing the game by bringing Ford on and, if we're going to sub Manu anyway, it makes no sense not to go like-for-like.

Puja

[Raggs]

I'd be tempted to play Launch ahead of Kruis for yet another carrying/passing option in the forwards. Would still go Ford on the bench though.

[Stom]

If Farrell gets injured in the 10th minute, I would not be comfortable with Slade at 10 for 70 minutes...

[Mikey Brown]

Mako's due to have a scan and Maro's still rehabbing, but otherwise a clean bill of health. Assuming the former is fit and the latter isn't, I'd pick:

Mako
George
Sinckler
Kruis
Lawes
Wilson
Curry
BillyV

Youngs
Farrell
May
Manu
Slade
Cokanasiga
Daly

Genge, LCD, Cole, Launch, Shields, Robson, Te'o, Nowell

Ireland were expecting crash ball and got wide attacks. France were expecting the wide attacks and got kicks behind. I think Wales will be expecting the kicking and pressure game and so I think it's time to shift again and pick another power runner in Cokanasiga.

On the bench, I'd have Genge over Moon because I think he's a better player, but if Mako isn't fit I'd start Moon, as I think Wales will be on the wind-up and niggly and Moon is a calmer influence to start with. Hughes has had two games with which to underwhelm off the bench, so give Shields a go (especially since Wilson is clearly our second best 8). Te'o over Ford hurts, but we're clearly not interested in changing the game by bringing Ford on and, if we're going to sub Manu anyway, it makes no sense not to go like-for-like.

Puja

Jesus, that last bit is depressing. I still think Ford is the most talented fly-half in the country and we're on the verge of dropping him completely to satisfy Jones's weird logic. As Stom says though, if Farrell gets injured that's going to be a Slade/Manu/Teo midfield. That might save him.

Agree about Moon/Genge.

I know Launchbury didn't overwhelm on his return but I'd quite like to see him get some time and I'm curious how he goes next to Kruis- who is very good at all the things Launch isn't so good at.

I really hope someone a bit more dynamic, maybe Clifford if his head is still attached, can show enough to take that bench spot.

Yes for Cokanisga. I'm so tired of the other two.

[Stom]

I agree on the XV, btw, but would have Clifford (if fit) and Ford over Shields and Te'o.

[Puja]

I agree on the XV, btw, but would have Clifford (if fit) and Ford over Shields and Te'o.

Clifford is a good point; had forgotten about him.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Interesting, Puja. Do you allow for injuries with your bench or not? I raised the point about not having Ford on the bench before the last match and I still think having T'eo to replace Tuilagi is more important for the long-term project of keeping Tuilagi fit.

I also think the same applies to Billy and I'd stick with Hughes on the bench. The alternative would be to move Wilson to 8 and I don't think that is fair on him at this point. He's a better 6 than Shields so why have bench cover that forces either Billy to have to do 80 minutes or Wilson to move to 8? I think a replacement 8 on the bench makes more sense. At present, there is nobody better than Hughes for that job.

I'd also not start Coka. I'd rather have Nowell for this particular game with the big fella coming off the bench.

As for the second row, I'd prefer Lawes/Launchbury but would not be too bothered with Kruis starting.

I'd stick with Moon on the bench ahead of Genge. In fact, if there's any slight doubt about Mako, I'd start Moon with Mako on the bench. Moon is our best LH scrummager.

[Stom]

Interesting, Puja. Do you allow for injuries with your bench or not? I raised the point about not having Ford on the bench before the last match and I still think having T'eo to replace Tuilagi is more important for the long-term project of keeping Tuilagi fit.

I also think the same applies to Billy and I'd stick with Hughes on the bench. The alternative would be to move Wilson to 8 and I don't think that is fair on him at this point. He's a better 6 than Shields so why have bench cover that forces either Billy to have to do 80 minutes or Wilson to move to 8? I think a replacement 8 on the bench makes more sense. At present, there is nobody better than Hughes for that job.

I'd also not start Coka. I'd rather have Nowell for this particular game with the big fella coming off the bench.

As for the second row, I'd prefer Lawes/Launchbury but would not be too bothered with Kruis starting.

I'd stick with Moon on the bench ahead of Genge. In fact, if there's any slight doubt about Mako, I'd start Moon with Mako on the bench. Moon is our best LH scrummager.

Even though he's hardly played there, I think I'd rather Ford covering 10 and Slade covering 15 if we're going to have Te'o on the bench. So Ford and Te'o.

And Clifford is your man for covering Billy. Plus he can happily slot in at 6 or 7, so provides more options.

[fivepointer]

2 changes for me -
Nowell for Ashton
Clifford for Hughes
I'm tempted by Cokanasiga but this is a big game to make your 6Ns debut in.
I'd leave Moon and Cole on the bench. Wales have a decent scrum and these 2 offer security in that area.
Launch on the bench too. I want our 2 best l/o forwards starting against this Welsh l/o.

[Puja]

Interesting, Puja. Do you allow for injuries with your bench or not? I raised the point about not having Ford on the bench before the last match and I still think having T'eo to replace Tuilagi is more important for the long-term project of keeping Tuilagi fit.

I also think the same applies to Billy and I'd stick with Hughes on the bench. The alternative would be to move Wilson to 8 and I don't think that is fair on him at this point. He's a better 6 than Shields so why have bench cover that forces either Billy to have to do 80 minutes or Wilson to move to 8? I think a replacement 8 on the bench makes more sense. At present, there is nobody better than Hughes for that job.

I'd also not start Coka. I'd rather have Nowell for this particular game with the big fella coming off the bench.

As for the second row, I'd prefer Lawes/Launchbury but would not be too bothered with Kruis starting.

I'd stick with Moon on the bench ahead of Genge. In fact, if there's any slight doubt about Mako, I'd start Moon with Mako on the bench. Moon is our best LH scrummager.

I do allow for injuries, but to me it's as important to cover the wings and full back properly as it is to cover 10. I'd not want Manu going out to the wing if May goes down injured. So a Ford, Te'o bench doesn't work for me.

For me, a bench has to cover for injuries, but shouldn't be led by them - we're neutering ourselves in the last 20 with taking off our only midfield runner and replacing him with another passer. There is a risk of Faz getting injured, but it's a smaller one considering he never breaks (even when we'd like him to) and so it's not an eventuality that I'd be forming my plan A around.

On Wilson, I see no issue with moving him to 8. He's clearly superior to Hughes there and it's not a difficult switch to make mid-match. Plus, if we're that bothered about it, both Clifford and Shields can play 8.

I think Cokanasiga is the daring selection and would worry Wales - bringing him in is a risk, but in a confident and winning team, I think it's mitigated.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I also think the same applies to Billy and I'd stick with Hughes on the bench. The alternative would be to move Wilson to 8 and I don't think that is fair on him at this point. He's a better 6 than Shields so why have bench cover that forces either Billy to have to do 80 minutes or Wilson to move to 8? I think a replacement 8 on the bench makes more sense. At present, there is nobody better than Hughes for that job.

Are you maintaining that Hughes, offering what he currently does (???), is a better 8 than Wilson just because he has to shift across? If Shields weren't the alternative I really don't see how anyone could claim that. I just don't really get why we're bothering with either of them.

[Which Tyler]

Cokanasiga for Ashton (if fit enough); JJ & Genge on the bench. I'd rather Clifford / Mercer than Hughes; but we all know that Eddie just disagrees, so it seems pointless saying it. I'd rather Hughes than Shields however.

He's beginning to find his feet at FB, but I cant see Wales looking at our backline and deciding that our best player is our weak link. At some point, someone's going to do to Daly what we did to Henshaw & Huget. It worries me, but I'd rather it happen now than during the RWC. So I'm not going to suggest changing him this time; we're committed to him back there, so he needs to get minutes in the position.

So, fitness allowing:
Mako, George, Sinckler
Lawes, Kruis
Wilson, Billy, Curry

Youngs, Farrell
Tuilagi, Slade
May, Daly, Cokanasiga

Genge, LCD, Cole, Launchbury, Hughes
Robson, Ford, Joseph

[Oakboy]

I also think the same applies to Billy and I'd stick with Hughes on the bench. The alternative would be to move Wilson to 8 and I don't think that is fair on him at this point. He's a better 6 than Shields so why have bench cover that forces either Billy to have to do 80 minutes or Wilson to move to 8? I think a replacement 8 on the bench makes more sense. At present, there is nobody better than Hughes for that job.

Are you maintaining that Hughes, offering what he currently does (???), is a better 8 than Wilson just because he has to shift across? If Shields weren't the alternative I really don't see how anyone could claim that. I just don't really get why we're bothering with either of them.

In a straight choice at 8, I might choose Wilson over Hughes but that is not as important, IMO, as developing Wilson at 6, his best position. Relatively new on the scene, I see him as first choice for the shirt with Robshaw, probably, as back-up. I do not want Shields anywhere near the squad. I do want Wilson to get as long a run as possible at 6 for 80 minutes a time.

I think Hughes provides a physical anchor at 8 as back-up to Billy that nobody else does. As long as Jones sees the two as 1st and 2nd choice for the position, I simply would not risk not having Hughes on the bench for Billy's long-term welfare. Should Jones genuinely consider an alternative type of 8 (which he only appears to, reluctantly, if both Billy and Hughes are unavailable), I might change my opinion.

As ever, It is a case of debating around Jones's alternatives. I'd still have Cipriani and Armand, for example, but Jones will pick neither.

[Danno]

Are you maintaining that Hughes, offering what he currently does (???), is a better 8 than Wilson just because he has to shift across? If Shields weren't the alternative I really don't see how anyone could claim that. I just don't really get why we're bothering with either of them.

(???)
(???)

[Puja]

Cokanasiga for Ashton (if fit enough); JJ & Genge on the bench. I'd rather Clifford / Mercer than Hughes; but we all know that Eddie just disagrees, so it seems pointless saying it. I'd rather Hughes than Shields however.

He's beginning to find his feet at FB, but I cant see Wales looking at our backline and deciding that our best player is our weak link. At some point, someone's going to do to Daly what we did to Henshaw & Huget. It worries me, but I'd rather it happen now than during the RWC. So I'm not going to suggest changing him this time; we're committed to him back there, so he needs to get minutes in the position.

Joseph on the bench is an interesting option. Fast enough to cover wing and would give us a genuine running centre if Manu goes off.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Cokanasiga for Ashton (if fit enough); JJ & Genge on the bench. I'd rather Clifford / Mercer than Hughes; but we all know that Eddie just disagrees, so it seems pointless saying it. I'd rather Hughes than Shields however.

He's beginning to find his feet at FB, but I cant see Wales looking at our backline and deciding that our best player is our weak link. At some point, someone's going to do to Daly what we did to Henshaw & Huget. It worries me, but I'd rather it happen now than during the RWC. So I'm not going to suggest changing him this time; we're committed to him back there, so he needs to get minutes in the position.

Joseph on the bench is an interesting option. Fast enough to cover wing and would give us a genuine running centre if Manu goes off.

Yup, it feels harsh on Nowell; but JJ has played a copule of matches for Bath now, and looked sharp; just lacking that 80 mingute fitness; for which he's got 2 weeks (probably including a match) to gain. On form, he's a world class centre. On form, so is Manu. Potentially, Slade can get there. The idea of selecting any 2 from those 3 in the midfield is the stuff of wet dreams (especially with Ford/Cipriani getting the most from them; and any SH who considers his raison d'etre to be putting the ball in the FH's hands to enable it). Whoever comes off the bench with a point to prove has the ability to really put the foot to an opponent's throat.
JJ provides cover for wing, and IIRC he's been capped there before (has certainly played there at club level), Slade provides cover for FB in the event of injury to Daly. The idea of JJ freed up from the responsibility of having to cover the defensive errors of Farrell inside him, and brainless-chicken mode May outside him, should leave him free to do his own thing.

In terms of keeping 1 eye on injury cover; 12 is covered by Faz/Slade; 13 by JJ/Manu; Wing by JJ; FB by Slade.

[Digby]

Is Robshaw a bench option?

I'd pick Mercer, but I'd rather Robshaw to Shields and Hughes

[normanski]

Good news for Wales! Halfpenny and Patchell are back in camp, fit and raring to go.

[Stom]

Halfpenny back is a blow for England. We've faced 2 FBs who aren't really FBs so far. Halfpenny actually understands back field positioning and will leave far fewer spaces.

[normanski]

Halfpenny back is a blow for England. We've faced 2 FBs who aren't really FBs so far. Halfpenny actually understands back field positioning and will leave far fewer spaces.

Hopefully both will play against Benetton in Italy this weekend. Big question for Gatland is who moves where to accommodate him if selected.

[Renniks]

Nowell instead of Ashton

Genge or Moon depending on how they're doing in training (better scrummager is questionable anyway)

Otherwise stick as is.

I think as Puja hinted towards - we need to find the right technique to unlock this Welsh team - and we should have the squad to do that, I don't think they have the squad to defend all of crash balls, wide balls, and kicking… but if they pick the right players and we play the wrong tactic we'll be stuffed

[Mikey Brown]

I think as long as we kick the ball like 600 times we'll be alright.

[Pie Man]

How often has Slade played full-back?

Just thinking that it's a shame Devoto hasn't come on as much as maybe hoped a few years back - got the size to blast the gainline from 12/13 (with decent handling and a boot..err...to boot), plus has played some 15.

For this one, would be tempted with JoeC on one wing and Nowell on the bench. Ashton rotates out.

[Puja]

Halfpenny back is a blow for England. We've faced 2 FBs who aren't really FBs so far. Halfpenny actually understands back field positioning and will leave far fewer spaces.

I wouldn't call Williams a non-FB - wouldn't say his presence weakens Wales in defence.

In attack, I'm more comfortable facing Halfpenny at 15 than him, although his kicking is a weapon.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

How often has Slade played full-back?

Just thinking that it's a shame Devoto hasn't come on as much as maybe hoped a few years back - got the size to blast the gainline from 12/13 (with decent handling and a boot..err...to boot), plus has played some 15.

For this one, would be tempted with JoeC on one wing and Nowell on the bench. Ashton rotates out.

More often than Daly in the last 4 years

Devoto was always a fail at FB.
And he kinda has come on well beyond injuries