[Closed] 2015-16 rugby, world cup year

I don't get this six nations (pre/post rwc) are meaningless stuff! Meaningless to who? Definately not to 99.9% of the fans, definately not to the players or the coaches, so meaningless only to some sad individuals with some arbitrary yardstick on when a rugby game becomes legitimate?

Farrell or Haskell

Cole would be my pick

I expect Wales to improve massively from what we've seen so far

I don't see that they have any more to give. It's not like they are going to run in 5 tries past England all of a sudden. They have been executing their (limited) game plan almost to perfection and it'll be more of the same from them IMO

I expect Wales to improve massively from what we've seen so far

Jambafact, its not based on reality.

Wales unchanged 15. Charteris on bench. I'd have been tempted to start him, Webb replaces Lloyd Williams and Paul James replaces Gethin.

so meaningless only to some sad individuals with some arbitrary yardstick on when a rugby game becomes legitimate?

Ford will start at 10.

I'm not so sure. EJ's retained 5 centres in the Squad, including Burrell (I retract my earlier comment about him playing badly).

We know Ford is a defensive weakness, so surely EJ does too and we need to counter DD. Farrell has to be on the pitch for kicking duties. So could it be Farrell, Burrell & JJ to start with Tuliagi for impact in the last 20 - the latter is indicative of the current EJ game strategy.

England will get thumped. My reasoning, my spies say the team only managed 5 minutes in the outdoor pool at Penny Hill y'day before deciding it was too cold. Big girls 🙂

Burrell & JJ

Not a combo I think Wales will enjoy defending against... Tuliagi or Farrell is much more up their street.... but if Farrell was directing things it would make me a little happier, although he obviously brings the penalty points to the table. It's a Twickers anyway so the question is not who will win, but "England by how many" 😉 Conservative win or total humiliation? 😳

Conservative win or total humiliation

I think thats a good call. England to win by 3-5 points, or lose by 20.

I spoke to some Welsh people yesterday, they have the same level of anxiety as we do.

Scamps - but they went into the ice room * in the spa to talk tactic instead

* ice wall and crushed ice to smother yourself in. Feels great.

So - Manu is in the match day 23!!! Goode misses out.

Brooke's in for Hill too

I don't see Daly or Manu starting, so that's Roberts running at 10/12 all afternoon.... If Roberts flattens Farrell, he takes out our best kicker too.

*worries*

Nothing wrong with farrell's tackling. Haskell will need to gain a yard in pace if he's to cover up the defensive hole called George Ford. JD2 could have some fun running at JJ too.
On the bright side, I expect the English scrum to be dominant.

Nothing wrong with farrell's tackling

On the bright side, I expect the English scrum to be dominant.

Are you sure? Joubert is refereeing so the entire game will have an added twist of unpredictability 😕

When it's not illegally high and late, it's just high. Not an ideal technique against the Doctor.

Don't worry, he'll growl a lot and pull some faces too which always helps

When it's not illegally high and late, it's just high. Not an ideal technique against the Doctor.

...and the good Dr has a penchant for going on the high side of legal too!

He wrote a good piece in the Torygraph today though.

expect the English scrum to be dominant.

Based on?
Last game we had Gethin and Francis as starting props. This time we have Evans and Samson who is starting to come back to form they have gone pretty well so far. I would expect England to have the edge but dont see it as a dominant weapon. Could be wrong though.

Could be wrong though.

Not to be argumentative, but my opinion is that you are. We made a mess of Samson Lee last time, same again here.

Your back 3 are better on the floor though, we are penalty magnets, and the rumor is Itoje is benched for Launchbury which I think is a mistake. Itoje should be in for his floor work and speed, Launchbury 2nd half/ 20 mins if we have a lead and his bulk helps with some smashing Walkers backwards.

I see Biggar's been making a nuisance of himself in the papers, lets see how long he lasts on the pitch - he'll be a target for sure.

Still a close call whatever our respective opinions are.

I would expect England to have the edge

Don't know about edge, but Marler will be all over the side.
[img] [/img]

We made a mess of Samson Lee last time, same again here.

Samson didnt start last time and was just coming back from a snapped achilies when he did play later in the game. He was very off the pace.

Cant see due to the arrow but I'm preety sure thats Francis. We managed to get away with him and gethin last time. This weeks front row is a lot syronger2

CFH - on your graphic, the Welsh number 1 is doing an almost identical angle, as is the flanker.

Can't see us being dominant in the scrum, I'd say it'll be evenly matched. And if Joubert gets it into his head early in the game that Marler is coming in on the angle (which he does tend to do) it could swing the scrum in Wales' favour.

I thought that earlier. The sensible thing would be to start with Mako, win the scrums and get it into Jouberts head that the Welsh are the problem, then sub to Marler later.

CFH - on your graphic, the Welsh number 1 is doing an almost identical angle, as is the flanker.

No the loose head isn't and I though flankers could drive in at an angle on their props hip to help keep the prop straight.

Although clearly as s Scot I have no real axe to grind either way, so get on with it.

The sensible thing would be to start with Mako, win the scrums

Assumptionist is assumptioning.

Based on?

When?

Forever.

Certainly now. I seem to remember a thing welsh fans liked to do; how many of the english team would make the welsh side. Well if we did the same for the front rows now, none of the welsh players would make the england bench.

Forever

The sensible thing would be to start with Mako, win the scrums

I thought scrums were Makos weaker point?

Wrecker I would take both our Hookers over Cowan-Dickie. He was a a dribbling mess in the world cup.

Those videos prove two things.

1: All of the strums were a mess
2: It was all about Mr S Walsh.

He was to be fair, he is only in as George is injured and Jones wants to move players on (hence no TY) but he has been quality in the AP and easily held his own in the euro cup games. I hope he gets a crack, he needs exposure at this level.

@CFH and the Welsh 7 (Warburton?) ? You could draw all sorts of arrows on that photo

@Drac we can agree to differ on 6N vs Investec, far more important how we do against Aus, RSA, NZ than say Scotland or Italy. I've paid to watch Eng v Italy twice in 20 years (some of that before 6N of course), never saw the point.

2: It was all about Mr S Walsh.

#dreamboat

To be fair that photo, and in particular the arrow is complete bollocks.

#dreamboat

I've no idea what the videos were about as I was lost in his piercing eyes and flowing locks #perfection

[img] [/img]

I couldn't resist a quick Google but it looks like he's let himself go 🙁

[img] [/img]

Ref pushes England coaches during rwc match, Ref gets sent on anger management course. Ref gets to ref England in Grand Slam decider. You really couldn't make it up.

But you do,even for you that's quite the #jambafact. What really happened was Walsh became involved in an argument with your fitness coach on the touchline after England cheated against Samoa by bringing on a 16th player. Walsh was the 4th man and your coach approached him in the tunnel,pushed him and challenged him to a fight,Walsh threw water at him. The irb suspended Walsh for one game,three days for innapropriate behaviour,intensive anger management course that must have been.England's management decided not to investigate the tunnel incident. After the game you are all back bleating about, Rowntree made public the fact you were submitting a complaint about elite performance. Something that happens from time to time...but NOBODY has ever made public...Except that one time England did.It isn't actually a complaint,it is a request for clarification on how the ref views part of the laws of the game. Is this us back to the idea that England lost that game because of Walsh's reffing of the Scrum?

CFH and the Welsh 7 (Warburton?) ? You could draw all sorts of arrows on that photo

Whats your point? There is no requirement for a flanker to drive straight at the scrum. Indeed angling in bybthe flanker will help keep his props hips in and allow the prop to drive straight.

If only someone had said that earlier...

(albeit with a typo)

If the England pack got its tight five tight and driving straight they'd make a mess of most oppositions at scrum time. But they've, and most others, got this scrum penalty mentality. Just go straight you'll get the penalty and/or mess with the opposition's minds.

I would expect the Englands forwards coach will be more focussed on disrupting the welsh lineout and mauling their own ball. Thats where Wales will be weakest without Charteris starting. They'll have a go at Rob Evans in the scrum for sure but lineout out maul to drag in the backrow and then Billy V off the back of the maul would be my go to tic tac

England lost that game because of Walsh's reffing

FTFY

Everybody knows Walsh was biased against England, it's no even a point to argue.

Everybody knows Walsh was biased against England, it's no even a point to argue.

Kryton57 - Member

England lost that game because of Walsh's reffing

FTFY

Everybody knows Walsh was biased against England, it's no even a point to argue.

Posted 1 minute ago #Report-Post

Did Wales lose that game in SA when he gave a pen try in the last min due to Walsh's reffing? Clue the correct answer requires you not to be an arrogant one eyed fool.

Oh dear, about the only reason left to visit stw is degenerating into a stupid bickering fest.

Did this thread not start that way 😉

It'll improve again next week after the england wales game and Jamba's subsequent gloating/complaining about the ref

Oh dear, about the only reason left to visit stw is degenerating into a stupid bickering fest.

There was a non-bickering alternative but it fell quiet from lack of interest 😉

England 15 unchanged. Tuilagi on bench. Odd looking team, athletic front 5 and second 5/8 with fast back 3 but a stodgy backrow.

England by 10 unless they try to play wide too much

Haskell? Stodgy? How very dare you!!!

Define "everyone"

Everyone commenting on this thread, except those who don't believe Walsh has a bias against England.

Its not arrogant btw, its just a fact. An arrogant statement would be that I believed England are so good that they would win all competitions where Walsh was the Ref, if the ref were subbed for someone else. It didn't day that, maybe you assumed that's what I meant? I do believe however there's a strong core of people that believe he was biased against England that goes beyond STW. Right or wrong, thats a fact.

subsequent gloating/complaining about the ref

England 15 unchanged

Two actual centres on the bench - not sure what to read into that - but its a first for a long time isn't it?

So "everyone" is a now a strong core of English rugby fans who mostly only watch internationals and generally dont have a clue.

No A-A it was widely reported about the issues between England and Steve Walsh from 2003 onwards...
so [i]everyone[/i] would be anyone who read about Rugby from 2003 onwards.
Of course he's a hero in Wales for refereeing their grand slam year...
😆 there's a reason you're called Walshmen

So "everyone" is a now a strong core of English rugby fans who mostly only watch internationals and generally dont have a clue.

As opposed to...?

And in whose judgement...?

DaRC_L 😀

generally dont have a clue.

I'm not sure how I'd weigh together "not having a clue" against not being able to tackle properly. You're hardly putting yourself forward as an expert in the subject with that prior admission.

I'm not trying to create an argument here, but honestly I doubt any of us could claim to be 100% experts. A lot of us have played, the rules and techniques have changed and we are now opinionated armchair pundits FWIW.

Lets move on.

A lot of us have played, the rules and techniques have changed and we are now opinionated armchair pundits FWIW.

You're talking sense there Kryton (I reserve judgement on other comments of course), which due to the recent rule change is now ungentlemanly conduct. I expect you to accept your 10 day sin-bin with grace and dignity.

In those matches Adam Jones was at his peak with rules that suited him and he bitch slapped the england scrum to hell and back. At the time he was widelly regarded as one of the strongest scumagers in the world. Hence a multi test Lion. But hey those Lions coaches didnt know that he was only any use when Walsh was the ref..get a ****ing grip.

And if tackling low round the ankles is wrong you should talk to Dan Lydiate, you know one the one, he's not English but he is one of the best defensive players in europe and also a multi test lion and six nations player of the tournament in 2012 ( based on his one trick).

As opposed to...?
And in whose judgement...?

Most rugby fans with a clue regarded Walsh as a very good ref although he did have a number of off pitch issues.

Oops double post!

😀 igm

But hey those Lions coaches didnt know that he was only any use when Walsh was the ref.

Again, I didn't say that at all, you are misquoting me, or actually just making stuff up and attributing it to me.

And if tackling low round the ankles is wrong you should talk to Dan Lydiate,

No problem, please forward his phone number and I'd happily ask him to explain when the global rugby system which teaches tacking at the hips and sliding the arms down changed.

But again, I never stated tackling around the ankles was wrong per se, what I said was - and I haven't gone away to find your actual words - my comment was based on the fact the you yourself said that you had learned tackling around the ankles method from a young age.

I expect you to accept your 10 day sin-bin with grace and dignity.

Thats a bit harsh, I demand a video replay!

So this global system didnt reach me? I always new I was an alien.

"Anyone" and "Everyone" would appear to exclude the beeb.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21778425

anagallis_arvensis - Member

So "everyone" is a now a strong core of English rugby fans who mostly only watch internationals and generally dont have a clue.

Yep - that's us. Spot on. 😉

Nothing wrong with farrell's tackling. Haskell will need to gain a yard in pace if he's to cover up the defensive hole called George Ford. JD2 could have some fun running at JJ too.
On the bright side, I expect the English scrum to be dominant.

Apart from it's too high most of the time...and upright. Can't see him or Ford doing a lot to stop the Welsh midfield. JJ's tackling against Ireland was surprisingly good (I've never thought of him as particularly solid in this part of his game).

Expecting a dominant scrum? They're a lottery mostly these days that takes up a huge amount of time.

Manu on the bench isn't really a surprise now that he's back. The main issue is him being over eager and looking for the big hit and leaving a massive hole in the defensive line. He does however offer a lot more impact than Goode!

Just hoping that Youngs has had some passing practice since the last game - don't want to see him lobbing balls at peoples heads and feet again. Also hoping the D word doesn't rear it's ugly head too much from us.

Still think Wales will win and take the championship. They have a solid team and gameplan that they are all familiar with, plus they've had a fair bit of success in the 6N so know what needs to be done.

TBH all this bickering about whether certain refs are biased is a descent into the level of wendy-ball supporters. So stop it.

Anyway, I miss Steve Walsh. I know some folk think that he possibly didn't always give England the benefit of the doubt but c'mmon!

The chest! The tan! Those forearms! That smile! The mad new TMO rules he used to invent on the spot........

What a guy! 8)

duckman the [url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/mar/19/england-complain-irb-referee-steve-walsh ]Grauniad[/url] and the Torygraph both covered it.
Mind you I didn't watch the match in 2013 as soon as I saw Walsh was refereeing - I was at Twickenham in 2012 when he did us over then - I gave up (and so did the players).

who mostly only watch internationals

The chest! The tan! Those forearms! That smile! The mad new TMO rules he used to invent on the spot...

How could you forget the tattoo

He who controls himself, controls the game

Ford will need a minder although Robshaw has come second best to Roberts before. He's no Worsley! Best plan for England is to pressure the lineout. If Wales are confined to slow front ball then the ability to launch Roberts at Ford is lost. With no dominant middle lineout jumper we struggle here. Off phase play Ford can be hidden easy enough.

I think it will be a game with a number of really interesting sub plots and this game will be the measure of what Jones can do. England's player skill set isn't going to be THAT much better than it is now by 2019,so this is where Jones earns his money. Can he force the Welsh back row into an arm wrestle, can he outfox Edward's defence with the players he has availiable? For all that people think it is going to consist of chin v yappy wee shite, Wales like to bring their back row in on 3/4 phase ball to commit a zonal/sweep defence and make space for their own backs. Jones has played zonal so far,but hasn't met as dynamic a back row as this one. England will need to slow that up,there is no doubt they will,but who will tire first? Wales did last year,but then England lost the top two inches in the WC. Can England negate the Welsh back rows carrying and force Wales to shift their defensive focus to trying to fetch from the England wide players? Billy V is so important as well,he has been immense,but one reason we notice that is that is that neither of the other two have especially kicked on from the WC. He needs to make sure there are two of his countrymen dangling off him at every opportunity.
Tell you what,game of the 6N this year and I want you both to lose.

Not that I want to drag out the Steve Walsh bias thing anymore, but that linked guardian article doesn't offer any support for this perceived bias..it just quotes Graham Rowntree saying he's going to complain.