General rugby thread
Discussion
The one thing that yesterday goes to prove is the incredible depth that England have available to them.
An England 2nd XV playing at 80% were pretty comfortable winners over a Wales 1st XV playing at <40%.
I'm optimistic that this is just classic Gatland over-training, and Wales will play their RWC games at much higher intensity.
Saying that, there were some dreadful individual performances from the Welsh: Davies, the whole front row, Shingler/Wainright, Beard, Parkes, Biggar.
Wales won't get out of the group if they play like that, collectively or individually.
An England 2nd XV playing at 80% were pretty comfortable winners over a Wales 1st XV playing at <40%.
I'm optimistic that this is just classic Gatland over-training, and Wales will play their RWC games at much higher intensity.
Saying that, there were some dreadful individual performances from the Welsh: Davies, the whole front row, Shingler/Wainright, Beard, Parkes, Biggar.
Wales won't get out of the group if they play like that, collectively or individually.
phil_cardiff said:
We would have won the world cup with Warburton, Faletau, Webb and Anscombe. And Elis Jenkins on the bench.
Ok, we wouldn't due to a poor front 5, but they'd have made a huge difference. Such is life.
Whilst terrible news for Wales and the players mentioned, everybody keeps talking about the strength in depth with England; Billy V? England seem to be a different team without him, both physically and mentally!Ok, we wouldn't due to a poor front 5, but they'd have made a huge difference. Such is life.
Wales were starting to look like they had enough strength in depth but now I think that has been shown up - Wales at their very best were contenders; with all their best players fit and firing. I fear that window has now been slammed shut. Shame - was looking like the most open RWC ever for a while there
Slaav said:
Whilst terrible news for Wales and the players mentioned, everybody keeps talking about the strength in depth with England; Billy V? England seem to be a different team without him, both physically and mentally!
8 and 10 are probably the two positions where I don't think we have as much strength in depth, without Cipriani being given a shot at least. Perhaps playing time in an England shirt at 15 too. I don't think any team out there has another Billy V.768 said:
8 and 10 are probably the two positions where I don't think we have as much strength in depth, without Cipriani being given a shot at least. Perhaps playing time in an England shirt at 15 too. I don't think any team out there has another Billy V.
I agree - and I really cannot understand why Cips hasn't been given a few games at both 10 and stand in 15. He won a HEC at 15 from memory.... What the hell happens if Ford or Farrell get injured? Or Farrell banned with a stupid petulant challenge?Slaav said:
Whilst terrible news for Wales and the players mentioned, everybody keeps talking about the strength in depth with England; Billy V? England seem to be a different team without him, both physically and mentally!
I think the point is that England has the luxury of being able to call on 14-15 full-time pro teams, and their associated academies. Therefore, you'd expect them to have ludicrous depth available in every position.By contrast Wales has 4 pro teams (I shouldn't even be counting the Dragons!), with poor-to-mediocre academies.
That they don't in certain positions is largely down to a combination of the quality of the academies (in finding English talent), and the fault of the national coaches in not blooding young talent.
If Billy goes down, England will be forced to play a completely different gameplan. One which they can't hope to win the World Cup with.
JB! said:
C70R said:
JB! said:
Championship new boys Ampthill making some serious signings!
They have a fair amount of cash behind them.Lot of Fijian 'ringers' there last year getting paid.
Definitely worth a visit or two. The Blues derby will attract a big crowd.
New camera angle of the Scott Barrett red card incident on Hooper:
https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/watch%3A-a-new-...
Very naughty.... this would I've been pretty much what the ref saw and explains his comments to the TMO and as he saw it, a clear red.
....after which Barrett gets just 3 weeks rest and is back for the last pre WC warm up game.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?...
He must have taken some nice biscuits to the hearing :/
https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/watch%3A-a-new-...
Very naughty.... this would I've been pretty much what the ref saw and explains his comments to the TMO and as he saw it, a clear red.
....after which Barrett gets just 3 weeks rest and is back for the last pre WC warm up game.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?...
He must have taken some nice biscuits to the hearing :/
prand said:
New camera angle of the Scott Barrett red card incident on Hooper:
https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/watch%3A-a-new-...
Very naughty.... this would I've been pretty much what the ref saw and explains his comments to the TMO and as he saw it, a clear red.
....after which Barrett gets just 3 weeks rest and is back for the last pre WC warm up game.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?...
He must have taken some nice biscuits to the hearing :/
3 weeks for a clear and dangerous shoulder barge that recklessly makes contact with the head and neck? Seriously??https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/watch%3A-a-new-...
Very naughty.... this would I've been pretty much what the ref saw and explains his comments to the TMO and as he saw it, a clear red.
....after which Barrett gets just 3 weeks rest and is back for the last pre WC warm up game.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?...
He must have taken some nice biscuits to the hearing :/
Anyone else on here go to the Wear The Rose event in Bristol on Tuesday? Vast majority of the squad were there (Nowell wasn't and maybe a couple of others). Really good free event and managed to meet most of the squad and coaching team.
Got a ball signed by the vast majority of them but unfortunately I missed a couple of bigger names like Farrell, Launchbury and Marler.
Got a ball signed by the vast majority of them but unfortunately I missed a couple of bigger names like Farrell, Launchbury and Marler.
Team for Saturday:
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (C); Aaron Wainwright, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.
Subs: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Owen Watkin.
Not convinced on the wisdom of risking Biggar, particularly when Evans and/or Patchell need game time to assess who'll be the back up 10 for the WC. I'm sure Gatland knows what he's doing though...
Wales: Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Nicky Smith, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (C); Aaron Wainwright, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.
Subs: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi, Aled Davies, Jarrod Evans, Owen Watkin.
Not convinced on the wisdom of risking Biggar, particularly when Evans and/or Patchell need game time to assess who'll be the back up 10 for the WC. I'm sure Gatland knows what he's doing though...
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