6N 2025, Wales v England
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@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
Here is the England team to face Wales in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium.
England: M Smith; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, B Curry, Earl.
Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford.As probably anticipated by many on here, I have some questions:-
- Why, when the Welsh back three are not the biggest, do we take our best tall, chasing winger and bung him in the unfamiliar position of centre and take the guy (Daly), who had a good game at centre last week out on to the wing?
- Why have we taken out our best source of go forward in the back row (Willis) and replace him with arguably our best 7 at 8?
- Why have we effectively picked 4 open side flankers in the squad and only 1 specialist 6 & 8 and left them on the bench?
- Why have we picked 3 fly halves in the squad but have no cover at centre or wing?
I'm going to feel a keen sense of relief at the end of this 6N when I can stop banging my head against the wall.
Yes to all of the above, I just don't get it. Too many changes to have any coherence. The 4 7's, 3 10's thing is bizarre, god forbid Freeman gets injured early, ditto Itoje or Chessum. Just a weird careless selection IMO
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I'm totally baffled that Willis isn't starting, trying to give the guy a run in the side, he could turn into a world class 8 - he brings physicality that the others don't. I'm always scared of Wales, they get up for the England game like no other, and as a man who wakes up in cold sweats thinking about Wembley 1999 let alone the losses since I hate the idea this is the game we decide to muck around with.
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I can't understand the reluctance of several coaches to give Wainwright a real run as a starter. He's been the most consistent back row performer for the last few years despite being in and out of the side. He'd be a serious Lions contender if he'd been given a better shot at things.
Oh and it looks like Borthwick's cunning plan to pick 4 open sides to counter the dual threat of Reffell and Morgan has been thwarted with ease.
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@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
I can't understand the reluctance of several coaches to give Wainwright a real run as a starter. He's been the most consistent back row performer for the last few years despite being in and out of the side. He'd be a serious Lions contender if he'd been given a better shot at things.
Oh and it looks like Borthwick's cunning plan to pick 4 open sides to counter the dual threat of Reffell and Morgan has been thwarted with ease.
He's been injured and is now back to full fitness and form.
Hence the starting spot.
Our back row is nicely balanced.
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@Machpants said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
I read that Earls is covering midfield, that French loosie did pretty well there last week. Ardie to midfield confirmed
He'd need to get past David Havili. No chance
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@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
I can't understand the reluctance of several coaches to give Wainwright a real run as a starter. He's been the most consistent back row performer for the last few years despite being in and out of the side. He'd be a serious Lions contender if he'd been given a better shot at things.
Oh and it looks like Borthwick's cunning plan to pick 4 open sides to counter the dual threat of Reffell and Morgan has been thwarted with ease.
He's been injured and is now back to full fitness and form.
Hence the starting spot.
Our back row is nicely balanced.
Understood, but A) I'm looking a lot further back and for some reason, he's not nailed down a starting place despite being fit enough to be in the squad and also being a really consistent performer and B.) I sort of feel if a guy is fit enough to be on the bench, then he's fit enough to start.
A criminal waste of talent and also a criminal limiting of a guy's potential.
IMO.
Which is worth fuck all.
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Can we put a time limit - like we do with penalty kicks - on pre-game/KO ceremonies?
Remembering someone or an event when appropriate is great - but every bloody game?
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Wish the AB's could exit as well as England.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
Wish the AB's could exit as well as England.
You will give anything to try and claim England are in a good place eh. Does Borthwick remind you of Foster? 😬
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Nah. Just pointing out England exits in this game have been good.
PS: You forgot to slip in a mention of how shit you think Will Jordan is.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:
Nah. Just pointing out England exits in this game have been
goodnot shit.Better.
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How did LCD make that tackle?
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