The Rugby Thread

[Paddingtonwolf]

Feeling strangely nervous. We should win but I just have a bad feeling Italy might do a number on us today.

 

[jd1981]

No chance 15 point win to Wales.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I hope we get a nice big bonus point win but I just have this bad feeling, and Italy did beat the Boks

 

[Paul]

You will win this, but not by a massive margin !

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Messy rubbish so far

 

[Paul]

None of the games have been good adverts for northern hemisphere rugby yet

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I told you we weren't very good this year, and obviously the conditions in Rome are shite, but even so, this is garbage

 

[Tredman]

Don't think they've been that bad Paddy, they just look a little bit unsure of their tactics.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Just a question of whether the bonus point can be snagged now.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

So close to getting the undeserved bonus point. I will take that but Italy look poor.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Should have scored in the end after some horrible defending. Don't think it'll be important in the end anyway

 

[Tredman]

Really great game between sarries and Leicester. 4 mins left and 2 points in it.

Good to see Tom Croft playing well again, even if he hasn't just had a yellow.

 

[Sniffer]

Joost van der Westhuizen: Former South Africa captain dies, aged 45

 

[Paul]

Absolutely tragic what had happened to him and now this, at only 45 ! So sad

 

[Dinowolf]

England squad to play Wales:

Forwards: J Clifford (Harlequins), D Cole (Leicester), J George (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), N Hughes (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), M Mullan (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton)

Backs: M Brown (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), E Daly (Wasps), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), H Slade (Exeter), B Te'o (Worcester), B Youngs (Leicester)

Harrison sent home and Clifford included.

Wood shoulder injury makes him a doubt.

Eddie says that not many changes will be made with Haskell still not fit enough to start. Rumour that Nowell will start instead of May.

 

[Tredman]

England squad to play Wales:

Forwards: J Clifford (Harlequins), D Cole (Leicester), J George (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), N Hughes (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), M Mullan (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton)

Backs: M Brown (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), E Daly (Wasps), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell (Exeter), H Slade (Exeter), B Te'o (Worcester), B Youngs (Leicester)

Harrison sent home and Clifford included.

Wood shoulder injury makes him a doubt.

Eddie says that not many changes will be made with Haskell still not fit enough to start. Rumour that Nowell will start instead of May.

Shame about Haskell (but I wonder if Eddie might be playing some mind games?). I'd definitely like to see Nowell start, but personally instead of Brown with Daly moving to FB.

 

[Dinowolf]

If Wood is fit to take any part, then the replacements will split 5-3, if not then England will have 4 backs on the bench.

Edit - looks like Wood will take some part in the match, final 23 named in the morning.

 

[Tredman]

Clifford is replacing Wood and Nowell replacing May in the starting 15. Not sure how either of these changes solve the lack of ability to get past the gain line we saw in the french game, but hopefully it won;t be such an issue

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Still a good line up. I am expecting a very tough game and probably a narrow England win

 

[Tredman]

Still a good line up. I am expecting a very tough game and probably a narrow England win

I think it will be a tough game, but could go either way - depends on whether the welsh backs can get more involved.
Not really looking forward to it, I always hate tense games against wales.