Hardtackle
Charlie Fox (21)
I'll be rooting for Wales. just wish I had one of those Brains Beer Welsh jerseys. Ah the irony - quality.
Anybody heard this stuff about Yachvili not playing? Or was it just something the gnome said after his night out in Paris with Carla Bruni?
Yach is playing. Priestland as you would know by now is out, Hes been a revalation got in to the side as a 10 because Wellies was injured in the warm up with SA, Took his chance very well, moves the back line and keeps oposition Backrows honest,Anybody heard this stuff about Yachvili not playing? Or was it just something the gnome said after his night out in Paris with Carla Bruni?
Yach is playing. Priestland as you would know by now is out, Hes been a revalation got in to the side as a 10 because Wellies was injured in the warm up with SA, Took his chance very well, moves the back line and keeps oposition Backrows honest,
Hook is a different proposition, tends to pass flat not giving his strike runners time to adjust if needs be, Because of this is pron to the intercept, Cant really complain this time 2 months ago no one would have given Priestland a second thought overnight he has become our Dan Carter. Funny old game
Just learned France have sent for another 9/10 if Yach is injured Para would go to 9, better 9 imo, don't know who the other player is tho.
Good post. Yep Priestland has been a revelation hasn't he? Haven't really noticed him a lot until last season with the Scarlets when he took my eye, though it was mainly when he was playing 15, and not so much at 10. Everybody was talking a year or two before the RWC as to whether Hook would get the 10 shirt or S.Jones - and it turned out to be neither, but Priestland, and under the circumstances you mentioned at the trial.
Hook will do OK at 10. He has had one big negative in his career: he has been cursed by versatility and able to be shovelled to 10, 12, 13 or 15 if there were injuries. Still, give credit to Gatland for making the right call on Priestland for the earlier games.
I thought that Gatland took a big gamble in taking 1. Jenkins to the RWC when he hadn't played for so long but the gamble has paid off. I think they have the best front row in the RWC at the minute. There aren't too many better props in NZ than 1. Jenkins or 3. Adam Jones and 2. Bennett has been another revelation - at least to me. I thought that Wales would lose a lot with skipper and hooker Rees sitting at home, but it hasn't been the case.
And hasn't 12. Roberts picked a good time to come good after being shite, generally speaking, since the Lions tour?
Good luck to your lads. They are playing the best rugby of any team in the RWC as of the time of writing and should account for the French unless they have one of their irrepressible mad days. Be warned that I'm a poor tipster though.
I think wee Morgan Parra at 10 will be seeing a few red shirts worn by large Welshmen running at him and Jamie and young George will be hard to stop from the long run. In the forwards 3. Mas wont have the same leeway opposing 1. Jenkins as he had against Pom Stevens and I think the lightweight French scrum will have trouble against the enormous Wales pack. The battle of the backrowers will be key and if they concentrate too much on 7. Warburton they may find out that it's 1. Jenkins fishing the ball out instead.
Can't wait to see the game.
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think everyone now admires what cement head has managed to do with this side. He's a stubborn old brute but grudgingly everyone recognises that he is probably the best coach around. Success whichever team he is with. His offsider Shaun edwards has been the key. If he is leaving the welsh setup, Engl*nd should take him a next coach. Only Neil Francis has written some really chippy stuff about wales and gatland this week, including that he is not the sharpest knife in the block.
Actually think Hook is a great number 10 and you are right versatility is his main problem. Tends to run cross field to pass flat to centres. actually think that might work well for North coming into the line but you are right Jaw needs to be able to adjust his runs slightly in order to hit the gainline. He'll be fine and though I wanted wellies in initially I think his half breaks are not what we want at least in the begining and now he's on the bench we can bring him on later.
faletau vs Hairydonkey is going to be interesting. He was their best player vs. orcs. L'idiot is going to be busy taking him low off their put in.
Nothing indicates either scrum will dominate, but I loves the work to date of our front row.
rambo at 9 will dominate. as always am slightly worried about ickle's wing under the bomb, but hell, he's proved me wrong so many times that I really should stop.
Whole nation's behind them.
Coverage in the news has been awesome.
The dragon flies over No.10
Let's fucking do this!
Good luck, I am really annoyed I am missing this game as I am travelling up to Anfield for Liverpool vs Man U. I am stoked to be going to that but haven't actually thought about it at all as I have been too preoccupied with the rugby! I wonder if I can avoid the score and watch when I get home?
How is all the pre match tension going there Welsh fans?
This game has recieved as much if not MORE attention than the coming ABs v Wallabies
look, even the HOFF is supporting Wales
Am trying to find something to do to occupy the morning. tried sleeping, but then start dreaming. Cycle ride seems the best way to occupy time.
Now we're totally F@cked! amidst Zavos' latest random rantings, he is tipping Wales.
Good post. Yep Priestland has been a revelation hasn't he? Haven't really noticed him a lot until last season with the Scarlets when he took my eye, though it was mainly when he was playing 15, and not so much at 10.
Hook will do OK at 10. He has had one big negative in his career: he has been cursed by versatility and able to be shovelled to 10, 12, 13 or 15 if there were injuries. And hasn't 12. Roberts picked a good time to come good after being shite, generally speaking, since the Lions tour?