RWC trials for 6N teams & discussion of NH squads
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Scotland v Ireland
Scotland: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Rory Lawson (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Jim Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 David Denton, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 Nick De Luca, 22 Jack Cuthbert.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Mike McCarthy, 5 Leo Cullen (captain), 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 John Hayes, 19 Mick O'Driscoll, 20 Kevin McLaughlin, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Felix Jones.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Ireland
There are some scrubbers in the Ireland team and only 10. Sexton and 8. Leamy look guaranteed to start against Australia in the pool game though some are going for ROG at 10 because of his experience in big games.
15. Kearney could be in it too if he gets his mojo back in these warm up games. He's been out for a while and was a bit shaky before that. 11. Fitzgerald, one of the young galacticos had a poor 6N and has a lot to do to get back in the starting XV; the real one.
Have a look at 22. Jones when he gets on; I think it will be his first cap if he does. He's injury prone but is a favourite of mine. He played so well for Munster this year that he had Aussie Paul Warwick sitting on the bench. Another that won't be known to most Oz fans is 13. McFadden, who I think is a considerable player and versatile. With 12. D'Arcy probably out of the RWC he could be partnering BOD against Oz.
9. TOL is probably the favourite for the scrummie spot but suffered a couple of serious injuries last season and missed a lot of rugby. Reddan and Boss will be pushing him, and a smokey could be TOL's Munster up and comer team mate Murray, who was preferred for the Magners final. You never know but Stringer could be in the mix too. This scrummie selection problem is a good one for Deccie to have.
That is not a great front row. Aussie Tom Court made a niche for himself as a prop who could play on both sides but he was poor playing at THP in some big games last season. This game is his interview to back up Healey at the RWC at LHP, though some earlier good efforts at THP could see him as bench player ahead of smallish M. Horan. 3. Buckley of Munster flattered to deceive at THP and looked good for a while but Ross, a good scrummager though a pot plant, emerged as the best THP in the country last season and will be starting against Oz.
The contest for the hooking role will be a good one. Cronin was playing so well for lowly Connacht that Leinster have nabbed him for next season despite his brain snap against France. Flannery has suffered painful compartment syndrome in both calves. If he gets on the plane it will signal a remarkable comeback as he has played next to no rugby this year.
Deccie will be watching turning crocks: Flannery, Kearney and TOL, plus even 1. M. Horan, with his heart in his mouth. If all of them play well and finish the warm up games healthy, it will mean a lot for Ireland's RWC chances.
Captain Cullen is a grand leader but has missed out on RWC selection before and is no guarantee to make this one if they take only 3 locks. I have the real Ireland captain, POC, plus DOC ahead of him and Ryan close. 7. Ronan and 6. McCarthy may not be on the plane either. The Ireland backrow is going to be top notch without them because they can use only three of O'Brien, (who I am picking to be one of the stars of the tournament), Wallace, Ferris and Heaslip in any starting roster.
It will be interesting to see if Ireland will play this match with ball in hand as much as they did in 3N.
Scotland
Scotland has mixed their team up a bit to and also have players returning from injury or from forced unavailability.
The Scots 2nd row in 6N of Gray and Kellock was one of their strong points in 6N and will start in the RWC when it matters but Hamilton is getting a run in this game. Gray is one of the best young locks in world rugby and we will be seeing him in Oz with the Lions in a couple of years time. Scotland coach Robinson pulled him out of the Magners League to mothball him which must have pissed off the Glasgow coach. He pulled other players out early too.
Aussie Nathan Hines has been playing 6. for Scotland but Strokosch gets a start in the first warm up match. Likewise 7. Rennie, who has had a history of bad luck with injuries, is getting a start instead of Barclay, who will be on the plane. 8. Beattie is back to prove himself again after returning from injury too soon for his club last season and thereby losing form.
Aussie Dan “Compass” Parks will sit out this game but he has his ticket for NZ already. Jackson, his rival, has more to his game but Parks could be in the big RWC matches especially if conditions are ropey. 12. Morrison is back after missing 6N through injury and it's a shame that the incursive S. Lamont, who had a wonderful 6N in the midfield, has to move to the wing to accommodate him.
The Scots have some injury concerns for the RWC too. Of note are those to 3. Murray and scrummies Cusiter and Blair.
I imagine this game will be a bit untidy like all trial games. Ireland have scraped home in 6N in the last couple of years against Scotland but you'd have to think that the home side should win given the quality of Ireland players who aren't named on the team sheet. No, that really doesn't make sense to me either.
In their trial matches Scotland have to show some signs of being able to convert good real estate into tries, something they didn't do in 6N.
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Scotland: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Joe Ansbro, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Rory Lawson (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Jim Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 David Denton, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 Nick De Luca, 22 Jack Cuthbert.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Mike McCarthy, 5 Leo Cullen (captain), 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 John Hayes, 19 Mick O'Driscoll, 20 Kevin McLaughlin, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Felix Jones.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Ireland
There are some scrubbers in the Ireland team and only 10. Sexton and 8. Leamy look guaranteed to start against Australia in the pool game though some are going for ROG at 10 because of his experience in big games.
15. Kearney could be in it too if he gets his mojo back in these warm up games. He's been out for a while and was a bit shaky before that. 11. Fitzgerald, one of the young galacticos had a poor 6N and has a lot to do to get back in the starting XV; the real one.
Have a look at 22. Jones when he gets on; I think it will be his first cap if he does. He's injury prone but is a favourite of mine. He played so well for Munster this year that he had Aussie Paul Warwick sitting on the bench. Another that won't be known to most Oz fans is 13. McFadden, who I think is a considerable player and versatile. With 12. D'Arcy probably out of the RWC he could be partnering BOD against Oz.
9. TOL is probably the favourite for the scrummie spot but suffered a couple of serious injuries last season and missed a lot of rugby. Reddan and Boss will be pushing him, and a smokey could be TOL's Munster up and comer team mate Murray, who was preferred for the Magners final. You never know but Stringer could be in the mix too. This scrummie selection problem is a good one for Deccie to have.
That is not a great front row. Aussie Tom Court made a niche for himself as a prop who could play on both sides but he was poor playing at THP in some big games last season. This game is his interview to back up Healey at the RWC at LHP, though some earlier good efforts at THP could see him as bench player ahead of smallish M. Horan. 3. Buckley of Munster flattered to deceive at THP and looked good for a while but Ross, a good scrummager though a pot plant, emerged as the best THP in the country last season and will be starting against Oz.
The contest for the hooking role will be a good one. Cronin was playing so well for lowly Connacht that Leinster have nabbed him for next season despite his brain snap against France. Flannery has suffered painful compartment syndrome in both calves. If he gets on the plane it will signal a remarkable comeback as he has played next to no rugby this year.
Deccie will be watching turning crocks: Flannery, Kearney and TOL, plus even 1. M. Horan, with his heart in his mouth. If all of them play well and finish the warm up games healthy, it will mean a lot for Ireland's RWC chances.
Captain Cullen is a grand leader but has missed out on RWC selection before and is no guarantee to make this one if they take only 3 locks. I have the real Ireland captain, POC, plus DOC ahead of him and Ryan close. 7. Ronan and 6. McCarthy may not be on the plane either. The Ireland backrow is going to be top notch without them because they can use only three of O'Brien, (who I am picking to be one of the stars of the tournament), Wallace, Ferris and Heaslip in any starting roster.
It will be interesting to see if Ireland will play this match with ball in hand as much as they did in 3N.
Scotland
Scotland has mixed their team up a bit to and also have players returning from injury or from forced unavailability.
The Scots 2nd row in 6N of Gray and Kellock was one of their strong points in 6N and will start in the RWC when it matters but Hamilton is getting a run in this game. Gray is one of the best young locks in world rugby and we will be seeing him in Oz with the Lions in a couple of years time. Scotland coach Robinson pulled him out of the Magners League to mothball him which must have pissed off the Glasgow coach. He pulled other players out early too.
Aussie Nathan Hines has been playing 6. for Scotland but Strokosch gets a start in the first warm up match. Likewise 7. Rennie, who has had a history of bad luck with injuries, is getting a start instead of Barclay, who will be on the plane. 8. Beattie is back to prove himself again after returning from injury too soon for his club last season and thereby losing form.
Aussie Dan “Compass” Parks will sit out this game but he has his ticket for NZ already. Jackson, his rival, has more to his game but Parks could be in the big RWC matches especially if conditions are ropey. 12. Morrison is back after missing 6N through injury and it's a shame that the incursive S. Lamont, who had a wonderful 6N in the midfield, has to move to the wing to accommodate him.
The Scots have some injury concerns for the RWC too. Of note are those to 3. Murray and scrummies Cusiter and Blair.
I imagine this game will be a bit untidy like all trial games. Ireland have scraped home in 6N in the last couple of years against Scotland but you'd have to think that the home side should win given the quality of Ireland players who aren't named on the team sheet. No, that really doesn't make sense to me either.
In their trial matches Scotland have to show some signs of being able to convert good real estate into tries, something they didn't do in 6N.
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W
Waylon
Guest
I'm looking forwards to your comments Lee..........it's better than the national press.
Have you considered starting "world Rugby" magazine?
I'll set it up if you write for me
Have you considered starting "world Rugby" magazine?
I'll set it up if you write for me
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Wales v England
England:
Backs: 15. D Armitage, 14. M Banahan, 13. M Tuilagi, 12. R Flutey, 11. M Cueto, 10. J Wilkinson 9. D Care
Forwards: 1. A Corbisiero, 2. D Hartley, 3. M Stevens, 4. S Shaw, 5. T. Palmer, 6. T Croft, 7. L Moody (capt), 8. J Haskell
Replacements: 16. L Mears, 17. D Wilson 18. M Botha, 19. T Wood, 20. R Wigglesworth, 21. C Hodgson, 22. C Sharples
Wales:
Backs: 15. Rhys Priestland, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Shane Williams 10. Stephen Jones, 9. Mike Phillips
Forwards: 1. Paul James, 2. Huw Bennett, 3. Craig Mitchell, 4. Bradley Davies, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Danny Lydiate, 7. Toby Faletau, 8. Sam Warburton (capt).
Replacements:16. Lloyd Burns, 17. Ryan Bevington, 18. Luke Charteris, 19. Ryan Jones (Ospreys), 20.Tavis Knoyle, 21. Scott Williams, 22. Morgan Stoddart
England
That's a pretty good England team seeing there are so many dirt-trackers in it.
Wilko gets to start and will be on the plane to NZ but he will be behind Flood though ahead of Hodgson. 9. Care is probably 2nd choice also, behind the brilliant but inexperience Youngs. Tuilagi gets his first cap as has been mentioned on another thread and it will be interesting to see how he teams up with Flutey, who comes back after a spell.
From the backs only Cueto is a likely starter in crunch RWC matches and ditto for 2. Hartley, 5. Palmer, 6. Croft and 7. Moody in the forwards, though there are some maybes..
I see that Charlie Sharples, the fellow mentioned as fast on another thread, is on the bench, Ashton, Cueto and Banahan will be in front of him for the RWC, since Banahan is a back up centre. When he gets on the park in the trials Charlie will have to get ahead of Monye to get his plane ticket..
Wales
Wales lack world class players, whatever they are, and don't have many to be just candidates either. 7. Warburton is a candidate (and his jersey number of 8. seems to be a mistake since Faletau, an 8, is named at 7), and winger Shane Williams showed some of his old dazzle in in 6N - but not many of the others are that scary.
It's interesting that mid-fielders 13. Davies and 12. Roberts have been chosen with those numbers since they played sometimes the other way around in 3N.
8. Gareth Delve doesn't get a run in this match but he will get a chance later. I'd rank him ahead of Jones and though Faletau is promising, he is unproven and could flop.
The Poms should win this one.
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England:
Backs: 15. D Armitage, 14. M Banahan, 13. M Tuilagi, 12. R Flutey, 11. M Cueto, 10. J Wilkinson 9. D Care
Forwards: 1. A Corbisiero, 2. D Hartley, 3. M Stevens, 4. S Shaw, 5. T. Palmer, 6. T Croft, 7. L Moody (capt), 8. J Haskell
Replacements: 16. L Mears, 17. D Wilson 18. M Botha, 19. T Wood, 20. R Wigglesworth, 21. C Hodgson, 22. C Sharples
Wales:
Backs: 15. Rhys Priestland, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Shane Williams 10. Stephen Jones, 9. Mike Phillips
Forwards: 1. Paul James, 2. Huw Bennett, 3. Craig Mitchell, 4. Bradley Davies, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Danny Lydiate, 7. Toby Faletau, 8. Sam Warburton (capt).
Replacements:16. Lloyd Burns, 17. Ryan Bevington, 18. Luke Charteris, 19. Ryan Jones (Ospreys), 20.Tavis Knoyle, 21. Scott Williams, 22. Morgan Stoddart
England
That's a pretty good England team seeing there are so many dirt-trackers in it.
Wilko gets to start and will be on the plane to NZ but he will be behind Flood though ahead of Hodgson. 9. Care is probably 2nd choice also, behind the brilliant but inexperience Youngs. Tuilagi gets his first cap as has been mentioned on another thread and it will be interesting to see how he teams up with Flutey, who comes back after a spell.
From the backs only Cueto is a likely starter in crunch RWC matches and ditto for 2. Hartley, 5. Palmer, 6. Croft and 7. Moody in the forwards, though there are some maybes..
I see that Charlie Sharples, the fellow mentioned as fast on another thread, is on the bench, Ashton, Cueto and Banahan will be in front of him for the RWC, since Banahan is a back up centre. When he gets on the park in the trials Charlie will have to get ahead of Monye to get his plane ticket..
Wales
Wales lack world class players, whatever they are, and don't have many to be just candidates either. 7. Warburton is a candidate (and his jersey number of 8. seems to be a mistake since Faletau, an 8, is named at 7), and winger Shane Williams showed some of his old dazzle in in 6N - but not many of the others are that scary.
It's interesting that mid-fielders 13. Davies and 12. Roberts have been chosen with those numbers since they played sometimes the other way around in 3N.
8. Gareth Delve doesn't get a run in this match but he will get a chance later. I'd rank him ahead of Jones and though Faletau is promising, he is unproven and could flop.
The Poms should win this one.
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AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
Scotland v Ireland 7th Aug 2011
Anyone watching this? Or has the prior game worn people out? 65min and its 6-3 Eire (wouldve put the Eire symbol up but then it is in Scotland).
Anyone watching this? Or has the prior game worn people out? 65min and its 6-3 Eire (wouldve put the Eire symbol up but then it is in Scotland).
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
10-6 to Scotland, very dull game. Quite a few front line players out though so to be expected.
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
I guess after the earlier game tonight anything else is going to look about 1/2 as entertaining, I'd still be confident with a Wobs team playing either based on tonight. I heard the commentators saying the Irish had been doing something like 50 x 100m sprint sessions I'd say they were stuffed before hand.
Dear Angry
Have merged your thread with this one otherwise we could have 10 different threads for these warm up games.
Cheers LG
Dear Angry
Have merged your thread with this one otherwise we could have 10 different threads for these warm up games.
Cheers LG
B
Balls_SlanderandRuck
Guest
Put 50 on them?! Ireland maybe given their team was a mix of anywhere between first teamers and fourth teamers! Scotland? No, their defence looked solid as usual and they played a nice attacking brand of rugby, which created a few line breaks if i remember correctly given the fella from Trinadad below me isnt smoking his happy sticks again.
Although Scotlands line breaks were against a very, very experimental side, think our side against Samoa, but even more, and having no Beale or Genia on the bench, the Ireland team did have training for months together, so any createful chances should be fully merited. Scotland are a team to cause anyone problems, they beat our full side in that stadia 2 years back, beat the boks last year, beat the Argies twice and give any team that goes their a tough time. I back them to finish second ahead of the Puma's and if they turn up with that hunger/passion etc. whatever you want to call it they can turn over any team.
Ireland showed worryingly good defence for the team they put out, that hold up thing they do will slow possession down for us, at its best! It could seriously disrupt our second phase ball.
Although Scotlands line breaks were against a very, very experimental side, think our side against Samoa, but even more, and having no Beale or Genia on the bench, the Ireland team did have training for months together, so any createful chances should be fully merited. Scotland are a team to cause anyone problems, they beat our full side in that stadia 2 years back, beat the boks last year, beat the Argies twice and give any team that goes their a tough time. I back them to finish second ahead of the Puma's and if they turn up with that hunger/passion etc. whatever you want to call it they can turn over any team.
Ireland showed worryingly good defence for the team they put out, that hold up thing they do will slow possession down for us, at its best! It could seriously disrupt our second phase ball.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Scotland 10 Ireland 6
It looked much the same as in 6N: Scotland gave themselves a few opportunities when they weren't stuffing around and were too slow getting to rucks, but it was only just before the end that winger Ansboro took his chance well and scored. But well done to the Scots when 3-6 down and not taking penalties to draw the game and going for the winning try instead.
They didn't have a great kicking game but that's what you get with Jackson at 10 and not Parks. The Scots look fitter around the park but they should have rushed the Ireland backs a bit more as the men in green got too many chances.
11. S. Lamont was the most threatening back on the park, 12. Morrison had a fine return from injury and 3. Cross got MOTM for his crummaging and high work rate.
I didn't expect much from the Ireland scrum with those guys and the Scots were stronger. As in 6N Ireland stopped offloads, pushed ball-carriers back and held them up before a maul could form. They allowed a few linebreaks but scrambled well for a scratch team until the try at the end of the game.
There weren't a lot of standouts for Ireland but 15. Kearney, 9.TOL and 2. Flanney of Ireland had a good return to the game from long injuries. Wingers Trimble and Fitzgerald had some good individual moments too.
Scotland will have to improve against Italy in 2 weeks time as that is their only other trial. In particular they will have to try something different from their 20 year old predictable attack. Ireland, who were underdone in 2007, have 4 more games for the RWC; more than enough to get things right.
It looked much the same as in 6N: Scotland gave themselves a few opportunities when they weren't stuffing around and were too slow getting to rucks, but it was only just before the end that winger Ansboro took his chance well and scored. But well done to the Scots when 3-6 down and not taking penalties to draw the game and going for the winning try instead.
They didn't have a great kicking game but that's what you get with Jackson at 10 and not Parks. The Scots look fitter around the park but they should have rushed the Ireland backs a bit more as the men in green got too many chances.
11. S. Lamont was the most threatening back on the park, 12. Morrison had a fine return from injury and 3. Cross got MOTM for his crummaging and high work rate.
I didn't expect much from the Ireland scrum with those guys and the Scots were stronger. As in 6N Ireland stopped offloads, pushed ball-carriers back and held them up before a maul could form. They allowed a few linebreaks but scrambled well for a scratch team until the try at the end of the game.
There weren't a lot of standouts for Ireland but 15. Kearney, 9.TOL and 2. Flanney of Ireland had a good return to the game from long injuries. Wingers Trimble and Fitzgerald had some good individual moments too.
Scotland will have to improve against Italy in 2 weeks time as that is their only other trial. In particular they will have to try something different from their 20 year old predictable attack. Ireland, who were underdone in 2007, have 4 more games for the RWC; more than enough to get things right.
dobduff11
Trevor Allan (34)
Lee: Scotland 10 Ireland 6
I watched the England match of course, but watched the recording rather than live and the temptation to skip the boring parts is too much. England played quite well in the first half but weren't as clinical in the second and lacked some creativity in the midfield.
Wilko played flatter than I have seen him play for England in a long time and he played pretty well actually. We are a different team with Foden, Ashton and Youngs in the backs though.
Manu had a solid game, scored a nice try off of a switch. A few big carries and hits. One defensive mis-read but it wasn't a big one and a line break didn't occur so all is well. I have to say he offers much more than Tindall in attack and this could be a selection headache for Johnno
I watched the England match of course, but watched the recording rather than live and the temptation to skip the boring parts is too much. England played quite well in the first half but weren't as clinical in the second and lacked some creativity in the midfield.
Wilko played flatter than I have seen him play for England in a long time and he played pretty well actually. We are a different team with Foden, Ashton and Youngs in the backs though.
Manu had a solid game, scored a nice try off of a switch. A few big carries and hits. One defensive mis-read but it wasn't a big one and a line break didn't occur so all is well. I have to say he offers much more than Tindall in attack and this could be a selection headache for Johnno
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
England 23 Wales 19
The score was a bit flattering to the Poms but that was neither here nor there. It wasn't a bad effort from both teams in their first game of the season – of any kind. Wales finished stronger but before that England looked like they were operating their systems better and especially the set pieces.
England 15. Armitage looks like he has put his injury and off-field problems behind him. He looked very fit and had a good all round performance including a couple of good runs. He will be pushing Foden on that performance.
13. Tuilagi tried a few bad options but ran a very good line against the grain in a set move to score after oranges. He wasn't fazed playing against Davies and Roberts and came of the line a couple of times to stop their moves. But being only 20 he could be affected by the good showing of Armitage and a quick moving (these days) Banahan, since they can also back up 13. Tindall.
10. Wilko played well in his Wilko steady percentage way way and, in hindsight, his two droppies were the difference. This lad can manage a game.
3. Stevens had a good return after his drug disgrace and his getting right shoulder for the Pom scrum wheel enabled 6. Haskell, excellent on the day, to have an unopposed line to score.
Wales looked fitter than England and scored 3 tries to 2 but those two tries were softies and preventable. 7. Warburton, another bruising and innovative game and replacement 9. Knoyle had a brilliant 15 minutes when he got a run. 4. Davies had a stormer but 5. AW Jones was barely noticeable.
Delve won't be too fazed by the performances of 8. Faletau and his replacement R. Jones. Faletau had some good runs but his errors showed the signs of rawness, and Jones showed nothing much at all. If Delve plays as he did for the Rebels in the next trial he will get a plane ticket.
Wales has a return match against England followed by a game against Argentina. England has their 3rd trial against Ireland.
81,000 for a RWC warm-up game. Crikey.
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The score was a bit flattering to the Poms but that was neither here nor there. It wasn't a bad effort from both teams in their first game of the season – of any kind. Wales finished stronger but before that England looked like they were operating their systems better and especially the set pieces.
England 15. Armitage looks like he has put his injury and off-field problems behind him. He looked very fit and had a good all round performance including a couple of good runs. He will be pushing Foden on that performance.
13. Tuilagi tried a few bad options but ran a very good line against the grain in a set move to score after oranges. He wasn't fazed playing against Davies and Roberts and came of the line a couple of times to stop their moves. But being only 20 he could be affected by the good showing of Armitage and a quick moving (these days) Banahan, since they can also back up 13. Tindall.
10. Wilko played well in his Wilko steady percentage way way and, in hindsight, his two droppies were the difference. This lad can manage a game.
3. Stevens had a good return after his drug disgrace and his getting right shoulder for the Pom scrum wheel enabled 6. Haskell, excellent on the day, to have an unopposed line to score.
Wales looked fitter than England and scored 3 tries to 2 but those two tries were softies and preventable. 7. Warburton, another bruising and innovative game and replacement 9. Knoyle had a brilliant 15 minutes when he got a run. 4. Davies had a stormer but 5. AW Jones was barely noticeable.
Delve won't be too fazed by the performances of 8. Faletau and his replacement R. Jones. Faletau had some good runs but his errors showed the signs of rawness, and Jones showed nothing much at all. If Delve plays as he did for the Rebels in the next trial he will get a plane ticket.
Wales has a return match against England followed by a game against Argentina. England has their 3rd trial against Ireland.
81,000 for a RWC warm-up game. Crikey.
.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Injuries
Wales - Priestland was supposed to start at fullback but 10. S.Jones must have injured himself; so Priestland was switched to his preferred position. Instead of being on the bench Stoddart played 15 and broke his leg. Sliding doors. Fair play to Pom scrummie Care who lived up to his name and signalled to ref Walsh to stop the game when he could have played on with the ball.
England - Moody suffered a leg injury and he winced as he limped off even though supported by two helpers who looked liked senior bovver boys.
Wales - Priestland was supposed to start at fullback but 10. S.Jones must have injured himself; so Priestland was switched to his preferred position. Instead of being on the bench Stoddart played 15 and broke his leg. Sliding doors. Fair play to Pom scrummie Care who lived up to his name and signalled to ref Walsh to stop the game when he could have played on with the ball.
England - Moody suffered a leg injury and he winced as he limped off even though supported by two helpers who looked liked senior bovver boys.
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
I have a soft spot for Scotland. They often show the intent to have a crack at more expansive rugby but thier basic skill level is just shithouse. One of the commintators early in this game said the problem with these sorts of trials as players get overconcearned with staking their own claim and lose the team ethos with individuals out to impress. I think the comment was spot on for the Scots in this game. Their backs tend to die with the ball a lot.
AngrySeahorse
Peter Sullivan (51)
Ta, I was wondering where it went. Makes sense.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Wales v England II
Wales
Backs J Hook (Perpignan); G North (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (unattached), Shane Williams (Ospreys); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne);
Forwards: P James (Ospreys), L Burns (Newport Gwent Dragons), C Mitchell (Exeter), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), AW Jones (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), R Bevington (Ospreys), J Turnbull (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Knoyle (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), A Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Well, I must be wrong about Delve having a chance to go to the RWC as he should have got a jersey for this game. Am very disappointed for him.
Wild child Henson is back in the team for his very last, last chance - replacing Davies. Still no sign of LHP Gethin Jenkins or THP Adam Jones who are close to world class on their day. They are going to be seriously underdone going into the RWC unless they play next week against Argentina.
England
Backs Ben Foden (Northampton); Chris Ashton (Northampton), Mike Tindall (Gloucester, capt), Shontayne Hape (London Irish), Mark Cueto (Sale); Toby Flood (Leicester), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens);
Forwards Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Steve Thompson (Wasps), Dan Cole (Leicester); Louis Deacon (Leicester), Courtney Lawes (Northampton); Tom Wood (Northampton), Hendre Fourie (Sale), Nick Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), James Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams), Danny Care (Harlequins), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Matt Banahan (Bath).
Heaps of changes in this team from last week. The likely England RWC backline for crunch games is running on in this game - excepting that scrummie Youngs is still recovering from an operation. They are making brave noises about Moody playing in the RWC but it is likely he will go but miss the first few games.
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Wales
Backs J Hook (Perpignan); G North (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (unattached), Shane Williams (Ospreys); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne);
Forwards: P James (Ospreys), L Burns (Newport Gwent Dragons), C Mitchell (Exeter), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), AW Jones (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), R Bevington (Ospreys), J Turnbull (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Knoyle (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), A Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Well, I must be wrong about Delve having a chance to go to the RWC as he should have got a jersey for this game. Am very disappointed for him.
Wild child Henson is back in the team for his very last, last chance - replacing Davies. Still no sign of LHP Gethin Jenkins or THP Adam Jones who are close to world class on their day. They are going to be seriously underdone going into the RWC unless they play next week against Argentina.
England
Backs Ben Foden (Northampton); Chris Ashton (Northampton), Mike Tindall (Gloucester, capt), Shontayne Hape (London Irish), Mark Cueto (Sale); Toby Flood (Leicester), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens);
Forwards Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Steve Thompson (Wasps), Dan Cole (Leicester); Louis Deacon (Leicester), Courtney Lawes (Northampton); Tom Wood (Northampton), Hendre Fourie (Sale), Nick Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), James Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams), Danny Care (Harlequins), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Matt Banahan (Bath).
Heaps of changes in this team from last week. The likely England RWC backline for crunch games is running on in this game - excepting that scrummie Youngs is still recovering from an operation. They are making brave noises about Moody playing in the RWC but it is likely he will go but miss the first few games.
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Nusadan
Chilla Wilson (44)
Tut tut...when will Gavin Hanson ever grow up:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz...-bachelor-filming-annoys-rugby-teammates.html
(Don't normally read that sort of crap, but googled after reading above about his return to the Wales' fold and him appearing in TV adverts recently for The Bachelor in Pommyland here...)
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz...-bachelor-filming-annoys-rugby-teammates.html
(Don't normally read that sort of crap, but googled after reading above about his return to the Wales' fold and him appearing in TV adverts recently for The Bachelor in Pommyland here...)
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
France v Ireland
France: 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 David Marty, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Raphaël Lakafia, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Romian Millo-Chluski, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Sylvain Marconnet
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Jean-Baptiste Poux, 18 Lionel Nallet, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 David Skrela, 22 Maxime Médard, 23 Fabien Barcella.
This is France's 1st trial and who knows how they will play or how much they will care about the result. France have picked their provisional RWC squad already so the interest is in what their top XV will be.
The scrummie joust will be a good one. The future Parra, or the past, Yachvilli? Parra to start in the big games and the Yack to bring the team home would be my guess.
It will be interesting to see 8. Lakafia play in a test match. I thought his time would come after the RWC, but Lièvremont has made a good call in dropping Chabal IMO. Lakafia played well for Biarritz this year and is worth a watch.
I don't know why France have 23 named as this is a test match but the name of no. 23 is interesting. Barcella was arguably world class when his achilles ruptured a year ago and he had his share of injuries before that. It will be interesting when he eventually gets on the park in a trial; and talking of injuries it will be good to see Rougerie back on the park – and where he will be played in big games, and if he does.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Donncha Ryan, 5 Leo Cullen (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Paul O'Connell, 19 Jamie Heaslip, 20 Conor Murray, 20 Fergus McFadden, 22 Felix Jones.
Rotation was expected and Ross should make a scrum difference at THP and even Healey should be better than Court. DOC is back to play in the 2nd row and POC will come out of the cotton wool from the bench.
Selection of the scrummies and hookers for the squad, and later for crunch games, remains interesting.
.
France: 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 David Marty, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Raphaël Lakafia, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Romian Millo-Chluski, 4 Julien Pierre, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Sylvain Marconnet
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Jean-Baptiste Poux, 18 Lionel Nallet, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 David Skrela, 22 Maxime Médard, 23 Fabien Barcella.
This is France's 1st trial and who knows how they will play or how much they will care about the result. France have picked their provisional RWC squad already so the interest is in what their top XV will be.
The scrummie joust will be a good one. The future Parra, or the past, Yachvilli? Parra to start in the big games and the Yack to bring the team home would be my guess.
It will be interesting to see 8. Lakafia play in a test match. I thought his time would come after the RWC, but Lièvremont has made a good call in dropping Chabal IMO. Lakafia played well for Biarritz this year and is worth a watch.
I don't know why France have 23 named as this is a test match but the name of no. 23 is interesting. Barcella was arguably world class when his achilles ruptured a year ago and he had his share of injuries before that. It will be interesting when he eventually gets on the park in a trial; and talking of injuries it will be good to see Rougerie back on the park – and where he will be played in big games, and if he does.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Donncha Ryan, 5 Leo Cullen (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Paul O'Connell, 19 Jamie Heaslip, 20 Conor Murray, 20 Fergus McFadden, 22 Felix Jones.
Rotation was expected and Ross should make a scrum difference at THP and even Healey should be better than Court. DOC is back to play in the 2nd row and POC will come out of the cotton wool from the bench.
Selection of the scrummies and hookers for the squad, and later for crunch games, remains interesting.
.
- Status