It’s time to welcome our favourite (& only) guest writer from Tasmania (from an indigenous word meaning ‘wallet will not open’) the one, the only ‘Mayor of Launceston : KB‘ for his preview of this weekends NH World Cup ‘friendlies’.
Over to you Mr Thrifty.
It’s Warm Up North – All Change
After last weekend we might have been expecting changes to the respective line ups. However, these have not been as wholesale as we might have thought. Rather than field weaker teams both Scotland and Wales have decided to take it to the opposition on their home turf and more power too them. Let the games begin.
England v Wales at Twickenham Kick off 5.30 pm BST/ Bloody early Sunday am EST
England : Steward, Arundell, Marchant, Lawrence, Daley, Farrell, Van Poortvliet, Marler, George, Stewart, Itoje, Martin, Lawes, Earl, Vunipola
Replacements: Dan, Cole , Genge, Hill, Willis, Youngs, Ford, Malins
As expected Borthwick has wheeled out some big guns. A stronger front row for sure and a set of backs that look like they might actually run the ball if they get quick delivery and don’t place all the emphasis on kick chase. Question mark for me is whether Vunipola is fit.
Wales : L Williams; Adams, Roberts, Tompkins, Rogers; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Francis, Beard, R Davies, Lydiate, Reffell, Plumtree.
Replacements: Parry, Mathias, Lewis, Tshiunza, Basham, Hardy, Biggar, K Williams.
A few familiar faces in this team but a load of newbies as well particularly on the bench. A nice mix of tried and tested players in both the forwards and the back but with a bunch of newbies on the bench. Looks like we’ll have wait until Saturday week to see the A team when Wales play South Africa.
Conclusion: This is a must win for England no doubt about it. A loss playing what is close to their A team and their campaign will be in tatters. Gats will be obviously be looking for the win but I reckon he’d be satisfied with a good overall team performance and no injuries. Two pretty evenly matched starting teams I reckon and it could be down to the replacements. That’s what swings it for me. A close win for the Soap Dodgers.
France v Scotland at St Etienne Kick off 8.05 pm (Frog standard time) / Even bloody later Sunday AM EST
France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Viliere, Ntamack, DuPont, Ollivon, Alldritt, Boudehent, Flament, Woki, Aldegheri, Marchand, Baille
Replacements: Bourgarit, Gros, Antonio, Verhaeghe, Chalureau, Macalou, Lucy, Bielle-Biarrey
Not quite the full French A team but pretty damned close. Difficult to see any weaknesses with a strong bench. They have strength up front and backs that can play an all court game. Solid centre pairing with a running 15 in Ramos.
Scotland: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, Tuipuloto, van Der Merwe, Russell, Price, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey, Gray, Gilchrist, Schoeman, Turner, Nel.
Replacements : McInally, Sutherland, Sebastian, Cummings, Skinner, Bayliss, Horne, Smith
Must admit that I was expecting more changes but Townsend has stuck with nine of the team that played last Saturday. Nel not a bad replacement to have. I was impressed with the Scots running game, with Huw Jones and Tuipuloto a very solid club pairing in the centre
Conclusion: Nothing less than a good win will be acceptable for Galtiere but it’s clear from Townsend selection that the Scots are not there to make up the numbers. If both teams play to their potential it has the makings of a cracker but with the French showing their class and taking the win.
Taking one for the team, I’ll be up and watching in the early hours with match reports to follow.
