England’s Twickers in a twist!

[normanski]

Well England are just about to start the Italy game. It’ll be interesting to see how they go and what bearing that has our next game at Twickenham?

Thank God we’re on a slight upward curve.

[Sandydragon]

Well England are just about to start the Italy game. It’ll be interesting to see how they go and what bearing that has our next game at Twickenham?

Thank God we’re on a slight upward curve.

Comfortable win, Italy looked well up for it and tried to play some rugby. Scrappy second half by both sides.

[normanski]

Well England are just about to start the Italy game. It’ll be interesting to see how they go and what bearing that has our next game at Twickenham?

Thank God we’re on a slight upward curve.

Comfortable win, Italy looked well up for it and tried to play some rugby. Scrappy second half by both sides.

Yes! Italy kept making silly discipline mistakes, coughing up possession at key times in the game.

England looked very slick at times but this is still a squad in transition with EJ starting to blood a number of youngsters.

The lighter Italian pack mostly held their own in the scrums and their line out was pretty good taking a couple against the head late in the game. But the Italians were opened up pretty easily.

What Pivac and Co will have learned from this won’t be a great deal. I think our pack will be more than up for it on their visit to Twickenham. If our defence continues to improve then we can close down their strike runners and reduce the threat.

England looked pretty knackered towards the end and starting giving away penalties. That’s a reason for hope!

[Sandydragon]

If Navidi is back and can get a game in then I’d be tempted to look at him starting. But if we can front up then I hope we can show a bit more in attack.

[normanski]

If Navidi is back and can get a game in then I’d be tempted to look at him starting. But if we can front up then I hope we can show a bit more in attack.

It might just be too early for Navidi and I suspect Faletau might be a bench option out of the two.

The Fail’s team of the weekend have four Wales players (surprise, surprise) in their team. Liam Williams, Owen Watkins, Biggar and Elias. All four did make a significant contribution to the win.

Anyone heard news of Biggar’s knee injury. At least he’s got a fortnight to get it right.

[Sandydragon]

If Navidi is back and can get a game in then I’d be tempted to look at him starting. But if we can front up then I hope we can show a bit more in attack.

It might just be too early for Navidi and I suspect Faletau might be a bench option out of the two.

The Fail’s team of the weekend have four Wales players (surprise, surprise) in their team. Liam Williams, Owen Watkins, Biggar and Elias. All four did make a significant contribution to the win.

Anyone heard news of Biggar’s knee injury. At least he’s got a fortnight to get it right.

I think you might be right about Navidi, but if Faletau is fit then I'd personally start him.

[normanski]

If Navidi is back and can get a game in then I’d be tempted to look at him starting. But if we can front up then I hope we can show a bit more in attack.

It might just be too early for Navidi and I suspect Faletau might be a bench option out of the two.

The Fail’s team of the weekend have four Wales players (surprise, surprise) in their team. Liam Williams, Owen Watkins, Biggar and Elias. All four did make a significant contribution to the win.

Anyone heard news of Biggar’s knee injury. At least he’s got a fortnight to get it right.

I think you might be right about Navidi, but if Faletau is fit then I'd personally start him.

He had a very good game for Bath at the weekend and scored a try, I believe. He is a class act. If he came in who would step aside?

My guess would be Moriarty going to 6 and Basham to 7.

Faletau will be back for his club this weekend so hopefully more game time.

[Sandydragon]

It might just be too early for Navidi and I suspect Faletau might be a bench option out of the two.

The Fail’s team of the weekend have four Wales players (surprise, surprise) in their team. Liam Williams, Owen Watkins, Biggar and Elias. All four did make a significant contribution to the win.

Anyone heard news of Biggar’s knee injury. At least he’s got a fortnight to get it right.

I think you might be right about Navidi, but if Faletau is fit then I'd personally start him.

He had a very good game for Bath at the weekend and scored a try, I believe. He is a class act. If he came in who would step aside?

My guess would be Moriarty going to 6 and Basham to 7.

Faletau will be back for his club this weekend so hopefully more game time.

I would put Faletau at 8, Moriarty at Blindside and Basham at Openside. Morgan could be a bench option, although so too could be Wainwright.

[normanski]

I would prefer Wainwright on the bench to support that trio. He could cover all three positions, probably less so at seven.

[Sandydragon]

I would prefer Wainwright on the bench to support that trio. He could cover all three positions, probably less so at seven.

Yeah. As well as Morgan played last weekend, I’d prefer a heftier backrow if everyone is properly fit.

[normanski]

I would prefer Wainwright on the bench to support that trio. He could cover all three positions, probably less so at seven.

Yeah. As well as Morgan played last weekend, I’d prefer a heftier backrow if everyone is properly fit.

Eddie Jones is forecasting the return of Tuilagi, Lawes and Hoodlum, sorry Ludlum. We need a bigger back row if these play.

[Sandydragon]

I'm thinking that England will be more direct that Scotland were and putting big hits in will be crucial, and especially with those 3 returning. I'd even consider JD2 at 12 given that situation and put Halaholo or Tompkins on the bench.

[Sourdust]

I agree with the above; very pleased with how Morgan went but he wasn't good enough to be immediately undroppable. We need grunt against England and Moriarty - Basham - Faletau is about as grunt as we get. I'd be tempted to keep Morgan on the bench though.

[Mikey Brown]

I would prefer Wainwright on the bench to support that trio. He could cover all three positions, probably less so at seven.

Yeah. As well as Morgan played last weekend, I’d prefer a heftier backrow if everyone is properly fit.

Eddie Jones is forecasting the return of Tuilagi, Lawes and Hoodlum, sorry Ludlum. We need a bigger back row if these play.

What's your beef with Ludlam?

[Son of Mathonwy]

I agree with the above; very pleased with how Morgan went but he wasn't good enough to be immediately undroppable. We need grunt against England and Moriarty - Basham - Faletau is about as grunt as we get. I'd be tempted to keep Morgan on the bench though.

Jac Morgan's stats were better than Basham's: 51 vs 21 metres, 13 tackles (1 missed) vs 10 tackles (6 missed).

But Basham was playing out of position and is pretty small for a 6. At 7 who knows how he would have gone. All we know for sure is that they're both very good 7s. Morgan is unlucky to have such quality competition, but I think Basham should be 7 for England (with Moriarty and Faletau if fit). Morgan wouldn't let us down but Basham has more credit in the bank.

https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/playerstat ... gue=180659

Morgan doesn't remotely deserve to be dropped but there's no place for him IMO (assuming he doesn't start). If he's on the bench, Basham has to cover 6 and 8, which is not ideal. So Wainwright, although not such a talent as Jac, should be on the bench.

And what we'll do when Tipuric is fit, who knows?? (Play him at 13, probably )

[Sandydragon]

I agree with the above; very pleased with how Morgan went but he wasn't good enough to be immediately undroppable. We need grunt against England and Moriarty - Basham - Faletau is about as grunt as we get. I'd be tempted to keep Morgan on the bench though.

Jac Morgan's stats were better than Basham's: 51 vs 21 metres, 13 tackles (1 missed) vs 10 tackles (6 missed).

But Basham was playing out of position and is pretty small for a 6. At 7 who knows how he would have gone. All we know for sure is that they're both very good 7s. Morgan is unlucky to have such quality competition, but I think Basham should be 7 for England (with Moriarty and Faletau if fit). Morgan wouldn't let us down but Basham has more credit in the bank.

https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/playerstat ... gue=180659

Morgan doesn't remotely deserve to be dropped but there's no place for him IMO (assuming he doesn't start). If he's on the bench, Basham has to cover 6 and 8, which is not ideal. So Wainwright, although not such a talent as Jac, should be on the bench.

And what we'll do when Tipuric is fit, who knows?? (Play him at 13, probably )

I'd stick with Basham as he has made a big impact, but let him and Morgan fight it out for the open side shirt. There will be games where 2 open sides would be a good idea, but lets not try to shoehorn players. Besides, Faletau and Moriarty are quality players its not as if we don't have quality elsewhere in the back row.

[Mikey Brown]

I would have thought keeping the option of 2 7s late in the game might be good against England, particularly with Lawes back in the backrow and a real jumble in the backline.

[normanski]

Yeah. As well as Morgan played last weekend, I’d prefer a heftier backrow if everyone is properly fit.

Eddie Jones is forecasting the return of Tuilagi, Lawes and Hoodlum, sorry Ludlum. We need a bigger back row if these play.

What's your beef with Ludlam?

No beef! Just a play on words. Sorry you didn’t find it funny.

[Mikey Brown]

I’m probably just defensive because we have so many twats in the England setup, though I don’t think of Ludlam as one of them.

[Sourdust]

Morgan doesn't remotely deserve to be dropped but there's no place for him IMO (assuming he doesn't start). If he's on the bench, Basham has to cover 6 and 8, which is not ideal. So Wainwright, although not such a talent as Jac, should be on the bench.

Moriarty covers 8, surely?

I agree Wainwright is probably the safer call, but Morgan is the form player. I'll be happy with either TBH. And it's all academic if Faletau doesn't make it, anyway.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Morgan doesn't remotely deserve to be dropped but there's no place for him IMO (assuming he doesn't start). If he's on the bench, Basham has to cover 6 and 8, which is not ideal. So Wainwright, although not such a talent as Jac, should be on the bench.

Moriarty covers 8, surely?

I agree Wainwright is probably the safer call, but Morgan is the form player. I'll be happy with either TBH. And it's all academic if Faletau doesn't make it, anyway.

I mean, I have Moriarty at 6, so sure he might go to 8 but Basham would have to go to 6. Or Basham goes to 8. Either way we have Basham out of position.

Of course, if Basham gets injured then you'd be correct!

[Sourdust]

I mean, I have Moriarty at 6, so sure he might go to 8 but Basham would have to go to 6. Or Basham goes to 8. Either way we have Basham out of position.

Of course, if Basham gets injured then you'd be correct!

I'm confused now!

6-Moriarty 7-Basham 8-Faletau B-Morgan
Morgan covers 6 & 7, Moriarty covers 8. Where's the issue?
Mori off: Morg, Bash, Fal
Bash off: Mori, Morg, Fal
Fal off: Morg, Bash, Mori

The only difference I can see is that Wainwright (arguably) covers all 3 positions, but that's a bit of a stretch.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I mean, I have Moriarty at 6, so sure he might go to 8 but Basham would have to go to 6. Or Basham goes to 8. Either way we have Basham out of position.

Of course, if Basham gets injured then you'd be correct!

I'm confused now!

6-Moriarty 7-Basham 8-Faletau B-Morgan
Morgan covers 6 & 7, Moriarty covers 8. Where's the issue?
Mori off: Morg, Bash, Fal
Bash off: Mori, Morg, Fal
Fal off: Morg, Bash, Mori

The only difference I can see is that Wainwright (arguably) covers all 3 positions, but that's a bit of a stretch.

My point is that in 2 out of 3 scenarios we end up with Morgan playing at 6, which is not ideal (or alternatively, Basham moves to 6, Morgan to 7, which is also - as we have seen - not the best). Wainwright is the better bench cover in those scenarios. Only if Basham goes off would Morgan be the ideal bench cover.

Also, Faletau and Moriarty are coming back from injury, so less likely to last the full 80 minutes than Basham, which makes those two scenarios even more likely.

[normanski]

Halaholo is out of the Cardiff match with a badly cut eyelid caused in Wales training. Hope this doesn’t stop him from playing at Twickenham although he might be a good bench option.

[Sandydragon]

Halaholo is out of the Cardiff match with a badly cut eyelid caused in Wales training. Hope this doesn’t stop him from playing at Twickenham although he might be a good bench option.

Not sure I would start him, but I would like him on the bench