RugbyRebels

Just announced

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (C); Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Reps: Sam Parry, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, James Davies, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Patchell, Nick Tompkins.

There’s certainly more heft in the pack with Rowlands partnering AWJ. Shame for Tompkins being dropped to the bench but we have gone for a more recognised 12 in Watkin I feel and he can still create havoc when he comes on. Liam replaced North which isn’t a huge surprise although I feel a bit for LRZ who drops out of the squad completely.

Very interested to see what Shane Lewis-Hughes can bring.

Sandydragon wrote:Just announced

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis; Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (C); Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Reps: Sam Parry, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, James Davies, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Patchell, Nick Tompkins.

There’s certainly more heft in the pack with Rowlands partnering AWJ. Shame for Tompkins being dropped to the bench but we have gone for a more recognised 12 in Watkin I feel and he can still create havoc when he comes on. Liam replaced North which isn’t a huge surprise although I feel a bit for LRZ who drops out of the squad completely.

Very interested to see what Shane Lewis-Hughes can bring.

LRZ hasn't trained this week due to a shin injury, I too am looking forward to seeing Shane Lewis-Hughes the games I've seen him play he's been good every time.

Given the injuries this isn’t a bad side but whether they have the heft to out gun the Scots remains to be seen.

Intriguing game and Hayward will really have to marshall the defence this time or he will be facing calls for his head.

Owen Watkin will enhance the midfield defence where Tompkins has been found wanting a few times although not his fault while playing out of position.

Let’s hope Rowlands can drop into form right from the off.

Scotland to win by less than five points.

normanski wrote:Given the injuries this isn’t a bad side but whether they have the heft to out gun the Scots remains to be seen.

Intriguing game and Hayward will really have to marshall the defence this time or he will be facing calls for his head.

Owen Watkin will enhance the midfield defence where Tompkins has been found wanting a few times although not his fault while playing out of position.

Let’s hope Rowlands can drop into form right from the off.

Scotland to win by less than five points.

Heresy, tho they are due a win having only beaten us once in the last 13 years.

Numbers wrote:

normanski wrote:Given the injuries this isn’t a bad side but whether they have the heft to out gun the Scots remains to be seen.

Intriguing game and Hayward will really have to marshall the defence this time or he will be facing calls for his head.

Owen Watkin will enhance the midfield defence where Tompkins has been found wanting a few times although not his fault while playing out of position.

Let’s hope Rowlands can drop into form right from the off.

Scotland to win by less than five points.

Heresy, tho they are due a win having only beaten us once in the last 13 years.

I’m always happy when Wales are the underdog!

This has got the makings of a good match! Waiting to see the Scotland team, but my totally unbiased opinion from my side of the Channel is......... Scotland by a gnat's cock!

normanski wrote:

Numbers wrote:

normanski wrote:Given the injuries this isn’t a bad side but whether they have the heft to out gun the Scots remains to be seen.

Intriguing game and Hayward will really have to marshall the defence this time or he will be facing calls for his head.

Owen Watkin will enhance the midfield defence where Tompkins has been found wanting a few times although not his fault while playing out of position.

Let’s hope Rowlands can drop into form right from the off.

Scotland to win by less than five points.

Heresy, tho they are due a win having only beaten us once in the last 13 years.

I’m always happy when Wales are the underdog!

I'm not overly worried about the result to be honest, I would like to see a more expansive game plan than last week but I'm not sure if Biggar is the 10 to execute that plan (not that it would have made much difference with no go forward), Jarrod Evans is our best 10 ball in hand but he showed he has weaknesses kicking from hand on Monday night, so Patchell's the only other option really, hopefully we'll see more than 5 minutes of him this time, he orchestrated the 34-7 win in the last 6 nations match against Scotland in Wales.

Here's some highlights of that match to whet the appetite:

The Championship is gone so I’d rather we built for the future. If we lose but look like we are developing the new system then I can live with that.

But I’m really not sure Biggar fits that game plan . And if we have another game where our attack looks like it’s gone missing after the initial burst of enthusiasm then I’ll be a bit concerned.

Sandydragon wrote:The Championship is gone so I’d rather we built for the future. If we lose but look like we are developing the new system then I can live with that.

But I’m really not sure Biggar fits that game plan . And if we have another game where our attack looks like it’s gone missing after the initial burst of enthusiasm then I’ll be a bit concerned.

I think the changes in the tight 5 should see us get some go forward with a bit of luck, then we can see what the backs produce.

Numbers wrote:

normanski wrote:

Numbers wrote:
Heresy, tho they are due a win having only beaten us once in the last 13 years.

I’m always happy when Wales are the underdog!

I'm not overly worried about the result to be honest, I would like to see a more expansive game plan than last week but I'm not sure if Biggar is the 10 to execute that plan (not that it would have made much difference with no go forward), Jarrod Evans is our best 10 ball in hand but he showed he has weaknesses kicking from hand on Monday night, so Patchell's the only other option really, hopefully we'll see more than 5 minutes of him this time, he orchestrated the 34-7 win in the last 6 nations match against Scotland in Wales.

Here's some highlights of that match to whet the appetite:

Thanks for that. Great game from our point of view. The Scots have an improved pack so it’s going to be a lot tougher for us on Saturday.

Great to see Liam back, he was missed last week.

I don't have any strong feelings re Watkins vs Tomkins.

Would have preferred to start Patchell, but hopefully Pivac will bring him on sooner this week if Biggar is poor again.

Hope Shane Lewis-Hughes has a good one, we seem to be getting through a lot of 6s. Maybe Cracknell should get a shot?

Wonder why Lloyd Williams got ahead of Hardy in the selections?

Sandydragon wrote:The Championship is gone so I’d rather we built for the future. If we lose but look like we are developing the new system then I can live with that.

But I’m really not sure Biggar fits that game plan . And if we have another game where our attack looks like it’s gone missing after the initial burst of enthusiasm then I’ll be a bit concerned.

Exactly how I feel.

We are changing style (hopefully) and some players. Not just the end of the 6 Nations but also the other autumn games should be used to build for the future. Obsession with not losing every game leads to a defensive mindset and you don't find out what might have been possible.

.

Son of Mathonwy wrote:
Wonder why Lloyd Williams got ahead of Hardy in the selections?

Probably a cunning plan involving a kick infield from the left wing?


(see 2015 WC)

.

Apparently, Hardy was never in the frame for these first games. I suspect he was in the squad for the development games so they brought in some experience.

JFC!

Did I really hear Jiffy calling AWJ "the best Welsh player in history"?


Has he not heard of Gareth Edwards?
Let alone a good few dozen better players who've worn the Welsh jersey.

Which Tyler wrote:JFC!

Did I really hear Jiffy calling AWJ "the best Welsh player in history"?


Has he not heard of Gareth Edwards?
Let alone a good few dozen better players who've worn the Welsh jersey.

The occasion got to him!

Well this is shaping up to be a classic.

"I don't think that was high, just around the neck"

Which Tyler wrote:JFC!

Did I really hear Jiffy calling AWJ "the best Welsh player in history"?


Has he not heard of Gareth Edwards?
Let alone a good few dozen better players who've worn the Welsh jersey.

To be fair he is up there.

Is Parc y Scarlets the former Stradey?

Not a classic try but I’ll take it.

francoisfou wrote:Is Parc y Scarlets the former Stradey?

Basically yes.

Sandydragon wrote:

francoisfou wrote:Is Parc y Scarlets the former Stradey?

Basically yes.

Why was the name Stradey dropped?

francoisfou wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:

francoisfou wrote:Is Parc y Scarlets the former Stradey?

Basically yes.

Why was the name Stradey dropped?

Few years ago when they redeveloped the old stadium. Can’t recall exactly.

Just Googled it (tedious game this) and it was longer ago than I thought. Park y Scarlets opened in 2008.