6 Nations 2019

[Catogrande]

@Bones said in 6 Nations 2019:

@Crucial isn't Slade considered a bit of a playmaker?

Slade was initially being groomed as a 10 and he has the physical skill set for that position. I think it was his wanting to continually make THE play coupled with game management that wasn't quite up there that has led him first to 12 and then to 13. At Exeter he was wasted at 12 as Steenson made all the playmaking decisions; that might be different with Farrell at 10. Slade then found a little more freedom at13 and has really made his mark. I see him at 13 as a better double playmaker option than Ford and Farrell at 10 & 12. If you're going down that route though you need a 12 that can truck it up in traffic. Teo would be the natural fit but is injured (again) so I can see why Eddie has gone for Tuilagi there. Whether it will work or not is another matter - I suppose in extremis Tuilagi and Slade could swap?

[Derm McCrum]

@Crucial said in 6 Nations 2019:

@Derm-McCrum said in 6 Nations 2019:

Ireland

Backs
Robbie Henshaw; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray;

Forwards
Cian Healy, Rory Best (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander.

Subs
Seán Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, Seán O’Brien, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.

@Derm-McCrum how do you feel about Henshaw at 15? Shoehorning the quality in or a cunning plan?

I’m good with it until I see him play. Played his first test there and is his original playing position with Connacht. He prefers it to midfield.

He’s been training there since Oz tour and was due to get some time during Nov tests but an early injury to another player knocked the plan on its head.

Could galvanize the back three a bit more. He’s a great tackler and covers a lot of ground but it’s his positioning that will be assessed most critically.

[cgrant]

The French pack is the heaviest in rugby history : 962 kg !
(Poirot - 117, Guirado 105, Atonio - 152, Vahaamina - 126, Willemsee - 129, Lauret - 103, Uturria - 112, Picamoles - 118).
So plenty of power but what about its mobility ?

[MN5]

@cgrant said in 6 Nations 2019:

The French pack is the heaviest in rugby history : 962 kg !
(Poirot - 117, Guirado 105, Atonio - 152, Vahaamina - 126, Willemsee - 129, Lauret - 103, Uturria - 112, Picamoles - 118).
So plenty of power but what about its mobility ?

I saw Bill Cavuvati in Masterton last year. If he came out of retirement I'm certain Atonios would be put in second place again.

[taniwharugby]

'Boring' Irelands trophy to lose!

Although, if they win the 6N will that add even more pressure to the RWC 'favorites?'

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/110303310/six-nations-manu-tuilagi-and-vunipolas-return-for-england-to-face-ireland

[MiketheSnow]

Wales:
Liam Williams (Saracens); George North (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester); Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)

Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, captain), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons).

Replacements:
Elliot Dee (Dragons), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Cory Hill (Dragons), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Northampton), Owen Watkin (Ospreys)

On a roll.
Good combo of size & mobility in the forwards.
Some genuine pace in the backline.

Wales 36 - 17 France

Cymru am Byth

[Catogrande]

@MiketheSnow Strong team Mike, you must be happy?

[Crucial]

I know they have probably improved and it sounds snarky but I still can't work out how Anscombe and Parkes are first selections in a Tier 1 team.

[Machpants]

@Crucial yeah they have improved but both were journeymen at supper level in NZ, not even starters often. Aki the same, tho he had 3 years to improve. I guess playing at higher level had improved their games, something they never would have got the chance of here

[KiwiMurph]

@Machpants Aki was a starter for the Chiefs and was class - he should have been an AB instead of Francis Saili who they picked instead.

[chimoaus]

Great early play from France results in the first try. France 5-0 Wales. Wales can’t seem to hold onto possession.

[chimoaus]

FRance score again, Parra has missed 3 shots at goal. 10-0 France. Williams for Wales on another level but knocked on on tryline.

[MiketheSnow]

France the better team but better decision making and accuracy and it could easily be 13-10 us

[chimoaus]

Impressed with the French 14 and 8. Wales lack of ball control hurting them.

[Victor Meldrew]

Les Frogs all handling like Jo Maso. Kicking like Adam Jones...

Apart from Liam Williams, Wales look all over the place

[Bones]

Williams is a greedy fuck. France are definitely looking interested. Picamoles is a beast.

[MiketheSnow]

@Catogrande said in 6 Nations 2019:

@MiketheSnow Strong team Mike, you must be happy?

Could be stronger but needs must

[taniwharugby]

@Machpants I think many players would thrive being surrounded by higher level players, plus the different style at the club level may be more suited too.

Similarly I suspect there would be some handy players in the NH comps who cant quite crack it if they came down here they might flourish too with the different style.

[chimoaus]

Wales in France territory, they need points here.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Bones said in 6 Nations 2019:

Williams is a greedy fuck.

To be fair, he's the only Welsh player not regularly dropping the ball