Originally Posted by Fang_Farrier

Definitely missing Ansbro. Looks like it will just be crash centres on Sunday. So no real surprises in store for the French.

Correct. Morrison and Lamont should defend well but there's no craft, no ability to run dangerous lines. We'll be crabbing across the pitch as usual.

Originally Posted by Stooriefit

As for Scotland - France, my heart says Scotland but my head says France. Our pack is strong, Laidlaw looks good and Hogg at FB looks a real attacking threat. Twelve and thirteen are the problems and are where we'll win or lose the game.

Stick with your head mate...'cause, face facts, you have nothing in your armoury to remotely even trouble the French.

Interesting selection for England. Tuilagi in at centre, Farrell to fly half. Dickson in at scrum half, Morgan at No 8, Parling at lock.

I think the selections at 8, 9 and 12 will strengthen the side. Farrell at 10? Not sure. If he gets mullered by Warburton early on it could be the beginning of a long hard afternoon for him. On the other hand if he does well it could be the making of him. Wonder what Toby Flood thinks about it?

Although with Hodgson, their only try-scorer so far, gone where are England going to get their one try of the match from?

Originally Posted by schweik

Interesting selection for England. Tuilagi in at centre, Farrell to fly half. Dickson in at scrum half, Morgan at No 8, Parling at lock.

I think the selections at 8, 9 and 12 will strengthen the side. Farrell at 10? Not sure. If he gets mullered by Warburton early on it could be the beginning of a long hard afternoon for him. On the other hand if he does well it could be the making of him. Wonder what Toby Flood thinks about it?

Although with Hodgson, their only try-scorer so far, gone where are England going to get their one try of the match from?

I like the line up and see it as a sign that England intends to take the game to the Welsh.

Let's hope that Welsh manage to play a clean game this time and that blatant tip and drops are given the correct penalty not a namby-pamby yellow card. I expect they'll be hoping to grind out their usual ugly win against England.

Ooh, you cheeky monkey!

truth hurts

Originally Posted by johnboyzzz

truth hurts

So does winning the wooden spoon regularly, which England haven't been prone to for a generation, unlike certain North British teams

"winning" the wooden spoon? I hadn't realised it was seen quite that way!

As for the cheeky monkey thing, it's not the tip tackle I'm referring to - Bradley Davies deserved red, no question - it's the idea of an Englishman suggesting that Wales (6 tries in two games) intend to grind out a boring win against England (1 charge down try per game so far).

If there is one thing I would like to do it would be to invite England to play a wide, running game. They won't, of course, as I have said earlier. The boring/grinding tactics may well be employed, but it won't be by Wales!

Just had a small wager on the England/Wales game. Could not resist these:-

Tuilagi to be see Yellow - 5/2
Tuilagi to see Red - 10/1
Warburton to see Red - 250/1
Both teams to have 15 men each at 80 minutes - 7/2

The 'English' headhunter is bound to high-tackle somebody. It's money for jam !!!

Originally Posted by schweik

"winning" the wooden spoon? I hadn't realised it was seen quite that way!

As for the cheeky monkey thing, it's not the tip tackle I'm referring to - Bradley Davies deserved red, no question - it's the idea of an Englishman suggesting that Wales (6 tries in two games) intend to grind out a boring win against England (1 charge down try per game so far).

If there is one thing I would like to do it would be to invite England to play a wide, running game. They won't, of course, as I have said earlier. The boring/grinding tactics may well be employed, but it won't be by Wales!

Has it ever occurred to you that it's the way the opposition approach an England game that means that any result is ground out? I've not often seen the Welsh play an expansive game against England because they. like every other home nation want to lose against England less than any other team.