6 Nations 2019 Build Up thread

Burkie1203

12 Wales players in camp havent trained yet this week out of the squad of 38

ionadnapokot

Marengo wrote: »

Billy V

Sounds like a rapper

Hopefully he'll be chopped down all day long. The Welsh template v Ferris and SOB WC 2011.

Or the Ireland template v Eng in ‘17!
Graces also the ref that day.
Convinced Ireland will be able to slow English ball down & dominate possession with their superior ruck technique.
England are going to pick a XV for POWER

So France host Wales this Friday night at 8:00pm

First let's state the obvious - IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

But secondly this is a brilliant fixture to kick things off.

France generally tend to have the longest prep window for this opening game and we saw against Ireland last year that they really closed the door on us.

Wales are typically slow starters in the six nations and having France up first away from home is not ideal for them.

I'd imagine Gatland will name his team tomorrow so we'll have a window into his thinking early in the week. France will have to target this championship to find some form ahead of the World Cup. They've a talented squad but just can't convert that into consistent performances. They also need to contend with away trips to Dublin and London and they'll be favourites for neither.

Wales have Italy in round 2 so they can really throw themselves into this fixture, France travel to Twickenham in round 2 so will target the home game.

It's going to be a belter and I could see Wales attacking the game relentlessly from the off.

If Wales win it sets them up extremely well for the championship. They'll have Italy in round 2 then a week off and then they host England.

They have another weekend off before a trip to Scotland and then they host us. I think if they win tonight then they'll be 4/5 by the time we head over there. The fixtures are hugely favourable for them.

A French win has less dramatic overtures for the tournament and I don't think they'll take much away from round 2.

Exclamation Marc

I really hope Italy pick up a win this year but theyre so farcical in their defence that I just can't see it happening.

Parisse just stumbling towards the record cap total at this point and as I heard on OTB this week, 134 caps with 100 losses. Yikes.

Scottish Jodi

My predictions for opening weekend : France 12-34 Wales, Scotland 28-9 Italy and England 23-35 Ireland.

Losty Dublin

Are we having our usual fights over who's previewing what games? 5 games each weekend, including the U 20's and the Women's, so plenty of chances for budding scribes.

Burkie1203

Scottish Jodi wrote: »

My predictions for opening weekend : France 12-34 Wales, Scotland 28-9 Italy and England 23-35 Ireland.

France 22 - 20 Wales

Scotland 38 - 17 Italy

Ireland 24 - 16 England

Burkie1203

https://twitter.com/simonrug/status/1090508121552928768?s=19

kuang1

Burkie1203 wrote: »

France 22 - 20 Wales

Scotland 38 - 17 Italy

Ireland 24 - 16 England

France 17 Wales 17

Scotland 28 Italy 6

Ireland 20 England 9

mogwai81

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2019/01/30/guinness-six-nations-squad-announcements/

mogwai81

Is Dupont injured?

Clegg

Parra, Lopez and Ntamack as 9/10/12.

You'd have to attack that channel.

RugbyLover123

France 24 Wales 22
Ireland 24 England 12
Scotland 34 Italy 12

Buer

Welsh team is pretty underwhelming.

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 (Ospreys), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).

In fairness, the halfbacks have been in good form this season but the 6N is going to be another step up for them in terms of pressure. Big step up for Tomos Williams in particular.

I'd fancy France to win by 7.

France: Maxime Medard; Damian Penaud, Wesley Fofana, Romain Ntamack, Yoann Huget; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Uini Atonio, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Willemse, Wenceslas Lauret, Arthur Iturria, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Dany Priso, Demba Bamba, Felix Lambey, Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Gael Fickou, Geoffrey Doumayrou.

sydthebeat

Anscombe is definitely get-at-able.... i think ill side for france on this one, but damn they are just so unpredictable.

vienne86

Buer wrote: »

Welsh team is pretty underwhelming.

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 (Ospreys), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).

In fairness, the halfbacks have been in good form this season but the 6N is going to be another step up for them in terms of pressure. Big step up for Tomos Williams in particular.

I'd fancy France to win by 7.

France: Maxime Medard; Damian Penaud, Wesley Fofana, Romain Ntamack, Yoann Huget; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Uini Atonio, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Paul Willemse, Wenceslas Lauret, Arthur Iturria, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Dany Priso, Demba Bamba, Felix Lambey, Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Gael Fickou, Geoffrey Doumayrou.

Basteraud left out altogether.......or is he injured?

Buer

Left out.

aloooof

sydthebeat wrote: »

Anscombe is definitely get-at-able.... i think ill side for france on this one, but damn they are just so unpredictable.

You never know with Wales. They just seem to be able to up their levels once the put on the Welsh jersey. During the 6 Nations, at least...

thomond2006

France look a lot stronger in the back five of the pack.

troyzer

Wales really don't look that impressive on paper outside the back line and back row.

stephen_n

Clegg wrote: »

Parra, Lopez and Ntamack as 9/10/12.

You'd have to attack that channel.

Ntamack and Fofana has to be the most creative French midfield in about 20 years though.

Burkie1203

stephen_n wrote: »

Ntamack and Fofana has to be the most creative French midfield in about 20 years though.

The 2nd rows are BIG units.

troyzer

troyzer wrote: »

Wales really don't look that impressive on paper outside the back line and back row.

Fair bit of talent there all the same and Gatland is getting a lot out of this group.

troyzer

Deleted User wrote: »

Fair bit of talent there all the same and Gatland is getting a lot out of this group.

This is the key point. Wales are greater than the sum of their parts which is certainly evidenced by their poor form at club level.

Wales are going to really go downhill after he leaves.

Buer

Burkie1203 wrote: »

The 2nd rows are BIG units.

It has to be one of the biggest front fives in test history. Weights according to French union's site.

Poirot: 120kg
Atonio: 142kg
Willemse: 135kg
Vahaamahina: 125kg

Guirado is the runt of the litter at a mere 105kg.

thomond2006

Baptiste Serin must be in good form as I find it crazy that Dupont doesn't make the 23. He's absolutely class IMO.

errlloyd

thomond2006 wrote: »

Baptiste Serin must be in good form as I find it crazy that Dupont doesn't make the 23. He's absolutely class IMO.

Rightfully nominated for European POTY

thomond2006

I see Matteo Minozzi is still injured and isn't in the Italy squad. That's a sickener, he was electric last season.

stephen_n

Buer wrote: »

It has to be one of the biggest front fives in test history. Weights according to French union's site.

Poirot: 120kg
Atonio: 142kg
Willemse: 135kg
Vahaamahina: 125kg

Guirado is the runt of the litter at a mere 105kg.

Not the most mobile front 5 in the world you’d imagine.

Thrashssacre

stephen_n wrote: »

Not the most mobile front 5 in the world you’d imagine.

Quite capable to injure key players though if we get out of that game injury free I’d be suprised

Buer

stephen_n wrote: »

Not the most mobile front 5 in the world you’d imagine.

Nope but I also reckon we'll see 3-4 changes happen en masse around 50 minutes. They'll look to completely squeeze Wales in the set piece and carry hard for the first half and bring on their subs who are all relatively light and nimble (aside from Bamba who only looks light next to Atonio).

stephen_n

Buer wrote: »

Nope but I also reckon we'll see 3-4 changes happen en masse around 50 minutes. They'll look to completely squeeze Wales in the set piece and carry hard for the first half and bring on their subs who are all relatively light and nimble (aside from Bamba who only looks light next to Atonio).

Wales should be looking to keep the ball in play for as long as possible. If they can hold on to the ball and avoid scrums, the French will be in trouble. Wales are well capeable of playing multi phase rugby when they want to.

Jewelers

sydthebeat

sam johnson making his debut??

the lack of edinburgh representation in the back line just goes to show the foreign contingent that are starting at club level.

Losty Dublin

France Wales thread is up.

razorblunt

sydthebeat wrote: »

sam johnson making his debut??

the lack of edinburgh representation in the back line just goes to show the foreign contingent that are starting at club level.

I'd have thought Darcy Graham might be worth a look there. Kinghorn is a bit of a waste on the wing and he's dropped a bit of form in the last few weeks.

It will be interesting to see the reaction to Gary Graham too, he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory.


I'm also using this opportunity for the first "Greig bloody Laidlaw" mention of the tournament.

sydthebeat

razorblunt wrote: »

I'd have thought Darcy Graham might be worth a look there. Kinghorn is a bit of a waste on the wing and he's dropped a bit of form in the last few weeks.

It will be interesting to see the reaction to Gary Graham too, he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory.


I'm also using this opportunity for the first "Greig bloody Laidlaw" mention of the tournament.

Darcy Graham has been playing well... but hes finding it hard to push Dougie fife out of the Edinburgh team... while his highlight reel is good, hes still only scored 4 tries from 10 games.....

and besides, Kinghorn definitely has the physiciallity for test level rugby, hes a big man.... and with a return of 5 tries in 6 games it would be very hard to overlook him for this championship.

razorblunt

sydthebeat wrote: »

Darcy Graham has been playing well... but hes finding it hard to push Dougie fife out of the Edinburgh team... while his highlight reel is good, hes still only scored 4 tries from 10 games.....

and besides, Kinghorn definitely has the physiciallity for test level rugby, hes a big man.... and with a return of 5 tries in 6 games it would be very hard to overlook him for this championship.

My main concern with Kinghorn is that he's a 15 primarily and runs some brilliant lines, on the wing though he can't do much.
He's impressively physical as he's not really filled out at all yet.

Just to clarify though I'd have him ahead of Graham every weekend but I though he might have a look in this time up.

Graham will have Fife sat down soon enough though.

sydthebeat

razorblunt wrote: »

My main concern with Kinghorn is that he's a 15 primarily and runs some brilliant lines, on the wing though he can't do much.
He's impressively physical as he's not really filled out at all yet.

Just to clarify though I'd have him ahead of Graham every weekend but I though he might have a look in this time up.

Graham will have Fife sat down soon enough though.

Yeah agreed..... Fife is another ex 7s player but is slowing down as hes pushing on in years.

i thought it was funny that in that Joe rugby roadshow rory lawson said that Townsend wants scotland playing the fastest rugby in the world, something that greig laidlaw has said previous also..... yet laidlaw tends to be extremely pedestrian in his distribution within the opposition half

razorblunt

sydthebeat wrote: »

Yeah agreed..... Fife is another ex 7s player but is slowing down as hes pushing on in years.

i thought it was funny that in that Joe rugby roadshow rory lawson said that Townsend wants scotland playing the fastest rugby in the world, something that greig laidlaw has said previous also..... yet laidlaw tends to be extremely pedestrian in his distribution within the opposition half

Laidlaw is a nightmare, gets away with it when the forwards are on top but if the Scottish pack is getting battered he kills the momentum in the backline.
He has no heads up play at all, every time he gets to a ruck he has a ruck then, never before.

I'd be concerned they'd tank this month and then Townsend is forced to play Horne at 9 as that guy can be lethal.

Jump_In_Jack

I find it a bit odd that people are already saying that Wales only have to beat England in Wales and brush off Italy and Scotland as if they are gimme matches.
I think Scotland at home will be a lot tougher to beat than what is being made out.
Ireland had better not underestimate them either, but seeing as Ireland and Scotland are playing in the opening round of the RWC I’m certain that won’t happen.

sydthebeat

Hummmmm

Match day and no match thread.

Venjur... that's a paddling!!!

troyzer

The Guardian are reporting Itoje could be out for the tournament.

jr86

When you see Joe Launchbury in Dublin in a tracksuit, you know it's a position they're more than stocked in

Probably more concerning for Saracens though

Clegg

Itoje story has been updated. He'll miss the next 3 games, but has outside chance of making the Scotland one.

It was mentioned after the game, but Ireland played really dumb after he went off. Kruis had already been subbed so England had no strong lineout jumpers on the field. That should've been the time to kick for territory and try to steal the ball back, but we didn't I know we didn't want to lose possession but we weren't getting anywhere during our phase play. And when England did have a lineout PoM stole it.

troyzer

Clegg wrote: »

Itoje story has been updated. He'll miss the next 3 games, but has outside chance of making the Scotland one.

It was mentioned after the game, but Ireland played really dumb after he went off. Kruis had already been subbed so England had no strong lineout jumpers on the field. That should've been the time to kick for territory and try to steal the ball back, but we didn't I know we didn't want to lose possession but we weren't getting anywhere during our phase play. And when England did have a lineout PoM stole it.

Any citings?

vapor trails

Did anyone notice the number of empty seats in the Stade De France for the France V Wales Match? The attendance of 60,000 must be one of the worst home turnouts for a France home match in a few years. Especially on an opening night when all is to play for. The TV Camera's would have you think the attendance was decent but all the empty seats were on the Camera side of the pitch.

ionadnapokot

vapor trails wrote: »

Did anyone notice the number of empty seats in the Stade De France for the France V Wales Match? The attendance of 60,000 must be one of the worst home turnouts for a France home match in a few years. Especially on an opening night when all is to play for. The TV Camera's would have you think the attendance was decent but all the empty seats were on the Camera side of the pitch.

Wales fans couldn’t fly because of bad weather

Burkie1203

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Wales fans couldn’t fly because of bad weather

Part if it yes but they didn't all have tickets for that upper tier together. Block after block of empty seats.

vapor trails wrote: »

Did anyone notice the number of empty seats in the Stade De France for the France V Wales Match? The attendance of 60,000 must be one of the worst home turnouts for a France home match in a few years. Especially on an opening night when all is to play for. The TV Camera's would have you think the attendance was decent but all the empty seats were on the Camera side of the pitch.

Happened a few times lately. Last few years have seen the same thing a few times

troyzer

You could see Guirado looking at all of the empty seats when they came out for the anthems