Here is the England team to face Wales in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium.

England: M Smith; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, B Curry, Earl.
Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford.

As probably anticipated by many on here, I have some questions:-

1. Why, when the Welsh back three are not the biggest, do we take our best tall, chasing winger and bung him in the unfamiliar position of centre and take the guy (Daly), who had a good game at centre last week out on to the wing?
2. Why have we taken out our best source of go forward in the back row (Willis) and replace him with arguably our best 7 at 8?
3. Why have we effectively picked 4 open side flankers in the squad and only 1 specialist 6 & 8 and left them on the bench?
4. Why have we picked 3 fly halves in the squad but have no cover at centre or wing?

I'm going to feel a keen sense of relief at the end of this 6N when I can stop banging my head against the wall.

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

Here is the England team to face Wales in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium.

England: M Smith; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, B Curry, Earl.
Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford.

As probably anticipated by many on here, I have some questions:-

1. Why, when the Welsh back three are not the biggest, do we take our best tall, chasing winger and bung him in the unfamiliar position of centre and take the guy (Daly), who had a good game at centre last week out on to the wing?
2. Why have we taken out our best source of go forward in the back row (Willis) and replace him with arguably our best 7 at 8?
3. Why have we effectively picked 4 open side flankers in the squad and only 1 specialist 6 & 8 and left them on the bench?
4. Why have we picked 3 fly halves in the squad but have no cover at centre or wing?

I'm going to feel a keen sense of relief at the end of this 6N when I can stop banging my head against the wall.

So they can shoehorn twins into the team and confuse the opposition ?

@MN5 said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

So they can shoehorn twins into the team and confuse the opposition ?

We have three Barrett's - two in our backline alone - and you could argue they never confuse the opposition.

@MN5

That does sound like a cunning Borthwick plan and in truth, I'd be happy with both the Curry's playing but I'd still have Willis at 8.

Although Tom Curry often plays at 6, he is more of a natural 7. As is his brother. As is Earl. As is Pollock on the bench.

So we have four options at 7 and no cover at lock. As well as three options at 10 and no cover at wing and centre.

For sure we have picked an attacking squad, although lacking in out and out pace. but will we play an attacking game?

@Victor-Meldrew

Luckily one has a spazzy haircut to distinguish himself from the others.

I know English fans want to see a comprehensible game plan, but the best the Welsh can hope for is a plucky loss.

If it's in the balance with 10 to go, Borthwick should be fired regardless.

@Catogrande very slow back row and lightweight front row. Wales should win easily.

@Bones

I saw an old match programme and thought if you saw it, you’d have a hissy fit. Not only did it do the sequencing that you don’t like but it ended on 6, 8, 7.

OCD triggered.

@Catogrande next you weirdos will do something like using letters...

Rogers injured so Roberts on to the wing.

Wainwright starts and all three of the back row can go 80 mins.

Suprised Tompkins is back in. Would have persevered with Eddie James.

Can Wales win? Yes

Will Wales win? Very unlikely.

England by 11-15.

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

Here is the England team to face Wales in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium.

England: M Smith; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, B Curry, Earl.
Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford.

As probably anticipated by many on here, I have some questions:-

1. Why, when the Welsh back three are not the biggest, do we take our best tall, chasing winger and bung him in the unfamiliar position of centre and take the guy (Daly), who had a good game at centre last week out on to the wing?
2. Why have we taken out our best source of go forward in the back row (Willis) and replace him with arguably our best 7 at 8?
3. Why have we effectively picked 4 open side flankers in the squad and only 1 specialist 6 & 8 and left them on the bench?
4. Why have we picked 3 fly halves in the squad but have no cover at centre or wing?

I'm going to feel a keen sense of relief at the end of this 6N when I can stop banging my head against the wall.

Yes to all of the above, I just don't get it. Too many changes to have any coherence. The 4 7's, 3 10's thing is bizarre, god forbid Freeman gets injured early, ditto Itoje or Chessum. Just a weird careless selection IMO

@Dodge if in doubt, copy what the All Blacks did last year. Hasn't been a good strategy for over half a decade now.

I'm totally baffled that Willis isn't starting, trying to give the guy a run in the side, he could turn into a world class 8 - he brings physicality that the others don't. I'm always scared of Wales, they get up for the England game like no other, and as a man who wakes up in cold sweats thinking about Wembley 1999 let alone the losses since I hate the idea this is the game we decide to muck around with.

@MiketheSnow

I can't understand the reluctance of several coaches to give Wainwright a real run as a starter. He's been the most consistent back row performer for the last few years despite being in and out of the side. He'd be a serious Lions contender if he'd been given a better shot at things.

Oh and it looks like Borthwick's cunning plan to pick 4 open sides to counter the dual threat of Reffell and Morgan has been thwarted with ease.

@Bones Or perhaps like Bath used to do - have 1-12 and then 14, 15 & 16.

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

@MiketheSnow

I can't understand the reluctance of several coaches to give Wainwright a real run as a starter. He's been the most consistent back row performer for the last few years despite being in and out of the side. He'd be a serious Lions contender if he'd been given a better shot at things.

Oh and it looks like Borthwick's cunning plan to pick 4 open sides to counter the dual threat of Reffell and Morgan has been thwarted with ease.

He's been injured and is now back to full fitness and form.

Hence the starting spot.

Our back row is nicely balanced.

I read that Earls is covering midfield, that French loosie did pretty well there last week. Ardie to midfield confirmed

@Machpants said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

I read that Earls is covering midfield, that French loosie did pretty well there last week. Ardie to midfield confirmed

He'd need to get past David Havili. No chance

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

@MiketheSnow

I can't understand the reluctance of several coaches to give Wainwright a real run as a starter. He's been the most consistent back row performer for the last few years despite being in and out of the side. He'd be a serious Lions contender if he'd been given a better shot at things.

Oh and it looks like Borthwick's cunning plan to pick 4 open sides to counter the dual threat of Reffell and Morgan has been thwarted with ease.

He's been injured and is now back to full fitness and form.

Hence the starting spot.

Our back row is nicely balanced.

Understood, but A) I'm looking a lot further back and for some reason, he's not nailed down a starting place despite being fit enough to be in the squad and also being a really consistent performer and B.) I sort of feel if a guy is fit enough to be on the bench, then he's fit enough to start.

A criminal waste of talent and also a criminal limiting of a guy's potential.

IMO.

Which is worth fuck all.

Can we put a time limit - like we do with penalty kicks - on pre-game/KO ceremonies?

Remembering someone or an event when appropriate is great - but every bloody game?

What the fuck is the point of Itoje trying to tell the ref what happened when he's already got the TMO on it? Go away you muppet.

Point a minute stuff, Wales don't look to be in a good place huh.

Wish the AB's could exit as well as England.

That maul was clearly on the trot, why blow it up?

@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

Wish the AB's could exit as well as England.

You will give anything to try and claim England are in a good place eh. Does Borthwick remind you of Foster?

@Bones

Nah. Just pointing out England exits in this game have been good.

PS: You forgot to slip in a mention of how shit you think Will Jordan is. :fishing_pole:

@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

Nah. Just pointing out England exits in this game have been good not shit.

Better.

How did LCD make that tackle?

@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

How did LCD make that tackle?

Borthwick.

What the fuck....how on earth was that Earl on his feet? That's fucked.

Wales so frustrating to watch. They score a try to get back in it and to send their fans into rapture, but then they concede another almost straight away.

And Wales concede again. They're fucked.

England have lots of ball carriers and a lot of power, but casual Welsh defence is making their life easy.

All but over by half time.

Wales 7 England 28.

England in for a 5th, but did Itoje knock that on?

They are checking it.

That's hilarious, Itoje walks away this time, knowing he fucked up.

Gets lucky.

England's kicking game has been excellent. I blame Borthwick.

Interesting one. He touched it for sure. But did it go clearly and obviously forward?

Oh come on, if it's not knock on, it's at the very least accidental offside.

@sparky said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

Interesting one. He touched it for sure. But did he go clearly and obviously forward?

No.