Reffel is a great player for Leicester
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64488231
Thats a travesty IMO, and if thats gone, Swing Low should have gone way before it, and yes that has been sung by a choir / singer.
England squad for Sat.
Starting
15. Freddie Steward
14. Max Malins
13. Joe Marchant
12. Owen Farrell (C)
10. Marcus Smith
1. Ellis Genge (VC)
2. Jamie George
4. Maro Itoje
6. Lewis Ludlam
7. Ben Curry
Replacements
16. Jack Walker
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Dan Cole
19. Nick Isiekwe
20. Ben Earl
21. Ben Youngs
22. Ollie Lawrence
23. Anthony Watson
Irish team out also, Furlong injured. Front row looks vulnerable, Dan Sheehan is excellent around the park but very tall for a hooker. In the backs Stuart McCloskey starts with Aki on bench which is good to see, form being rewarded. Aki also worries me every time he goes into contact he is a fraction away from a red!
For Wales as expected Halfpenny out and Loopy Liam in!
Given the madness in coaching and injuries across the board, the whole thing is wide open.
Prior to the coaching changes I would have said Ireland or France for the title, with England down the bottom near Italy. However with Gatland coming on the scene I would elevate Wales chances to defo be in the top 2 spots.
England still down the bottom.
I think England will beat Scotland, Italy and a close call with Wales.
There I said it.
close call with Wales
But which way?
I think England will beat Scotland, Italy and a close call with Wales.
I will take your optimism. I actually think the game we will most likely win will be Scotland, only because it is the first game, and we will be full of naïve enthusiasm of a new squad anxious to prove their worth.
I fully expect to get beaten, nay shocked, by Italy, Capuozzo is a genius and we will find it impossible to contain him..
And it’s at Twickers.
I think the 1H will be conservative with Farrell aiming to play the game in the Scots half and the forwards as battering rams. I think the think in H2 the subs come in and there’s enough size and pace in the back line to score tries and win after the Scot’s have softened*
*My optimistic view of things. Of course that can all be thwarted by Youngs coming on and kicking the ball away and Smith going off in favour of a centre. Farrell won’t go off, he’s Captain. Oh, and Scotland turning up and playing well.
Scotland would struggle to cope with that back 3 but it'll be 80s English rugby. Centres crash it up into contact.
England V Scotland U20s is a cracker, England will edge it but a very good game
Well, here we are 😀.
The last few years I’ve made my predictions early and felt fairly confident in them, but this year I have no idea what might happen.
I think Ireland should go into the tournament as favourites. Whilst I think France are the strongest team, Ireland are seriously good and have the more favourable schedule - playing both France and England at home.
I do not have the confidence that a lot of Wales fans have now that Gatland has returned. I did fear that Wales might have potentially lost all their games this year had Pivac still been coach. But I still can’t see us finishing anything better than 5th or 6th.
Wales have a 20-25% chance today I’d say.
England favourites today, in large part due to home advantage. How well England and Scotland will play today, I have no idea.
Red cards could play a large part throughout the tournament. My prediction:
Ireland
France
England
Scotland
Wales
Italy
England favourites today, in large part due to home advantage.
Judging by the social media they are wound up to the eyeballs. I hope we don't see a shouty Itoje and I think Gauss you are probably right about the reds. I didnt realise how big a winger Ollie HC is. **** me, 6'4 and 16 stone with Steward very similar. I do think Scotland are a bit more Cannie(?) in the backs and will exploit that area.
I’ve not seen the Scotland team for today. iirc Darcy Graham isn’t fit to play - I think they will miss him. He has turned into the player tj used to swoon over. Who is their replacement on the wing?
Steyn.is the replacement winger some selection surprises as ever but looks like the form picks
1) Schoe
2)Turner
3) Nel
4)R Gray
5) Gilchrist
6) Ritchie
7) Crosbie
8) Dempsey
9) White
10) Russell
11) VDM
12) Jones
13) Tuipulotu
14) Steyn
15) Hogg
Bench
Bhatti, Brown, Fagerson Sr, Gray Jr, Dempsey, Horne, Blairhorn, Harris
Im looking forward to Tuipulotu running thru Farrell.
Im looking forward to Tuipulotu running thru Farrell.
Surely Farrell has seen it all before?
Who’s White?
White - plays for London Irish - decent young SH. Big call leaving Price out.
Hairs standing on back of neck time. I'm English, but by crikey do the Welsh do a smashing anthem (Ireland aren't bad either).
Edit: in the interests of fairness and transparency, Scotland are quite good too. Oh, and I'm an 1/8 Welsh 🤣🤣
Gulp. Here we go. Hoping Wales play better than against Ireland last year 🤞🤞
Not thus far... 🙂
😭😭
For ****s sake, this is absolutely grim. Pivac must be pissing himself.
This is the ideal first game for Ireland. A tough workout with a comfortable win, will set them up perfectly.
Well this really isn’t going well, expected a bit more than this.
That's an awful decision
Well this really isn’t going well, expected a bit more than this.
Yep, bit shit. Second half has been better but too often forcing it in the Ireland 22
When Wales got their defence organised in 2nd half it was a contest. But the Welsh attack was very poor, no midfield runners so ended up with throwing a wide ball to whichever punter was stood there isolated. Throwing a looping ball to Ken Owens 15 metres from any support...
Wales not as far away as the score line suggests, Porter was a penalty machine in the second half, almost helped Wales back into it by himself. pity as I thought he was a likely MOM after first half.
😀 excellent
Scotland do a good job of coming up with ‘quirky’ set plays. Beautifully executed.
Now that is a try!!!
Sinfield has work to do, Farrell, ffs. But form players let loose seems to be an improvement. They are playing with a will to score rather than to an EJ plan is so much better. We could be a good team eventually.
I think Scotland may edge this. VDM, just wow what a try!
Van dM is a beast, but Englands defence is a bit shonky.
Great game though - good to see both teams going full on.
Scotland getting away with a few yards on their kick off chases, but if the ref lets you, why wouldn’t you!
VDM, just wow what a try
Be still my beating heart!
I think Scotland may edge this
Doubt it. England to pull away in the final 1/4
Good game so far. Lots of good attacking intent from both sides. England actually using the outside backs for a cuange
Great game so far (and what a try) but I think England are looking the stronger of the two. Russel not having his best game and too many turnovers. Hope I'm wrong though.
Van poorvliwt is garbage!
Not as bad as the commentary, be nice if the master race analysts could tell the Scotland players apart.
be nice if the master race analysts could tell the Scotland players apart.
At least they can recognise the saffas!!
Van poorvliwt is garbage!
Can't quite understand the selection tbh. (Leicester connection aside). And Ben Curry is no Tom Curry. (Just my opinion.)
Barclay is a really good analyst on R5.
Sometimes I wonder if Scotland actually want to win!
Great work Scotland, but Englands defence is worse than U14!
Good game that, well done Scotland.
That was fun
