Yes, England lost to a better side, on the day, but the half backs are supposed to be the ones who dictate the game for you and England's failed miserably.
England's pack weren't being dominated like Ireland's were (against England) so Farrell had a lot more to work with than Sexton did.
Sexton is simply a better flyhalf than Farrell. Biggar does all the basics better and Russell can make far more things happen. They can all tackle better than Farrell too.
And before anyone mentions his kicking - 63% in last year's 6N and 71% so far this year. OK but not exactly brilliant.
The same Jonny Sexton that was shite vs England?
He’s been carrying an injury, hasn’t he? It restricts his kicking, so he’s not able to play his normal game.
The same off-form Bigger that was replaced by 2 other Welsh 10’s and had only recently come back to form?
Biggar hasnt been off form, he is just limited, still is.
Faz is better than Biggar, Anscombe and Russell. Russell has been more consistent recently though so thats not a straight forward call
This Farrell stuff goes around in circles. He's definitely limited but in the absence of better options in the NH is probably second best after Sexton and neither are ahead of a number in the SH. I just wonder did he have an off day or did Wales give him a bit more of a going over than we saw on camera (besides AWJ shoveling him unceremoniously over a ruck of course 😀 )
I think the radio commentary suggested England were on top in the first half because they had more zip than Wales, they were getting over the gain line and recycling better than Wales. Having said that,sitting in the pub I said to one of my fellow watchers that I thought Wales would be ok with the score sheet at half time as they had absorbed alot of pressure and were still very much in the game. I was quite surprised to see the possession and territory statistics at half time which Wales had more than shaded.
England were neutralised in the second half as their half backs came under increased pressure and Wales began to dominate the collisions.
Very good game of football between two fine sides, which Wales fully deserved to win, but it wouldn't have taken much for the result to go the other way, but England didn't have it on the day (or Wales didn't let them).
They lost to a better team
I'm not sure they did, they lost to a better coached team. Swap Gatland and Edwards with Jones and whoever and the story would have been different imo. When Gatland leaves Wales we're ****ed!
Farrell does seem quite robotic at times, as in he plays the moves, not what's in front of him.
Given how the England pack have operated he should be much better and have more time but delivery from 9 is an issue and although I really rate Robson I doubt Farrell would do well outside him, ford maybe.
I’m not qualified to know how good Farrell is, I don’t understand the subtleties well enough. However, Gatland chose him for the Lions. Also, I have listened to a lot of rugby podcasts over the last couple of weeks and everybody who mentions Farrell says he is exceptional; not just how he plays, but the effect he has on the rest of the team.
You're right namaste, Biggar and Russell are clearly better than Farrell....must be why they both went on the last 2 Lions tours and Farrell didn't.
Sale have announced another wave of Saffas today, looking like a good squad next season.
they lost to a better coached team.
This
Russell is a much better attacking 10 than Farrell, and Bigger is a better kicker. Farrell makes few mistakes but he is simply not capable of the kick chase that Biggar does or the amazing creation of space Russell does. they are both much better defensively. Biggar is also a limited 10 and Russell makes too many mistakes.
What Farrell has is a very good conventional game and makes few mistakes. Look at last years Calcutta cup for how much better Russell is than Farrell. Russell created tries that Farrell is simply not capable of
Lions tours - Russell would not be suitable to a Gatland game plan nor to playing with players he is unfamiliar with. Farrell was the right choice but that does not make him a better player. He isn't.
Racing do not pay Russell £700 000pa plus bonuses for no reason.
Lions tours – Russell would not be suitable to a Gatland game plan
and yet Anscombe is picked ahead of Biggar. Last Lions tour was too soon for Russell, he's improving still.
Has he been injured then Teej? Looks like Racing are in the bottom half of the Top14. I hope they’re getting their money's worth.
Just think how good France could be with Farrell at 10!!
Racing do not pay Russell £700 000pa plus bonuses for no reason.
Pmsl at the weakest argument ever. From a country know for throwing money at players that means nothing .
Just think how good France could be with Farrell at 10!!
They wouldn’t be. They play off the 9 much more than the 10.
All credit to Russell, he seems to be having a heck of a season and has come on no end.
I would have rather Patchell had the development time over Anscombe as he was on the cusp of becoming a 2011 Priestland. Shame injuries and some confidence denting performances happened along the way. Maybe it’s my imagination but he seems more at home as a 15???
France would either stick Farrell at Full Back, Scrum Half or Loose head before they played him at 10!
Given that the average top 14 budget is 20 mil this season it's not surprising that Russell is big money is it? Savea is on a round mil a year.....on form over the last year would you have him or say Seymour, Maitland, Mcguigan....those three probably don't earn that between them.
France play more off 9 because they rarely pick a proper 10!
Ahhh, the annual fly half debate.
Farrell certainly divides opinion of the fans yet coaches seem to rate him as to guys like Nicky Evans.
Personally I think he’s developed pretty well. He’s not an attacking genius or a maverick but I think he’s improved that area of his game. His tackling is pretty shit though...
I think the number of missed tackles he gets seems to be a direct result of the way he's deployed in England's defensive system.....he sprints out of the line at any given opportunity to close down the space of the ball carrier, lots of the time there's little chance of him getting there in time to make a full tackle, but he does disrupt the flow of the attack etc
11 in one match?
... and consistently double figure every match 😳
Just seen that Matt Tait has been forced to retire due to ongoing injury issues. A real shame because he was a fantastic player before his first major injury which robbed him of some pace.
That’s just giving AA an excuse to post THAT tackle.
Please stop.
😉
Ha ha. I guess so, but that run in the 2007 WC final against SA makes up for that.
Always sad to see player retire through injury.
But it was two tackles not a tackle!!!
The second one would now be a penalty
I was always a massive fan of Tait, turns out I was there for his last match! Picked up his injury v Sale on the last day of the season last year, a real shame.
Cory Hill out of the rest of the 6n's, as is Lawes.....so many injuries this season again ☹️
I can't help thinking Lawes is his own worst enemy, always looking to throw himself into these massive hits must take it's toll on him as well as the guy he smashes
They are usually half his size so I don't think that is the issue *runs away*
Not sure how that affects his calf muscles...
Lawes is far more than just a tackle machine these days. He still hits hard, but he carries well and actually makes an effort to link with the backs etc. He’s pretty good in the line out too.
Lawes is far more than just a tackle machine these days.
Yeah but Cory Hill is a British Lion!!!!
Georgia are in talks about a Pro14 team..... really positive move for them.
I'm not sure that it is for the league though. The structure currently is bonkers! I really don't see how the South African teams have a future in the competition, and the addition of a Georgian team adds another big chunk of travel. Apparently there's a new Welsh region based near Wrexham being created..... although one region could be lost too. All a bit of a mess really.
All change on the Wuss wings.
Adams looks to be going to Cardiff. Bryce Heem (who's been superb of late) sadly off to Toulon.
But we get Samoan Ed Fidow (hoohee?) and Tom Howe has really started performing so should make regular 1st XV pick.
Looks like a spicy England training session yesterday with the Georgians! Fight Club!
squidge report is good. good analysis and funny
Cracking game and atmosphere at Ashton Gate last night. Love a local derby.
Sarries annual spanking of Saints is well underway and will be bringing them back down to earth with a bump!
Stoner - loosing Heem and Adams is a blow. Both have been brilliant. Hopefully Toloun’s owner will continue to be a helmet and single out Heem causing him to end his contract early and come back!
TomB that’s what I was told yesterday, Ospreys to go at end of season and a new region in Gogland.
To be honest that would leave me with out a team, got to the Ospreys from supporting Swansea. You just can’t say “oh I am a dragons supporter now” or who ever.
Well it has been a ride but currently the team are playing like it is all over.
Ospreys v Leicester in the 08 or 09 Anglo Welsh final was the first game I ever went to.....Spreys hosed Leicester! What a massive downturn both clubs have had recently. Real shame they're going, for the fans mainly.
Are they merging with Cardiff then?
Ospreys v Leicester in the 08 or 09 Anglo Welsh final was the first game I ever went to…..Spreys hosed Leicester!
That was the game before Richard Hill single handedly hosed the Ospreys in the Euro Cup, iirc? I was at both.
I was at the very first announcement about the Ospreys, in a pub in Wind St, I seem to remember. Lyn Jones bouncing around telling all of the hundred people gathered there about how good the region would be. I would be sad to see them go, but I’m part of the problem - they can’t seem to attract me to games anymore. And, as I’ve said before, I watch any and all rugby, had a season ticket to SCFC for decades and live 15 minutes walk from the Liberty. If I can’t be bothered going they really are struggling to sell themselves to more casual spectators.
How much is a ticket to the ospreys at home then?
I can’t help thinking if I still lived in wales I’d go watch a few games.
It’s the classic conundrum isn’t it, like the local pub. Everyone “supports it” and doesn’t want it closed but nobody goes and drinks there as it’s cheaper and easier to have a few drinks at h9me.
