Wednesday 4 February 2015

Six nations 2015

So it is soon upon us and only 2 days till Wales face England at the Millenium stadium.

Gatland has shown his cards early, some say he is playing mind games but this is a bold move and one that shows faith in his selection and is going to give England something to think about.

The Wales team to face England is:

Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
So it looks like a familiar squad. Most players are on form but Cuthbert and North really need to prove themselves and get some time with ball in hand. Liam Williams is probably unlucky to be on the bench having performed so well against south Africa and is currently playing well for the Scarlets, if he comes off the bench then he will get a rousing welcome and can be garenteed to put in some big tackles and will look to run with the ball in hand.

The England team to face Wales will be announced shortly today but I would imagine that we will see some new faces and combinations, due to injury and Lancaster must hope his team can gel before the match.

Because of home advantage, no injuries and familiarity in the Welsh squad, and disruption to the England team, through injury, I would expect a Welsh win. But anything can happen and the English side are still competitive, this just goes to show that they have strength in depth.

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