England Team News v Wales 06th August 2011

[Bertos]

The BBC have an article up on the team for the weekends game. It includes Johnny Wilkinson talking about Manu and a short interview with Manu himself.

Link below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/brynpalmer/2 ... lands.html

[Stupid]

Possibly the most interesting selection for me is Steve Walsh as ref, now listed as Australian...

Has anyone seen him reffing since his return and did it look like he had got his act together?

[Old Hob]

Possibly the most interesting selection for me is Steve Walsh as ref, now listed as Australian...

Has anyone seen him reffing since his return and did it look like he had got his act together?

He did Scotland v Italy in the 6N this year and did OK (but then there was little for him to lose his temper over) and he is a RWC referee

[crateman]

Jamie Roberts in the toriegraph

""It's England against Wales on Saturday, and it will be massive. It is the ultimate game for any Welsh player to play in, and it's important that we are ready to go."

Thanks for the flattery and all that, but is that the height of Welsh ambition? What about doing well in competitions?
Shame.

Of course, he could actually be using the term "ultimate" correctly, in which case he wouldn't be expecting to play any part in RWC 2011 further than the warm-up games. Now that would be setting your sights low.

[TigerGirl2210]

Hi guys long time no speak I know! Wonder if anyone can help me, I am in Malta and really want to listen to the England v Wales game, but I can't pick up the radio coverage here on 5 live as I am out of the uk! Does anyone know of any websites offering live audio coverage of the game? A beer or 5 will be drank in honour of anyone successful!

[bluntiger]

It is on Radio 5 Live Sports extra from 14.15pm BST. Google it to get the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/5livesportsextra/commentaries/

[Wood Pecker]

Nice one Manu. Keep up the good work. England 20 Wales 7.

[Wood Pecker]

Looks bad, Moody being helped off the field. Injured right leg, let's keep our fingers crossed it's not going to keep him out of RWC.

[AidanMcDowell]

Mixed performance from England. Manu took his try brilliantly although looked nervous early on. Danny Care was utter rubbish and is a real worry if BY doesn't get back fit. Armitage looked good, maybe getting back to his best. The main thing though was Wilkinson. He really did look excellent today and I feel he's nudged his way back into the No 10 shirt ahead of Flood. He's playing flat like Flood now but his ability to pop over drop goals, and 'read' the game, just seems superior to Flood and gives him the edge, IMHO. Looking forward to next week and the return of the likes of Foden and Ashton.

[crateman]

Agree about Care, Wilko and Armitage, but I thought Manu looked like he was just being careful with the new experience. Nothing too flash and settle in - sensible.

[bluntiger]

Danny Care was utter rubbish and is a real worry if BY doesn't get back fit.

Danny Care's passing was terrible, irratic and all over the place.

[parkerd68]

Agree about Care, but applaud that he wanted to stop play when Stoddart was suffering with what turned out to be a broken leg.

Fair play to him, but he's just not as good as BY.

[Duncan B]

Toby certainly has to have a big game in the next match to keep his slot. Jonny was exceptional. My preference would be to play Toby at 12 but probably too late for that now. 12 is still a big question for me. Maybe move Tindall there and play Manu at 13. Didnt think Crofty had a great game, few knock ons. I was disappointed with Flutey because he actually started quite well, but there were a number of occasions when he should have been standing in to distribute and he was nowhere to be seen.

[dailywaffle]

From my seat in the NW corner:

Armitage - 6.5
Banahan - 4
Tuilagi - 5
Flutey - 3
Cueto - 4
Wilkinson - 6
Care - 4
Corbisiero - 4
Hartley - 3
Stevens - 6
Shaw - 5.5
Palmer - 4
Croft - 6
Haskell - 5
Moody - 3

No ratings for the reps, other than to say that Botha looks miles off being international class. If its Shaw v Botha then the old boy is on the plane.

[Duncan B]

Wilkinson 6? Was your seat that bad!

After that my world cup 30 would be:

Stevens
Cole
Sheridan
PDJ

Hartley
Mears
Thompson

Shaw
Palmer
Lawes

Croft
Haskell
Moody (C)
Easter
Wood

Youngs
Care
Wigglesworth

Wilkinson
Flood
Hodgson

Tindall
Hape
Tuilagi

Ashton
Cueto
Banahan
Monye/Sharples
Foden
Armitage


Really think Flutey played his way out, unless he is lucky enough to be given another start in the warm ups,which is why Hodgson comes in as 3rd 10 option. Ditto Corbisero who I would definately have had in there before today. Shaw inked himself in for me.